Is
I'HAr'TKK IX.
Hlr NIK!, who hint fhli'i-Fii rmnti
nltli livery-liitlm! nit Imly iihiii hin
i tin, Bin Mil itKliusi h( lliln Mintil.'ii liiiirt
,,r rniiiliir,
"Mituilx, M i 1 1 .1 ' ' " nil hi In', alutkliiK
I.M lii-int, "II li inuri' liiml fur in.' to
K'llil nl'i-iHi-ln ft mil y em 1 1 1 ii i In. in Mm
i. iimol"' ! ti li k t-ii iiiilifm hIiu f"llui-.
mil In tliilnni'. V I . IiiihIi Mini, mi",
ii. r yuiir fulr Imly nmlln'i will Im In-1
.iiiiiii. timl tht-rit Im ihi ri-i-i 1 tint rim
hIhuiIiI knnw It. V will ki'ip V'ni
Itmil Hi" !! nviml -tniirnlml Hits) ( 1 1 1 1 1 1 V .
uiiv In yuiir IiiiiiiIht, itI inn. mill
l.iii II lilllhi' furl'. fr nil" Wll'l inll-
',m.i, la xlitlvi'ii. Ami IHiw, fair tmilli-
l( ' ,r r.m I III llril, H'llFIl Ills ililUKllIrr
I, ml gune, "nit you here hy the Urn, fur
W'ur liluiiil run riil.ler t tut n It 1 1 1 .
Alleyne iMlrli i'ii, I winilil luivn ii whmI
with vim. fur I would fitln lint y -. ii
Humid InUe m-rvl.n iiinlrr III" Ami
Ihi" In K'luil lime iiiiiii' tit V l.i.l v . wltli
nut liimn 1'iiuiim I II I" mil my wont
l,i iti-rl.ln HllKlil to liniiirt. lull, Iti'li'i-d.
It her own tli'mnlil Unit you limiM
i .on" "
"Fur I IiiiV" formed1 It Kni'd nillil'ill
-f nil, llhtl mil at-e tlilll Vml Ml" mm
wlii'i limy he trunlnl," .ili tin- I ji'I y
l.i.tltiK. "Ami In k I nooili mv il.-.ir
I, ,r, tint It lu t il of mn h it nil" liy lim
1.I1I". for li" r.-i-kn no llltl" of liliinn If
lli.it tlntr hIkmiIiI ti" on" llien- In look
In III" lieeila liml tlli'l'l IllH Wllllta, Y'lll
l.iivr Hern tin- i I. .Inter; It win- well
I hut you nliiiul.l " " tli" worlil, too. en
wu miikw rhiilr" f'T lif" li"lw" n tii.-m .''
"Vml run llil.'' iik.. Hlr NlK"l.
liMiklliU at Hin youlli Willi iiik.rril
yea
"V"", I IlliV" tl'Mrii llltl' li ut III" lili
."V "
'Vet tli"r" la it illfTiTi-ni" lirtwUt n
frlnr hm k inn I it wiirrtor' d.-atrler.
Von run wlnK ami f I it v ? '
till rltolr. fllll" Bll'l r"li-rk "
'timiit1 Vmi run ifiiil lil.tgonry ?"
"InitllTi tint will'
"I trust llntt you i m lowly it ml Bi-r-
Vll "Bill"''''
Inivri crv".l tilt y life, my lrd.
"( 'h ii ut tar V" t no ''
"I Intvf rurvi'.l I v. i du n W""k for
th" liri tliii n "
"A nioilil ( rul v ? .Vllt milk.- n nuulrit
of Biinli'" llul t H I"". I'luy, raiml
curl luilr?"
No, my lorl, lit I rou, irurn.
ti In of Immii." iiilil li". "for I
lovn to k""i tuv L.ilr w. II orili-rril, ri. "- ,
Iiik t fin t Hi" w.lfl t i t mv In hint f..r'
tlilrlv yriim loitli In noun- i.kii" frayi-il
It tlion 111" t- i."
"It In for vi i nlo to loMir tli" tniii". j
nnlil II." l.nlv: "for mv nwi-rt lor. I l "( '
fri-i. in.. I k in i'.m a t'-inli'-r that li" '
wi.ul.l flvn II i-i.lv to tli" flrnt who!
i,kr.l i.lnm o' lilrt All Hi"mh IIiIiikb. !
Willi hiiiik k now ' .If" of vi IliTl". ulnl ;
..f th" tiuiiiitici "I' ot "f lior", liuwk. am I
hoiiinl. Willi th. ifr.ii" ami hiirillliooil
ulnl loiirtrKV villi Ii an nrotiir to your
iih-". will inn1 "U a III "Uiilrr for Mr
MKi'l l.oilnir -
"Ali In'i'' A 1 1 - V It rniiwrrnl, I
know W' ll th" Ki' iit lionor that you ,
hnvr iloiir in- In il'i'niltifc- mn woilliv
in w ill upon no ri'iiowiii'il a knlKht, i
hi I inn o roiin. lou of my own wi-nk-t,.
H that I H. aii " 'l tr Irirur ! .
whh li I inUlit li" HI ntl-.l to fullll I
"Moili-m v .ui.l a linml'l" mlml. nal'l
In. "an- tli" vi-iv flil itii'l ruri'Ht Kill
In otK" or miulrn. lour wurtin .i..--ilmt
you liav" llim". uml nil Mm r""t
ih l.ul tli" work of tiHi' ami of tltii".
