16 THE OJSfAIIA DAILY JJJiJJB : STODAY , OCTOBER 10 , 18J)8.
( Copyrighted , 1S33 , by S. n. Crockett. )
L'lIAl'TKIt I.
Ilntcr ( lie llliiL-k
Merry fell the eve of Whitsunday of the
rear 1439 In the fairest and hcartsomest
spot la all the Scottish southland. The
twined maypole had riot yet been taken
down from before the house of Brawny Kim ,
master armorer and foster father to Wil
liam , sixth carl of Douglas and lord of Gal
loway.
Mallno Kim , who by common voice was
named "tho Brawny , " sat In his wlckor
chair before bit ) door , overlooking the Island-
ntuddcd , falryllko loch of Carllnwark. In
( ho smithy across the green , baro-trodden
road two of his older sons were still ham-i
merlng at nome armor of choice. But It was
a ploy of their own , which they desired to
finish that they might go trig and polnt-
devlco to the earl's weapon-showing tomor
row on the braes of Balraaghle. Shollo and
Laurence were the names of the two who
hammered the ringing steel and blew the
smooth-handled bellows of touuh bull hide
that wheezed and puffed us tinflro i oared
deep nud red bcforo sinking to the right
wcldlns heat In a little Ilame round the
buckle tacho of the girdle brace they veto
working on.
And as they hammered they talked to-
KCthor In alternate snatches and silences.
Sholto , the elder , meanwhile keeping an eye
on his father , for their converge was not
recant to reach the ear of the grave , strong
man who sat so still In the chair with the
afternoon sun In his cjes.
"Hark ye , Laurence , " said Sholto , re
turning from a visit to the door of the
smithy , the upper part of which was open ,
"no longer will I bo a hammerer or Iron
and blower of fires for my father. I am
going to be a soldier of fortune , and bo I
will tell him. "
"When wilt thou tell him ? " raughdd his
brother , tauntingly. "I wager iny purple
velvet doublet slashed with gold , which I
bought with mlno own money last Rood fair
that yoU will not go across and tell him now
Will jou take the dare ? "
"Tho purpto velvet > ou mean If" s > ald
Sholto , eagerly. "Mind If you refuse and
will not give It up after promising , I will
nick that lying throat of yours with my
gulllo knife. "
And with that Sholto threw down his
pincers and hammer and valiantly throw-
open the lower door of the smithy. Ho
looked with bold dark eyes at his father , and
stepped slowly across the grimy doorstep.
Brawny Kim had not moved for an hour.
His great hands lay In his lap , and his eyes
looked at the purple ridges of Scrcel across
the beautiful loch of Carllnwark , which
sparked and dimpled among Its Isles like a
llttlo vvllfu ! beauty under the gaze of a
score of gallants.
But Sholto's step slowed and lost Its brag
gart strut and confidence. Behind him
Laurence chuckled and laughed , smiting his
thigh In his mocking glee.
"Tho purple velvet , ralnd you , Sholto ; how-
well It will become > ou , coft from Hob Halli
burton. our mother's own brother , seamed
with rod gold and lined with yellow satin
und cramoslc. Well , Indeed , will It set you
when Maud Llndesay. the maid who came
from the north for company to the earl's
ulster , looks forth from the canopy upon you
as you stand In the archer's rank on the
morrow's morn. "
Sholto squared his shoulders , and with a
little backward hitch of his elbow , which
meant , "Walt till I coma back and I will
" ho strode detcr-
pay you for this flouting.
ranedly > across the green epaco toward his
father.
The master armorer of Karl Douglas iliu
not lift his eyes till his sou had half ciossed
the road. Then even as a rank of spears-
men nt the word of command lift their
glittering points to the "ready , " Sholto
MacKIm stopped dead whore he was with
- finds his defenseless
a sort of gasp Hko ono -who
fenseless body breast high against the llnu
of hostile steel.
"Tho purple velvet " came the cautious
whisper from behind. But the taunt was
powerless now.
The smith held his son a moment with
his eyes.
"Well ? " came in the deep , low voice ,
more like the lowest tones of an organ
than the speech of a , man.
Sholto stood fixed , then half turning on
his heel ho began to walk towards the cor
ner of the dwelling house over which a gay
streamer of the creeping convolvolus dan
gled and swung In the stirring of the light
breeze.
"You vvlnh speech -with me ? " sala his
father. In the bamo level and thrilling un
dertone
"No , " said Sholto , "I liut thought that
Is I desired saw jou Magdalen pass the
way ? I have somewhat to give her. "
"Ah so , " said Brawny Kim without mov
ing. "a steel breastplate , belike. Thou hast
the brace-bucklo In thy hand. Doth , the
llttlo Magdalen go with you to the weapon
show tomorrow ? "
"No , father , " said Sholto , stammering ,
"but I was uneasy for the child. It Is
an hour since I heard her voice. "
"Then. " said Ills father , "go finish your
work , put out the fire and Beck your sis
ter. "
Sholto brought his hands together and
made the llttlo Inclination of the head which
was a sign of filial respect. Then , solemn
as If ho had been In his place In the ordered
line of the earl's first levy of archer-men ,
he turned him about ami went back to the
emlthy.
Laurence lay nil abroad on the heap of
charcoal of which the armorers' welding fire
was made. Laurence was fairly expiring
with laughter , and when his brother angrily
kicked him In the ribs he only waggled
an Ineffectual hand and feebly crowed Hko
a cock In his throat , In his efforts to stllle
the sounds of mirth.
