Tillamook headlight., August 16, 1906, Image 5

Copyrighted.
Svnopals of preceding chapters at end of this installment.
CHAPTER IX.
iuVY . a,Ld sagaciously the veteran heroes, of gallant deeds and lofty alms,
Sir Nigel, who had entered the room Knight chose out his men from the or
he might hold forth upon moon and
with a silvery-haired old lady upon his swarm of volunteers. Many an anxious stars, and let his fancy wander over
arm, stared aghast at this sudden burst consultation he held with Black Simon, the hidden secrets of the universe, and
of candor.
Sam Aylward, and others of his more he would have a rapt listener with
“Maude, Maude!” said he, shaking experienced followers, as to who should Hushed cheeks and eloquent eyes, who
hip head, “it is more hard for me to come and who should stay. By All could repeat after him the very words
gain obedience from you than from the Saint’s Day, however, he had filled up which had fallen from his lips. But
tenscore drunken archers who followed his full numbers, and mustered under when it came to almagest and astrol-
me to Guinne. Yet, hush! little one, his banner as stout a following of able, the counting of figures and reck­
for your fair lady-mother will be here Hampshire foresters as ever twanged oning of epicycles, away would go her
anon, and there is no need that she their war-bows. Twenty men-at-arms, thoughts to horse and hound, and a va­
should know it. We will keep you too, well mounted and equipped, formed cant eye and listless face would warn
from the provost-marshal this journey. the cavalry of the party, while young the teacher that he had lost his hold
Away to your chamber, sweeting, and Peter Terlake of Fareham, and Walter upon his scholar. Then he had but to
keep a blithe face, for she who con­ Ford of Botley, the martial sons of bring out the old romance-book from
fesses is shriven. And now, fair moth­ martial sires, came at their own cost the Priory, with befingered cover of
er,” he continued, when his daughter to wait upon Sir Nigel and to share sheepskin and gold letters upon a pur­
had gone, “sit you here by the fire, for with Alleyne Edricson the dunes ot ple ground to entice her wayward
your blood runs colder than it did. his squireship.
mind back to the paths of learning.
Alleyne Edricson, I would have a word
At times, too, when the wild fit was
Yet. even after the enrolment, there
with you, for I would fain that you was much to be done ere the party upon her, she would break into pert-
should take service under me. And could proceed upon its way. For ar­ ness and rebel openly against Alleyne’s
here In good time comes my lady, with­ mor, swords, and lances there was no gentle firmness. Yet he would jog;
out whose counsel it is not my wont need to take much forethought, for quietly on with his teachings, taking
to decide aught to import; but, indeed, they were to be had better and cheaper no heed to her mutiny, until suddenly
It was her own thought that you should in Bordeaux than in England. With she would be conquered by his patience,
come.”
the long-bow, however, it was differ­ and break into self-revilings a hun­
“For I have formed a good opinion ent. Yew-staves indeed might be got dred times stronger than her fault de­
of you, and can see that you are one in Spain, but it was well to take enough manded. It chanced, however, that, on
who may be trusted,” said the Lady and to spare with him. Then three one of these mornings when the evil
Loring. "And in good sooth my dear spare cords should be carried for each mood was upon her. Agatha, the young
lord hath need of such a one by his bow, with a great store of arrow-heads, tire-woman, thinking to please her mis­
side, for he recks so little of himself besides the brigandines of chain-mail, tress, began also to toss her head and
that there should be one there to look the wadded steel caps, and the bras­ make tart rejoinder to the teacher’s
to his needs and meet his wants. You sarts or arm-guards, which were the questions. In an instant the Lady
have seen the cloister; it were well proper equipment of the archer. Above Maude had turned upon her two blaz­
that you should see the world, too, ere all, the women for miles round were ing eyes and a face which was blanched
you make choice for life between them." hard at work cutting the white sur- with anger.
“You would dare!” said she. "You
"You can ride?” asked Sir Nigel, coats which were the badge of tne
looking at the youth with puckered company, and adorning them with the would dare!”
The
frightened tire-woman tried to
red
lion
of
St.
George
upon
the
centre
eyes.
