Nebraska Newspapers

    1G THE OMAHA PALLY" BEE ; SUNDAY , NOVEMBER 13 , 1898.
/Dy < 5/RX ,
/ AUTV * Of -
/ . .TO * JIX BTMiN _ ;
( Copyright , 1S08 , by 8. It. Crockett. )
CIIAl'TEIl XVII.
The Lamp U mown Ont.
The door of Margaret Douglas' chamber
still stood open and Sholto found Earl Wil
liam seated upon the foot of the bed and
endeavoring by every means In his power to
distract his sister's attention from her fears.
Maud Llndeaay , now more completely
dressed than when ho bad first seen her ,
sat on the other side of the little lady'a
couch. She was laughing as ho entered
at some merry jest ot the carl's. And at
th sound of her tinkling mirth Sholto's
heart sank within him. At sight ot the
new captain oC the guard the gladness left
her face and she became grave and sober
Hkci a gossip unconfesscdlien the holy
father comes knocking at the door.
< At sight ot her emotion Sbolto resolved
that It hla fears should provo to be well
founded ho would resign his honorable of
fice. For to abide continually In the castle
and hourly observe Maud Llndesay's love
for another was more than bis philosophy
could abide.
In the meantime there was only his duty
to be done * . So ho saluted tbo carl and In
a few words told him that which he had
seen. But the soul of William Douglas
was utterly devoid of suspicion , both because -
cause ho held himself so great that none
could touch him , and also because being
high of soul and open as the sky , he read
Into the acts ot others his own straight
forwardness and unsusplclon.
The earl rose smilingly , declaring to
Margaret that tomorrow he would haug
every dog and puppy In Galloway on the
dula tree of Thrleve , whereupon the child
began to plead for the life of this cur and
that other of her personal acquaintances
with a tearful earnestness which told of a
eore jangled mind.
"Well , nt least , " said Earl Douglas , "I
will not have such brutes prowling about
my castle of Thrlevo even In my sister's
dreams. Captain Sholto , do you station a
"
man of your guard In the angle of the staircase -
case where It looks along each corridor.
Pick out your prettiest cross-bowman , for It
were not seemly that ray guests should be
disturbed by rude shots of the fusil. "
Sholto bowed slimy and waited the further
pleasure of bis master. Then the two
young men went out without Maud Llndcsay
having uttered a word , or manifested the
feast surprise at the advancement which had
befallen the heir of the master armorer of
Thrlove.
As soon as the door had doped upon the
two maidens the earl turned a face suddenly
grave and earnest on his young captain of
the guard.
"What think you ? " ho said. ( 'Was this
appearance real ? "
"Real enough to leave these upon the
floor. " answered Sholto ; pointing to sundry
gouts and drops of blood upon the turret
stair. The arl took the lamp from his hand
and earnestly scrutinized each step In a
downward direction. The spots ran Irregu
larly , as If the Bounded beast had shaken
his head from sldo to sldo as ho ran. They
turned along toward the corridor , where , at
the first alarm , Sholto had found the earf ,
and In the very midst of It abruptly stopped.
As Sbolto and the earl examined the floor
they both looked over their shoulders occa
sionally , as If conscious of a regard upon
them , as If some one unseen himself had
been looking nt them from behind.
"Do you place" your men as I told you , "
aid the carl abruptly , "and bring mo a
truckle bed out of the guard room. I ehair
remain In this closet till morning. But do
you keep a special lookout on the floor above
that the repose of my sister and her friend
be not disturbed. "
Sholto bowed without speech and , hastening
down to the guardroom , ho commanded two
of his best bowmen to follow hm | with their
apparatus , while he himself snatched up the
low truckle couch which custom assigned
to the captain of the guard , should he desire
to rest himself during the night and on
which Landless Jock had always passed the
majority of his hours of duty. This bo car
ried to the earl , and placing It in the angle ,
he saw his youthful master stretch himself
Upon It , wrapped In his cloak and with a
naked sword ready in his hand.
ll "A good and undisturbed slumber to you ,
my lord ! " said Sholto , as he went out.
Ho saw that his two men were duly posted
upon the lower landing of the stairs and
then betook himself to the upper floor ,
where slept the little maid ot Galloway.
He walked slowly to the end of the pas
sage , scrutinizing every recess and closet
door , every gurdo robe and wall press from
which It waa possible that tbo bound he had
scon might have emerged. 'He was wholly
unsuccessful In discovering anything sus
picious and had almost resolved to station
himself at the turn ot the staircase which
led down from the roof , when , looking back
at tbe sharp click ot a latch , he saw Maud
Llndesay coming out ot the chamber ot the
little maid ot Galloway.
