20 THE OMAHA DAILY JJBJ3 : SUNDAY , NOVEMBER 20 , 1808.
r 3 innrtj
i > y < 5. RXrockett .
x i/n OP "tw ! HA.OTCH-I
CHAl'TKIt XY.
. I
lu an hour Sholto followed them , bavins
ridden fast and furious across tbo Ions
broomy braes of Borcland and wet th'j '
frlng'.s of the silken coverture of his horte
by valn-glorlously swimming the Deo. at
the Castle pool Instead of going round by
the fords. This ho did In the hope that
Maud Llndcgny might sco him. And fie
she did , for an he came round by the out-
fcldo of the moat , making 'his horse caracole
nnd thinking no little of himself , he heard
a volco from an upper window call out :
"Sholto MaoKIm , Mnudto says that you look
llko a draggled crow. No , I will not bo ,
silent. " I
Then the words weio Bhut off as If ft1 1
hand had been set over the mouth wliloh
epoke. But prcseully the volco out of the
unseen came again "And I hate you , Sholto
MacKlin. For wo have had to keep In our |
chamber this whole day , because of the two
men you have placed over us , as If Wo had
been prisoners In Black Archibald * . This
very day I am going to ask my brother to
liang Black Andre and John , his brother , on
the dulo tree of Carllnwark. "
"Yea , Indeed , and truly , " cried another
volco , which made his very heart flutter ,
"and set bis new captain of the guard
n-danglo In the midst , decked out from head
to foot lu peacock's feathers. "
Sholto was very angry , for , llko a hey ,
ho took not dialling lightly and had neither
the harshness of hldo which can endure ths
rasping of a woman's tongue nor the quick-
ncsa'of tongue to give her the counter re
tort.
tort.So
So ho cast the rclnn of his horse > to n
stable varlet and stamped Indoors , currying
his master's helmet to Iho armory. Then ,
still without speech to nuy , ho brushed
hastily up Iho stairs toward the upper floor ,
which ho had set Andrew the Penman nnd
his brother to guard.
At the turning of the .turnpike David
Douglas , the carl's brother , stopped him.
Hholto moved his hand to salute nnd would
have passed by.
But David detained him with an Im
petuous hand.
"What is this ? " ho Bald. "You have sot
two archers oa the stairs , who have shot
and almost killed the ambassador's two
servants I'onthou , the man-at-arms , and
Henrlot , the clerk Just because they
wished to toke the air upon the roof. Nay ,
even when -would have visited my sister ,
I woo uot permitted. 'None passes here
save the earl himself , till our captain take
lilo orders off us. ' That was the word they
epoke. Was over the llko dona In the castle
of the Tlirlovo to a master of Douglas be
fore ! "
"I am sorry , my Lord David , " enld
Sholto , respectfully , "but there were mat
ters within the knowledge of the carl which
caused him to lay a heavy charge upon me. "
"Well , " said the lad quickly relenting , "let
us go and GOO Margaret now. She must
have been lonely all this fair day of eura-
mcrl"
But Sholto Binllod , well pleased , thinking
of Maud Llndesay.
"I would that I had a lifetime of suck
loneliness ! " bo said to himself.
At the turning of the etalr they wcra
stayed , for there , his foot advanced , his bow
ready to deliver Its steel bolt at the click
ing of a trigger , stood Andre the Swarthy.
From whore ho .stood ho commanded the
etalr and could also ECO along the corridor
ns well.
David Douglas caught his elbow on some
thing which stood a few Inches out of the
oaken panelling of the turoplUo wall. Ho
tried to pull It out. It was the iteol quar-
rell of a croes-bow , wedged firmly Into the
wood nnd masonary ; lie cried :
"Whence came this ? Have you been
murdering nny other honest men ? "
The archer stood silent , glancing this way
nd that llko a sentinel on duty. The two
young men went on up the stair.
As tholr feet were approaching- sixth
tep , a sudden word camo'from the Fon-
tnuu like a bolt from his bow.
"Halt ! " < ho cried , und they heard the
gur-r-r-r of hli steel ratchjt.
Sholto smiled , for ho know the nature of
the man.
"It Is I , your captain , " ho said. "You
have done your duty well , Andrew the Ten-
man ; now get down to your dinner. But
first give an account of your adventures. "
"Do you relieve us from our charge ? "
paid the archer , with bis bow still at the
ready.
"Certainly ! " quoth Sholto.
"Come , Jock , wo are eased , " cried Andre
the Swarthy up the stair , as ho slid the
ibolt out of Its grip with a llttlo click.
"Faith , my belly Is loom as a list year's
beef uarrcl. "
"Did any como hither to vex you ? " asked
Bholto.
"Not to speak of , " said the archer.
"Thero were the two varlets of the French
man , end as they would not'take a bidding
to stand I had perforce to send a quarrel !
buzzing past their lugs Into the wall. You
can sco It thcro behind you ! "
"Rascal , " cried David Douglas , Indig
nantly , "you do not say that first of all you
shot It through the arm of the poor clerk
HcnrloU"
"It Is like enough , " said Andre , coolly ,
"If his arm were In the way ! "
Then there came a voice from the stirs
Crom above.