“Yes, I have ridden much at the ab- of the breast. When all was completed excuse herself. “But, my fair lady,
,-ho stammered, “what have I done? I
and
the
muster
called
in
the
castle-
l>e^Yet there 1» a difference betwixt a vard, the oldest soldier of the French have said no more than I heard.”
would dare!” repeated the lady,
friar’s hack and a warrior’s destrier. wars was fain to confess that he had in "You
a choking voice. "You, a graceless
never looked upon a better equipped or
You can sing and play?”
iggage, a foolish lack-brain, with no
more warlike body of men, from the
"On citóle, flute and rebeck.
knight with his silk jupon. sitting his thought above the hemming of shifts!
"Good! You can read blaionry?
great black war-horse in the front of And he so kindly and hendy and long-
"Indifferent well."
them,
to Hordle John, the giant re­ suffering! You would—ha, you may
"I trust that you »re lowly and ser­
well flee the room!”
viceable?”
.
,,,
, . „ cruit, who leaned carelessly upon a
She had spoken with a rising volco,
“I have served all *ny life, my lord. huge black bow-stave in the rear. Of and
a clasping and opening of her long
the six score, fully half had seen ser­
"Canst carve too?"
, .
fingers, so that it was no marvel
"I have carved two days a week ror vice before, while a fair sprinkling white
were men who had followed the wars that, ere the speech was over, the
of Agatha were whisking round
mode! truly! Wilt make a squire nil their lives, and had a hand in those skirts
the door and the click of her sobs to bo
of squires. But tall me, pray, canst battles which had made the whole board dying swiftly away down the
world ring with the fame and the won­
curl hair?”
„
corridor.
der of the English infantry.
"No, my lord, but I could learn.
Alloyne stared open-eyed nt this
Six long weeks were taken in these
"It is of Import, said he, for I
who had sprung so suddenly to
love to keep my hair well ordered, see­ preparations, and it was close on Mar­ tigress
his
rescue. “There is no need for such
tinmas
ere
all
was
ready
for
a
start.
ing that the weight of my helmet tor
thirty years hath In some degree frayed Nigh two months had Alleyne Edric- anger,” he said mildly. “The maid’s
It upon the top."
„
“It 1» for you also to bear the purse,
said the lady; "for my sweet lord Is of
so free and gracious a temper that he
would give it gayly to the first who
asked alms of him. All these things,
with some knowledge of venerle. and
of the management of horse, hawk- and
hound, with the grace and hardihood
and courtesy which are,al
age, will make you a lit squire for Sir
NI"Ala^Ori'a<ry!" Alleyne answered, -T
know well the great honor that you
have done me In deeming me woKhs
to wait upon so renowned a knignt,
yet I am so conscious of my own weak­
ness that I scarce dare Incur dull s
which I might be so ill «ted to fulfll.
"Modesty and a humble mind, saia
she, "are the very first andJ^jí^ové
In page or squire. Your w°.rd.lLep reSt
that you have these, and all the rest
Is but the work of use and of
• j
“We can scarce hope, said Sir Nlgei,
"to have all ready for our start before
the feast
St. Luke for there^ a much
to be done In the time. You win na
leisure, therefore. If it P ease you
take service under me, In wnicn
le‘’AnndyOIUhaveVoni favor to crave from
^"^discoursing with mV daughter
MÍ?» -
head with dreams of ® .,
Father
ens and of errant ca a 1
nones
Christopher comes over mt
from the Priory, but he l» »tncK| t
years and slow of speecn,
iling. j
gets small Pr°JJtÁr<Siat*you can with
would have,,3Lou.d?tha my young tire
her, and with Agat«», ]tnyprerpont.
woman, and with Dorothy
|f n(lt
And so Alleyne rouna i
t but
only chosen a’f *qtbr„e damozels. which
also as aq'ilre,lJ° ‘rJom the part which
was even furt*!er„1Ii/'l in the world,
he had thought to play in t
of gt)
And now »here came a
an(J
and bustle. of
* R the south­
clang of hammer fron» a¿ U1P tl<ilngs,
land counti^. Fa««’" d from castle
from thorpe »° 1,0 P Lnme was afoot
to castle, that the oM san^nd Hlies t0
once more, and the lion»
sprlng.
