spurred cock and new-hatched chicken! Xhy fighting days may soon be over." "Hadsjt asked me In the name of charity I would have given freely!" cried Alleyne. "As it stands, not one farthing shall you have with my free Will, and when I see my brother, the Socman of Minstead, he will raise hue and cry from vill to vill, from hundred to hundred, until you are taken as a common robbrr and a scourge to the country." The outlaw sank his club. "The Socman's brother!" he gasped. "Now, by the keys of ' Peter! I had rather that hand withered and tongue was palsied ere I had struck or miscalled ycu. If you are the Socman's brother you are one of the right side, I war rant, for all your clerkly dress." "His brother I am," replied Alleyne. "But even if I were not, Is that reason why you should molest me on the king's ground?" "I give not the pip of an apple for king or for noble," cried the serf passionately. "Ill have I had from them, and ill I shall repay them. I am a good friend to my friends, and, by the Virgin, an evil foeman to my foes." "And therefore the worst of foeman to thyself," said Alleyne. "But I pray you, since you seem to know him, to point out to me the shortest path to ir.y brother's house." He was following the track, his mis givings increasing with every step which took him nearer to that home which he had never seen, when of a sudden the trees began to thin and the sward to spread out into a broad green law, where five cows lay In the sun shine and droves of black swine wan dered unchecked. A brown forest stream swirled down the centre of this clearing, with a rude bridge flung across it, and on the other sid3 was a second field sloping up to a long, low lving wooden house, with thatched roof and open squares for windows. Al leyne gazed across at it with flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes for this, he knew, must be the home of his fathers. Alleyne was roused, however, from his pleasant revery by the sound of voices, and two people emerged from the forest some little way to his right and moved across the field in the di rection of the bridge. The one was a man with yellow flowing beard and very long hair of the same tint droop ing over his shoulders. By his side walked a woman, tall and slight and dark, with lithe graceful figure and clear-cut, composed features. Her jet- golden hair, his fierce blue eyes, and his large, well-marked features, he was the most comely man whom Al leyne had ever seen; and yet there was something so sinister and so fell In his expression that child or beast might well have shrunk from him. His brows were drawn, his cheek flushed, and there was a mad sparkle In his eyes which spoke of a wild, untamable nature. "Young fool!" he cried, holding the woman still to his side, though everv line of her shrinking figure spoke her abhorrence. I rede you to go on your way, lest worse befall you. This little wench- has come with me, and with me she shall bide." 'Liar!" cried the woman: and, stoop ing her head, she suddenly bit fiercely Into the broad brown hand which held her. He whipped it back with an oath, while she tore herself free and slipped behind Alleyne, cowering up against him. 'Stand off - my land!" the man said fiercely, heedless of the blood which trickled freely from his fingers. What have you to do here? By your dress you should be one of those cursed clerks who overrun the land like vile rats, poking and prying into other men's concerns, too caitiff to fight and too lazy to work." Is this your land, then?" gasped Alleyne. "Would you dispute It, dog? Would you wish by trick or quibble to Juggle me out of these last acres? Know, base-born knave, that you have dared this day to stand in the path of one whose race have been the advisers of kings and the lenders of hosts, ere ever tins vile crew of Norman robbers came Into the land, or such half-blood hounds as you were let loose to preach that the thief should have his booty and the honest man should sin if he strove to win back his own." "You are the Socman of Minstead!" "That I am; and the son of Bdric the Socman, of the pure blood of God frey the thane, by the only daughter of the house of Alurlc, whose fore fathers held the .white-horse banner at the fatal fight where our shield was broken and our sword shivered. ' My folk held this land from Bramshaw Wood to the Rlngwood road. Begone, I say, and meddle not with my affair!" "If you leave me now," whispered the woman, "shame forever upon your manhood!" "Surely, sir," said Alleyne, speaking In as persuasive and soothing a way