"And the wretches would neither let any
The pot name of the deepest rtunfreon of
Castle Tlirlove , yet extant uud plain to bo
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come to visit us nor permit us to go down
Into the hall that we might speak with , our
goyslpa , "
"How should wo be responsible with our
lives for the lasses If wo let them gad
about ? " said Andre , preparing to salute
and trtko himself off.
At this moment the llttlo maid and her
elder companion came forward meekly and
kneeled down before Sholto.
"Wo arc your humble prisoners , " cald
Mnud Llndcaay , "and wo know that our
offenses against your highness are heinous.
Hut why should you starve us to death ?
Hum us or hang uswo will bear the ex
treme penalty of the law gladly but tor-
turo Id not for w'omen. For dear pity's
sake , a blto of bread ! Wo have had nothing
to eat all day except two lace handkerchiefs
and a neck ribbon ! "
"Lord of heavens ! " cried Sholto , swing-
Ing on his heel and darting down toward
the kitchens , "what n fool unutterable I
am ! "
CHAI'TKIl XXI.
Tlio llnlllcM ot Dumfrlfi.
The combat of the third day was , by the
will ot the earl , to bo of a peculiar kind.
It was the cuatom at that time for the molce
to be fought between an equal number of
knights In open lists , each being at liberty
to carry assistance to his friends as soon
as ho had disposed of his own man.
On this occasion , however , the fight waste
to bo between three knights with their sev
eral squires on the ono sldo and an equal
number of knights and squires on the other.
AH the combat ot the previous day had de
cided , young James Douglas of Avondale
was to lead one party as tbo successful ttltor
of the day of singly combat , whllo the carl
himself was to head the other. The chances
of battle must bo berne and whatever hap
pened lu tbo shock of fight was to be PP
dured without complaint. But no blow waste
to bo struck at cither knight or squire lying
on the ground or in any way disabled by
wound.
To Sholto's great and manifest Joy the
earl , his master , chose the new captain of
his guard to support him In the fray , and
told him to make choice of the best battle
ox and sword ho could find , as well as arm
himself with the shield which best suited
the strength of his left arm.
"By your permission I will ask my father , '
said Sholto.
"Ho also fights on our side as the squire
of Alain Fleming , " said the earl. "If'.Lau-
rcnco had not been a monk he might have
made a third MacKIm ! "
Then was Sholto's heart high and uplifted
within him , to think of the victory ho would
achlovo over Ills brother less than two days
after they had parted , and ho hastened off
to choose his arms under the direction ot his
father.
The parly of James ot Avondale consisted
ot his brother William and young John
Lauder , called Lauder ot the Bass. Those
three had already entered their pavilion to
arm themselves for the combat , when a
trumpet announced the arrival from the
castla ot the ambassador ot France , who ,
being recovered from his wound , bad como
In baste to see the fighting ot the last and
greatest day of the tourney.
As soon ns ho heard the wager ot battle
the marshal cried , "I also will strike a blow
this day for the honor of France. My quinsy
has altogether left me and my blood flows
strong after the rest. I will take part with
James of Avondale ! "
And without waiting to be asked ho went
off , followed by his servant , Pointou , toward
the pavilion of the Avondale trio.
And as the Marshal de Retz was the chief
guest , It was Impossible for James of Avon
dale to refuse his offer. But there was anger
and blasphemy in his heart , for he knew not
what the Frenchman could do , and though
ho had undoubtedly been a gallant knight In
Us day , yet 'lu ' these matters ( as James
Douglas whispered to his brother ) a week's
steady practice is worth a lifetime of theory.
Still , thcro was nothing for the brothers
from Douglasdalo but to make the best of
their bargain. The person most deserving of
ilty , however , was the young laird of the
Jass , who , being thus dispossessed , went out
to the back ot the lists and actually shod
.cars , being llttlo more than a boy and none
looking oil to sco him.
Then ho came back hastily and besought
James of Douglas to let him light as hie
squire , saying that as he bad never taken
up the knighthood which had been be
stowed on him by the carl for his Journey
to France , there could be nothing irregular
In his fighting once more as a simple
esquire. And thus after an appeal to the
carl himself it was arranged much to Allan
Lauder's content.
For his third knight the Douglas had
made cliolco ot his third cousin , Hugh ,
younger brother of his two opponents , and
at 'that ' William and James of Avondafo
shook their heads.
"Ho pushes a good tree , our Hughte , "
eald James , "It he comes at you , Will , mind
that trick of swerving that ho hath. Aim
at right gauntlet and you will hit hla
shield ! "
The conflict on < he Bontcroft differed much
from the chivalrous encounters of an earner
tlmo and a richer country.
It chanced that on the borders ot the
ciowd which that day begirt the great en
closure ot the lists two burgctues of Dum
fries stood on tiptoe , to-wit , Hobert Bern-
pte , merchant , dealing la cloth and wool ,
and Nlulan Halliburton , the uncle of tbo
wife of Mall 0 MacKIm , master armorer ,
whoso trade was only conditioned by the
amount of capital ho bad to lay out and the
probability ho had of disposing ot his pur
chase within a reasonable time.