be In the field.Y for that fierce old
Great news this tor 1
generation
country whose trade f
archers and
had been war, her «xpo t
gljt years
her imports Pj'"f"Y”nder an unwonted
her sons had chafed no thetr arms as
peace. Now they flew to
idlers
£> their b'cthrlgbL The of polct)trs
of Creer, of Noirent.
they m|gbt
were glad to think tn»
morCt a„d
hear the w»r-trumpei o
th who
ladder still we*^«„hjer’ the m»r-
had chaffed for y
pierce the
tla! tales of
the south, to light
great mountains or tn
tf) fol-
the tamers of the flerjr
(he age to
low th» «reates» caí
an<J vineyard»,
flnd sunny coimnei i _1(,arily and Nor-
when the marches> cdf I
k aa,l?ñ
mandy were a» »>ara *" was golden
Jedburgh , for®srt^hof warriors. From
prospects tor a T‘
stringing of.potb!
JTthS coHage^nT dang of steel In th.
Ca&'r<M it take ions for
ho,dv ‘kVleri«footmen. Through the
every
nan»»^
th
rsVe^autumn^ndI
the. ear X
late
and J ne
road autumn
and country
lane r
f
niidr and ‘rumpet.
Iatter of march-
the war-horse and mu
Ing men.
. populous county
In the ancient an<i
no lack of
of Hampshire there ^w
a service
leaders or of » .^er honor or Pro?!'
which promised '¿tn" usters. however
Greatest of all the m Ca,tle. for the
was that at T-w>nnao<
Nigel Lorins
name and the
® k.»*nest and bold-
toward hlmthe keeue« under .o
•st spirits.
Archers
valiant
the Forest of
hn’ e^m^he bP’7hean,S«ouS
££
Tn?rHp.ThTe,bo'-u'»7^
-re
- “•
sorvlce under tne o
__
scarlet ro»ew
H| , havc «hewn
And now, could wr cm
|aw>
th. bacbelle» of
well have
banner,
JT. held and
a» !*■*?.
would have
have snpP
> >> or?*‘^ r,rty
dtonlty of • '“•"'KmV hl. Ian« w’*
WM beavr upon Wm.
want his eoffers
th* hnld!n<
{* ^‘rere t^-men and w»r
iSulp and pay ‘^¿roJgbt him gave
7hlch AVlwart (r\‘V"o', «’»• *?
<*„ lleutenyt 'rf t
SJ u ST m -*“ *
SÄ
remained In h<»
• h“~Jr'd
.XT, ÏÏÎ
Ç»
Zin companion»»1 whk.k aay leader
Ä M^ud to commas
to the slope of the Portsdown Hill.
Sure am 1 that Sir Nigel would be
blithe at such a match.”
"But how the iadyT* asked Alleyne,
with dry lips.
Ah. lad! there lies my trouble. It is
a toss of the head and a droop of the
eyes if 1 say one word of what is in my
mind. 1 did but ask her yester-uight
fur her green veil, that I might bear
it as a token or lambrequin upon my
helm, but she lias lied out at me that
she kept it lor a better man, and theu
all in a breath asked pardon for that
she hud spoke so rudely.
Yet she
would not lake back the words either,
nor would she grunt the veil. Has
it seemed to .hee, Alleyne, that she
loves any one?’’
"Nay, I cannot say," said Alleyne,
with a wild torch oi sudden hope in
His heart.
1 have thought so, and yet I can­
not name tne man. Indeed, save my­
self, and Walter Ford, and you, who
are half a clerk, and Father Christo­
pher of the Priory, and Bertrand tne
page, who is there whom she sees?’’
“I cannot tell,” quoth Alleyne shortly;
and the two squires rode on a gain,
each intent upon his own thoughts.
Next day at morning lesson the
teacher observed that his pupil was
indeed looking pale and jaded, with
listless eyes and a weary manner, he
was heavy-heurted to note the change
in her.
“Tour mistress, T fear. Is ill, Agatha,’’
he said to the tire-woman, when the
Lady Maude had sought her chamber.
The maid looker aslant at him with
laughing eyes.
It is not an illness
that kills,’* quoth she.