as he could, "If your birth Is gentle, house, blowing the while upon a shrill whistle. "Come!" gasped the woman. "Fly, friend, ere he come back." They ran together to the cove- of the woods. As they gained the edge of the brushwood, Alleyne, looking back, saw his brother come running out of the house again, with the sun gleaming upon his hair and his beard. He held something which flashed In his rl -ht hand, and he stopped to unloose the black hound. "This way!" the woman whispered, In a low eager voice. "Through the hushes to that forked ash. Do not hoed me; I can run as fast as you, I trow. Now Into the stream right In, over ankles, to throw the dog off. As she spoke, she Bprang herself Into the Bhallow stream and ran swiftly up the centre of it. with the brown water rbubbllng over her feet, and her hand outstretched to ward off the clinging branches of bramble or sapling Al leyne followed close at her heels, with his mind In a whirl at this black wel come and sudden shifting of all his plans and hopes. Yet, grave as were hit thoughts, they would still turn to wonder as he looked at the twinkling feet of his guide and saw her lithe figure bend this way and that, dipping under boughs, springing over stones, with a lightness and ease which made it no small task for him to keep up with her. At last, when he was al most out of breath, sFTe suddenly threw herself down upon a mossy bank, between two holly-bushes, and looked ruefully at her own dripping feet and bedraggled skirt. Alleyne, still standing In the stream, glanced down at the graceful pink and-whlte figure, the curve of raven- black Hair, and the proud, sensitive face, which looked up frankly and confi dently at his own. "Why did you not kill him?" "Kill him? My brother?" "And why not?" with a quick gleam of her white teeth. "He would have killed you. I know him, and I read It in his eyes. Had I had your staff I would have tried aye, and done it too." She shook her clenched white hand as she spoke, and her lips tight ened ominously. 'I am already sad In heart for what I have done, said he, sitting down on the bank, and sinking his face into his hands. "God help me! all that is worst In me seemed to come upper most. Another Instant, and J had smitten him: the son of my own mother, the man whom I have longed i i in-r -i u nm -- nr in i if 1 1 -i i -h m ih- n iiiminh rar"i mifiii immmi imih nuiiini? "IK YOU LEAVE ME NOW, SHAME FOREVER UPON YOUR MANHOOD, black hair was gathered back under a there is the more reason that your I to take to my heart. I she. upon her neck, and her step long and springy, like that of some wild tireless woodland creature. Alleyne stood In the shadow of an oak staring at her with parted lips, for this woman seemed to him to be the most beauti ful and graceful creature that mind could conceive of. Such had he Imag ined the angels, but here then1 was Komi'thlng hiinum, which sent a tingle ond thrill through bis nerves such us no dream of radiant and stainless spirit bad ever yet been able to conjure up. The two walked swiftly across the meadow to the narrow bridge, he in front mid she a pace or two behind. There they paused, and stood for a few minutes face to face, talking earnestly. Alleyne hud read, and heard of love and of lovers. Such were these, doubtless thlfti golden-bearded man and the fair damsel with the cold proud face. Why else should they wander together In the woods, or be so lost In talk by rustic streams? And yet as be watched, uncertain whether to advance from the cover or to choose Rome other pnth to the house, he soon came to doubt the truth of his con jecture. The man stood, tall and square, blocking the entrance to the bridge, and throwing out his hands as he spoke in a wild, eager fashion, while the deep tones of his stormy voice rose at times Into accents of menace nnd of anger. She stood fear lessly In front of him, but twice she threw a swift questioning glance over her shoulder, as of one who is In search of aid. So moved was the young clerk by these mute appeals, that he came forth from the trees and crossed the meadow, uncertain what to do, and yet loath to hold back from one w ho might need his aid. So Intent were they upon each other that neither took note of his approach; until, when he was close upon them, the man throw bis arm roughly round the damsel's waist anil drew her toward him. she straining her lithe supple figure away and striking fiercely at him. The maid, however, had but little chance against her assailant, who, laughing loudly, caught her wrist In one hand while he