The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-05-22

tiful; many sprawled gambling in the straw of
the barn, many were still drunken from the
noontide meal To the eye of modern it
would have looked like the sack Of city; to
the eye of a contemporary it was like any
other rich and noble household at festive
season.
Two monks-a young and old-had arrived
late and were now warming themselves at
bonfire in corner of the shed a mixed
crowd surrounded them-juggiers, mounte-
banks, and soldiers; and with these the elder
OF the two had soon engaged so brisk a con-
yersation, and exchanged so many loud guf
Jaws and country witticisms, that the group
momentarily increased III number.
The younger companion, i'll whom the reader
has already recognized Dick Shelton, sat from
the first somewhat backward, and gradually
closely, bu5 he opened not his mouth; and by
the grave expression of his countenance, he
made but little account of his companions
pleasantrieS.
At last his eye. which Travelled continually
TO and iro, and kept guard upon all entrances
OF the house, lit upon a little procession enter
ing by the main gate and crossing the court in
an oblique direction. Two ladies, muflied in
timex flrs, led the way, and Were followed by
pair of waiting-women and four stout men
at-arms The next moment they had disap-
peared within the house; ard Dick, slipping
through the crowd of loiters in the shed, was
already giving hot pursuit.
Tho taller of these twain was Lady Brack
Is, Joan will not be far
At the door of the house the four men-at-
arms had ceased to follow, and the ladies were
now mounting the stairway Of polished oak,
under no better escort than that of the two
waiting women Dick followed close behind.
1t was already the dusk of the day; and in the
house the darkness Of tho night had almost
come. On the stair-!andings, torches tlared in
IRON holders; down the long, tapestried corri-
doris, lamp burned by every door. And
where the door stood open, Dick could look in
upon arras-covered walls and rush-bsscattered
floors, glowing IN the light of the wood fires.
Two floors were passed, and at every landing
the younger and shorter of the two ladies had
looked back keenly at the monk. He, keep
ing his eyes lowered, and affecting the demure
manners tlat suited his disguise, had but seen
her Cnce, and was unaware that he had at
tracted her attention. And now, on the third
floor, the party separated, the younger contin-
uing to ascend alone, the other, followed by
the waiting-maids, descending the corridor to
the right.
Dick mounted with swift foot and, holding
to the corner, thrust forth his head and fol-
lowed the three women with his eyes. With
out turning or looking behind them, they con-
timed 10 descend the corridor.
cit is right well,'' thought Dick. "Let me
but know my Lady Brackley's chamber, and
it will go hard an find not Dame Hatch upon
an Grand"
And just then a hand was laid upon his
shoulder, and with bound and choked cry
he turned to graphic his aSsaiant.
He was somewhat abashed to find, in the
person whom he had so roughly seized, the
short young lady III the furs. She, on her part
was shocked and terrified beyond expression,
and hung trembling in his grasp.
Madam" said Dick, releasing her, ~ cry
You thousand pardons; but l have no eyes
behind, and, by the mass, could not tell ye
were maid"
The girl continued to look at him, but, by
this time, terror began to be succeeded by sur
prise, and surprise by suspicion. Dick who
could read these changes on her face, became
alarmed for his own safety in that hostile
house.
"Fair maid,' he said affecting easiness,
''sgtfer me to kiss your hand, in token we for
give my roughness, and / will even 60"
'Y' are strange monk, young SIR re-
turned tie young lady, looking him both
boldly and shrewdly in the face; "and now
that my first establishment hath somewhat
passed away, L can spy the layman in each
word you utter. What do we here? Why are
We thus sacreligiously tricked out? Come We
in peace or war? And why spy We after LBdy
Brackley like a thief?"
madam" quoth Dick, "of one thing pray
you to be very sure: 1 am no thief. And
even if / come here in war, as in some degree
l do, 1 make no war upon fair maids, and l
hereby entreat them to copy me so far, and to
leave me be. For, indeed, fair mistress, cry
outfit such be your pleasure-cry but once,
and say what We have seen, and the Door gen
tleman before you is merely a dead man. L
cannot think ye would be cruel" added Dick
and taking the girls hand gently in both of
his, he looked at her with courteous admra-
ton
care e, then, spa Yorkist?" asked the
maid.
Madam" lie replied, 81 am indeed York
ist, and, in some sort, spy. But that which
brngeth me into this house, the same which
will win for me the pity and interest Of your
kind heart, is neither of York nor Lancaster.
will wholly put my life in your discretion.
| am lover, and my name
But here the young lady clapped her hand
suddenly upon Dicks mouth, looked hastily
up and down and east and west and seeing
the coast clear, began to drag the young man,
with great strength and veheinence, up
stairs.
"Hush." size said, land come! SHALT talk
hereafter" Somewhat bewidcred Dick suf-
fered himself to be pulled upstairs, hustled
along a corridor, and thrust suddenly into
chamber, lit, like so many Of the others, By a
blazing log upon the hearth.
"Now, said the young lady, forcing him
down upon stool, ''sit ye there and attend
my sovereign good pleasure. ! have life and
death over you, and will not scuple to abuse
my power. Look to yourself v ave cruelty
mauled my arm. He knew not that was
maid quoth he! Had he known ! was maid,
he had taen his belt 10 me, forsooth?"
And with these words, she whipped ont Of
the room and left Dick gaping with wonder,
and not very sure if he were dreaming OF
awake.
"Ta'en my bolt to herr he repeated. "Ta'on
my belt 10 her." And the recollection Of that
evening in the forest flowed back upon his
mind. ana he once more saw Matcham's
wincing body and beseeching eyes.
And then he was recalled 10 the dangers Of
the present In the next room he heard
stir, as Of person moving; then followed a
sigh, which sounded strangely near; and then
the rustic Of skirts and tap Of feet once more
began. As lie stoed hearkening he saw the