It woutd glvo nn entirely erroneous Im
pression of the state of Scotland It the say-
lugs and doings of the wieo and shrewd
burghers of the towns of Scotland were left
without a chronicler. The burghs of Scot
land were at once the cradles and strong
holds of liberty , They were not subject to
the great nobles. They reeked with jeal
ousy on all encroachments on tholr liberties
end had sharp swords to enforce their ob
jection. They had been endowed with privi
leges by the wise and politic kings ot Scot
land from William the Lion down to Jamea
I of fata worthy memory. For they were
the beat bulwark ot the central authority
against the pouer of the great nobles of the
provinces.
Now Hobert Sample and Xlnlau Halll-
burton were two worthy citizens of Dum
fries , men ot respectability , well provided
*
for by tlia success ot their trade and tb <
saving nature of their wlvai. They bail
come to the Thrleve for two purposes tt
deliver a largo consignment ot goods anil
gear , foreign provision and fruit to tb <
controller of the earl's household , and tc
receive payment therefor , partly In monej
and partly In the wool and cattle , hdei |
and tallow , which had been the staple prod
ucts of Galloway throughout her genera <
tlous.
Tholr further purposes and Intent * it
venturing so far weal of the safe precinct
ot thtlr burgh ot Dumfries may be gatberet
from their conversation hereinafter re-1
ported.
Nlnlnn Halliburton was n roty-faecd , 1
clean-shaven man , with a habit of con
stantly pursing out his lips and hnlf clos
ing his eyes , as If he were sagely deciding
on the advisability of some bargain , Hla
companion , Hobert Scmple , bad a similar ,
look ot shrewdness , but added to It bis ,
face bore also tbo Imprint of a shy and
lurking humor not unlike that of the raos-1
tcr armorer himself. Ho had kept his terms }
also at the college of St. Andrews , where
you may find on the list of graduates the |
name ot Robertas Semple , written by the I
foundatlonal hand of Bishop Henry Ward-1
law hlm qlf. And la his body , as the balllo
of Dumfries would often recall , ho bore
the memory tt not the mark * of the dis
ciplining of Henry Ogllvy , master In arts , n
wholesome custom , too much neglected by
the present regents as ho would add.
"This Is an excellent affair for us , " said
N'lnlan Halliburton , standing with bis bands
folded placidly over his ample stomach , only
occasionally wandering In order to feel and
approve the pllo of brown velvet out ot
which the sober gown was constructed. "A
good thing for u , I say , that there are
great lords like the carl ot Douglas to keep
up the expense of such days as this ! "
"It were still better , " answered his com
panion , drily , "if the great nobles would
pay poor merchants according to their prom-
lie Instead of treating them with the duto
tree It they & > much as venture to ask for
their money. Neither you nor I , bailie , can
buy In the lowlands of Holland without a
goodly provision of the broad gold pieced
that are po hard to drag from the great
nobles of Scotland , "
Tbo rosy gllled ball to of Dumfries looked
opposed his brother Hugh nnd tlio Murslmr
tie Ketz couched upenr fiRnlnrt young Alan
Fleming , and eo they started to ride their
courre. Hut nt the luct moment , Inmead ot
tiding straight for his man , ho threw It lu
thu manner of his country straight at the
vlNor bars of the young curl of Douglas. The
Hpear of James of Avondale at the some
tlmo inking him fair In the midst of his
shield , the double an-aim caused the young
man to fall heavily from his saddle , 50 that
the crneh stiundcd dully over the flcM.
"Treachery ! Treachery ! a foul , false
stroke ! A knave's device ! " cried nine-
tenths of those who were crowded about
the barrlcrn. "Stop the fight ! Kill the
Frenchman ! "
"Not so , " cried Lord Maxwell , "they were
to light ns best they could nnd they must
fight It to the end. "
And , being a decision not to be gainsaid ,
the combat proceeded on very unequal
terms. Bholto , who had been eagerly In' ' '
the stretch to match himself with the squlro
of James of Avondale , the young knight of
the Bass , found hlmsrlf suddenly astride
of his lord's body and defending himself
against both the French ambassador and
his Squire I'onthou , who bad simultaneously
crossed over to the attack. For the mar
shal do Rltz , In. complete defiance , It not
of the written rule of chivalry , at least
against the spirit of gallantry , would have
thrust the carl through with his spear as
ho lay , crying , at the same time , "A
outranco ! A outranco ! " to excuse the foul
ness of his deed.
It wns lucky for himself that ho did not
succeed , for undoubtedly the Douglases
then on the field would have torn him to
I pieces for what they not unnaturally con-
' sldored his treachery. As It was , there
the combat by throwing down his truncheon '
and proclaiming a drawn battle.
"Fnlno loon ! " cried Sholto , shaking his
nx at him In Iho extremity of his nngcr.
"We have beaten them fairly. Would that
1 could get nt thco ! Come down and fight
an encounter to thd end. I will take any
Maxwell hero In my shirt ! "
"Hold your tongue ! " commanded hts
father briefly. "What else can you expect
of n llorder man but broken faith ? "
The nrchera rushed In , as was their duty ,
nnd separated the remaining combatants.
Hugh and his brother William fought it to
the last , the younger with all his vigor and
with cv fierce energy born of hl brother
James' 'taunts , William with the calm
courteny nnd forbearance of an old and as
sured knteht toward ono who fau yet hit
spurs to win.
The stunned knights nnd squires were
conveyed to their several pavilions , whore
the carl's apothecaries were In attendance.