Softly closing the door behind her , she
paused a moment as If undecided , and then
more with her chin than with her finger she
beckoned htm to approach ,
"She Bleeps , " said the girl , "but so un
certainly and with so many starlings of ter
ror that I will not leave her alone. Do you
aid mo to remove the mattress of my couch
and lay it on the floor beside her. "
Coldly Sholto signified his willingness.
His mind was more than ever oppressed by
tbe thought that tbo earl ot Douglas loved
this girl whom he had found listening to his
worda with such frank laughter.
Maud stayed him with one of the long
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looks out from under her eyelashes. Th <
dark , violet eyes rested upon him a momeni
reproachfully with a hurt expression It
their depths , and were then dropped with i
sigh. v
"You are still angry with me , " she said
a little wistfully , "and I 'wanted to tell you
how happy It made me made us , I mean-
that you are to toe captain of the castle
guard Instead of that grumbling curmudgeon
Jock of Abernethy. "
The heart of Sholto was Instantly melted
more by her looks than by her worda , thougl
deep wfthln him ho had still an angry feelIng -
Ing that he was being played with. All
the same and In splto of his resolves the cy
shot from under those dark , aweeplm
laahcs did Ita own deadly work.
"I did not know that aught which rolgh
befall mo could bo anything to Mlstresi
Maud Llndcsay ! " said Sholto , with the las
shreds ot dignity In his voice.
"I said not to me , but to us , " she cor
reeled , smiling , "but tell me wha think yoi
of this appearance which has so startled out
Margaret. Was It ghost or goblin or drean
of the night ? We have never had elthei
witch or werlock about the house of Thrlevi
since the old abbot Oawaln laid the ghos
of Archibald tbe Grim with four and fort ]
masses said In the castle chapel. "
"Nay , ask me not , " answered Sholto. " .
am llttlo skilled In matters spiritual. 1
should try swordpolnt and arrowhead 01
such gentry , and It these da them no harm
why , then , I think they will not distress mi
much ! "
But all the same ho said nothing to tin
girl about the red blood on his sword 01
the gouts on the steps ot the staircase.
Ho followed Maud Llndesay Into her cham
her , and , being arrived there , lifted couol
and all In his arms with an ease born o
long apprenticeship to the forehammer. Thi
girl regarded him with Admiration whlcl
she was careful not to dissemble.
"You are very strong , " she said ; thin
after a pause , she added : "Margaret and i
like.strong men ! "
The heart of the youth was glad wlthli
him , thus to be called a man , even thougl
ho kept saying over and over to himself
"She means It not ! She means It not
She loves the carl ! I know well she lovei
tbe earl ! "
Maud lilndeeay paused a moment befori
the chamber door of her little charge , flngei
on lip , listening.
"Sho sleeps go quietly , " she whispered
holding the door open for 'him. He se
down the bed where she showed him , bj
the side ot the little slumbering figure , o
the maid ot Galloway.
Then.be went softly to the 'door. The glr
followed him. "You will not be far away , '
she said , doubtfully , and with a pertloui
sort of humility. "If this dreadful thlni
should como back again. I that Is , we
would feel oafer if we knew that you tha
any one strong and brave was near a
hand. "
Then the heart of Sholto broke out In quid
anger.
"Deceive me not ! " he cried. "I know well
that the carl loves you , and that you love
him In return. " ' i-
"Weir , Indeed , were it for him If he loved
as honest a woman , " said Maud Llndeaay ,
pouting disdainfully. " But what is such i
matter , yea or nay , to you ? "
"It Is all life and happiness to me , " said
Sholto earnestly. "Ah , do not go stay i
moment. I shall never sleep this night II
you go wlthqut giving me an answer. "
"Then , " said the girl , "you will be thi
more In the line of your duty. You are bul
a silly petulant boy for all your fine cap
taincy. I wish It had been Landless Jock ,
He would uovcr have vexed me with foollst
questions at such a time ! "
"But I love , , you , and I demand an an
swer , " cried Sholto fuming ; "do you love
the earl ? "
"What do you think yourself , now ? " she
said , looking up at him with an inimitable
slyness and pronouncing her words to Imi
tate the simplicity ot countryside speech.
Sholto vented a short gasp or Inarticulate
snort ot anger , at which Maud Llndesaj
started back with affected terror.
"Do not fright a poor maid , " she said ,
"Wilt you put me In the dungeon It I do nol
answer ? Tell me exactly what you want m <
to say and I will say It , most mighty cap
tain. "
And she made him the prettiest little
courtesy , turning at 'the time her eyes IE
mock humility on the ground.
"O , Maud Llndesay , " said Sholto , with e
llttlo conflicting sob In his throat , Ill-becom
ing so noted a warrior as the captaln'of ' th <
castle guard ot the Brack Douglas , "If you
knew bow I loved you , you would not treat
rae thus. "
The girl came nearer to him and laid e
white and gentle hand on the sleeve ot hU
blue archer's coat.