"Wi. ran matin lio" mihl Hlr NlKrl.
"to Iiiivi- all ri-inly for our uliirt lirfnfii
f.iiht of Ht. I.uk". for MiiT" In miirli
.. I It. ih.. tint". You will liavi!
liUtiri-, tli'iif.-i". If It I'I'iaiin you
i,.u.. ,rii,i. timl"r rim. In wlilrli
to
to
ji ai n vmir ili-votr "
"Ami I Iiiivi. oil" favor to itiivp from
m.u" iiiMiil th" InlV of tin' rimtl". n
Ml. vti" turiif-.l to l. avi. tln lr .r"H"in .
Von liav". an I unil"itaml, inurlt
l..uriilhif. whl. li vou liuvf aiuulri-il ut
f.-llllll'll I wotilil lutvii you KlV" nil
hour oi two it .lav wlillnl V"U III" Wl"i
nn In iH. oiiihIiik with my ilailKlit'-r.
ih" lilv M.'U'I"; for ''" I" otii"liat
..i. kwiir.1. I ft-ar. ami liallt m lov" for
l.ii.rM. .iv" for tin"" I'oor fmnl ro
imini'"H. wlih li il" Imt fill InT nipt V
I,. ail with ilri-aiim of inrluintril inalil
. tm uml of i-riant ravallrr. l ulhi-r
I'hrl.-topli.r loin." ovrr iifl-r H""""
Horn tln Trior. Imt li" Ih trl.-koti Willi
v.arH uml nlow of H.".ili. mi thai h"
,rtH mint 1 1 prolll from Mm ti-aililnir. I
wi.ul.l liav" sou .lo what you ran w th
h.r. uml with AKallia, my oun Mm
woman, uml wllli Iiorotliy .--. -
Ami hi AH'Vii" foiiml lilmx.lf not
v r,..H"ii at. Miulri- in li kn KM. il
,,.o ax H.iuli" lo Ihi"" liimor.i-lH, w i r h
uiih i vi-n fiiitlnr from tli" lout wliloli
!.. ha. I tliouijhl to play In Mm worlil
Vml now ih.r" iiimii u Mm" of mir
. u.n. ,,f rurlilHliliiK of iiniiH tinil
aoulh-
mil count le. I 'liHt Hpreu.l Ihe H'l"f ".
mm Miorpe I" lh"ip and from caatle
. tall", that th old '' w'1'!'..nf0;'A
i,T lialiillllT i.'iii . ..."
i. nee limri!, nml l'i" noun uo'i
he In Mm field with Mm early aprlnp.
..real Viewa Mila for that ll.rci old
.t u itika.t iriinit iur it k ii -
had I n war. I.. r export urchera
1 -I- m-UiilvliI'M 1" UT ti I X
and
year
HO lad rhafe.l ""'lT -', " " w'"
...... Now Mnv Hew in llnlr a nil a a
to Mielr birthright. The
of Crecv, of Nugent, mid
..I.... .I.I..L that
old aolillei'H
nf I'olrllrr
they mluht
were gum " ' ' . . ,.,,.i
hr.ir
I OH v. ... ,
war-li iiinpet r.
f ladder Still w ere I ne no. ''..
i. ...i r,.P treara under the
uiar-
l,i,l tale nf their aires. To pierce Mm
" mountains of Mm aoutl, ;
in.- lum.-iM of Mm Mci'V M" ra ' "'
l..w Mm gieuteal cuj. ulll of Ml K '.
I H.ini.y cori.ll. (.la and v ' da.
when Mm marches of I 'I. a rdy an d 1 Nor
mmi.lv were ua bar., and bleak " '
le.lburgh foreata here was K I '
.toipeAa for race of warriors 1 rom
ecu o act there wua stringing ' '""
In Mm cottage, and rluiiK f "Mel In the
'"no. did It take long for
In, Id to pour forth H ; .""''h'. 2
i-vcrv hmi let Ha footmen. '1 hr UKri t ha
hue autumn uml the early w i lnr w try
i nml mid count rv !" roan ' ' w 1 I
miklr mid M uinpet. with Mm lit gh f
the war-horao uml the clatter of mart H-
"'iVVhe nnclcnt nnd i.o.iulnuaj onunty
of Hampshire there way no 1" '
l. u lera or of aol. Icra for ""U,"
which promlacl cither honor or pro t.
ilrcutcHt of nil Hin """J 'I,;,,1"; Vha
wua that at Twynham ,'. i il .ring
naiiie and Hie fame of Hlr N ' ' .'Vf
drew Inward him the kc'"'' ; '
. mi aplrlts. all eager lo serve tiiidcr so
valla, t a loader. Arc her. i f rom the
N.w Forest and the- Forest ol '"
lilllmcn from tha l',,71HlinLnV,P the
which U watered bv I'm Stour, tne
Avo and Mm It-hen. V"'"
iron, Mm ancient I J;"'y"" ,r" "t, take
Ihe bnchelloa of land vvh ill M WJ
of rank reqiilreil. Im mlg ht w -II have
cut hla forked pennon Into ' '
liuniier. nnd taken such n f Uwl nit into
Ihe Held ..a would ln.v ' nr '
dignity of a banneret. Hut ( iviriy
wua heavy upnris him: his l "d wits
Ncnnt, hla coffers emplv ami M e v cry
rustle which covered him Mm h old Ing
of imolher. Rore was hla he. r w en
he aaw rare bowmen and wiir-l m
apeiirmen turned uway f mm t k ntoa
for the luck of the monev which m ht
euultf mid pay thorn. Vol the '''""J
which Avlwiir.l had brought Mm K nv
him powers which he was ot a ow
iih", 'in It Plr Clmide 1." o ur. t i G a
nm lieutenant of the While f t " f.