"Get up. fool , " hissed his angry brother ,
"help mo with thlfl accursed hammer strik
ing or I will make an end of such a giggling
lout as you. Here , hold up. "
And seizing his younger brother by the
collar of his blue working blouse , ho dragged
him upon his feet.
"Now , by the saints , " said Sholto , "It you
cast your gibes upon me , by St. Andrew I
will break every bono In your Idiot's body. "
"Tho purple velvet O , the purple velvet , "
gasped Laurence , as soon as ho could re
cover speech , "and the eyes of Maud Llnde-
Bay ! "
"That will teach you to think rather of
the eyes of Laurence MacKIm ! " cried Sholto ,
nd without more ado hit his brother with
his clenched knuckles a fair blow on tbo
bridge of his noso.
The next moment the two lads were grap
pling together like wildcats , striking , kick
ing and biting with no thought except of
who should have the best of the battle ,
They rolled on the floor , now tussellng among
the crackling faggots , nnon pitching soft as
one body on the peat duet In the corner ,
again knocking over a bench and bringing
down the tools thereon to the tloor with a
jlnglo which might have been heard far
out on the loch. They were still claw
ing and cuffing each other la blind rage ,
Dy < 5. R.Crock
" " *
/ XH/fMOR Of "TWC H , DCaj'
M . < p > na/O
when a hand , heavy and remorseless ,
was laid upon each , Sholto found him
self being dabbled In the great temperIng -
Ing cauldron which stood by his father's
forgo. Laurence heard his own teeth rattle
ns he was shaken till his joints waggled like
those of n puppet at Kelton nlll fair. Then
It was his turn to bo dowsed In the water.
Next their heads were soundly knocked to
gether , nnd finally like a pair of arrows sent
right nnd left , Laurence sped forth at the
window In the gable end nnd found himself
In the midst of a gooseberry bush , whilst
Sholto , flying out of the door , fell sprawling
on all fours almost under the feet of a horse
on which a young man sat , smilingly watchIng -
Ing the bcene.
Brawny Kim scattered the embers of the
fire on the forgo hearth , nnd throw the
breastplate and glrdlo brace at which the
boys had been working Into a corner of the
smithy. Then he turned to lock the door
with the massive key which stood so far out
from the upper leat that to It the horses
waiting their turn to bo shod were ordinarily
tethered.
As hc > did so ho caught sight of the young
man sitting on the black horse. Instantly
a change passed over his face. With ono
motion of his hand ho swept the broad blua
bonnet from his brow nnd bowed the gri/zred
head which had worn It upon his breast.
Thus for the breathing of a breath the mas
ter armorer stood , and then looked up again
at the joung knight on horseback.
"My lord , " too said , after a long pause , In
which ho waited for the youth to speak ,
"this Is not well you rldo unattended and
unarmed. "
"Ah , Mallse , " laughed the young carl ,
"a Douglas has few prh lieges If ho may not
sometimes on n summer eve lay aside his
heavy prlsoninent of armor and don such n
suit as this. What think you , eh ? Is It
not a valiant apparel , as might almost be
seem ono who rode a-courtlng ? "
The mighty master smith looked at the
joung man with ejcs In which reverence ,
rebuke and admiration strove together.
"But , " ho said , wagging his head with n
grave humoiousncss , "jour lordship needs
not to ildo a-courtlng. You are to bo mar
ried to a great dame , who will bring you
wealth , alliance and the dower of provinces. "
The young man shrugged his shoulders nnd
swung lightly off his charger , which turned
to look at him as ho stood und patted Ite
neck
"Know you not , Mallse , " he said , "that
! i the carl of Douglas must needs marry
I provinces nnd the lord of Galloway wed
riches ? But what Is there 111 that to pre
vent Will Douglas going courting at 17 years
of his nge , ns n young in mi ought ? But
have no fear. I come not hlthor
seeking the favor of any save of
that Illy flower of joins , the only
true May blossom that blooms on
the thorns of Carllnwark. I would look
upon the angel smllo on the face of jour
llttlo Magilalen. And ehu bo here , 1
would tttss her arm-high for a kiss of her
mouth , which I would rather touch than
that of lady or leman. Tor I do ever pro
fess myself her vassal nnd slave. Where
have jou hidden her , Mallso ? "
The smith lifted up his volco till It struck
on tbo walls of his cottage- and echoed like
thunder along the shores of the lake
"Dame Barbara , " he cried , and again get
ting no answer , "Ho , Dame Barbara , 1
say ! "
Then at the second hello , a shrill and
somewhat peevish volco proceeded from
within the house opposite.
"Aye , coming , can you not hear , great
dolt ! Deed and deed 'tis a pretty pass
when a woman with the cares of a house
hold must como running light-too and clat-
ttr-heel to every call of buch a lazzy lout.
Husband indeed not house-band , but
house-bond I wet , house-torment , house-
thorn house-cross "
A sonsy well favored head strangely nt
variance with the words which came from
It peeped out , and Instantly the scolding
prattle was stilled. Back went the head
Into the dark of the house as If shot from a
bombard.