drew her toward him with the other. "The best rose has ever the longest thorns." said he. "Quiet, little one, or you may do yourself a hurt! Must pay Saxon toll on Saxon land, my proud Maude, for all your airs and graces." "You boor"' she hissed. "You base, underbred clod! Is this your cure and your hospitality ' I would rather wed a branded serf from my father's Holds. Leave go. I say Ah, good youth, Heaven has sent yon. Make him loose me! Ity the honor of your mother. I pray you to stand by me and to make this knave loose me. "Stand by you T will, and that blithely," said Alleyne. "Surely, sir, you khould take shame to hold the damsel against her will." The man turned a face upon him which was lion-Ilk In It strength and In lta wrath. With his tangle of well persuaded that you did but Jest with this lady, and that you will now permit her to leave your land either alone or with me as a guide, If she should need one, through the wood. As to birth, it does not become me to boast, and there is sooth in what you say as to the imworthincss of clerks, but It Is none the loss true that I am as well born as you." "Dog!" cried the furious Socman, "there is no man in the south who can say as much." "Yet can I," said Alleyne, smiling; "for Indeed I also am the son of Ediic the Socman, of the pure blood of God frey the thane, by the only daughter of Alurle of lirockenhurst. Surely, dear brother," he continued, holding out his hand, "you have a warmer greeting than this for me. There are but two boughs left upon this old Saxon trunk." Ills elder brother dashed his hand aside with an oath, while an expression of malignant hatred passed over his passion-drawn features. "You are the young cub of Beaulieu, then?" said he. "I might have known it by the sleek face and slavish manner, too monk rtdden and craven In spirit to answer back a rough word. Thy . father, shaveling, with nil his faults, had a man's heart; and there were few who could look him in the eyes on the day of his anger. But you! Look there, rat. on yonder field where the cows graze, and on that other beyond, and on the orchard hard by the church. Do you know that all these were squeezed out of your dying father by greedy priests, to pay for your up bringing in the cloisters! I, the Soc man, am shorn of my lands that you may snivel Latin nnd eat bread for which you never yet did a hand's turn. Knave, my dogs shall be set upon you; but meanwhile, stand out of my path, nnd stop me at your peril!" As he spoke he rushed forward, and. throwing the lad to one side, caught the woman's wrist. Alleyne, however, (is active as a young deer-hound, sprang to her aid and seized her by the other arm, raising his Iron-shod staff ns he did so, "You may say what you will to me," he said between his clenched teeth "it may be no better than I deserve: but, brother or no, T swear by mv hopes of salvation that T will break your arm tf you do not leave hold of the maid." There was a ring In his yoice and a flnsh In his eyes which promised that the blow would follow quick at the heels of the word. For a moment the Mood of the long line of hot-headed thanes was too strong for the soft whisperings of the doctrine of meek ness and mercy. Tie was conscious of a fierce wild thrill through his nerves and n throb of mad gladness at his heart, as his real human self hurst for an Instant the bonds of custom and of ti aching which had held it so long. The Socman sprang back. looking to It ft and to right for some stick or stone which might serve him for weapon; hut finding none, he turned and ran at the top vf hl speed for the Alas! that I "Weak,!" she exclaimed, raising her black eyebrows. "I do not think that even my father himself, who is a hard Judge of manhood, would call you that. But it Is, as you may think, sir, a very pleasant thing for me to hear that you are grieved at what you have done, and I can but rede that we should go back together, and you should make your peace with the Socman by hand ing back your prisoner. It is a sad thing that so small a thing as a woman should come between two who are of one blood." Simple Alleyne opened his eyes at this little spurt of feminine bitterness. "Nay, lady," said he, "that were worst of all. What man would be so caitiff and thrall as to fail you at your need? I have turned 'my brother against me, and now, alas! I appear to have given yon offence also with my clumsy tongue. But, indeed, lady, I am torn both ways, and can scarce grasp in my mind what it Is that has befallen." "Nor can I marvel at that," said she, with a little tinkling laugh. "You came in as the knight does in the Jongleur's romances, between dragon ond damsel, with small time for the asking of questions. Come," she went en, springing to her feet, and smooth ing down her rumpled frock, "let us walk through the shaw together, nnd we may come upon Bertrand with the horses. If poor Troubadour had not cast a shoe, we should not have had this trouble. Nay, I must have your arm. 