"Nay , lad , " she said , more soberly , llftlni
a finger to his face. "Surely you are n <
milksop to mind how a girl flouts you. Levi
the earl say you ? Well , Is It not our dutj
to the bread wo eat ? Is he not worthy ? Ii
ho not the head ot our house ? "
"Cheat me not with words. The ear
loves you ? " said Sholto , lifting his heat
haughtily out of her reach. ( To have one'i
chin pushed this way and that by a girl'
forefinger , and as It was considered crlt
Ically from "various points ot view , may bi
pleasant , hut it interferes most serious ! '
with dignity ) .
"He may , Indeed , " drolled the minx , "oni
can never tell. But be has never said so
Ho Is perhaps afraid , being born without th
eclf-concelt of some people archers of th
guard , fledgling captains and such Ilk
gentries. " .
"Do you love him ? " reiterated Sbolto.
"I will tell you for that gold buckle , '
said Maud , calmly pointing with her finger
Instantly Sholto pulled the cap from hi
head , undid the pin of the archery prize
and thrust It into his wicked sweetheart'
bands.
She received It with a little cry of joy
then he pressed It to her lips. Sbolto , re
jolclng at heart , moved a step nearer ti
her. But In spite ot her arch delight sh
was on the alert , for she retreated deftl ;
and neatly within the chamber door of th
fair maid of Galloway. There was stll
more mirthful wickedness In her eyes.
"Love the earl ? Of course I do. Indeed
I dote upon him , " she said ; "how I abal
love this buckle , Just because he gave It t
you. "
And with that she shut the door.
Sbolto , In act to advance , stood a momen
poised on one foot like a goose. Then , wit !
a heart blazing wlih anger and one of th
Dm oaths that had ever passed hla lips , h
turned on his heel and strode away.
"I will never think of her again. I wll
never see her. I lll go to Prance an
perish In battle. I will throw me In th
castle pool. I will "
So tbe poor lad retreated , mutterlos ; he
and angry words , all his heart sore wlthl
him because of the cruelty ot this girl.
But bo bad not proceeded twenty atep
along the corridor when he beard tbe doc
ottly open and a low , iweet voice wbli
pered : "Sholto ! Sholtol I want you ,
Sholtol"
He bent his brows and stroda manfully
on , as If ho had not heard a word ,
"Sholto dear Sholto. Do not go. I need
you. "
Against his will ho turned , and seeing the
head ot Maud Llndeaay , her pouting dpi
and beckoning finger , ho went sulkily back.
"Well , " he said with tbe stern curtneja
ot a military commander , as he stood' be *
fore her.
She bold the Iron lamp In her hand. Tbo
wick had fallen aside , and now was wasting
itKlt In a broad , unequal flame. The maldi
ot honor looked at It In perplexity , knit *
ting her pretty brows In a mock frown.
"It burned me as I was ordering my
hair , " she laid , "I cannot blow It out. 1
dare not ! Will you will you blow It out
for me , Captain fiholto ? "
She ipokf with a sweet , childlike hu
mility.
And she held the lamp up BO that the iron
handle was almost touching her loft cheek.
There was a dancing challenge In her dark
eyes and her lips smiled dangerously red.
She could not of course have known that
'the light made her look BO beautiful , or she
would have been more careful.
Sholto stood still a moment , at wrettle
with himself , trying to conquer his dignity
and retain his attitude ot stern disap
proval.
But tbe girl swept her lashes up toward
him , dropped them again dark upon her
cheek , and anon looked a second time at
him.
him."I
"I am sorry , " she said , more than eve ?
like a child , I forgive me and the lamp
Is so hot. "
Now Sholto was young , but he was not
quite a fool , lie stooped and blew out the
light , and the next moment his lips rested
upon the other lips which , as U bad been
unconsciously , resigned their soft sweetness
tor a long moment to his will.
Then the door closed and he heard the
click ot the lock as the bolts shot from
within. The gallery ran round and round
about him like a clacking wheel. His
heart beat tumultuously and there was a
strange humming sound In his ears.
Tbe captain of the guard stumbled halt
distracted down the turret stair. The old
world had been destroyed In a moment and
he was walking In a new , where perpetual
roaes bloomed and the spring birds sang
forever more. He know not , , this poor , fool
ish Sholto , that he had much to learn ere
"DECEIVE ME NOT , " CRIED SHOLTO
"YOU LOVE MY LORD DOUGLAS. "
he should know the tricks and utratagemi
of that most naughty and prettily dlsdalntu
minx , Mistress Maud Ltndesay. But foi
that night he thought be knew her hear
and soul , which made him Just as happy.
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Mornlnv Llffkt.