William of Douglas was the first to revive ,
which ho did almost as soon aa the laces ot
hts helm had been .undone and -water dashed
upon his faco. Ills head still hung , ho de
clared , but that was all.
Ho bent with the anxiety of a generous
enemy over tlio unconscious form of the Mar
shal do Hetz , from whom they were strip-
plug his armor. At the removal of the hel
met the strange parchment face with its
blue-black stubbly beard was seen to bo more
than usually pale and drawn. The upper
Up was retracted and a set of long , white-
teeth gleamed llko those of a wild beast
The apothecary was Just commencing to
strip oft bis leathern under-doublet from the
ambassador's body to search for a wound ,
when Pontbou , his squire , happened to open
his eyes. Ho had bcca laid upon the floor ,
Tf
HIS AX STRUCK FAIR ON THE STEEL CAP.
p at his friend with a quick expression of
mingled hope and anxiety.
"Docs the earl o' Douglas owe you nny
lllcr ? " he asked in a hushed whisper , "for
f he does I am willing to take over the
; eW for a consideration ! "
"Nay , " said Semple , "I only wish ho did.
The Douglases ot the Black were never 111
layers. They had their hand In every man's
meal ark , but as they arc easy In taking
they are also quick in paying. "
"Siller In hand Is the greatest virtue of a
luyer. " said the bailie with unction. "But
Robert Semple , though I was willing to
ibllge ye as a friend by taking over your
debt , I'll no deny that ye gled me a fricht.
For hao I no this day delivered to the bursar
'
i' the" castle o' Thrlevo sax bales o' pepper
in.d three o1 the best spice , besides much
utnmlnf , alum , elnger , seatwell , almonds ,
ice , figs , raisins and other sic things. More-
iver , there Is owing to me for wine and vine
gar , malr than twa hundcr pound. Was
that no enough t6 gar me tak a turn when
yo spoke o' the great nobles no pay'n ! "
I would that all our outlying moneys
were as safe , " said Semple. "but hero come
he knights and squires forth from their
ents. Tell me , Nlnion , which o' the lads
are your sister's sons. "
"There is but ono of them that Is Barbara
lalllburton's son , " answered Halliburton ,
'tho Ither Is her aln man and a great ram-
stam , unblddable , unhallowed deevll he Is
Quid forbid that I should say as muckle to
his.face ! "
CHAPTER XXII.
WAKCF of Buttle.
The knights bad moved slowly out from
ihelr pavilions on cither side and now stood
waiting the order to charge. My Lord Max
well sat by the side ot the Lady Sybllla and
held the truncheon , the casting down of
which was to part the combatants and end
the Oght. The three knights on the southerner
or earl's side were a singular Contrast to
their opponents. Two ot them , the earl nnd
his cousin Hugo , were no more than boys
In years , though already old In military ex
ercises , the third , Allan Fleming of Cum
berland , was a strong horseman and excel
lent with his lance , though also slender of
body and more distinguished for dexterity
than for power of arm. Yet ho was destined
to lay a good lance in rest that day and como
forth unshamed.
The Avondale party was to the eye In
finitely the stronger ; that is , when the
knights only were considered. For James
Douglas was little less than a giant. His
Jolly person and frank manners seemed to fill
all the field with good humor , and from his
station ho cried challenges to his cousin , the
earl , and defiances to his brother Hugo with
broad , rollicking wit , which endeared him to
the commons , with whom "Mlcklo Lord
Jamie" was a popular hero.
"Bid our Hugh there rln hamo for his
hlppen clouts lest he make of himself n
Bhame , " he cried , " 'tl not fair that wo
should have to flght with babes. "
"Mayhap he will be as David to your
Qollah , great gomerll , " replied the earl with
equal good humor , seeing his cousin Hugh
blush * nd fumble uncomfortably at his arms.
Then to the lad himself he said : "Keep
a light hand on your rein , a good grip at
the knee , end after the first shock we will l
ride round them llko swallows about so
many bullocks. " >
The other two A > oudale knights , William
Douglas and the Marshal de Retz , were nho
largo men , and the latter clothed in black
armor , and with the royal ermines of BrltJ
tany quartered on his shield , reeked a stern
and commanding figure.
The squires were equally well matched.
These fought on foot , armed according to
custom , with sword , ax and dagger though
Sholto would much have preferred to trust
to his arrow nkllt cvoa against the plate of
the knights.
The trumpets blew their warning from the
Judge's gallery. The elx opposing knights
laid their lances in rest. The equlrcs leaned
a Tittle forward as it about to run a race. '
Lord Maxwell raised his truncheon. The
trumpets * ound d again , and as their stir
ring tarantara rang down the wide strath
of Dee the riders spurred their horses Into
full career. U eo chanced that as they bad 1
stood Jarnc * ot Avondale was opposite the
earl , each being In the midst , aa was tbeli
right aa leaders. The Master ot Avondale
sounded out a mighty roar of anger all
about the barriers and the crowd pressed
so fiercely and threateningly that it was all
the archers could do to keep them within
reasonable bounds. -
v
"Saints' mercy ! " shouted stout Nlnlan
Halliburton , "let us get out of this place.
I am near bursen. Haud off , there , varlet ;
ken ye not that I am a balllo of Dumfries ?
Keep off the tall o' my brown velvet gown.