Mallso MacKIm Indulged in a low hoarse
chuckle as ho caught the words "Eh , 'tis
my Lord William ! Save us , and mo wantIng -
Ing my Ilyssll gown that cost mo ten silver
shillings the oil , and not even my whlto
peaked cap upon my head. "
Her husband glanced at the young earl
to see If ho appreciated the savor of the
Jest. Then ho looked away turning thoen-
Jojment over and over under his own
tongue , nnd muttering : "Ah , well , 'tis not
his fault. iNo man hath sense of humor
before he Is10 years of his age and 'tis
all the riper at CO. "
Tlie young man's eyes were looking this
way nnd that , up and down the smooth
pathway that skirted like a green selvage
the shores of the loch.
"Mallse , " he suld , as It ho had already
forgpttcn his late eager quest for the little
Magdalen , "Darnaway hero has a shoe loose ,
nnd tomorrow I rldo to levj- , and may also
joust a bout In the tilt yard of the after
noon. I would not ask you to work on
Whitsunday but that there cometh my Lord
Fleming nnd lAlan Laudcr of the Bass ,
bringing with them an embassy from
Franco and I hear there may bo fair ladles
of their company. "
"Ah , quoth Mallse , grlmlv. "So I have
heard it said concerning the embassies of
Charles , king of Franco ! "
But the young man smiled and dusted one1
or two Hecks of foam , which had blown
backward from his horse's bit , upon the rich
crimson doublet of finest velvet , which cinc
tured closery at the waist , fell half-way to
his knco in heavy double plaits sewn with
gold. A hunting horn of black and gold was
suspended about his neck by a bandolier of
dark leather , embroidered with bosses of
gold. laced boots of soft , black leather ,
drawn together on the outside from ankle to
mid-calf with golden cord met the scarlet
"chauses" which covered his thigh and out
lined the figure of him who was the noblest
jouth nnd the most gallant In all the realm
of Scotland.
Earl William were no sword , only a llttlo
gold-headed polnard with '
a woman's finger
ring set upon the point of the hilt was .nt
his side , nnd he stood easily resting his hand
upon it as he talked , drawing It an Inch
from Its sheath and snicking It back non-
chaleutly with a sound Hko the clicking of a
well-oiled lock ,
"Clink the strokes strongly and featly ,
Mallse , for tomorrow , when tbo Black
Douglas rides upon Black Darnaway under
the eyes of well of the women whom the
ambassadors are bringing to greet mo , there
must bo no stumbling and no mistakes. Oren
on the head of Mallse MacKIm the matter
sharl be , and let that wight remember that
the Douglas does not keep a dule tree up
there by the Gallows Slock for nothing. "
The mighty smith was by this time exam
ining the hooves of the earl's charger , one
by one , with such Instinctive delicacy of
touch that Darnaway felt the kindly Intent ,
and bending his neck about blew and snuf
fled Into tbo armorer'a tangled mat of crisp
gray hair.
Tp there , " exclaimed MacKIm as the
warm breath tickled his neck , and at the
burst of sound the steed shifted and clat
tered upon the hard-beaten floor of the
smithy , tossing his head till the bridle
chain rang nmaln. "Eh , my Lord William , "
an altered volco came from the doorstep
where dame Barbara MacKIm stood touting
low before the young carl , "but this 1s
a blythe and calamitous day for this poor
bit blgglng o' the Carllnwark to think that'
your toner should visit his servants ! Will
you no como ben and sit doon In the house-
place. Tls far from fitting for jour feet
to pass thereupon But gin yo will favor "
' 'Nay ' , I thank you , good Dame Barbara , "
eald the carl , very courteously taking the
closeflttlng black cap with the red feather
In it off bis head. "I must bldo but a
moment for j-our husband to set right cer-1
tain nails In the hooves of Darnaway here ,
to ready mo for the morrow. Do j-ou como
to see the sport ? So Buxom a dame as the
mistress of Carllnwark should not be absent
to encourage the lads to do their best at
( ho sword-play and the rivalry of the
butts. "
And as the dame came curtseying nnd
bowing her delighted thanks Earl William
setting a forefinger under her triple chin
stooped and kissed her In his gayest and
most dcbonnalr manner.
"Eh , to think on't , cried the dame clap
ping her hands together as she did at mass ,
"that I , Barbara MacKIm , that am raar-
rlet to a donnert auld care like Mallso there ,
should hao the prlvlego o a salute frao the
bonny mou' o' Yerl William ( Thank yc
kindly my lord ) and bo Inveeted to the
weapon-shawlng to sit nmang the leddles
and view tbo sport. Mellsc , my man , ca.V
ye no that an honor , a preevllego ? Is that
no' owing to me being the sister on my
falthcr's side o' Nlnlan Halliburton mer
chant and 'Indweller In Dumfries ? "
"Nay , nay , good dame , " laughed the earl ,
" 'tis all for the sake of your own charms.
I trust that jour good man here Is not
jealous , but beauty , jou well do ken , ever
sends the wits of a Douglas wool gathering.
Nevertheless , let us have a draft of jour
home-brewed ale , for kissing is but dry
A HAND , HEAVY AND REMORSELESS , WAS LAID UPON EACH.
work after all and little do I think of It ,
save ( and he set his cap on his head with a
gallant wave of his hand ) In the case of a
dame so fair and tempting as Dame Bar
bara. "
At this the woman cast up her hands and
her eyes again. "Eh , what will Marget
Ahanny o' the Shankfit say nee this fiae the
ycarl William. Eh , slrce , this Is beOtor than
an abboU's absolution. I declare Its inalr
Bustalnln' than a' the consolations of re
ligion. Mallse , do you hear , great dour cult
that yo are , what says ray lord ? And do
you think so llttlo of your married wife as
yo do ? Think shame , you being what yo
are , nnd mo the nln sister to that ) master
o' merchandise nnd balllle o' Dumfries ,
Nlnlan Livingstone. "
And with that she vanished Into the black
oblong of the door opposite the smithy.