In the morning he had other news of U
Even when he was relieved from duty hi
never closed an eye. A blowing out of thi
lamp had turned his ideals and hope * al
topsy-turvy. His heart sang hot and low
within him. He had kissed other girls ln <
deed before at kirns and country dances
He laughed triumphantly within him a
the difference. They had run lnto corner !
and acreamed and struggled and held u ]
Ineffectual hands. And when his lips die
reach their goal It was generally upon thi
bridge ot a nose or the tip of an car. Hi
could not remember any especial pleasun
accompanying the * rite.
But this ! The bolt ot an arbalast coulc
not have given him a more Instant or tre
mendous shock. His nerves quivered yel
responnlve to the tremulous clinging of tbi
lips be had'touched In the dark of thi
doorway. He felt that never could he tx
the same man h * had been before. Deet
In his heart he laughed at the thought.
And then , again , with a quick revulsion
the return wave came upon him. "How II
sh be as untouched as her beauty U fresh ;
has she learned that skill In carecslng ? "
"I remember my father saying that i
wise man should always mistrust a girl who
kissed avtr wall. "
Then again his totter self would reasseri
Itself.
"No , " he would argue , tramping up ant
down In the short bounds of the turnplki
head and again returning upon his ow :
footstep * , "why should I belle her ? She li
pure as the air only she Is different to al
others. She ipeaks differently , her eyei
are different , her hair , her hands wh ]
should she not be different also In this ? "
But when Maud Llndesay met him in tbe
morning , coming suddenly upon him as hi
stood , with a pala face and dark ringa ol
leeplessnea about his eyes , looking mcdlta <
lively" out upon the broad river and the blue
smoke ot the morning campflres , there wai
yet another difference to b revealed to him
He had expected that like others she would
be confused and bashful meeting him thus
In the dayright after , well after the cxtln
gulsblng of the lamp.
But there she stood , dainty and calm
under the morning eunshlno , In fresh , clear
gown ot lace and wbitenecv , her face caltr
and grave as a benediction , her eyes deej
and cool like-the water of tbe castle well.
Sholto stared at Bight of her , recovered
hlnHt and eagerly held out both his hands
"Maud ! " ho said , hoarsely , and then agali
In a lower tone , "Sweetest Maud ! "
But pretty Mistress Llndesay only lookec
at himwith a certain reserve and gravi
aurprlce , looking him etralght In the face
and cdmpfctely Ignoring his outstrotchec
*
hands.
"Captain Sholto , " abe eald , steadily am
calmly , "tbe Lady Margaret desires to set
you and to thank you for your care an d watch
fulnesii. Will you do me the honor to follov
me to her chamber ? "
There was no yielding softness about thli
maiden ot tha morning hours , no conecloui
droop and swift uplifting ot penitent eye
lids , no lingering glances out ot love
weighted oyei. A brisk and practical lltt ! <
woman rather , her feet pattering most pur
po efulfy along the flagged passages am
skipping faster than even Sholto could fol
low her. But at the lop of the second stain
he was over quick for her. By taking tbi
narrow edge * of the atepa he reached th
landing lovtl with his mistress.
HI * dtilre waa to put out his hand I
clrcW her lithe waist , for nothing Is so dan
eroutly reproductive of Its own species as i
first kUa. But he had reckoned wlthou
tb lady'i favor , which In mattera of ihl
. kind Is provcrblaljy Important. Mlitre *
I Maud * Iu4ed hla without appearing to di
eo and stood further oft , Mfely poised tor
flight , looking down at him with cold re-
proachfur eyes.
"Maud Llndcsay , have you forgotten last
night and tbe lamp ? " ho said Indig
nantly. *
"What may you mean , Captain Sbolto ? "
she said with wonderment In. her tone ,
"Margaret and I never use lamps. Candles
arc co much safer , especially at night. "
CHAPTER XIX.
I/a Joyeme Ball * Her Honk.
On the morrow , the ambassador ot Franca
being confined to his room with A slight
quinsy , caught from 'the marshy nature ol
the environment of Thrlcvo , to which he
was unaccustomed , the earl escorted Lady
Sybllla to the field of the tourney , where , aa
Queen of Beauty , her presence could not be
dispensed with.
The maid Margaret and tbe carl's sister re
mained also , not having yet recovered froln
her fright of the preceding evening.
With her was Maud Llndeeay and her
mother "the auld teddy , " ns she was called
throughout all the wldo dominions ot her
son.
son.In
In spite of his weariness Sholto led his
archer guard In person to the field of the
tournament. For this day was the day ol
the high sport , and many lances would be
splintered and often would the commonaltj
need to be scourged from the barriers.
But cro he went Sholto summoned two ol
the atanchcst fellows of the company ,
Andrew , called the Penman , and bis brothci
John. Then , having posted them at cltbei
end of the corridor in which were the
chambers occupied by the girls , ho laid t
straight charge and a heavy one upon them ,
"On your heads be it It you tall , or lei
any tout pass , " ho said. "Stand rcadj
with your hands on the wheel of your cross
bows and If any man corao hither chal
lenge him to stand and bid him return the
way bo came. But If any dog or thing
running on four feet ascend or descend the
etalr make no sound , ask no question , cry
no warning , but whang the steel boll
through his ribs ! "
Then Andrew the Penman and his brothei
John , being sllept , capable fellows , said
nothing , but spat on their hands , smiled
at each other , well pleased , and made the
wheels ot their crossbows sing with a clear ,
whirring note.
