The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-10-25
THE
LION OF FLANDERS;
OR THE
BATTLE OF THE GOLDEN SPURS.
BY HENDRIX CONSCIENCE.
CONTINUED. Ii

| Adolf of Nieuwland was now at some distanc,
from the city. Wearied more with the burder
OF his sadness than with the length Of the way
he seated himself upon o bank, and still oil
lowed his thoughts to drift along upon tn,
drowsy current of his reverie. As he sa
there. with his eyes bent upon the ground, h,
suddenly became aware that he was no longer
| alone "a stranger stood before him.
The unknown was dressed in o friar's frock
Of brown WOODEN, with wide and deep hood
long grey beard hung down upon his breast
and his bright black eyes were overhung by
shaggy brows. His complexion was deeply
| bronzed; his features hard and strongly
marked his forehead SCARED, and deeply fur.
| rowed with wrinkles. Like some wsy-worn
traveller, he dragged his weary steps to the
spot where Adolf sat, and for an instant a
CLEAN of satisfaction seemed to Hight up his
features, as though he recognized one whom
he was glad to meet. This, however, was but
for moment; the grave and cold expression
whether real or worn as a mask, with which he
had first regarded the youth, instantaneously
returned.
Adolf, aware of tho friar's presence only
when the latter stood close before him, imme-
diately rose from his seat, and greeted the
stranger in words of courtesy. Bat the
melancholy tenor of his thoughts had com
municated tone of sadness to his voice and,
to say the truth, he had to put some violence
on himself to speak at all.
Noble sir" responded the friar, long
days journey has wearied me, and the
pleasantness of the spot wkich you have
chosen tempts me to loiter awhile to snatch q
mon tSj Int lnk
disturb you"
So saying, he threw himself upon the grass
AID, motioning with his hand, invited Adolf to
do the like; who thereupon, moved either by
respect for the friar's sacred character, or by
some secret wish to enter into conversation
with him, resumed at once his fermer seat, and
thus found himself side by side with the
stranger.
Something there was in the strange priests
voice which had o familiar sound to AdolFs |
ear, and he ondesvored to recollect when and |
where and under what circumstances he had |
heard it; but as all his efforts failed, he was |
1t last obliged to dismiss the notion as a |
Eroundless fancy.
short pause ensued. during which the friar
egarded the young knight with many an
'nxious and inquiring glance; at length,
Iowever, he proceeded to open q conversation.
"Noble sir" he commenced, at is now long
ince left Flanders and should be greatly
bliged by any information you could give me
tho present state Of things in our
GOD city of Bruges. pray you be not offended
{ my boldness."
"How could be offended, fatherf" an
wered Adolf at will be pleasure to me to
erve You in any way / can. Things go i'll
1ongh, truly, in our good city Of Bruges the
rench are now our masters therep
That seems to please you but indifereDtly, I
Dble sir. Nevertheless, / had understood that
ost part OF the mobiles had renowned ale I
lance to their lawfal Count, and done homage r
} the stranger" O
"Alasi that is but too true, father. Our q
Count Gay has been deserted by t
ory many OF his subjects; and still more of
lem there are who have tarnished the glory q
their ancient name by base submission. Yet b
% there left some in whose veins the Flemish b
God runs pure; still there are brave and loyal
,arts, that have not given themselves up to a
70 stranger" r
At these words an oppression of the liveliest Il
passed over the features Of the b
ar. With more experience Of life, Adolf b