It cost night 20 silver shillings an rll. "
"A Douglas ! A Douglas ! Treachery !
Treachery ! " yelled a wild Mlnnlgaft man ,
thrusting a naked brand high into the air
within an Inch ot the burgees' nose. That
worthy citizen almost fen backwards In dis
may , and Indeed must bavo done so but for
the pressure of tbo crowd behind him. Ho
was , therefore , much against his will , com
pelled to keep his place In the front rank
of the spectators.
"Well done , young Tad , " cried the crowd ,
seeing Sholto ward und strike at Ponthou
and his maftcr. "God , but ho is fechtla"
llko the black dell hlraseH ! "
"If will bo as chancy for him , " cried the
wild Mlnnlgaff hlHman , "for I would tear
the harrigals oot o' Sholto MacKIm inysel'
if onything happen to the carl ! "
But the captain of the guard , light as a
feather , had easily avoided the thrust ot
the marshal's spear , taking it at an angle
and turning It asldo with his shield. Then
springing up behind him , ho pulled the
French knight down to the ground with the
hook of his ax , by that trick of attack which
was the lesson taught once for all to the
Scots of the lowlands upon the stricken field
of the Red Harlaw.
The marshal fell heavily and lay still , for
ho was an oM man aud the weight ot his
armor very great.
"Slay him ! Slay him ! " yelled the people ,
stm furious at what , not without reason ,
they considered rank treachery.
Sholto recovered himself and reached his
master only in time to find Ponthou bending
over .Earl Douglas with a dagger in his
hand.
hand.With
With a wild yen ho lashed out nt Iho
Brc-ton squire , and his ax striking fair on
his steel cap , Ponthou fell senseless across
the body of Douglas.
"Well doneSholto MacKIm well done ,
lad , " canio from all the barriers , and even
Nlnlan Halliburton cried : "Ye shall hae a
silken doubtet for that ! " then , recollecting
himself , ho added : "At little mair than
cost price ! "
" ' fcchtln' ! " cried
"God In heevcn , 'tis bonny
the man from Mannlgaff. " 0 , if I could
dlrU the fause > hound I wad dco happy ! "
And the hlllnian danced on the toes of
the baiire of Dumfries and shook the bar
riers with his hand till ho received a rap
over the knuckles from the handle of a
partisan , directed'by the stout arras of Andre
the Penman.
"Haud back , there , heathen-besom ! " cried
the archer ; "gin yc want ever again to taste
braxy ! "
Over the rest of the field the fortune ot
war had been somewhat various. William
ot Douglas had unhorsed his brother Hugh
at the first shock , but Immediately foro-
' going his advantage with the most chlvnl-
rous courtesy , ho leaped from bis own horse
and drew his sword.
On the right Alan Fleming1 , bclug by the
marshal's action suddenly deprived of his 1
opponent , had wheeled his charger and
borne down sideways upon James ot Doug
las and' that doughty champion , having
fully recovered from the shock of his en
counter with the earl and being taken from
an unexpected quarter , went down as much
to his own surprise ai to that ot the people
nt the barriers , who bad looked upon him
as the strongest champion on the fleld.
It was evident , however , that in splto of
the loss of their leader , the wirl's party
stood every chance to win the Held , For
not only was Alan Fleming the only knight
left on horseback , but Mallso McKlm hod
JUposeU of the laird of Stra'ven , squire to
Wllllatn of Avondale having by ono mighty
ax stroke beaten the Douglaedale man do\\n
to his'knees.
"A Douglas ! A Douglas ! " shouted the
populace ; "Lot them have It ! "
And the adherents of the carl were pro-
ceedlnR to carry out this Intent when my
| Lord Muxwcll unexpectedly ; > ut an cad to
as being the most seriously wounded of the
combatants , though as least In honor he fell
to bo attended last.
Instantly ho cried out a strange Breton
word unintelligible to all present and , leapIng -
Ing from the floor , he flung himself across
the body of his master , dashing aside the
astonished apothecary , who had only tlmo to
discern on the marshal's shoulder the scar
of a recent cautery before Ponthou bad re
stored the leathern under-doublct to Its
place.
"Hands off ! Do not touch my master ! I
alone can bring him to. Leave the room , all
of you ! "
"Sjrrah ! " cried the earl sternly , "learn to
speak humbly to more honorable men. "
"My lord ! " cried Ponthou , instantly re
called to himself , "believe me , I meant no
111. But true it is I alone can recover him.
I have often seen him taken thus. But I
must bo left alone. My master hath a
blemish upon htm and one great gentleman
does not humiliate another In the presence
of underlings. My Lord Douglas , as you
love honor , bid all to leave me alone for a
brief space. "
"Much cared he for honor when he threw
the , lance at my master , " growled Sbollo. .
Had I known I would have driven my bill
point six Inches lower , and then would tl.ero
have been a most satisfactory blemish la his
neckbone. "
CHAPTER XXII f.
Sholto Win * KnlBhtUood
The ambassador recovered quickly after
that ho hod been left with his servant Pont
hou , according to the latter's request. The
lady Sybllla manifested the most tender
concern in the matter of the accident of
Judgment which had been the means of di
verting her uncle from bis own opponent
and bringing him into collision with the
Earl Douglas.