.iHHiired him that Micre reinalnc I 111"
keeping enottltll to f t out a hut. red
archers and twenty men-iit-Hi ma,
whle , Joined to the three hundred ye!
eran companions nlreadv In 1. "
would make a force which any leader
might t' proud to command. Care-
as
ill"?
i ......
. inf .ri'. .-iiiM( , lit.,.l.T ,ii cu.l .,( tiia i i,llm. i.l.
ioiiv nil, l Rnif iirlmoilv l, i. vi'ti'riin
knliilil I'Iiomi. nut lil ini'ii from Hi"
Kwaim nr V 1 1 1 n t r . MmiV it 1 1 anxloun
oimultal Ion In- li"h with IM.n k rlliuoti,
Hum Aylwanl. uml i.lliim of hin mom
i xp.'l I in -r.il follow"!, an to who nlioiil.l
lomi. uiul wliu chniilil Riav liy All
Hit I ii t ' I y, liowi.v"r, h" liinl (llli.I up
dm full iiiiiiiI.. r, in.. I in 1 1 I . r ' I timji r
hi humor a moiit a followltiK of
1 1 ii in pNh 1 1 forint. r ii "V"r twiiuK"'!
I h"lr var-lowii. Twi'iitv ni"ii -ul -hi in.
Inn, Wrll iTiouritril uiul '.ulp."i, formi-il
th" ruvtilry of Mi" tun I v. whllu voimn
1'i lrr '1'i'ihiki' of rairham, uml Witlti-r
l out of II. .Ill V, III" muttlal MOIIM of
maitlal hIii-h, rumi- ut tlnlr own rOHt
to wall upon Hlr NIk.I ami to Mltitra
with AINtiii' IMrlinon Mm iluii" ot
hln itilrtflili
Vrl. rv"n ufl"r Mm i'iirolm"iit, thi-rn
wu mm li to In- iloii" "ii. th" party
roiil.l proi"i-. upon Hh w.iv. l"or ti r
mor, woriM, uu, l.im r thrr" wan tin
mill to tiki- art ii 1 1 l.ni'l houiht, for
th"v win. to In. h.nl In.'t'-r ami iIiioiiut
In IIoiiI.ium Mian In l.'iiKluml. Willi
Mm loiiK-liow, Imwi'Vir, It wu illffir-
iil Y"W-"liivi Imlri-il mlKlil Ii" (f"t
In Hinin. tint It wot wHI to tuk" "iioukIi
ami to utmri. with lilm. Tin n Mirrn
i np.im foul nhoulil In- rurrl'il for "urli
how, with a itri-nl ftoir of arrow-hrail.
' lii-nlilr thr hr iK.imllm n of . haifl-tmill,
lilm wiul. Ir. 1 t"i-l riiti, ami Mm lira-
K.utif or itrm-Kuaril. wlit. Ii wi r" Ilia
piopi-r i-'l il 1 1 . in i-it l of Mm nrrliiT. Aliovn
all, III" woini'n for mil" fonrnl with
Iniril ut work rultlnir tint whit" ur
roul wlih-h With Mm .;ii" of inti
i iimp.iiiy, uml ii.li.t rilni; tln iu with Mifl
ml Hon nf Ht. il"orit" upi 'i Mi" n ntrii
of tlin hrfu'l Wlnii all wan . omil"t"il
ami tin timnti'r rnlli'il In th" rut!"
vnr.l. Mm iii"t iml.lli'r of th" ('r.nrli
w-nr wu fain to ronfrp that h" hail
lu'vi-p lonknl upon a hi lt'T "nulpiii'.l or
mom wurllkn h.nlv of nun, from Mm
knlKht with hi mlk Jiipou. nit ttnir hi
icrrut black wnr-lior" In Mm front of
Mmin. to llor.ll" John, Mm Klant ri?
' run, who Iritnt'.l rur"l"Hl y uiuin a
Iiukm Mark ljow-tnv In Mm ri-nr. Of
th" nix rnr, fully half hail ""ti m-r-vIit
In-rum. whll" it fair HprltikliiiK
wi-m men who liinl follow". 1 Mm wura
i.ll Mn lr llvi-N, ami hml a haml In thimn
huitl" which hail mud" Mm win. la
world rltiir with Mm fume and Iho won
.ir of Mm l: 1 1 k 1 1 " li Irifuntry.
Six Iuiik wii-k wi-rr tuKiii in tlmao
li riui ul Ion, nml It W'u rlo. on Mar
1 1 1 1 in ii m mo all waa ri-adv for a marl.
NiKh two month had All'-yii" KJrir.
'A UlCAltTFFXT ANSWER WAS ON
ami been In Castle Twynham months
which were fated to turn the whole
current oi hi life, to divert It from
Mi.it dark uml lonely bourne toward
whlrh It tended, and to guide it Into
freer and more sunlit channels. Al
ready ho hud learned to bleu his father
for that wise provision which hud mad.)
,tn neck to know the world ere he had
ventured lo renounce It.