"Pray God not!” he cried. "But tell
me, Agatha, what is it that ails her?”
"Me thinks that I could lay my hand
upon another who is smitten with the
same trouble,” said she, with the same
sidelong look. "Canst not give a name
to it, and thou so skilled in lev<-Heratt?"
“Nay, save that she seems aweary.”
"Well, bethink you that it is but
three days ere you will be gone, and
Castle Twynham be as dull as the
priory. Is there not enough there to
cloud a lady’s brow?”
"In sooth, yes,” he answered.
“I
had forgot that she is about to lose
her father.”
"Her father!” cried the tire-woman,
with a little trill of laughter. "Oh,
simple, simple!” And she was oft down
the nassage like arrow from bow, while
Alleyne stood gazing after her, be­
twixt hope and doubt, scarce daring
to put faith in the meaning which
seemed to underlie her words.
CHAPTER X.
St. Luke’s day had come and had
gone, and it was in the season of
Martinmas, that the White Company
was ready for its journey.
Loud
shrieked the brazen bugles from keep
and from gate-way, and merry was
the rattle of the war-drum, as the men
gathered in the outer bailey, with
torches to light them, for the morn
had not yet broken. Alleyne, from the
window of the armory, looked down
upon the strange scene—-the circles of
yellow flickering light, the lines of
stern and bearded faces, the quick
shimmer of arms, and the lean heads
of the horses. In front stood th bow­
men, ten deep, with a fringe of under-
ofllcers, who paced hither and thither,
marshalling the ranks with curt pre­
cept or sharp rebuke. Behind were
the little clump of steel-clad horse­
men. their lances raised, with long
ncnslls drooping down the oaken shafts
'< silent and still were they that they
might have been metal-sheethed stat­
ues, were it not for the occasional quick
chango
onco; perchance
again.”
“Cruel!’’
ho cried,
hath
changed me?"
"And then your brother!” she con­
tinued with a little laugh, disregard­
ing his question. "Methinks this hath
become a lanuiy custom amongst the
Edricson». Nay, I am sorry; 1 did not
mean a jibe.
But. indeed, Alleyne,
this hath*come quickly upon me, and
1 scarce know what to say.
"bay some word of hope, however
distant—some kind word that 1 may
cherish in my heart. ’
"Nay, Alleyne, it were a cruel kind­
ness, and you have been too good and
true a friend to me that 1 should use
you despite!ully. There cannot be a
closer link between us. It is madness
to think of it. Were there no other
reasons, it is enough that my fathei
and your brother would both cry out
ugainst it.”
* Aly brother, what has he to do with
it? And your father —”
“Come, Alleyne, was it not you who
would have me
— act *-•-»-
•* men,
fairly • to - all
and certva, to my father amongst
them?"
"You say truly,” he cried, "you say
truly.
But , you do
__ _____
____ ____
not ___ reject
me,
Maude?
You give mo some ray of
hope? I do not ask pledge or promise.
Say only that I am not hateful to
£ou—that on some happier day 1 may
ear kinder words from you.”
Her eyes softened upon him, and a
heartfelt answer was on her lips,
when a hoarse shout, with the clatter
of arms and stamping of steeds, rose
up from the bailey below.
At the
sound her face set. her eyes sparkled,
and she stood with flushed cheek and
head thrown back—a woman’s body,
but a soul of fire.
"My father hath gone down,” she
cried. “Your place is by his side. Nay,
look not at me, Alleyne.
It is no
time for dallying.
Win my father’s
love, «nd all may follow. It is when
the brave soldier hath done his devoir
that ho hopes for His reward. Fare­
well, and may God be with you!” She
holdout her white, slim hand to him,
but as he bent bls lips over it she
whisked away and was gone, leaving
in his outstretched hand the very
green veil for which Peter Terlake
had craved in vain. Again the hoarse
cheering burst out from below, and ho
heard the clang of the rising portcul­
lis. Pressing the veil to his lips, he
thrust it into the bosom of his tunic,
and rushed as fast as feet could bear
him to arm himself and Join the muster.
The raw morning had broken ere
the hot spiced ale was served round
and last farewell spoken. First came
Black Simon with his banner, bestrid­
ing a lean and powerful dapple-gray
charger, as hard and wiry as himself.