"Often have I striven with mine uncle
Ollles that ho should ride no more In the
lists , for since bo received the lance thrust
In the eye by the sldo of La Pucelle before
the walls of Orleans , he sees no more
aright , but bears ever to the stdo of the
eye which sees and away from that wherein
he had his wound. "
"Indeed , I knew not that the Marshal de
Retz had been wounded in the eye , or 1
should not have permitted htm to ride In
the tourney , " said the arl ; "the fault was
mtno alone. "
The Lady Sybilla. smiled upon him very
swe tly and graciously.
"You are great soldiers you Douglases.
Six knights are chosen from the muster of
half a kingdom to ride a mel . Four are
Douglases , and , moreover , cousins germou
in blood. "
"Indeed , wo might well have compassed
the sword play , " said the Earl William ,
"for in our twenty generations we never
learned aught else. Our arms are strong
enough and our skulls thick enough , but
even mine uncle the abbot hath bis Latin
by tbo ear , and ono Somplo , a simple bur
gher of Dumfries , did best him at It or
at least would have shamed him , but that
bo desired not to loss the custpm of the
abbey. "
"When you come to France , " replied the
girl smiling on him , "it will , indeed , be
stirring to see you rldo about with young
Messiro Lelaln , tbo champion of Burgundy ,
or with that mtriadet of DIJon , whose * arm
U like that of a giant , and can fell an on
at a blow. "
"Truly , " Bald the young earl modestly ,
"you do mo over much honor. My cousin
James there , bo Is the champion among us
and alone could easily have overborne mo
today , even without the aid of your uncle's
blind eye. Kvcn William of Avondale is a
better lance , and young Hugh will be when
his tlmo comrs. "
"Your squire fought n good fleht. " she
went on , "though his countenance does not
commend Itself to me , being full of eclf-
sutTlclencc. "
"Sholto yes , ho Is his father's eon and
fought well. Ho Is a MacKIm and cannot
Co otherwise. Ho will make a good knight
and I will dub him one ere this sun let for
his valiant laying on ot the ax this day. "
The great muster was now over. The tents
which had been dotted thickly over the castle
Island were already mostly struck and thu
ground was Uttered with miscellaneous de-
brls , eoon to be carted off la trail carts with
square wooden bodies set on boughs of trres
nnd flung Into the river by the earl's variola
and stablemen.
Tlio liegemen of the Douglas were by this
tlmo steaming homewnrds by every mountain
pass. Over the heather nnd through the
iboundtng morasses horsonnd foot took their
way , no longer marching In military order ,
as when they came , but each taking the
route which appeared iho shortest to him
self. North , east end west spearheads glinted
and armor flashed against the brawn of the
ther nnd the green ot the llttlo vales
Wherein the horses bent their heads to pull
nt Iho meadow hay as tbclr riders sought
the nearest way to their peel toners and 40-
ehllllng lands.
It was at tb * great gate ot Thrleve ( hat
the earl called for Sholto. Ho had been
peaking to M cousin WlHUra , a strong ,
silent man , whom repute was highest for
il counsel among all tbo branches ot the
homo of Douglas.
Sholto came forward from the head of
his archer guard with a haste which be
trayed his anxiety , lest In some- manner
ho had exceeded his duty. The carl bade
him kneel down. A llttlo behind the young
Dougleses of Avondale , William , James nnd
Hugh , sat their horses and the boy David ,
who bad been left at homo to keep tbo cas
tle , looked forth disconsolately from the
window of the great ball. On the steps
stood the llttlo maid , Margaret , and her
companion , Maud Lludesay , who had como
downi to meet the returning train of riders.
And , truth to tell , that was what Sholto
cared most about. 'Ho ' did not wish to bo
disgraced before them all.
Sholto knelt with1 a sober countenance be
fore hts lord , the cnrl took hl9 cousin Wil
liam's sword out ot his hand , nnd , laying
It on the shoulder of Sholto MacKIm , ho
said : "Orcnt occasions bring forth good
men , and ono battle tries the temper of
the eword. You , Sholto , have been quickly
tried , but thy father hath been long temperIng -
Ing thee. Three days agono you wore but
ono of the archer guard , yesterday you were
made its captain , today I dub you knight
for the strong courage of the heart that Is
within and the servlco which this day you
did your lord. Rise , Sir Sholto ! "
But for all that he rose not , for the bead
of the young man whirled and llttlo drum
ming pulses beat In his temples. Hla heart
cried within him llko the overword ot a
song , "Docs she hear ? Will she care ? Will
this bring mo nearer to her ? " So that , lu
splto of his lord's command , lie continued
to kneel till lusty James of Avondale came
and caught him by the elbow. "Up , Blr
Knight , and glvo grace nnd good thanks
to your lord. Not your head , but mine ,
hath a right to be muzzy with the coup ) I
gat this day on the green meadow of tne
boatcroft. "
And practical William of Avonflalo whis
pered In his cousin's ear : "And the lands
for the youth that wo'epoko of ? "
"Moreover , " said the earl , "that you may
suitably support t.bc knighthood which your
eword has won , I freely bestow on you the
forty-Bhirilng lands of Alrclands and Lin
coln s with Scrcel and Ben Claim , on condi
tion thai you and yours shall keep the watch
fires laid ready for the lighting , and that in
time you rear sturdy yeomen to bear In the
Douglas train the banneret of MacKIm of
Alreland. "
Shorto stood before his generous lord
trembling and speechless , while James
Douglas shook him by the elbow and en
couraged htm roughly : "Say thy say , man !