CXIAVTUK II.
51 y Fnlr l.mly.
The strong man of Carlmwark made no
long Job of the horseshoeing , for as ho ham
mered and filed he marked the eye of the
young earl restlessly straying this way and
that along the green rlversldo ways and his
fingers nervously tapping the ashen casing of
the smithy wlndowslll. Mallse MacKIm
said to himself that he had not served a
Douglas for thirty years without knowing
by these signs t'hat there was the swing of a
klrtlo in the case.
Presently the last nail was made firm ,
and Black Darnaway was led , passaging and
tossing , out upon the green sward. Mallse
stood at his head fill the Douglas swung
himself Into the saddle with a motion light
as the first upward ( light of a bird.
Ho put his hand Into a pocket In the lining
of his "soubreveste" and took out a golden
"lion" of the king's recent mintage. He
spun It In the nlr off his thumb , nnd then
looked at It as ho caught It.
"I think you and I could send out a better
coinage than that with the old Great press
over there at Thrleve. " ho said.
Mallso smiled his quiet smile.
"If the carl of Douglas deigns to make me
the master of his mint , I promise him good ,
sound , broad pieces of a noble design that
Is , till Chancellor Crlchton hangs ino for
coining In the Grnssmarkct of Edinburgh. "
"That would be never , with the Douglas
lances to prick you a way out nnd the Doug
las gold to buy the good will of his traitor
ous judges ! "
Half unconsciously the carl sighed as he
looked nt the fair lake growing rosy In the
light of the sunset. His boyish face was
overspread with care , and for the moment ho
seemed ovcryoung to have Inherited so
great a burden. But the next moment ho
was himself again.
"I know , Mallse. " he said , "that I cannot
offer you gold In return for your admirable
handicraft. But 'tis nigh to Keltonhlll fair ;
do you divide this gold lion betwixt these
two bravo boys of yours ? Faith , right glad
was I to be carl of Douglas and not a son of
his master armorer when I saw you dlsclp-
llng Messlres Sholto and Laurence ! "
The Smith smiled grimly
"They are good enough lads , Sholto and
Laurence both , but they will be forever
gnurrlng nnd grappling at each other llko
moasan dogs about a kirk door.
"They will not make the worse soldiers
for that , Mallse. I pray you forgive them
for my sake. "
The master armorer took the hand of hla
young lord on which he was about to draw
a riding glove of Spanish leather. Very
reverently he kissed the signet ring upon It.
"My dear lord , " he eald , "I can refuse
naught to any of your gracious bouse , and
most of all to you , the light and pleasure
of It aye , and the light of a surly old man's
heart , more even thau the duty he o cs
to his OVNU married wife ! 0 , bo careful , my
lord , for you are the desire of many hearts
and the hope of all the land.1
He hesitated a moment , and then added
with a kind of curious bashfulness :
"Hut I nm concerned about yo this night ,
William DoUglas I fear that yo could not
could not permit me "
"Could not permit what out with It , old
grumblcpate ? "
"That I should saddle my Flanders mare
< nnd rldo after you , Mallso MacKIm would
not be In the way even If yo went a-trystlng.
' Ho kens brawly when to turn his head nnd
i look upon the hills and the woods and the
bonny waters. "
The carl laughed and shook hie head.
"No , no , Mallse , " he said , "were I Indeed
on such a quest the sight of your gray pow
would fright a fair lady , and the incro
tramping of that club-footed she elephant
put to flight every sentiment of love , lie-
1 member the Douglas badge Is a naked heart.
| Can I ride a-courtlng. therefore , with all my
i fighting tall behind me , as though I be
sought an alliance with the king of Eng
land's daughter. "
The strong man watched the young carl
rldo away to the south along the fair loch-
side. He stood muttering to himself and
looking long under his hand at bis lord.
The rider bowed his head as ho passed under
the rich blossoming of the whlto May blos
som , which covered Hko creamy lace the
Thrco Thorns of Carllnwark , now deeply
stained with rose from the clouds of sunset.
"Aye , aye , " ho said , "the Douglas badge
Is Indeed a heart but It Is a bleeding heart.
God avert the omen and keep this young
man safe , for though many love him there ;
bo more that would rejoice nt his fall. "
The rider on Black Darnaway rode right
Into the cyo of the sunset. On his left hand
Carllnwark and Its many islets burned rich
with spring-green foliage and the golden
sunset light. Darnaway's well-shod hooves
sent the diamond drops flying ns with ob
vious pleasure ho splashed through the shal
lows. Ben Gatrn and Scrcel , boldly ridged
against the southern sky , stood out In dark
amethyst against the rosy sky of even , but
the young rider never so much as turned
his head to look at them.
Presently , however , ho emerged from
nmong the noble lakeside trees upon a moro
open space. Broom and whin blossom clus
tered yellow and orange beneath him , garri
soning with their green spears and golden
banners every knoll and scaur , but there
were broad spaces of green turf here and
there on which the conies fed , or fought
terrible battles for the meek ear-twitching
does , "spat-spatting" at each other with
their fore paws and springing into the air
In their mating fury.