'You have no wish, then, to hear my story?" said she at last. Nay, said he eagerly, "I would fain hear it." "You have a right to know it, if you have lost a brother's favor through it. This man has been a suitor for my hand, less as I think for my own sweet sake than because he hath ambition, and had It on his mind that he might Improve his fortunes by dipping into my father's strong-box though the lrgin knows thnt he would have found little enough therein. "But, to be brief over the matter, my father would have none of his woo ing, nor In sooth would I. On that he swore a vow against us. nnd as he is known to be a perilous man. with many outlaws and others at his back, my father forbade that I should hawk or hunt In any part of the wood to the north of Christchureh road. As it chanced, however, this morning my little falcon was loosed at a strong winged heron, and page Bertrand and I rode on. with no thoughts but for the sport, until we found ourselves in Min- tead woods. Small harm then, but that my horse Troubadour trod with n tender foot pon a sharp stick, roar ing and throwing me to the ground. Then sway ran Troubadour, for belike I spurred him In falling, and Bertrand rode after him as hard as hoofs could bear him. When I rose there was the Socman himself by my side with the news that t was on his land, but with so many courteous words besides, and such gallant bearing, that he prevailed upon me to come to his house for - Don t take scoop coffee when you want Arbuck es ARIOSA Coffee, which is sold only, m sealed packages and never loose out ot a " scoop." A grocer may recommend a loose cof fee at so much a pound. We is all right. He means well. If he handled the coffee himself, from the tree to you, you might well trust him implicitly. But he does not ! He may know something about coffee. He may think he does, but let that pass. He buys it loose 1 From whom ? You don't know it you did it would not mean anything. He trusts the man he buys it from maybe a salesman, maybe a wholesaler, maybe a little local roaster It does not matter. What do they know about coffee? More than the grocer? Perhaps. Where do they get their coffee ? Where does it come from ? Whose hands touched it last ? Where had they been ? They can't tell Java from Brazilfan by the looks after it is roasted, and it takes a man, expert by years of practical ex perience, to select sound, sweet oTpnii coffee of high cup merit ; and another manwith the knowledge and experience to proportion and blend for uniform re suits in the cup. First they must have the supply to preserve uniform quality. Arbuckles buy more coffee than any four other concerns in the tforld com bined, and their coffee is the most uni form. Then the roasting. " The Brazilian Ambassador tells me that coffee-roasting is. an art," was the court testimony of a world famous chem ist. Where are artists more likely to find employment manipulating a little roast er or-in the Arbuckle mills, where the yearly roast amounts to the hundred million pounds? Don't take scoon coffee, but buv a package of Arbuckles' ARIOSA. Take it home and keep the bean intact until ready to use. We hermetically seal each bean after roasting with a coating of fresh eggs and granulated sugar to close the pores and preserve the flavor. A lit tle warming makes it easy to grind and develops the flavor. Coffee deteriorates if exposed to 'the air it also collects dust and absorbs impurities. That is why you should "BEWARE OF THE SCOOP." If your grocer will not sell you the genuine Arbuckles' ARIOSA Coffee it will bu greatly to your advantage to buy from us direct. Send us $1.80, postal or express money order, and we will send Id pounds of Arbuckles' ARIOSA in a strong wooden box, transportation paid to your freight station. Price fluctuates and cannot be guaranteed for any period, You cannot buy as good coffee for the money under any other name or loose by the pound. More-the coffee will come in the original packages bearing the signature of Arbuckle Bros., which entitles you to free presents 10 pounds 10 signatures. New book with colored . pictures of. U7 beautiful useful presents will be sent free if you write. You can write first and see the book before you order the coffee. The present department is an old in stitution with us to add a little senti ment to the business. PRICE IS NO EVIDENCE OF QUALITY I ARIOSA is just as likely to suit your taste as coffee that costs,25 or 35 cents a pound, It aids digestion and.increases the power and ambition to work.j , Address our nearest office : ARBUCKLE BROTHERS. 