After him, riding three abreast, were
nine men-at-arms, all picked soldiers,
who had followed the French wars
before. So, with jingle of arms and
»latter of hoofs, they rode across the
Bridge of Avon, while the burghers
shouted for the flag of the five roses
and its gallant guard.
Close at the heels of the horses came
two-score archers, burly and mostly
bearded, their round targets on their
backs and their long yellow bows, the
most deadly weapon that the wit of
man had yet devised, thrusting forth
from behind their shoulders.
From
each man’s girdle hung sword or axe,
according to his humor, and over his
right hip there jutted out lhe Jeathern
quiver, with Its bristle of goose, pigeon,
and peacock feathers.
So we’ll toast altogether
To tHe Oray Goose Feather,
And the land where the Gray Goose
flew.
Behind the bowmen strode two
trumpeters blowing upon nukirs, and
two drummers in parti-colored clothes.
After them came twenty-seven sump-
t< r-horses carrying tent poles, cloth,
spare arms, spurs, wedges, cooking
kettles, horseshoes, bags of nails, and
the hundred other things which ex­
perience had shown to be needful 1n a
tarried hostile country. A white mule
with red trappings, led by a varlet,
carried Sir Nigel’s own napery and
table comforts. Thon came two-score
more arch era;, ten more men-at-arms,
and. finality a rear-guard of twenty
bowmen, witn big John towering in
the front rank and the veteran Aylward
marching by his side, his battered har­
ness and faded surcoat In strange con­
trast with the snow-white jupons and
shining brigandines of his companions.
A quick cross-fire of greetings and
questions and rough West Baxon jests
flew from rank to rank, or were bandied
about betwixt the marching archers
and the gazing crowd.
The Company had marched to the
turn of the rood ere Kir Nigel Loring
rode out from the gate-way. mounted
on Pom mere, his great black war
war-horse, whoso ponderous footfall
on the wooden drawbridge echoed
loudly from the gloomy orch which
spanned it. Sir Nigel was still In his
velvet dress of peace, with flat velvet
cap of maintenance, and curling ostrich
feather clasped in a golden brooch.
He bore no arms suve the long and
heavy sword which hung at hU sad
die-bow; but Terlake curried in front
of him the high wivern-created bassi­
net, Ford the heavy ash spear with
swallow-tail peanun. while Alleyne
was entrusted with the emblasoned
shield.
The Lady Loring rode her
palfrey at her lord’s bridle-arm, for ,
she would see him us far as the edge
of the forest, and ever and anon she
turned her hurdlined face up wistfully
to him and ran a questioning eye over
his appurel and appointments.
"I trust that there Is nothing forgot,"
she said, beckoning tn Alleyne to ride
on her farther side. “I trust him to
you, Edricson. Hosen, shirts, cyelas,
and under-jupons are in the brown
basket on the left side of the mule.
His wine he tak» s hot when the nights
are cold, malvoise or vernage, with
as much spice as would cover the
thumb-nail. See that he hath a change
if he comes back hot from the tilting.
There is goose-grease in a box, if the
old scars ache at the turn of the
weather. The purse I have already
{riven you, Edricson,
continued the
ady.
“There are in it twenty-three
marks, one noble, three shillings and
fourpence, which is a great treasure
for one man to carry. And I pray you
to bear in u^ind, Edricson, that he
hath two pair of shoes, those of red
leather for common use, and the others
with golden toechains, which he may
wear should he chance to drink wise
.vith the Prince or with Chandos.”
“My sweet bird,” said Sir Nigel. *1
am right
loath to part, but we are
now at the fringe of the forest, and
it is not right that I should take the
chatelaine too far from her trust.
“But, oh, my dear lord.” she crlsd.
with a trembling lip, "let me bide
with you for one furlong further-—or
one and a half, perhaps.
You may
»pare me this out of the weary miles
that you will journey alone."
“Come then, my heart’s comfort,” he
answered. "But I must crave a gage
from thee. It is my custom, darling«
and hath been since I have first known
thee, to proclaim by herald in such
camps, townships, or fortallces as I
may chance to visit, that my lady-love
being beyond compare the fairest and
sweetest in Christendom. I should
deem it great honor and kindly conde­
scension if any cavalier would run
three courses against me with shar­
pened lances, should 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 of those doe-skin gloves, that I
may wear it as the badge of her whoso
servant I shall ever be?’