William of Douglas reined Darnaway un
derneath the whispering foliage of a great
beech , for all at unawares ho had come upon
a sight that Interested him moro than the
noble prospect of the May sunset.
In the center of the golden glade and with
all their faces mistily glorified by the evenIng -
Ing light he saw a group of llttlo > ; lrls ,
singing and dancing ns they performed tome
quaint and graceful pageant of childhood.
Their young voices came up to him with a
wistful dying fall , nnd the slow , graceful
movement of the rhythmic dance seemed to
affect the young man strangely. Involun
tarily ho lifted his close-fitting feathered
cap from his head and allowed the cool airs
to blow against his brow.
See the robbers passing by , passing by ,
passltiK by ; *
Sco the robbers passing by , >
My fair lady !
The words came up clearly and distinctly
to him and softened his heart with the In
definable and exquisite pathos of the refrain
as sung by the sweet voices of children.
"Theso are surely but cottars' bairns , " he
said , smiling a llttlo at hla own intensity
of feeling , "but they sing like llttlo angels.
I daresay my sweetheart Magdalen is amongst
them. "
And ho sat still , patting Black Darnaway
on the neck.
What did the robbers do to you , do to you ,
do to you ;
What did the robbeis do to you ,
My fair lady ?
The first the lines rang out bold and
clear. Then again the wlstfulness of the
refrain played upon his heart as if it had
been an instrument of strings , till the tears
came Into his ejcs at the wondrous sorrow
and yearning with which ono voice , the
sweetest and purest of all , replied , alnglng
all alone :
They broke my lock nnd stole my gold ,
stole my gold , stole my gold :
Broke my lock nnd stele my gold.
My fair luilj !
The teara brimmed over In the ejcs of
William Douglas , and a deep foreboding of
the mysteries of fate fell upon his heart
and abode there heavy as doom.
He turned his head , as though he felt someone
ono near him , and lo ! Sudden and silent as
the appearing of a phantom , another horse
was alongside Black Darnaway , and a
maiden dressed in white sat smiling upon
the young man fair to look upon as an angel
from heaven.
Cart William's lips parted , but ho was too
surprised to speak. Nevertheless ho moved
Ills hand to his head In Instinctive saluta
tion , but finding his bonnet already off , ho
could only stare at the vision which had EO
suddenly sprung out of the ground.
The woman slowly waved tier hand In the
direction of the children , whoso young
voices still rang clear as cloister bells ringIng -
Ing the "Angelus , " and whoso white dresses
waved in the light wind as they danced back
and forth with a slow and graceful mo
tion.
"You hear , Earl William ? " she said , In a
low , thrilling voice , speaking with a foreign
accent ; "you hear ? You arc a good Chris
tian , doubtless , and you have heard from
jour uncle , the abbot , how praise Is made
perfect 'out of the mouths of babes and
sucklings. ' Hark to them ; they sing of their
own destinies and of mine. "
And BO fascinated and moved at heart by
her beauty and her strange words , the
Douglas listened-
What did the robbers do to you , do to you ,
do to you ;
What did the robbers do to you ,
My fair lady ?
The woman on the delicately-pacing pal
frey turned her daik eyes from the
1 white-robed choristers to the face of
the joung man. With an Impetuous
I motion of her hand she urged him to
, listen for the next words , which swept
over Earl Wlfllam'a heart with a ca
dence of unutterable pain and Inexplicable
melancholy.
They broke mv lock , nnd stole my gold ,
stele my cold , stele my gold ,
Broke my lock , and stole my gold ,
Mv fair
Ho turned upon his companion with a
quick energy as If ho were afraid of losing
himself again.
"Who are you , lady , and what do you
hero ? "
The girl emllcd nnd reined her Bleed a
llttlo back from him.
"Is that spoken as William Douglas eras
as the justlccr of Galloway a country where ,
ns I understand , there Is no trial by Jury ? "
The light of her radiant smile passed from
her lips into his soul.
"It Is spoken as a man speaks to a woman
beautiful and queenly , " ho said , not remov
ing his eyes from her face.
"I fear I may have startled you , " she said ,
without continuing the subject , "I saw you
were wrapped In meditation , and my palfrey
made no sound on the grass nnd leaves. "
Her voice was so sweet and low that
William Douglas , listening to It , wished that
she would speak on forever.
"Tho hour grows late , " ho said , remem
bering himself , "you must have far to ride.
Let mo be your escort homewards , If jou
have none worthier than I. "
"Alas , " aho answered , smiling yet more
subtly , "I have no homo nearby. My homo
Is very far and over turbulent seas. I have
but a maiden's pavilion in which to rest
my head , For 1 nnd my company travel
through your domains , Earl William. I trust
you will not bo eo cruel as to forbid us ? "
"Yes , " ho was smiling now in turn , nnd
catching somewhat of the gay spirit of the
lady , "I do forbid you to pass through these
lands of Galloway without first visiting mo
In my houseof Thriovo ! "
The lady clapped her hands and laughed ,
letting her palfrey pace onward through
the woodland glades , bridle-free , while
Black Darnaway , compelled by bis master's
band , followed , tossing his head Indignantly
because his head had been turned from the
direction of his nightly stable on the castle
Isle.
CIIAl'Tim III.
Two Hlillnc Together.