"I would not like to bo that dog , " said
Andrew the ewarthy , "whose foul carcass 1
pray God to send speedily ! " echoed Jonn
the blonde.
Sholto had hoped that whilst he was al
the guard setting he might have bad occasion
t
casion to see once more the tantalizing mis
chief maker whom he yet loved with al !
his heart , in spite of , or perhaps because
ot the distraction to which she con
tinually reduced his spirit by means of hci
manifold and Incalculable contrarieties.
Nevertheless , It was with an easier hearl
that Sholto went bis way out ot the cas
tle yctt , all arrayed In the new suit ol
armor his lord had sent him. It was made
of chain ot the finest , composed ot man ;
rings eet'alternately thick and thin , flexi
ble as the deer leather which he wore un
derneath It. Over this doublet of blue EllV
carried the lion of Galloway In white upoi
It , and all the cerulean of the ground was
dottel over with the Douglas * heart But ,
greatest Joy of all , there was brought 16 hla
by command of the earl a suitable horse ,
not heavily armed like a charger for tbe
tilt , but light ot foot and answering easllj
to the hand. 'Blue and red waa the sllkec
housing , fringed with long stiver lace
through which could be seen tbe sllket
sheen ot the glossy skin. The buckles and
bits were also ot silver , and the cup ol
Sholto's happiness was full. For a space
as be gazed upon his steed he forgot ever
Maud Llndesay. ,
Then when ho was mounted and out upot
the green watting for the coming fortt
ot his lord , what delight U was to feel tbe
noble dark gray answer to each touch ol
the rein , obeying hla master's thought , more
than the strength ot his wrist or the pricket
ot his heel.
As he waited there , his predecessor In
office , old Sir John of Abernethy , Landless
Jock , as he was nicknamed , came out from
the main doorway. He carried a gleaming
headpiece from which tbe blue feather ol
'the Douglases fell over his arm half waj
to the ground. On Its front was a lion
which ramped among golden fleur-de-lis ,
Tbe old man held It up for Sholto to take ,
"Hae ! " he eald. In a surly tone , "this li
his lordship's new helmet , Just brought as
a present frae the dauphin o' France. He
has cast off the well-tried one , and with ll
also the auld servant that hath served him
these many years ! "
"Nay , Sir John , " said Sholto , with court
esy , taking the helmet which It was his
duty as his master's esquire to carry before
him on a velvet covered placque , "nay well
has the good servant deserved his rest , and
to take his ease. The young to the broil and
tbe moll , the old to the Inglenook or tbe cup
of wlno benath the shade. "
"Ah , lad , I envy ye not , think not that
of pulr Landless Jock , " said the old man ,
sadly shaking lite head. "I also have tried
tbe n w office , the shining armor , and feft
the worda of command rise proudly In the
throat. I envy you not , though your ad
vancement hath been sudden and , well , for
my son John I bad hoped , though Indeed
the loon Is paper-backed and feckless. But
now there remains for mo only to go to the
kirk of St. Bride In Douglasdale and there
set me down by my auld master's coffin till
I die. "
At that moment there Issued forth from
the gateway the younp earl , holding by
the nanthe * Lady Sybllla. His mother , the
counters , came to the door to see them ride
/away. The queen of the sports was In a
merry mood , and as she tripped down the
steps she turned , and , looking over her
shoulders , she caired to the Lady Douglas ,
"Fear not for your eon ; I will take care ot
him ! "
But the elder wonssn answered neither her
smile nor yet her word , but stood like a
mother who sees her eon treading In places
perilous , yet dares not warn htm , knowing
well that she would drive him to giddier and
yet more dangerou heights.
The pennons of the escort fluttered In the
breeze as the men on horseback tossed
their lances high In air In salutation ot their
lord. The archer guard stood ranked and
ready , bows on their shoulders and arrows
In quiver. Horses nelgbed , armor clanked
and sparkled , and from tbe moat platform
twenty silver trumpets blared a fanfare 'ai
the Lady Sybllla , the ai biter ot this clay'a
chivalry , mounted , with the help of Earl
Douglas. She thanked him with a low word
in his ear , audible only to himself , as he
sot her In the saddle and bent to kiss her
hand.