Hast lost thy tongue ? "
But WilXam Douglas nodded approval of
the youth.
"Nay , " bo said , "let alone , James ! I like
the lad the better that be hath no ready
tongue. "Tls not the praters that flght , as
this youth bath fought this day ! "
So all that Sholto found himself able to
do was no moro than to kneel on one knee
and kiss hla master's hand.
"I am too young ! " be muttered. "I am
not worthy ! "
"Nay , " said his master. "But you have
fairly won your spurs. They made mo a.
knight when I vtaa but two years ot my
ago , end I cried all the tlmo for my nurse ,
your good mother , who when she came com
forted me with pap. Surely it was right
that I ehouM make a place for my foster
brother within the goodly circle ot the
Douglas knights. "
CHAPTER XXIV.
The Second Flouting of Maud Llnile-
Sholto McKlm stood on the lowest step
of the ascent Into the noble gateway of
Thrleve , ftardly able to bellovo In his own
good fortune. But these were the days
when no man awaked without having the
possibility ot either a knighthood or tbo
gallon's tree to encourage htm to do his
duty between dawn and dork ,
The lords ot DougUs had gone within
and were cow drinking the cup 'ii appetite
as their armour was being unbraced by the
servitors and the chafed 'limbs rubbed with
oil and vinegar after the tolls of tbo tour
ney. But still Sholto stood where his mas
ter had left him , looking at tbo. green scum
of duckweed which floated on the. surface of
the moat of Thrlove , yet of a truth seeing
nothing whatever , when a low volco pierced
the abstraction of his revcrlo.
"Sir Bholto , " said Mistress Maud Llnde
say , "I bid you a long goodbye , Sir Sholto
McKlm ! Say farewell to him Margaret a
you hear mo dot"
"Goodbye , kind Sir Sholto ! " piped the
childlsih volco of the maid of Galloway , as
she made a little courtesy to Sholto Mc-
Kim In Imitation of her companion , I know
not where you are going , but Maudle bids
me , so I will ! "
"And wherefore say you goodbye to me ? "
cried Sholto , finding his words at once In
the wholesome atmosphere of raillery which
everywhere accompanied that qulpsoms
damsel , Mistress Maud Llndcsay.
"Why , because wo are humble folk and
mut get our ways upstairs out of the way
of dignities. Permit me to kiss your hand ,
fair lord ! " and here she -tripped down the
etepi and pretended to take bis hand.
"Hold olfl" be cried , snatching It away
angrily , Tor her tone vexed and thwarted
him.
him.The
The girl affected a great terror , which
merged Immediately into a meek aud re
spectful resignation.
"No you are right we are not worthy
even , to kiss your knightly hand , " sbo sold ,
"but we will respectfully greet you. " Hero
she swept him a full reverence and ran up
*
the steps again before he could take hold
of her. Then , standing on the topmost step ,
and holding her friend's band In hers , she
spoke to the maid of Galloway in a tone
hushed and regretful , as ono speaks of the
dead.
"No , Margaret , " eho paid , "ho will no
moro play with us bide and seek about thu
stackyard ricks at the Mains over In the
gloamings. Sir Sbolto cares no moro for
us or for our childish things. He will uot
oven blow out a lamp with his own honor
able lips. No , bo will call Ills squire to
do It. "
Sbolto looked the indignation be would
not trust himself to speak.
"Ha will dlno with the earl In hall and
drink and stamp and shout with the best
when they drink the toasts. IJut ho has
become too great a man to carry you and
mo any moro over stepping stones at the
ford or pull with ui the rlpo berries when
the briars are drooping purple on the
braes of Keltonblll. Bid him goodbye ,
Margaret , for he was our kind friend onco.
And when he rides by to battle , perhaps , if
we are good and respectful , he may again
wave us a band and say , 'Thore are two
lajsea that once I kenned ! ' "
At thli Inordinate flouting the now
knight , growing moro and moro angry at
each word , came quickly to the break
point , for hla nerves . were Jarred and
jaSgltU by the excitements ot tbo day. He
gnvo vent to n short , sharp cry ami ( started
up ( tin steps with Iho Intention of nuklhit
Mistress Llmlt'ony puy In some fashion foi-
her Impertinence. Hut that very nctlvo and
Kalnsomo maid wns moat entirely on the
nlert Indeed , she had been counting from
the first upon provoking such n movement.
And PO. with her nimble clmrRo nt her Ueols.
Mistress Llndcsay ttns already nt tlio Inner
port fltid through the Iron-barred g , tc of
thu turret stnlr before the youthful captain
ot the guard , still encumbered with lih
armor , could reach the top of the outer
steps.
As soon ns Sholto saw that ho was hope *
Irs.sly distanced ho slackened his gnll unit
with a eobcr tread befitting a knight nnd
officer of a garrison , ho walked along the
passage which led to the chamber allotted
to the captain of the guard , from which
that day Landless Jock had removed his
effects.
