Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1874-06-11

Il - - ~ - y - sohSe 80 s4VSR - 004~
ting. when light step sousded behind
him, and Ausoinstte asne herself sobhiaf
oa his heart. A dark seewf sesaled on
the fsss q Ls1is. Tenderly Victor
soothed her. - With trembling h,uds she
fastened rich scarf about him. o. which
she had embroidered she word '.Touiours. :"
"Ah! Migaos." he said. ssdly. "vill
yoa love me always?"
"Always, visior."
Twelve ysap passed. One day in ss,u-
mer, 70 the twilight, tired horse slowly
climbed The hin overlooking The shstsaa.
Aif rider. . tnight Nth bis ,visoe desp.
v06&Sd eaxefiy ffoa Id - g Tk1n
we're beginning 10 glinner sneng "
trees. 4 workman passed him singing.
Tell me. good friend. vho lives you.
DER said tho knight. pointing to the gray
walls beneath him.
Our good lord and lady answered
the man gazing curiously st the tired
horse and his armed rider.
The knight started. Who Is your
lord ? he asked huskily.
'Cosnt Louis said the man, wonder.
inssy.
He had . brotherr
o. the brother. God rest his soul, was
killed in battle. though some say sdded
he, mysteriously. the devil Aew away
With him.
The stranger laughed harshly. Throw
ing the man some gold. he set spurs to his
horse, and galloped down the hill. That
night the monks in the neiehborius mon
sstery we're reused by loud knocking at
the gate. A strange voice demanded
speech with their Abbot. Bolts were
drawn. bars unoarred. A tired horse was
stabbed beside the Abbot's well-fed palfrey
and strange guest at the Abbot's table
Midnight had tolled long since. and still
the Abbot and his guest sat talking, in low,
earnest tones.
And now. good father. for your story
said the knight. lifting his dagon Of wine
to his lips.
III i. would be your pleasure. my lord
and the Abbot hesitated.
1t is my pleasure was the authorita-
tive answer, aud shading his face with his
mailed hand, he signed to the Abbot to
begin.
With nervous tremor in his voice. the
churchman obeycd.
-Four years after you had left rs, my
lord, there was private marriage at the
chateau. How it came about, I know
not. but 90 it vas. You were gone. and
the Lady Antoinctte's memory Was short.
Tidings Of you came but seldom. Occa-
sionally some wandering minstrels sung
Of daring Deeds
He will be killed. one day. said your
kinsman.
"A twelve month aitcrward q mcssen.
ger arrived. He bore tiiings Of your
death. Count Louis commanded masses
to be said for your soul. and took poses
sion of your lands
One evening. lady. thickly vciled.
sought speech with me. She placed
packet in my hands. BY the !ove you
bear Count Victor, send this to him. Her
voice srembled With emotion.
Lady said. gravely, does your
husband sanction this
She shuddercd violently
You will keep my secret? You loved
Count Victor-you are his kinsman-for
the love Of God pray him to return
I sent the packet BY tho hand ofs wan
dering friar.'
1t never reached me- said the knight,
hoarscly.
Il guessed a. much. Your cousin
died, died n he had lived and the Ab-
bot crossed himself. The fearful and
appalled, Count Louis. Is be il called
and he looked deprecatiugly At his COM
panion.
Call him so.' said the knight with a
bitter smile.
He is haunted by the fear of your re-
turn. He has grown old before his time.
Three children have been born to him;
two dead. Life is burden, and death
is feared
The knight sighed heavily.
Are you fatigued. my lord. said the
Abbot kindly; remove that esmbrous ar
NOR
Good father, interrupted the knight.
j made vow to doff it not until I enter
my fathers halls. We shall no. part COM
pany for many long day. metbinks.'
The Abbot started. But, my lord.
bethink you
j have bethousht me- and be rose as IL
to end the conference. Il have betbought
me. The man yonder'-and he shook bis
clenched hand toward the chateau. whose
walls rose faint and dim in the gray Of the
morning. is not kith nor kin Of mine. but
cannot bring disgrace upon my fathers
name
Nothing more Vas heard Of Count Vic
tor; but one day the Lady Ansoioeste
found upon her table blood-stained scarf.
on whick she traced the word. 'Toujours.'
When the leaves began to fall, - new
brother was admitted to the order Of 81.
Benedict.
The villagers around the chateau whis-
pcred together. as the Iron Monk strobe
pas, their doezs. his stern face shaded BY
his coxl. And as ever and anon they
caught the giimmer Of steel beneath bis
flowing robe. the moro fearful they crossed
theoselves devoutly. None Questioned
hin. Il have made vow.' be said. sim
ply. when any one nsrsclled 1t this
strange attire. Pearfal tales we're told Of
crimes committed in the Holy Land
When they reached hh ears he smiled
seorsfally.
/ One day. pacing slowly up he dusty
village street. be ssv . gay ealvseade ID.
sue from the gates of tho chateau. Draw
ing his coul further over his face he paused
to let it pass. The cycs of Cospt Lsais