A right gallant pair were Douglas and
Sybllla do Thouara as they rode away , light
and dark together , over the greensward and
under tbe tossing banners of tbe bridge ,
Sholto behind them giving great heed tc
tbe managing ot bis horse and wondering
In bis heart It Indeed Maud Llndesay were
looking down from her chamber window ,
As they passed the drawbridge he turned
him about a little in his saddle as It were
to see that his men were all In good order ,
A little Jet of white fluttered out from the
sparred wooden gallery which clung to the
gray walla of Thrleve Just outside the high
est story. And the young man's heart told
him that tbli was the atonement ot Maui
Lludesay.
Earl Douglas was In his gayest humoi
on thli second day of the great tourneying
H * bad got rid of bis most troubleiomi
guests. His uncle , James ot Avondale ; hit
j red cousin of Angus , the grave , Ill-assorted
figure of the abbot of Dulce Cor , had al :
vanished. Only the young and chlvalroui
remained , his cousins , William and James
Hugh and Archibald , good lances all , one
excellent fellows to boot. It was also a meat
noble chance that the French ambassador
was confined by the quinsy , for U waa cer-
talnly pleaaant to rldo out alone with that
beauteous head glancing so near his
shoulder , to watch at his will the sun
crimsoning the red lips , sparkling In the
eyes bright as sunshine slanting through
green leaves on a waterbreak , and to mark
as he fell a pace behind how every hair ot
that luxuriant chevature rippled golden and
separate , like tbe halo ot a Florentine work
about the head of a saint.
The Lady Sybllla de Thouars was merry
also , and with what a different mirth to
that of Mistress Maud Llndesay'thought
Captain Sholto MacKIm , with a coniclous
glow of pride In his sweetheart.
True * , Sholto was scarce a fair judge , In
that he loved one and did not love tha
other. He owned that there might bo some
thing In that. But a * the gay tones of the
lady's laughter floated back on the air as
his master and she rode forward by the
edge of Dee toward tbe Lochar.fordo , the
first fear with which he had seen her In
the greenwood returned upon tbe captain
of the guard.
Earl William and the Lady Sybllla talked
togetbar that which no one else could hear.
"So after all you have not become a
churchman and gone off to drone masses
with the monks ot your good uncle , " the
eald , looking up at him with one ot her
lingering , drawing glances.
"Nay , " Earl William replied , "surely on
Douglas at a time Is gift'enough to holy
church. At least I can choose ray own
way in that , though In most I am ai
stralghtly constrained aa the king himself. "
"Speaking ot the king , " she said , "my
uncle , the marshal , must perforce ride tc
Edinburgh to deliver bis credentials. Would
It not bo a most mirthful Jest to ride with
equlppage such as this to that mongrel ,
poverty stricken court , and let the poor lit
tle king and hla starved guardian see what
greatness and splendor mean ? "
"I have sworn never again to enter
Edinburgh town , " said the earl , slowly.
"It was prophesied that there one of my
race should meet a Black Bull which
should trample tbe house of Douglas into
ruins. "
"Ot course , If you are afraid " mused the
lady. The earl started as If he had been
stung.
"Madam , " ho said , with a _ sudden chill
hauteur , "you come from far and do not
know. No Douglas has ever been , afraid
throughout all their generations. "
The lady turned upon him with a sweet
and moving smile. She held out her fair
band. v
"Pardon , nay a thousand pardons ! 1
knew not what I oad. ! I am not acquainted
with your Scottish speech nor your Scot
tish customs. Do not be angry with me.
I am a stranger , young , /far from
my own people and my own land. Think
me foolish for speaking thus treely if you
like , but not unkind. "
And when the carl looked at her there
were tears glittering in her beautiful eyes.
"I will go to Edinburgh , " he cried , "J
am tbe Douglas. The tutor and the chan
cellor are but as two straws in my hand ,
a longer and a shorter. I fling ttiem from
me thus ! "
The Lady Sybllla clapped her hands Joy
ously , and turned toward the young man ,
"Will you Indeed go' with me ? " she cried ,
"will you truly ? I could kiss your hand ,
my Lord Douglas , you make mo so glad. "
"Your kiss will keep ? " said the earl , with
a quiet passion quivering in his voice.
"Nay , I meant It not thus not as you
mean It. I knew not what I said. But It
will Indeed change all things If you will but
come. Then I shall have some one to speak
to , some one with whom to laugh at their
court mummery , their fiasco of dignity. You
are not like these other beggarly Scots , my
lord duke of Touralne ! "
"They are brave men and loyal gentle
men , " said the generous young earl. "They
would die for me. "
"Noy , but so I declare would I , " gayly
cried the lady , glancing at his handsome
head with a quick admiring regard. "So
would I It I were a man. Besides , there
Is so little worth living for in a country
such as this. "
The earl was silent and she proceeded :
"But how Joyous we shall be at Edin
burgh ! Know you that at the court of
Charles that was my name La Joyeuso they
called me. Wo will keep solemn counte
nances while we enter tbe presence of the
king. We will bow. We will make obeisance.