"Joyous , " she cried , " 0 , most joyous
would it bo to see the noble castle and to
have all the famous 2,000 knights to make
love to me at once. To capture 2,000 hearts
at one sweep of the net ! "
"Is no single heart sufficient to satisfy
jou , fair maid ? " said the young man In a
low voice , "none loyal enough and large
enough for you that you desire so many ? "
"And what would I do with one If It were
In my hands ? " she said wistfully , "that Is ,
If it were a worthy heart and one worth the
taking ? Ever slnco I was a child I have
words were still clear to bo understood :
The voices of the singing children on the
green came faintly to their ears , but the
always broken my toys when I tired of
them. "
OfC to prison you must go , you must go ,
you must BO ,
Off to prison you must co ,
My fair lady !
"You hear , It Is my fate ! " she said.
"Nay , " answered the early , passionately ,
still looking In her eyes , "mine mine , not
yours ! I would go to prison or to death for
your sake ! "
"My lord , my lord , " she laughed , with
a tolerant protest In her voice , "you keep
up the credit of your house right nobly.
How goes the distich , my mother taught
It me upon the bridge of lAvlgnon , where
also the children dance and sing. "
First In the love of woman.
First In the field of light.
First In the death that men must die ,
Such Is the Douglas' right !
"Here and now , " ho said , still looking at
her , " 'tis only the first I crave. "
"Earl William , you must come to court , "
she shrilled into sudden , tinkling laughter ,
"There be women there moro worthy of
your ardor than a poor errant maiden such
as I. "
"A court ! " cried Earl William , scornfully
"to tbo Seneschal's court ! Nay , truly.
Could a Stewart ever keep his faith or pay
his debts ? Never since the first of them
licked his way Into A woman's favor. "
" 0 , " she answered , lightly , "I meant not
the court of Stirling , nor yet the chancel
lor's castle at Edinburgh. I meant the
only great court , the court of France , the
court of Charles VII , the court which al
ready owns the sway of Its rarest ornament ,
your own Scottish Princess Margaret. "
"Thither I cannot go unless the king of
France grants me my father's rights and
estates , " ho said , with a certain sternness
In his tone.
"Let mo look at your hand , " she said ,
with a gentle Inclination of her fair head ,
from which the lace that had shrouded It
now streamed back In tbo cool wind of
o\cnlng.
Stopping Darnaway the young carl give
the girl bla hand , and the white palfrey
came to rest close beneath the shoulder of
the black war charger.
"Tomorrow , " she said , looking at his
palm , "tomorrow you will bo duke of
Touralne. I promise it to you by my
power of divination. Does that satisfy
you ? "
"I fear that you are a witch or elsea
being compounded of higher elements than
flesh and blood , " said the carl.
"Is that a spirit hand , " she said , laughIng -
Ing lightly nnd giving her own rosy fingers
Into his , "or could even the Justlcer of
Oalloway find It In his heart to burn these
as part of the body of a witch' "
She shuddered and pretended to gaze
plteousy | up at him from under the long
lashes which lay upon her cheek.
"Spirit slender , iplrlt white , they are In
deed , " he replied , "and as for being the
fingers of a witch doubtless you nro a witch
Indeed. But I will not burn so fair things
ns these , save as It might bo with the
i fervor of my kisses. "
And ho stooped nnd pressed kiss after
kiss upon her hand. .
Gently she withdrew her flngecs from his
grasp and rode further apart , ) ct not with
out ono backward glance of perfect witchery ,
"I doubt you have been overmuch at court
already , " she said. "I did not well to ask
you to come thither. "
"Why must I not come thither ? " ho
asked.
"Because I shall bo there ! " fiho replied
softly , courting him yet again with her
eyes.
eyes.Ag
Ag they rode on together through the
rich twilight dusk the young man observed
her narrowly as often as ho could.
Her skin was fair with a dazzling clear' '
ness which even the gathering gloom only
caused to shlno with a more perfect brll
llanco beneath Its surface Faint responsive
roses bloomed ou cither cheek and cast n
shadow of their color down her graceful
neck. Dark c > es shone above , fresh anil
dewy with love nnd youth , nnd Hmllcd upon
the youth with ancient witcheries and al
lurements In their depths. HIT lithe , slen
der body was simply clad In a fair white
cloth of some foreign fabric nnd her waist ,
of perfect symmetry , was cinctured by a
broad ring of solid silver , which to the
younc man looked as If ho could have
clasped It about with his hands.
So they rode on , through the woods mostly ,
until they reached a region which to the
carl seemed unfamiliar. The glades wore
creener and denser , the trees scorned moro
primeval , the foliage thicker overhead , the
Interspaces oX golden evening sky darker
and less frequent.
"In what place may your company be ns
sembled ? " ho asked. "Strange It Is that I
know not this place. Yet 1 should recognize
each tree by conning it , and of every rivulet
I should bo able to tell Us riame. Yet with
shame do I confess that I know not where
I am. "
"Ah , " said the girl , her face growing
luminous through the gloom , "you called
mo a witch , nnd now you shall sec. I wnvo
my hands , so and you are no more in Gal
loway. You are In the- laud of fairy. 1 blow
you a ktes , so and lo , you nro no moro Wll-
llan VI , earl of Douglas and proximate duke
of Touralne , but jou are even as true
Thomas , the beloved of the queen of the
fairies , and the slave of her spell' ' "
"I am well content to bo Thomas Hhy-
mer , " ho answered , submitting himself to
the wooing glamour of her eyes , "BO be that
you are the Lady THanla. "
"A courtier , Indeed , " she laughed , "yyi
need not to seek your nnswor. You tuakb
a poor glil afraid. But see , j-onder are
the lights of my pavilion. Will It plcaso
you to alight and enter ? The supper will
bo spread , and though you must not ex
pect any to entertain jou save only
your Titan la ( here she made him a little
bow ) , jet I think you will not bu III con
tent. They do not say that Thomas of
Erclldouno had any cause of complaint.