For it was it different place from
thut which he had pictured very dif
ferent from that - which he had heard
described when the master of Mm nov
ice held forth to hla charges upon me
ravelling wolves who lurked for them
beyond Mm peaceful folds of lieaulieu.
There was cruelty In It. doubtless, and
lust and sin nnd sorrow: but were there
mil virtues to atone, robust, positive
virtues, which did not ahrlnk from
temptation, which held their own In all
the rough blasts of the workaday
world? How colorleas by contrast ap
peared the alnleNBiicHB which camo from
Inability to aln, the conquest which
was attained by flying from the enemy!
Abbot Hcrghersh waa a good man. but
how wua he better thnn this kindly
knight, who lived as simple a life,
held as lofty and Inflexible tin Idcnl of
whatever camo to his hand to do? In
turning from the aervlco of the one to
that of the other. Alleyne could not feel
that he was lowering hla alms In life.
Henceforth for seven hours a day he
strove In the tilt-yard to qualify him
self to be a worthy squire to ao worthy
a knight. Ynunir. supple, nnd nctlve.
with all Mm pent energies from yenra
of pure and lienlthv living. It wns not
long- before ho could mnnnge nls horse
and his weapon well enough to earn
an approving nod from critical men-at-urma.
or to hold hla own against Ter
lake and Ford, his follow-Bqulrcs.
But were there no other considera
tions which awnved him from the
cloisters townrd the world? Here, dnv
after day, for nn hour after drones,
and for an hotir before, vespers, he
'mind hlmaelf In cloae communion with
three maidens, all voting1, all fair, and
ill therefore dotthlv dnneornus from
thn mnnklah atnnd-riolnt. Yet he found
that In their preaenca he wns conscious
of n quick svmpnthy. n pleasant eaae, a
rendv reaponae to nil that wns most
dentin and best In hlmaelf, which filled
hla bouI with a vngue and new-found
Joy.
And yet the Tjidy Maude Torino; wn
no easv nnnll to handle. An older and
more world-wise mnn mlcht have been
nussled hv her varying moods, her sud
den nreludlces. her nnlek resentment
of nil constraints and authority. Pld a
aiiblect Intereat her, waa there space
In It for either romance or Imagina
tion, ahe would flv thrnno-h It with k"
subtle active mind, leavlnsr her two fel-low-atudents
and even her teacher toll
ing behind her. On the other hand
were there dull patience needed with
steadv toll and atrnln of memorv. no
single fact could, bv nnv drlvlnsr, be
flTcd In her mind. Allevne might talk
to her of the stories of old gods and
a.ii.,i Hi S
4s
jryfmBmmmmmm i ii in iiinuiit a nn n 'Luhmw MjWa..iittit.B vi;twi I i u aaaaaaaaiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-aC
&mf k M .Iff jfW -.?slli
.ff fe. 'ma mwf i-wiF&mL wit to
1,1;',
tj' v
JJrotUCTO
lu toi, nf Kullnnt iliii'iln nml lofty alma,
i im mlKhl hold forth upon rnnnn nd
I'lum, uml l"t hla fanry wttid"r over
In" hlil'li'ii H"irit of Mm iinlvnrao, ami
I i. woiil.l havn a rupt llt"imr with
MiihIiiiI rh""kM nml locii"nt nyi-a, who
moid rip" at uftiT lit in Mm V"ry word
whl.li tin. I full"n from hi lip. Hut
w In n It ratim to almairfst nml iiatrol
nhl". Mm (ouiitlriB: of tlifuri'a mid rerk
i.tilnif of i.piryi'li'H, iiwuv would ko fmr
MioukIiI" to liiii"" mid hound, arid n vn
rant y" nml lltli fion would warn
Mi" t"iihiT Mint h hnd lot hla hold
upon hi Hrholur. Tli'-tt h" had hut to
hrlnif out Mm old romiimr-hook from
Mo. I'lloty, with hillni"T"il rnvr of
lu"pHkln ii nil Hold li-Mi-r ii pun a fnir
plu Kroiuid to "iilli-" Iiit wnywnrd
mind liu.k to Mm fifth of Irarnlnir.
At tlim-M, too, wln-n Mi" wild IH wri
upon h"r, aim would tinoikOnlo prrl'
in H ii ml ri'ln l openly aKalnnt Alltyn"'a
i-'tiH" llrmrma. Y"t h would Jon
luiitly on with hla tpnrhlnua, taklnK
no liMil to hir mutiny, until auddnnly
nil" would Im f'oniii"mil hv tila patl"fi"",
iind hri'iik Into H.-lf-ri-vlllnKa a hun-iln-d
tlnma atronirpr than Imr fault d"
itiamliil. It chained, however, that, on
oim of theim iiioriilrip: when Mm evil
rnnoil wa upon h"r. A vat hn, Iho yoiinn
tire-woman, thinking; to pl"ne her mla
lr"a, hi-Kiin nlno lo toa hT head nnd
make tart rejoinder to the tearher'a
.u'-mloiia. In nn Intit.mt the l.nlv
Maml" had turned upon her two IiIhb
Inif eyea uml u face, which waa blanched
with ntiKer.
-Vou would dare!" arild ahe. "Tou
W'l'ild rlure'"
The f rlirhtened tlre-womfin tried to
i-xi-uw heraelf. "Hut, my ffilr lady,'
he Htnmmereit, '"what have I doneT T
have aahl no more than I heard. "
"Vou would tin re!" repented the ladv.