“Alack and alas for the fairest and
sweetest!” she cried.
“Fair and sweet
I would fain be for your dear sake, my
lord, but old I am and ugly, and the
knights would laugh should you lay
lance In rest In such a cause.”
Sir Nigel, “yok
“Edricson,” quoth
___
have young eyes, and mine are some-
what bedimmed. ____
Should you chance
to see a knight
laugl h, or smile, or
•rows,
puree
even look,, arch his bi
___ or
__ r
____
his mouth, or in any wav show sur­
prise that I should uphold the Lady
Mary, you will take particular note
of his name, his coat-armor, and his
lodging. Your love, my life’s desire!”
The Lady Mary Loring slipped her
band from her yellow leather gauntlet,
and he, lifting it with dainty rever­
ence, bound it to the front of his velvet
cap.
“Tt Is with mine other guardian
angels," quoth he. pointing at the
saint’s medals which hung oeslde It.
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
sptfrs into his horse's sides, he galloDed
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 I»ady 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 be CoatiRued Nest IFre*.)
Synopsis of Preceding Chapters.
The geenm of the »tory nre lnld la the 14th century"
Hordle John, of the Ci*terclan Moruuaery, five«
from the Abbey of Rt nulleu. guilty of certain »«rtoug
chitrufg brought atfatnnt him by a nurnbaP of tlm
rnoiika. Anotiwr of the ley brethren, Alleyen K<l
rlcbon, take« hin departure tn accordance with hla
father's will, drtdtfnating that he should, when ho
licoama SI, go forth for one year to choose for him-
eelf bin future calling. In saiincse he goes to vlHlthle
brother, the Bocmnn of Mlmitead, whose reputation
iw unsavory. At night Alley ueset-kn a road-aide Inn,
whore he inaeta Hordle John, and Kamkin Aylward,
an Englhh archer Just bask from the French ware.
Alkyne finds his brother Ut Minstead woods quarrel­
ing with a lasautiful damael. Ho rescues her, thereby
guinlngthe Bncman'i enmity The maiden, learning
that he intend« to j< In hit oompanione at Cnris£
church, where dwells HlrNIgel, leaves him laughingly
without telling him her name. He re loins hl* eo«n-
paniousand they journey to Sir Nigel's home. Onus-
Ing the renowned tfidght, Hordle John Is much vexed
at nlH apparent bodily weakneas but quickly ehangee
his mind when they have an advhuture with a huge
bear. Herr Alleyrne meets bls companion of the
woods, whom lie learn» is the daughter of Sir Nlgsd.
What Does This Mean?
It these puzzling
things, roughly
displayed in
•A HEARTFELT ANSWER WAS ON HER UPS WHEN A HOARSE SHOUT ROSEUP FROM THEBAILEY BELOW."
words have done me no «rath. It is Impatient stamp of their chargers, or
ion been In Castle Twynham—month» you
the rattle of chamfron against neck
yourself who have erred.”
which were fated to turn the whole
"I know it,” she cried; "I am a most plates as they tossed and strained,
current ot his life, to divert it from wicked
A spear's length in front of them sat
woman.
But
it
is
bad
enough
that dark and lonely bourne toward
and ----
long-limbed
figure of
„---------- --------
one should misuse you. I will see the spare -----
which it tended, and to guide It Into that
Black Simon, the Norwich fighting man,
that
there
is
not
a
second
one.
”
freer and more sunlit ¿1hanlK'a’.„{L*;
his fierce, deep lined face framed in
"Nay,
nay,
no
one
has
misused
me,
’
readv he had learned to bless his father he answered. “But the fault lies in steel and the silk guidon, marked with
for that wise provision which had made your hot and bitter words. You have the five scarlet roses, slanting over
him seek to know the world ere he had called
her a baggage and a lack-brain, his broad right shoulder.
ventured to renounce It.
I know not what.”