7t Water Street. New York City. Dept. 9 100 Michigan A venue. Chicago. 111. Dept. 9 Liberty Ave. and Wood Kt Pittsburgh, Pa. Dept. 9 421 Kouth Seventh Street, tiU Louis, Mo. Dept, 9 shelter, there to wait until the page's return. By the grace of the Virgin and the help of my patron St. Magda len, I stopped short ere I reached his door, though, as you saw, he strove to hale me up to It." "But your father?" "Not one word shall I tell him You do not know him; but I can tell you he is not a man to disobey as I have disobeyed him. He would avenge me, it is true, but it Is not to him that I shall look for vengeance. Some day, perchance, In Joust or In tournev. some knight may wish to wear my colors, and then I shall tell him that If he does indeed crave my favor there is wrong unredressed, and the wronger the Socman of Minstead. So my knight shall find a venture such as bold knights love, and my debt shall be paid, and my father none the wiser. and one rogue the less in the world." Then down the glade there came a little green-clad page with laughing eyes, and long curls floating behind mm. tie sac perened on a high bay horse, and held on to the bridle of n spirited black palfrey, the hides of both glistening from a long run. 1 have sought you everywhere, dear Lady Maude," said he, in a piping voice, springing down from' his horse and holding the stirrup. "Troubadour galloped as far as Holmhill ere I could catch him. I trust that you have had no nurt or scath?" He shot a questioning glance at Alleyne as he spoke. "No, Bertrand," said she, "thanks to this courteous stranger. And now, sir," she continued, springing into her saddle, "it Is not fit that I should leave you without a word more. You have acted this day as becomes a true knight. King Arthur and all his Table could not have done more. It may be that, as some small return, my father or his kin may have power to advance your interest. He is not rich, but he is honored and hath great friends. Tell me what is your purpose, and see if he may not aid it." "Alas, lady! I have now no purpose. I have but two friends in the world, and they have gone to Christchureh. where it is likely I shall Join them." "Ana wnere in Christchureh?" "At the castle which is held' bv the brave knight. Sir Nigel Loring. con stable to the Earl of Salisbury." I To his surprise she burst out a laughing, and spurring her palfrey, dashed off down the glade, with her page riding behind her. Not one word did she say, but as she vanished amid the trees she half turned in her saddle and waved a last greeting. Long time he stood, half hoping that she might again come back to him; but the thud of the hoofs had died away, and there was no sound in all the woods but the gentle rustle and dropping of the leaves. At last he turned away and made his way back to the highroad another person from the light-hearted boy who had left It a short three hours before. . To be Continuci Next TF.) Will Manufacture Own Pennies. Uncle Sam will make his own pen nies In future. The treasury has taken over the business from private concerns, which for many years manu factured these small coins for the government, and Intends for all time to come to turn them out with Its own machinery. The treasury hus always stamped its own pennies with the design of the Indian's head nnd the wreath on the reverse enclosing the words "One cent"; but the coins, lucking only this finishing touch, have been made for many years in Waterbury, Conn., whence they wore shipped in the shape of "blanks" (otherwise known as "planchets") In strong wooden boxes. They used to cost the p-overument, in this form, only twenty-four cents a pound, whereas to-day, owing to the rise in the price of copper, they .can not bo manufactured, even when homemade, for less than twenty-nine cents. A pound of blanks represent 140 pennies. If a cent n pound be added for the expense of stamping them with dies, It will be obvious that Uncle Sam is able to manufacture 4S(! pennies for u dollar a very profitable enterprise, inasmuch as he disposes of that num ber for $4.80. During the last year the treasury minted 