In n ehokliiv voice. "You, n Krncelcaa
l,;il'K'iiK", n foollh Inrk-hrnln. with no
thought above the. lii mmlnK; of ahlfta!
And Im in kindly and hendy nnd lonn
ufTrlnK! Y"u would ha, you may
w II ll. e Mm room!"
Him had apoken with a rlalnir voice,
uml n cl.iHiiliiir and openlnHT of her lonir
white flnKera. ao that It wu no marvel
that, ere the apeer-h wa over. Mm
nklrt of Alfatha were whlakltiK round
the door and the rllck of her aoha to be
heard dyltiK ewlflly away down the
corridor.
Alleyne atnrej open-eyed nf Mil
Micrena who hud aprimij ao auddenly to
1,1 mcu". "There I no need for audi
ntii?er." he Muhl mildly. "The maid'
IIEU UPS WHEN A HOAIISE SHOUT
words have done me no scath. Il Is
oti yourself who have erred."
"I know it." ahe cried; "1 am a most
wicked woman. Hut it is bud enough
that one should nuauBc you. I will see
unit there Is not a second one."
"Nay, nay, no one has misused me,"
he answered. "Hut the fault lies in
your hot and bitter words. You have
ulled her u burgage and a luck-bruin,
iml I know not what."
"And you are he who taught mo to
.peak the truth!" she cried. "Now I
iiavo apoken It. nnd yet 1 cannot please
. oil. Lark-bruln she la, and lack-brain
I shall call her."
fcfuch was u sample of the sudden
lungllngs which marred the peace of
that little class. And yet, there were
times when Alleyne hnd to ask himself
whether It was not the Lady Maude
who was gaining away nnd Influence
over lilm. If she were changing, so
was he. In vain ho strove nnd reusoned
with hlmaelf us to the madness of let
ting his mind rest upon Sir Nigel's
daughter. Stronger than reason, strong
er than cloister teachings, stronger
than all thut might hold hi in. back, wua
that old, old tyrant who will brook no
rival In the kingdom of youth.
Ho had scarce dared to face the
chango which had come upon him, when
a few sudden chance words showed it
ill up hard and clear, like lightning in
the darkness.
He had ridden over to Poole, one
Vovomber dav, with his fellow-squire,
I'eter Terlake, In quest of certain yew
staves from Wat Swathllng, the Tior-
aetshlre armoror. Peter was a hard.
wiry brown-faced country-nrea isn.
who looked on the coming war ns the
chool-hov looks on hla holldnva. This
dav, however, ho had been sombre and
mute, with scarce a word a mile to be
stow upon b' piwnrnil".
"Tell me. Allevne Kdrlcsnn.n he broke
out suddenly, "has It not aeemed to you
that of late the Tidv Maude Is paler
and more silent than Is her wontt"
"It may be so," the other answered
shnrtlv.
"And would rather alt dlstrnlt bv ber
oriel than ride gnvlv to the chase as of
old. Methlnka. Allevne. It la thla learn
ing which you have tnnsrht her that
has taken all the life and Bap from
her
"Her Indv-mother bas bo rdered It,"
said Allevne.
"Bv our Trftdv! and wlthonten rtlaro
nect." quoth Terlnlte, "It la In mv mind
hnt her ladv-mother la mora fitted to
lend n pompnnv tn a stnrnilntr than to
have the upbringing of thla tender and
"HU-whlte maid. Hark, ye, lad
llevne, to what T never told man or
woman yet. T love the fair Tdv Maude
ind would give tha last dron of mv
""irt's blood to serve her." He spoke
'lth a rasplna; voice, and his face
flushed crimson In the monnllarht.
Allevne snld nothir bo ''It he"
veemed to turn to a lump Of loe In hla
hoom.
"Mv father baa brond acrea." the
other continued, "from Fareham Creek
,o in" aiopv of toe iortH'ioWfi lull.
ure am 1 thai ttir Nitl woula t
nlitlia at audi a match."
nut how tha lady" aaked Alleyne,
with dry lipa.
"Ah, ladl there Ilea my trouble. It la
a toaa of the head and a Uiuup of the
It I aay one woid of. wuat la in my
.Hid. 1 Old but uaa In r yeHter-iUMnl
,or tier K i "in veil, linn 1 iiiirtot u...i
It aa a lokan or lumore'iulii upon my
iicIiii, but aim lluaut'd out ul me that
.in- Kent it tor a butler man, and then
.ul In a brijulli aaaed pardon lor that
mm hud apuke ao rudely. Yet aha
would not luku buck Hie word either,
nor would alio Kiunl the veil. ilaa
it miKiiinl to Ihuu, ivlltiiie, that ana
iovea any one?"
"Nay, 1 cannot aay," aid Alleyne,
with a wild Inrub oi auUduii hope tu
hla heart.
"1 huvii thouxht ao, nnd yet I can
not mime, tint man. Indeed, aava my
aelf, and Walter Ford, and you, who
hi half it clerk, and Father Ctlrlato
pher of the i'lloty, ami Idrtruml tna
puxe, who la there whom ahe aee7"
"J cannot tell,'' quoth Alleyne ahortly;
and tii'i two miuire rode on a K'uil,
each Intent upon hla own thoukhta.
Next tiny ut morrilriK lenaou tha
teacher olaerved that hla pupil waa
Indeed looklnif pale and Jaded, with
llatlena ey.-n uml a weary manner. lie
wua heavy-hcurted to note the change
In her.