The young squire was leaning for­
For it was a different place from and
"And you are he who taught me io ward gazing at the stirring and martial
»hit which he had pictured—very dif­ speak
the truth!” she cried. “Now I scene, when he heard a short quick
ferent from that which he had heard
described when the master of the nov- have spoken It. and yet I cannot please gasp at his shoulder, and there was
iX.« held forth to his charges upon tne you. Lack-brain she is, and lack-brain the Lady Maude with her hand to her
call her.”
heart, leaning up against the wail,
ravening wdve. who lurked for them I shall
Such was a sample of the sudden slender and fair, like a half-plucked
heron 1 the peaceful folds of Beaullea jangiings
marred the peace of lily. Her face was turned away from
There was cruelty In It, doubtless, and that little which
class.
And
yet,
there
were
Ri.t’and sin and sorrow; but were there times when Alleyne had to ask himself him, but he could s*e, by the sharp
!,">» ttrtie" to «tone, robust, positive
intake of her breath, that she was
Sirtuei whiih did not shrink from whether it was not the Lady Maude weeping bitterly.
who was gaining sway and Influence
temptation, which held their own In all over
"Alas! alas!” he cried, all unnerved
him.
If
she
were
changing,
so
lhe rough blasts of the workaday
he. In vain he strove and reasoned at the sight. “why is it that you are
world’ How colorless by contrast ap­ was
so
sad, lady?"
with
himself
as
to
the
madness
of
let
­
pear'd the siniessness which came from ting his mind rest upon Sir Nigel’s
“It Is the sight of these brave men,”
mobility to sin. the conquest which daughter. Stronger than reason, strong­
she answered; “and to think how many
er than cloister teachings, stronger of them go and how few are like to
than all that might hold him back, was And their way back. I have seen It
Such was the problem which S iimlock
bow ,
llv,^
, elm pie . sJlfe. that old, old tyrant who will brook no before, when I was a little maid, in
rival In the kingdom of youth.
the year of the Prince’s great battle
h'M a. Jon,
j- ,n
H olmes had to solve in his first
He had scarce dared to face the I remember then how they mustered
whatever^ (J)e Mry|pe of
on, t„ change which had come upon him. when In the bailey, even as they do now,
chronicled adventure
a few sudden chance words showed it and my lady-mother holding me In
that be‘wM lowering' his alms 1. Ufa al! up hard and clear, like lightning In her arms at this very window that I
darkness.
might see ths show.’
for seven hour» a day he the
He had ridden over tn Poole, one
strov*f|n the tilt-yard to qualify hlm-
''Please God. you will see them all
November
day.
with
his
fellow-squire,
A book which made CONAN DOYLE the firs!
ba*k
ere another year be out." said he
s<df to be a worthy »quire to »o wof‘hy Peter Terlake, In quest of certain yew­
She shook her bead, looking round
of detect Ivo writer« in the world.
- knight. Tonng. »uppje. »nd actlv
staves from Wat Swathllng. the Dor­ at him with flushed cheeks and ey««
with all the pent energle» from years
nf 'pore and hP'.lthy "vine It w»n not setshire armorer. Peter was a hard, which sparkled In the lamp-light. T)hi
wiry brown-faced country-bred lad, but I hate myself for being a woman!
ir/nw.ahp%C° weWo’£hh t’o
In Holmes’ next adventure, he wa«
—1 Hl—, I
who looked on the coming war as the she cried, with a stamp of her little
-'-hool-boy looks on his holidays Thi*
“What can I do that is good?
confronted by the cabalistic Imag«
¡F t jfTr
^Arrorr°rto’hoM ¿7 ow^net’Ter- day, however, h* had been sombre and foot.
Here J must bide end talk and sew
mut*. with scarce a word a mile to be­ and spin, and spin and sew and talk
Uk^and Ford, his fe!low-»quire*
in
upon hfw eomrs^e
Ever the same dull round, with nothing
But wore there no other 'onsld're- stow
“Tel! me. Alleyne Edricson.” he broke at the end of it. And now you are
tlnns which
di? nut
These two, the first and beat of the Sherlock Holme, novel» dW | a ,
suddenly, "has It not seemed to you going, too, who could carry my
that of late the TjAdy Maude Is paler thoughts out of these gray walls, and fag, bound elegantly in a »ingle big volume In illuminated doth ixaerd (Harper
raise my mind above tapestry and 4 Br<*.' regular |1.30 linen imperial edition), »ent po*tpiad with tlua coupon for
and more silent than Is her wont*”
Mund'himrelt In’elow nom««^
“Tt may be so," the other answered distaffs. What can I do? I am of no
more uoe or value than that broken
shorflv
"And would rather alt distrait hr her bow-stave."