Then when all is' over we will laugh to
gether at the f tted ( calf of a tutor , the
cunning chancellor with his quirks ot law
and the poor schoolboy , scarce breeched , whom
they call king of Scotland. But all tbe
while I shall be thinking of the true king ot
Scots who alone shall ever be klng tome
<
"
me
La Joyeuse broke off short , as It her feelIngs -
Ings were hurrying her to say more than
she bad Intended.
"I did wrong to flout their messengers
yesterday , " sold William Douglas , his boyish
heart mliglving htm at dispraise of others ,
"perhaps they meant me well. But I am
naturally quick and easily fretted and the
men annoyed me with their parchments
royal , their heralds of the Lion and 'King
of Scots' nt every other word. "
"Who Is the youth who rides at the head
of your company ? " said the Lady Bybllla.
"His name Is Sholto MacKIm , and it was
but yesterday that I made him captain ot
my guard. "
"I like him not ! " said Lady Sybllla. "He
Is full ot Ignorance and obitinacy and pride.
Besides which , I am sure he likes not me. "
"Save that last , I am not sure that a
Douglas has a right to dislike him for any
such faults. Ignorance , obstinacy and pride
are , Indeed , good Galloway virtues of ancient
descent , and not to be despised in the cap
tain ot an archer guard. "
"And pray , what may be the ill qualities
which In Captain Sholto make up for these
excellent Scottish virtues ? " asked the lady
disdainfully.
"He Is faithful " began the earl.
"So Is every dog , " Interjected Sybllla de
Thouars.
The earl laughed a little gay laugh.
"There Is one dog somewhere about tbe
castle , licking an unhealed sword thrust ,
that wishes our Sholto hod been a trifle less
faithful. "
The Lady Sybllla sat silent on her saddle
for a space ; then , striking abruptly Into a
new subject , she said : "Do you defend the
lists today ? "
"Nay , " answered the earl. "Today It Is
my good fortune to sit by your side and
hold the truncheon , while others meet the
ehock , but the knight who this day gains
the prize tomorrow must choose a side
against me and fight a melee. "
"Ah. " cried the girl , "I would that my
undo were healed. He lovetb that sport.
Ho says that ho Is too old to defend his
shield all day against every comer , but in
the melee he 1s still as good a lance as
when he rode by the sldo of tbe maid over
the bridge of Orleans. "
"That Is * ell said , " cried tbe earl. "He
ehajl lead tbe Knights ot the Blue In my
place. "
"Nay , ray lord duke , " cried tbe Lady Sy-
blllla ; "more than anything on earth J
desire to see you bear arms on the field of
honor. "
"O , I am no great lance , " replied Doug
las , modestly ; "I am yet too young and
light. Aa things go now tbe butterfly can
not tilt against the beef barrel when both
are done into armor. But with the snord
I will fight all day and be hungry for more.
Aye , or rattle a merry rally with the quar
ter staff like any common varlet. But v
both Sholto th r Is my master , and doth
That Slow Damage.
You see that common soap shrinks wool , and
that's why you use Wool Soap
There is no other soap that careful
people use on wool. \
Use common soap on the skin
and you don 't notice the harm
so quickly. The skin repairs
itself. But in time the skin loses
its softness. Its natural tint red
IWIIH HAD MINI dens. Your Complexion is spoiled.
preserves the softness of wool just hecause its in
gredients are pure. For just the same reason , it
preserves the skin's softness.
You need Wool Soap in the bath room and
the toilet room. There are plenty of soaps cost
ing several times as much as Wool Soap , yet they
all shrink wool. They cannot keep the skin soft.
{ IT SWIMS.
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ofttlmes swlngo wo tightly for my soul's
good. "
The lady went on quickly , as If avoiding
any mention of Sholto's name.
"Nevertheless , tomorrow I must see you
ride In tbe lists. My uncle says that your
father was a mighty lance when ho rode
at Ambolse on tbe famous day of the thir
teen victories. "
"Ah , but my father was twice the man
I am , " said the earl.
"Grpat alike In love and war ? " she an
swered , smiling.
"So at least It Is reported of him in
Touralne , " answered hla son , smiling back
at her.
"He loved and rode away , riko all your
race ! " cried the girl with a strange , sudden
flicker of passion , which died aa suddenly.
'But I think It not of you , Lord William.
I think you couW bo true , that Is , where
you. truly lojed. "
And as she spoke she looked at him with
a questioning eagerness In her eyes which
was almost pitiful.
"I do love and I am loyal , " said the young
man with a grave quiet , which became him
well and ought to have served him better
than many protestations.
CHAPTER XX.
Andrew the I'emuun < Jlve nil Ac
count of UlN Steivnritnlil .
In the fighting of that day James Douglas ,
the second son of the fat carl of Avondale ,
won the prize , worsting his elder brother In
; lie final encounter. The victor was a nobly-
'ormed ' youth , ot strength and stature greater
: han those of his brother , but without Wir-
Ham of Avondalo's naughty spirit and stern
self-discipline.