"Your mlatreaa, I fear, la 111, Airatha."
ho aald to the tire-woman, when tha
Lady Maude had aouajht her chamber.
Tim muld looker uxlaiit at hlrn with
liiUKhlhK "yea. "It la not an lllncaa
that kill." quoth ahe.
"I'ray od not!" ho cried. "But tell
me, AKathu, what la It that alia her?"
"Me thlnka that 1 could lay my hand
upon anoilnr who la arnltt'-u with the
name trouble," aald ahe, with the aame
Hldeloriir look. "(.'ant not Klve a name
lo It, and thou ao akllled In leeehcraft?"
"Nay, auve that ahe aeema aweary."
"Well, bethink you that It la but
three day ere you will be none, and
('untie Twynham be dull aa the
priory. la there not enough there to
cloud a lady a brow?"
"In aooth, yea," he anawered. "I
had forKot that ahe la about to toae
her father."
"Her father!" rrled the tire-woman,
with a little trill of laughter. "Oh,
aimple, almple!" And ahe wua off down
the puaaui;" like arrow from bow, while
Alleyne atood Kazlna; after her, be
twixt hope and doubt, acurce darlna;
to put faith in the meaning which
aeemed to underlie her worda.
CHAPTER X.
fit. Ivuke'a day had come and had
Kinie, and it waa In the icnon of
MartlnmiiH, that -the White Company
wua ready for lla Journey. Loud
fdirlckcd the brazen tiuulea from keep
and from irate-way, and merry waa
the rattle of the war-drum, ea the men
liuthered In the outer bailey, with
tonliea to lli;lit them, for the morn
had not yet broken. Alleyne, from the
window of Mm armory, looked down
upon the atruriKe aeeno the circlea of
villow fllckerlnif light, the HneB of
Htern and bearded faces, the quick
"hlmmer of arma, and the lean heada
of the horiea. In front atood th bow
men, ten deep, with a fringe of under
olllcera, who paced hither and thither,
marHhalllnif the ranka with curt pre
cept or aharp rebuke. Behind were
the little clump of steel-clad horae
men, tlnlr lancea rained, with lone;
letiHila drooping down the oaken ahafta
-io alien! nml mill were they that they
rnlKht have been metal-aheethed atat-u'-a.
were It riot for the occaalonal quick
UOSEUP FROM THE BAILEY BELOW.
Impatient stamp of their chargers, or
the rattle of chumfron against neck
plates as thev tossed uiul strained.
A spear's length In front of tln-in sat
the spare and long-limbed tinure ot
Hluck Simon, the Norwich fighting man.
his tierce, deep lined face framed in
steel and the silk guidon, marked with
the live scarlet roses, slanliiig over
his broud right shoulder.
The young; squire was leaning for
ward gazing ut the stirring and martial
scene, when he heard a short .quick
gasp at his shoulder, nnd ttiere was
Mm Ludy Maude with her huud to her
heart, leauluu up agaluBt the wujl,
slender and fair, like a half-plucked
111 v. Her face was turned uway from
him. but he could see, by the sharp
Intake of her breath, thut she was
weupinu; bitterly.
"Alas! alas!" he cried, all unnerved
nt the sight, "why Is it thut you are
so sud, lady?"
"It is the sight of these brave men,"
she unswered; "and to think how muny
of thorn go and how few are like to
And their way back. I have seen it
before, when I was a little maid, in
the veur of the Prince's great buttle.
I remember then how they mustered
In the bulley, even as they do now.
and mv lady-mother holding me in
her arms at this very window that I
might see the show."
."Please God. you will see them all
back ere another year bo out." said he
She shook her head, looking round
at him with flushed cheeks and eyes
which sparkled In the lamp-light. "Oh,
but I hate myself for being a woman!"
she cried, with a stamp of her little
foot. "What can I do that is good?
Here I must bide and talk and sew
nnd spin, and spin und sew and talk.
Ever the same dull round, with nothing
at the end of it. And now you are
going. too, who could carry my
thoughts out of these gray walls, and
raise my mind above tapestry und
distaffs. What can I do? I am of no
more use or value than that broken
bow-stave."
"Tou are of such value to m." lje
cried In n whirl of hot. va1""
words, "that all else has become
naught. You are my heart, mv nre.
my on- nnd onlv thought. Oh Maude
T cannot live without you! I
leave von without a word of lve All
a changed to me since I ve k"Own
vou T am poor and lowly and an
iTworthv: hut If great love may weigh
down such defects, then mine may do
it CHve me but one word f hl
take to the wars with me but one
h vou shrink, vou shudder! My wild
words have frightened you. .
W Twice she opened her llpa. and twice
no sound came from them. At last
ahe anoke In a hard BU.r' ,ltB0
aa one who dare not trust herself to
apeak too freely. . i.T, i
'"This la over-sudden "she said: Mt Is
sv oa inn it since i n
waa
nothing to you. You have
changed
once; perciiunre you may change
again."
"Cruel!" ha cried. "Who bath
changed meT"
"And then your brother!' ahe con
tinued witn a little laugn, diaregam
liiK lila question. "Methinke thla tiatli
l.vuouie a laiuiiy cuaiom ainougat lot,
bdrlcaons. Nay, 1 am sorry; 1 uid not
intuit a jibe. llul, Indeed. Alieyue,
tins hath come quickly upon 2ne, anu
1 acarce know what to say. '
nay soma word of hope, howevei
diatmit soma kind word luut 1 may
cheriah In my heart."