50 C ïnts
nHel
than
ride
gavlv
to
the
rhi««
as
of
th» monkish »tand-polnt Tet h*
“You ar. nf
value to
old.
Methinks
Alleme.
If
Is
this
leam-
th.t In th'lr nr'»",'-e h. w»s ronw-lon«
Here 1« a chance to get two <>t th, moat Intensely interesting of «1 venture« in a
cried In a whirl of hot. P’*’"''’""'L
nf a qofek sympathy, a n!ea»ant ea»e » 'nr which you have tanrht her that word,, “that »11 »1».
J’*»"’" moat beautifully printed and bound t JiUun for just one-third price.
taken all the Hfe and tap from
readv re»T>on«» to »B that wa» J""** ♦**•
naught.
Ton
are
mv
haart.
my
«J»
r»nfie and best In himself which «Had her"
A hendeome, copper ph«»t<»-«n gravure of
“TT** ladv-mother has wo ordered It." my one and onlv thought. Oh ?aa’ld*’.
hl" soul with a varne »nd new-found
HhrrlfM k Holm««, printed on hrovioot
I cannot live without yo.l .LA "ail
Allevne
niamtled
paper* «ultablc for from
leave you
yoa without a word of love All
”Rv our TjAdv* and wfthoutep dlwre- tar«
^And vet the Teidv Maude Txwjnr w».
<. rhsnred
changed to m*
me line«
»Ince J I have known
1»
•neot."
ouoth
Terlek*
"It
1*
In
mv
mind
no «s»v pupil to handle
»n oldev and •
•nt»
tn
Stamp«, Cole « Money order«
SO
vM
f
sm
poor
and
lowly
and
an
her l«dv-mother 1« mnra fl*ted tn -nworthv: butlf great love may wa l<h
^«■e world-wlw man m‘v*r have been
™urat'd hr her varying moods her »nd- l*ad s oompenv tn a stormlnr then tn down such d'f"tB. then T J
12
hare th* upbringing of thia tender •rt'l it Give me but one word of hop*
i”n nrel-idlee« her quick
HARPER A III«*.. Franklin fumara, N. Y. City.
maid
Hark
y*
lad
nf j»?1 constraint« «nd authority. DM a "Mik-white
tn the war«
•ob**c< fnt*r*«t her. was the;* «ny* Mlevne. to what T never told man nr flee
<h vnp »brink von shudder? My wild
woman
vet
I
Inve
the
fair
fJ»dv
Maude
<■» ft for *ltb*r roman** or Imaglna-
have fright*nod poll.
"on she would flv HH^a*J« »Elh h.' and would srfve th* last dr on of mv wo*da
Twice »ha opened bar lips.
„bile »dive mind
,17?*°*!- *> mart's blond to serve her" H* wpnk* no annnd cam* from them
At ia»t
with a reaping vofee. and hlw fare ■he .poll« In a hard »nd measoredjjjK*
low .»»dents and even tier •*»/**T
IM behind her. On th» other hand flnahed crimson In the moonlight
AHevne said nothing but hlw he**» ¿e one who dare not trust herself to
wfr. there dull patience needed with
too freely.
.
»oil and strain of memory, no •e*m*d tn turn tn a lump nf Ice in his flpw.^k
-Tble Is over-^ddan. «he
“ft «•
M^ite fact could, bv anv driving, he >»o«om
nof
ao
Ion»
since
the
world
was
"Wy father ha • broad scree," the nothing to you.
ArJd In her nrtnd Allevne might talk
Ton have changed
U bar of th. «tort»» of oM gods and other etntiBwrd. "frM Fareham Creek
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?
The Study in Scarlet
“The Sitfn of the Four”
FREE WITH THIS BOOL