Do j-ou know , " she continued with a
fresh gajety In her voice , " it was In this
very wood that ho was lost. "
But William Douglas sat silent with the
wonder of what he saw. Their horses hai
como out on a hilltop. The sequestered
boskago of the trees gradually thinned
finally dwarfing into a green drift of fern
and birchen foliage which rose no higher
than Black Darnaway's chest , and through
which his rider's laced boots brushed til
the Spanish leather of their gold-cmbosset
frontlets was jetted with drops of dew.
Bcforo him was a , great drift of solemn
plno trees , tbo Hko of which for slzo he
had never seen in all his domain. Or seat
at least , It seemed In that hour of glamour
For behind them the evening sky had dulled
to a deep and solemn wash of blood red
across which lay ono lonely bar of black
cloud solid as spilled Ink on a monkish
page. But under the trees themselves , blaz
ing with lights nnd breathing an odor ol
all grace and daintiness , stood a pavilion o :
rose colored silk , anchored to the grouiu
with ropes of sendal of the richest crimson
hup.
hup."Let
"Let your hoi so go free or tether him
to a pine ; ho will not wander , " said the
girl. "I fear my fellows have gone off to
lay In provision. We have taken a day or
two more ou the way than wo had countec
on , so that tonight's feast makes an em'
of our store. But still there Is enough for
two. I bid you welcome , Earl William , tea
a wanderer's tent. "
CIIAPTCn IV.
'Inc HONC Ited I'nxllluii.
As the young earl paused a moment with
out to tether Black Darnaway to the fallen
trunk of a pine , a chill and melancholy wind
seemed to rlso suddenly and toss the dark
branches against the sky. Then It flow moanIng -
Ing like a lost spirit till ho could hear the
sound of Its passage far a-down the valley.
An owl hooted and a swart raven disengaged
himself from the coppice about ) the door
of the pavilion and fluttered away with a
croak of anger. Black Darnaway turned
bis head and whinnied anxiously after his
master.
But William Douglas , though little more
than a boy , If men's ages are to bo counted
by years , was yet a true child of Archibald
the Grim , and ho passed through the
mysferlous encampment to the door of the
lighted pavilion with n manner firm and as
sured. Ho could faintly dlscem other tents
and pavilions with pennons and bannerets
which the passing gust had blown Happing
from their poles , but which now hung
slackly about their staves.
"I would give 100 golden St Andrews , "
bo muttered , "If I could make out the
'scutcheon. It looks most Hko a black dragon
couchant on a red field , which Is not a
Scottish bearing. The lady Is French doubt
less , and passes through from Ireland to
visit the chancellor's court at Edinburgh. "
The Black Douglas paused a moment nt
Che tent Hap , which , being of silken fabric ,
lined with heavier material , hung straight
and heavy to the ground.
"Como In , my lord , " cried the low and
thrilling voice of his companion from within.
"I bid you welcome with both hands to my
poor abode. A traveler must not bo par
ticular , and I have only those things with
mo which my men have brought ) from ship
board , knowing how poor was the provision
of your land. See , do you not already repent
your promise to sup with me ? "
She pointed to the table , on which sparkled
cut glass of Venice and silverware of gold
smith's work , on which were set out oranges
and rare fruits of the orient , such an the
young man had ne\or seen In his own bleak
and barren land.
But the Douglas did no more thau glance
at the rich providing. A vlslou fairer and
moro beautiful claimed his eyes. Tor the
lady herself stood before him , transformed
and glorified. In the Interval she had taken
off the cloak , which while on horseback she
had worn falling back from her shoulders
A thin robe of white silk , embroidered
with gold , at once clothed and yet re
vealed her graceful and gracious figure ,
\tn as a glove covers but doca not con
ceal the hand upon which It Is drawn.
Whether by Intent or accident , It bad been
permitted to fall aside at the neck to show
the dazzling whiteness of the skin be
neath , but at the bOEom It wits secured by
a button set with black pearl' , which con
stituted the lady's only ornament.
Her arms also were bare and shone In
the lamp light whiter than milk She had
removed the silver belt and tied a red silken
scarf about her waist in a manner which
revealed a swift grace and lithe sinuosity
of movement , making her appear more won
derful and moro desirable than ever to the
young roan's eyes ,
On either side the pavilion were placed
folding couches of roco silk and In the
corner , draped with rich blue hangings ,
glimmered the lady's bed , KB fair whit *
linen half revealed , two embroidered pillow
at the foot nud on a llttlo table beside It a
crysta. ( mil on n hlark platter.