"Nay, Alleyne, it were a cruel kind
ness, and you itave been loo good and
true a Irlend 14 mo that 1 snouid use
you Ueapiletuliy. There cannot be a
cioaer I in K between us. It Is iiiadiieaa
to think ol IU Were theie no omei
reaaona. It Is enough that my fain.i
and your brotber would both cry out
agalnat It."
"My brother, what baa he to do with
It? And your father "
"Come, Alleyne, was It not you who
would have me act fairly to all men,
and certee, lo my lather amonga!
them?"
"Vou aay truly," he rrled.. "you aay
truly. Hut you do 'not reject me,
Maude? Vou give me aorne ray of
hope? I do not aak pledge or prornlae
Hay only that I am not hateful to
you that on aome happier day 1 may
hear kinder worda from you."
Jler eyea softened upon h!m. and a
heartfelt nnawer waa- on her lips,
when a hoarae nhout, with the clatter
of arma and atumping of ateeda, roae
up from the bailey below. At the
aound her face a-t, her eyea sparkled,
and ahe atood with fluahed cheek and
head thrown back a woman's body,
but a soul of fire.
"My father hath sone down," ahe
cried. "Your place la by hla side. Nay.
look not at me. Allevne. It la no
time for dallying. Win my fathrr'a
love, and all may follow. It is when
the brave aoldier hath done his devoir
that he horn for hla reward. Fare
well, and may Ood be with you!" Hhe
heldout her white, allm hand to him,
Imt aa he bent hla lips over it ahe
whlaked away and wua irone, leaving
In hla oiitatretohed hand the very
green veil for which Peter Terlake
had craved In vain. Again the hoarae
cheering- burat out from below, and he
heard the clang of the rising portcui-
lia. Preaalng the veil to hla lips, he
thrust It Into the bosom of hla tunic.
and ruahud aa faat aa fe.'t could bear
lilm to arm hlmaelf and Join the muster.
The raw morning had broken ere
the hot spiced ale waa served round
and laat farewell apoken. Flrat came
HiacK Bimon with hla hanner. tieatrld-
lng a lean and powerful dapple-gray
charger, as hard and wiry aa himxelf.
After him, riding three ahreaet. were
nine men-at-arms, all picked aoidiera
who had followed the French war
before. So. with Jingle of arms and
clatter of hoofs, they rode acroaa the
Bridge of Avon, while the burghers
shouted for the flag of the five rosea
and Its gallant guard.
Close at the heels of the horses came
two-acore arehera, burly and mostly
bearded, their round targets on their
barks and their long yellow bowa, the
moat deadly weapon that ihe wit of
man had yet devised, thrustlna; form
from behind their shoulder. From
each man's girdle hung aword or axe.
according to hla humor, and over hla
rijrht hip there Jutted out Xlie Jeathern
quiver, wun its nnawe or gooae, pia;eoii
and peacock feathers.
So we'll toast altogether
To the Gray Goose Feather,
And the land where the Gray Goose
flew.
Behind the bowmen strode two
trumpeters blowing upon naklrs. and
two drummers in partl-colored clothes.
After them came twenty-seven sump-
ter-tiorsea carrying tent poles, cloth
spare arms, spurs, wedges, cooking
kettles. horaeahoe8. baga of nails, and
the hundred other things which ex
perience had shown to be needful In a
harried hostile country. A white mule
with red trappings, led by a varlet
carried Sir Nigel's own napery and
table comforts. Then came two-score
more archers, ten more men-at-arms,
and. finallly a rear-guard of twenty
nowmcn. with big John towering In
the front rank and he veteran Aylward
marching liy his side, his battered har
n ks and faded surcoat In strange con
trust with the anew-white Jupons and
shining brlgandlnes of his companions.
A quick cross-fire of greetings and
questions and rough West Saxon Jests
flew from rank to rank, or were bandied
about betwixt the marching archers
and the gazing crowd.
The Company hnd marched to the
turn of the road ere Sir Nigel Coring
rode out from the gate-way. mounted
on Pommers. his great black war
war-horse, whose ponderous footfall
on the wooden drawbridge echoed
loudly from the gloomv arch which
spanned It. Sir Nigel waa still in his
velvet dress of peace, with flat velvet
cap of maintenance, and curling ostrich
reamer clasped In a golden brooch.
He bore no arms save the long and
What Does
In Holmes' next adventure, he wa?
confronted by the cabalistic image
in "The Sign of the Four"
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heavy aword which hung at hla sad
(lie-how; but Terlake carried In front
of him tha high wivern-craated baasl
net, 'ord the heavy aali spear with
swallow-tail pennon, while Alleyne
iv us entrusted with tha embiaaoneti
ahleld. 'Ihe Lady Luting rode her
palfrey at tier lord a bridle-arm, fur
Hie would see him as far aa tha e.laa
of the forest, and ever and anon ana
turned her hardline.! face up wistfully
to him and ran a questioning eye over
his annarel and appointments.
. . . L - . . 1 . I. n , l. , . .- H
l iruni llll oirio in i..li.i..k h'ibvi,
she said, beckoning to Alleyne to ride
on her farther aide. "I truat him to
you, Kdrlcaon. iloaen, ahlrta, cyclase ,
und under-Jupona are In the brown
huakot on the left aide of the mule.