The soldiers of the guard , who had heard
of the honors which had so ewlftly conn >
upon the young man , rose and respectfully
saluted their chief. And Shorto , though ho
had been silent when the sharp tonguo.ot
the mirth-loving maid tormented him , found
rpecch readily enough now.
"I thank > ou , " ho said , acknowledging
their salutations. "Wo have known cncli
other before. Fortune and misfortune como
to all nnd it will bo atl your turns 090 ilny.
But up or down , good or til , wo shall not
bo the \sorso comrades for having .kept thu
guard and sped the bolt together. "
Then there canio ono .behind him lAvbu
stood at the door of hla chamber as lio/was
uiihclmlng himself and eald : "My , captoln ,
thcro stand at the turret etalr the ladles
Margaret aud Maud , with a mcBRjgo for
you. " -
"A mosnaKQ for mowha.t . Is It ? " juld
Sbolto testily , being ( and small blame to
him ) a trlllo niniod In Ms temper.
"Nay , sir , " wild the anan respectfully ,
"that I know not , but tnetulnks It count )
from my lord. "
It wilt not do to say to what our gallant
Sholto condemned nil tricks and queens nnd
spiteful dnmoscls , In whoso eyes dwelt mis
chief brimming over , and whose itongues
spoke softest words that yet stung and
rankled llko fairy arrowy dipped In talt ; and
wormwood.
But slnco the man etood there and re
peated , "I Judge tbo message to bo ono from
my lord , " Sholto could do nocsn than hast
ily pull on his doublet and again betake
himself along the corridor to the foot ot thu
stnlr.
stnlr.When
When he arrived there ho saw nd ono
and was about to depart again as ho had
come , when tbo head of Maud Llndcsay ap
peared round the upper spiral , looking mom
dlstractlngly mischievous and moro be
witching than ever , all rippling over with ,
dark curls and her eyes fairly scintillating
light. She nodded to him nnd leaned u
llttlo further over , holding tightly to thu
baluster meanwhile.
"Well , " said Sholto , roughly , "what nro
my lord's commands for me , If , indeed , hn
has charged you with any ? "
"Ho fays , " replied Mistress Maud Llnde-
say , "that , since lamps are dangerous thlngrt
In maidens' chambers , ho desires you to
assist In the trimming of the waxen tapers
tonight that Is , If so' menial a servlco
shame not your knighthood. "
"Pshaw ! " muttered Sholto. "My ford
said naught of the sort ! "
"Well , then , " said Maud Llndesay , snillliiK
down upon him , with an expression In
nocent and sweet as that of an 'angel on n ,
painted celling , "you will bo kind and como
and help us nil the same. "
"That I will not , " said Sholto , stamping
his foot llko an Ill-tempered boy.
"Yes , you will because Margaret osk'i
you ? "
"I will not ! " . , „ „ , , . ,
"Then because J ask you ? "
Splto of his' best endeavors Sholto could
'
not take his .eyes from the glrl'f face , which
seemed fairer and more desirable 'to him
now than ever. A quick sobof , passion
shook him and ho found words at last.
" 0 , Maud Llndesay , why do you treat
thus ono who loves you' with all his heart ? "
The girl's face changed. The mischief
died out of it and something vague auit
soft welled up In her eye's , making them
mistily cray and lustrous. But she only
said : "Sbolto , It Is growing dark already 1
It is tlmo the tapers were trimmed ! "
Then Sholto followed her up the stairs
and , though I do not know , there Is some
reason for thinking that he forgave her all
her wickedness In that mvcet Interspace be
tween the gloaming and the mirk when tha
lamps were being lighted aud the star. )
were coming out.
( To bo Continued. )
77
STOPS A
COUGH
DON'T COUCH. '
Thcro Is nothing more Irritable to a cough
than coughing.
Constant coughing Is like scratching a.
wound ; so long an It Is done the wound will
not heal. When tempted to cough draw iv
long breath and hold It until tt warms anil
soothes every air cell , nnd some benefit will
eon bo received from this process. The
nitrogen which is thus refined acts on tha
mucous membrane , allays the desire to cougli
and gives the tro'at nnd lungs a chance tt >
heal. At the snmo tlmo the UBO of " 77" will
aid nature in her efforts to recuperate.
At druggists or sent prepaid ; price , :5o
nnd COo ; IIITKO pocket Hunk , $1.00. Dr.
Humphreys' Miuuiul nt druggists or sent
f rco
rcoHumphreys' Mcd. Co.'orner William und
John Bis. , Now York. He sure to get
H-U-M-P-H-R-E-Y-S
COCOA and' ' / .
CHOCOWTESf
11
( TOR EATING ORINKINO. ( I
'
'COOKING. ' BAKING I ?
; Purity of Mrt riil nd
( .rCRSAUUOUIlSlOUS
AND iY
'CMMRS '
' KrcUik iMutwd IlrtiA ,
ENNYROYAL PILLS
l 4 Only C
Arc * * J * f * fttutl * . i A nit *
i for tll/ktutrt
IMIM i * ll wtik H rlbUi , T le >
elkcr * /Mfdai0 r&u nikiiiik *
m fln < l < nU 4Wiu. > i Ur ctl i * . r * a | 4o.
- - - - - -
Uapi for jtrU Bli
ll U f f r L4lt , * * ( i ( U
IL 10.OOOT Um l4U.
iMa ic " '
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