No cruclIK or prlo-dlcu , such ns In the a
days was In every lady's bower , could bs
seen anywhere nbout the pavilion
Aa soon as the tent-nap had fallen be
hind him Karl William abandoned him
self to the slrnngo enchantment of hi
surroundings. Ho did not stop to ask him
self how it was possible that such dainty
pro\ldlngs had been brought Into the midst
of his wide , wild realm of Gallowtiy. Nor
jot why this errant damsel should be all
nlono on this hilltop with the tents of her
retlnuo empty nnd silent about. The present
sufllced him. The soft radlanco of dark
fell him and nil the
eyes upon quick-run
ning , Inconsiderate Douglas blood rushed
and sang In his veins responsive to their
subtle shining.
Ho was with A fair noinan , and she not
unwilling to be kind , That was enough foi >
all the rare of the Ulack Douglas. Wh.it
the Red Douglas loved was another mat
ter. Their ambitious were more reputable ,
If less generous.
"My lord , " she said , giving him her
Ifand , "will you lead mo to the table ? I
cannot offer you the refreshment of any
elaborate toilet , but hero at least la wbeaten
broad to eat and wlno of a good vlutogo tu
drink. "
"You yourself scarce need such earthly
sustenance , " ho answered gallantly , "for
your eyes hnvo stolen the radlnuco of the
stars and 'tis evident that the night dews
visit jour cheeks only as they do tha
roses to render them moro fresh and
fair. "
" .My lord flatters well for ono so young , "
she smiled ns she seated herself and mo
tioned him to sit close beside- her , "ho\r
comes It that In this wild place you ha\s
learned to speak so chivalrously ? "
"When ono speaks to beauty the word !
nro given , " ho answered , "nnd moreover , 4
have not d\vclt In the gray Gallon ay nil inf
days. "
"You speak Trench ? " she queried lit
that language.
"Ah , " she said , when ho answered , "th
dlvlno language. I knew you were perfect "
And so for n long while the young man
sat spellbound , watching the smiles comlna
and going upon her red and llower-llko
lips , and listening to the fast-runnl.ifc rlp-
plo of her foreign speech. It was plcasura
enough to listen without reply.
It seemed no common food of mortal men
that was net bcforo him with sweep ol
whlto arms and bend of delicate flngeri
upon the challco stem , lie did not cara k
to eat , but again nnd again ho sfrl tha 1
wlno cup down empty , for the Untago wni *
new to him and brought with It a hauntlnfi
aroma Instinct with strange hopes in'l vlvl.l
with unknown joys.
The pavilion with Its cords of sendal and
Its silver hanging lamps spun iound about
him. The fair woman seemed to dissolve
and reunite Ijcforo his ejes She had let
down her hair , and It flowed iu the Venetian
fashion over her white shoulders , sparking
with an Inner file , each fine silken thread i
as It glittoied separate from Its fellows \
like a twining golden snake.
And the ripple of her laughter plajed upon
the young man's heart as a lute that Is
touched carelessly by the hands of a master.
Something of the primitive glamor of t' j
night nnd the stars clung to this woman. It
seemed a thing Impossible that she should
bo less pure than the air and the waters ,
than the grass beneath the sky overhead
He knew not that the devil sat from tha
first day of creation on Eden wall , that
human sin is well nigh as eternal as human
good , and that passion rises out of Its own
ashes HUe the phoenix bird of fable and
stands again all beautiful before us a crea
ture of lire and dew.
Presently the lady rose to her feet ami
gave the earl her houd to lead her to < v
couch.
"Set a footstool by me , " she said , "I dculrn
to talk to jou , "
"You know not my name , " she said ,
"though I know yours. But then. th
sun In mid-heaven cannot bo hidden
though nameless bide the thousand
Mars. Shall I tell you mine ? It IB a secret
nevertheless Illl tell jou If such be your
desire. "
"I care not whether jou tell me or no"
ho said looking up Into her face from the
low seat nt her feet , "birth cannot add to
your beauty nor lack of quarterlngs detract
from It. I have enough of both , good lack !
And llttlo good they are Hko to do mo ! "
"Shall I tell you now , " she went on , "or
will you wait till you convoy wo to Edin
burgh ? "
"To Edinburgh ! " cried the young man ,
astonished , "I have no purpose of Journey
ing to that town of mine enemies , I have
been counseled oft by those who love mo to
remain In mlno own country. My horoscope
bids me refrain. Not for 1,000 commands
of king or chancellor will I go to that clarlc f
and bloody toxvn , wherein they say lies ths
curse of my house. "
"Hut you will go to please u woman > "
she said , and leaned nearer to him , looking
deep Into his eyes.
For a moment William Douglas wavered.
For a moment he resisted. Hut the dark
eyes thrilled him to the soul and his own
heart rose insurgent against his reason.
"I will como If you jink mn ! " ho said. W
"You are more beautiful than I hnd dreamed \
any woman could be. " v
"I do ask you ! " she continued , without
rcmovlnc her eyes from his face.
"Then I will surely comol" he replied.
She set her hand beneath bin chin and
bent smilingly nnd lightly to kiss him , but
with nn Imprisoned , passionate cry thn
joung man suddenly clasped her In his
arms. Yet oven as lit ) did so his eyes fell
upon two figures , which , silent nnd motion-
Ices , stood by the open door of th
pavilion.
( To be Continued )
Mrs. Lottlo B. McCaHraj' , secretary p { tb
Woman's auxiliary to the ex-prisoners ol
war. Is a regular member of the parent 01-
ganlzatlon and Is the only ex-woman prlu-
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killed at Winchester , his body being lofc
Inside the enemy's lines. She ventured
there to recover it , was captured and wns
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