80,7t!),103 pennies; of which New York State absorbed about 15, 000,000, the demand from Illinois be ing next In point of size, while Massa chusetts was third nnd Pennsylvania fourth. To make this number of cents required 525,228 pounds of copper, 10,580 pounds of tin and 11,257 pounds of zinc, the two latter metals entering Into the composition of these coins to the extent of three per cent, and two. Lessons Free IN YOUR OWN HOME. A wonderful offer to every lover of mmle, whether a beginner or an advanced player. Ninety-six lessons (or a less number if yon desire) for either Piano, Organ, Violin, Guitar, Banjo, Cornet or Mandolin will be given free to make our home study courses for these in struments known in your locality. You will get one lesson weekly, and your only expense dur. ingthe time you take the lessons will be the cost of postage and the music you will use which Is small. Write at once. It will mean much to you o get oui free booklet. It will place you under no obligation whatever to us if you never write again. You and your friends should know of this work. Hundreds of our pupils writes "Wish I had known of your school before." "Have learned more in one terra in my home with your weekly lessons than in three terms with private teachers, and at a great deal less expense." " Everything is so thorough and complete." " The lessons are marvels of simplicity, and my 11 year o!d boy hasnot had the least trouble tolearn." One minister writes: "As each succeeding lesson comes I am more and; more fully persuaded I made no mistake in becoming your pupil." We have been established seven years have hundreds of pupils from eight years of age to seventy. Don't say you cannot learn music till you send for our free booklet and tuition offer. It will be sent by return mail free. Ad dress U.S. SCHOOL OF MUSIC, 15a Union Square, New York City. IS la. art FRECKLES REMOVED i ran pokidvHy remote uir or fmklrt nub STILUUVS FliKtliM CREAM ThUU a itrnnir iwnfrtlnn, bnt w will rrftiM your money if not m1MpI. Our rrmwiy It pn pnrwl for IhU one ailment, ttriU for part Ira Urn, Stlllmnn Freckle Cream Co, Dp. "10." Aurora, III. What Does This Mean? Synopsis of PrecedinglChapters. Thp seenofl of the story are laid In the 14th century. Hordle John, a Iny-brotlirr of the Cistercian Mo nnstery. Abbey of Heiuiheu.nees frm the monastery after belnp found pruilty of certain serious ehanres brought against htm by a number of the monks. The name day-, another of the lay-bretliren of the monastery, AheyueKdrioson, takes his departure In accordance with a provision of his father's wili, designating that he should, when be became twenty years old, go forth for one year to choose for him self his future culling. In sadness he wanders from the monastery to visit his brother, the Socman of lainstvad, whose reputation is a nio-t unsavory one. At nightfall A lley ne seeks shelter fn a road-side inn where he meets Ilortile John. He is very much in terested in a visitor to the Inn, Snmkln AylwBrd.an English archer just back from the French wara. Hordle John getting into a controversy with Ayl ward engages in a wrestling bout with the bowman, Hordle John offering to join the White Company in which Aylwartl is enlisted, if he does not throw the latter. The other in turn wagers a feather b d. After aooupla of unsuccessful trials, Aylward succeeds by trick In throwing the giant Hordle John, who la thus bound to join the White Company. The Story of Mary. diaries R. Barnes, in the New fork World. I. Mary had a little lamb; One day it got the croup: She sold it to a packing hous? It'a now canned ox-tail soup. 2. Mary had to have a pet: She bought a cunning cow. Which died of splitting headaches soon; It's country sausage now. S. Mary wept and wept nnd wept. And then a piggle got; The piggie died of tummy ache It's boned ham. like as not. 4. Mary saw the packers make A fortune from her pets. Put she could hardly clear enough On them to pay her debts. Mnrr housrht nn ailing sheep She knew it was a- sin And when It tiled she promptly called An undertaker in. . This precious pair embalmed the cheep a.wt RnM it nil for cash. The folks who bought it of them said: "What lovelv corned-beef hash!" 7. The undertaker and the girl Decided then to nitcn. Thev organised a packing house. And, gee. but they art- rich! i If these puzzling things, roughly displayed in Fresh Blood upon the wall of a house where a great crime had been committed, stared you in the face, could you explain their meaning? 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