Ilia wine he take hot when the nights
are cold, malvoiae or vernago, with
aa much spire aa would cover tha
thumb-nail. Hee that he hath a change
If he cornea back hot from the tilting.
rhere la gooae-grease in n box. If tha
old acars ache at the turn nf tha
weather. The purse 1 have already
given you, Kdrlcaon.' continued the
lady. "There are In it twenty-three
mark, one noble, three shillings and
fourpence, which la a gr-at treasure
for one man to carry. And I pray you
to bear In wjnd, Kdrlcaon. that he
hath two pair of ahoea, thoae of red
leather for common use, and the others
with golden toechaina, which he may
wear should he chance to drink wine
with the Prince or with Chandos."
My sweet bird." aald Hlr Nigel. "I
am right loath to part, but we are
now at the fringe of the forest, and
It la not right that I ahould take the
chatelaine too far from her trust."
'Rut, oh, my dear lord," ahe cried.
with a trembling lip, "let me bide
with you for one furlong further or
one ami a half, perhaps You may
spare me tnis out of tne weary mites
that you will Journey alone."
Come then, my heart's comfort," he
anawered. "Hut I must crave a gag i
from thee. It la- my custom, darling.
and hath been since I have hrst known
thee, to proclaim by herald In such
camps, townships, or forl.allcea as I
may chance to visit, that my laoy-iove
oeing oeyonn compare the raireat and
sweetest In Christendom. I should
deem It great honor and kindly conde
scension it any cavalier would run
three courses against me with shar
pened lances, ahould he chance to have
a lady whose claim he was willing
to advance. I pray you then, my fair
dove, that you will vouchsafe to me
one or those doe-skin gloves, that 1
may wear It as the badge of her whose
servant I shall ever be."
"Alack and alas for the fairest and
sweetest!" ahe cried. "Knlr and sweet
I would fain be for your dear sake, my
lord, but old I am and ugly, and tho
knlghta would laugh should you lay
lance in rest in such a cause."
"Edrieson." quoth Sir Nigel, "you
have young eyes, and mine are some
what bedlmmed. Should you chance
to see a knight laugh, or smile, or
even look., arch his brows, or purse
hla mouth, or in any wav ahow aur
priae that I ahould uphold the Lady
Mary, you will take particular note
of his name, hla coat-armor, and hia
lodging. Your love, my life's desire!"
The Lady Mary Lorlng slipped her
hand from her yellow leather gauntlet,
and he. lifting it with dainty rever
ence, bound It to the front of his velvet
cap.
"It Is with mine other guardian
angels," quoth he, pointing at the
saint's medals which hung beside tt.
"And now, my dearest, you have come
far enough. May the Virgin guard and
prosper thee! One kiss!" he bent down
from his saddle, and then, striking
spurs Into his horse's sides, he galloped
at top speed after his men. with his
three squires at his heels. Half a mile
further, where the road topped a hill,
they looked back, and the Lady Mary,
on her white palfrey, was still where
they had left her. A moment later they
were on the downward slope, and she
had vanished from their view.
(To he Continued Jfeif Week.)
Synopsis of Preceding Chapter.
Th (cents o( the atnry nr Uld in th lh century'
Hordle Jotui. of the Cistercian Mi.nfe.tcrv, n-
Train the Abbe." of Bt-nnlicu. guilty of certain flcrloua
-That-i'va brought atrainM btui by a nun.-ber of the
nii.tiks. Anutber of the lAy-brrthrpn. AUcycn fcd-nc-.ni.
taice ht denj-tur In accordance with hnt
father's i), dertu-ruttUia that he should, Ir ben be
bcramfc St, go tort h forone year t cIknjm. for bim
pelf tun tutur calling. In mrimut he iroe to vutt bis
brother.the Sncntun of Vin-tad. b' lVMjtatlon
I ututaTorr. At nitrht All'-rtieiu-t-k'' a road-side Inn,
srhere be meete tli.idle J'.hn, and Sanikin Aylward.
an KiiKli-h archer Jut bar- from the French ai.
Allt-yne Hnd l.i. br..thr in MtiuueMd witodsquarrel
ii.fr with a beautiful dtnl. He resctien b. r, thereby
tr:.iniuirthcK.irnuiii,se..niity. The nmideu, learuing
tsat he intend-, to J. in hi. companions at Cmltt
cliurch. h're dwi-lis sir Niirel, leaves him laufrltiniriy
without teliititr bin her name. He re joins his cotn
ttaiuoiisajiil ther jonrncv to Kir Niirel'w home. On see
ititf the rettov. net kniirht, H.irdle John is much Texed
ut hi-at.fiarenilodil weiiknes-but Ukk!y chanfrea
Ms tnlnd whetilthey have aji adventure with a hair
bear. Here Alleyene meets his companion of Uia
woods, whom he leal ns iff the dUkhU-r of Sir Nigel.
This Mean?
lr these puzzling
things, roughly
displayed in
Fresh Blood
upon the wall of a house
where a great crime had
been committed, stareU
you in the face, could you
explain their meaning?
Such was the problem which Sherlock
Holmes had to solve in his first
chronicled advenUire
"The Study in Scarlet "
A book which made CONAN DOYLE the first
of detective writer in the world.
A luindouie, copper iihoto-euKravure of
tsherloik Holiueo, printed ou lieuvieal
euaiiiclc-d puptr, itultuble for fmuiiuic.
SO cent in Stamps, Coin or Monry Order.