For James Douglas had the easy popular
virtues which would drink with any pricker
at a tavern board and make him ready to
clap his last gold lion on tbe platter to pay
for the draught , telling as like as not tbe
good gossip to keep the change and ( If well
Favored ) give him a kiss therefor. Tbo
Douglas cortege rode homu amid tbe shout-
Ings of the holiday makers , who thronged afl
the approaches to the ford In order to eeo
the great noble * and their tralnn rldo by ,
and Sholtr and bin men bad much trouble to
keep them as far back aa was decent.
The earl summoned bis victorious cousins
William and James to ride with him and
the tourney's Queen of Beauty. But William
proved even more silent than usual and his
dark face and upright carriage caused him
to appear on his charger ns If carved in
Iron. Jolly James , on the other band , at
tempted a jest or two which savored rus
tically enough. Nevertheless bo received
the compliments ot the Lady Sybllla on his
courage and addrets with the equanimity
of a practiced soldier. He nas , Indeed , tbe
best knight In Scotland even at that time , as
bo was twelve years after when In the lists
of Stirling ho fought with tbo famous
McKsIre Lalaln , the Burgundlan champion ,
Earl William dropped behind to speak a
moment with Sholto and to give him tbe
orders which he was to convey to tbe provost
ot the games with regard to the encounter
of the morrow ,
La Joyeuso took the opportunity of ad-
dreilng her nearer and more slleut com
panion.
"Vcu are , I think , tbe bead of the other
Douglas house , " said the Lady Sybllla , lookIng -
Ing up at the stern and unbending master
of Avondale.
"There Is but one hoiuo of Douclaa and
but one head thereof ! " replied Lord Wil
liam , with n cortaln'stcrnness , without lookIng -
Ing at her. The lady had tbe grace to
blush either with shame or with annoyanca
at this rebuff.
"Pardon , " she said ; "you must remember
that I am a foreigner. I do not understand
your genealogies. I thought that even' la
Franco I bad beard of the Black Douglas ,
and the Red. " V
"Tbo red and tbo black alike are tht 1
llcgo men of William of Douglas , whom
Angus and Avondale alike have tbo honor
of serving , " answered he , still more un
'
compromisingly.
"Aye , " cried the Jovial James , "Cousin
Will Is the only chief and will make a rare
lance when ho hath eaten a hcoro or two
more of bolls of meal. "
The carl returned even as James was
speaking.
"What is that I hear about bolls of meal ? "
he said. "What wets this fair damsel of
our rude Scots measures for oats and beer ?
You talk like tbe holder of a 20-sbllllng
land , James ! " .
"I was saying , " answered James Doug
las , "that you would be a proper man'of
your lance when you hail laid a score or
two of bolls ot good Galloway mcnl to your
ribs. English beef and beer are excellent ,
and drive a lance home Into an unarmed
foe , but It noedB good Scotch oats at the
back of the spear hilt to make the aparkn
fly when knight meets with knight and Iron
rings on Iron. "
"Indeed , coiihln Jamie , " said the earl ,
"you have some right to your porridge , for
this day you have overturned well nigh
a score of good knights , and como off un
hurt and unashamed. Cousin William , bow-
liked you the whamracl you got from James *
lance In your final course ? "
"Not that 111 , " said the silent master. "I
am Indeed better at taking than at giving.
James Is a better lance than I shall aver
be "
, "Not so , " cried Jolly James. "Our Will
never doth himself justice. He Is far-
over reading Dcyrolles and John Frolsaard ,
In order to learn new ways and tricks of
fence , which he practices on the tilting
ground , instead of riding with a1 tight knea
and the weight of.hls body behind the abaft
of ash. That Is what drives the tree home ,
and so ho gets many a coup. Yet io fall
and to bo up and at It again Is by far tba
truer courage. "
The Lady Sybllla laughed heartily as It.
scorned , yet with some little bitterness In
tbo Bound of It.
"I declare you Douglases stick together
like crabs In a basket. Cousins In France
do not often love each other so well. You
are fortunate In your relation , my lord
duke. "
"Indeed , and that I am ! " cried the young
man joyously. "be be my counlns. Wllam | |
and James Will ready to read rae out ot
wlso books and advise me better than any
clerk , Jamlo aching to drive lanre through \
any man's midriff In my quarrel. * '
"Lord , I would that I had the chance , "
cried James , "St. Bride , but I would mak *
a hold clean through him , though my clbuck
suoul'I dlnnle for a week after. "
So talking together , but with the lady rid
ing more silent and somewhat constrained
In tbolr roldnt , the three cousins of DouglJS
passed the drawbridge and came again to
the precincts of tbo noble castle of Thrlev * .
I ( To bu Continued )