The sun., 1891-05-24

threshold to unloose the black hound.
This wayW the woman whispered. In lov
eager voice. Through the bushes to thu
! forked ash. Do not heed me; can run as fas
as you. I trow. Now into the stream-right In
over ankles, TO throw the deg of. though
think It is but . common cu. ike its master
As she spoke she sprang herself into the shal
low stream and ran swiftly UP the centre Of II
with the brown water bubbling over her fee
and her hand outstretched toward the cltnginf
branches OF brambe or saplihG. Alleyne fol
lowed close at her heels. with his mind in q
whirl at this black welcome and sudden shift
ing OF all his plans and hopes. Yet. grave az
were his thoughts, they would still turn tc
wonder as he looked at the twinkling feet o
his guide aud saw her 1.-the figure bend this
way and that, dipping under boughs. spring
ting over stones. with q liohtness and ease
which made 1t no small task for him to keep ur
with her. At last. whom he was almost out OF
breath. abe suddenly threw herself down upon
amossy bank. between two holly bushes, and
looked ruefully at her own dripping feet and
bedraReled skirt
Holy Maryi" said shs. what shall do
Mother will keep mo to my chamber for a
month. and make me work at the tapestry OF
the nine bold knights. She promised as much
last week. whom l fell into Wllverlsy bog. and
4
work."
Alleyne. still standing in the stream. glanced
down at the Rraeeful pink d-whito figure.
the curve OF raven.blaok hair. and the proud.
sensitive face which looked up frankly und
confldlnRly at his own.
I've had best on" no said. He may yet
overtake u.s."
Not SO. We arc wsl OF his land now, nor
can he tell In this grent wood which way we
have taken. But you you had him at your
mercy Why did you not kill him"
XIII him! My brother"
And why not2"-with quick gleam OF her
whito teeth. He would have killed you. |
know him. and read It in his eyes Had
had your stat l would have tried-aye and
done 1t. too" She shook her clenched white
hand as sho spoke. and her lips tightcned
ominously
am already sad In heart for what have
done" said he, sitting down on tho bank md
sinking his fnce into his hands. God help
me!-all that is worst in mo seemed to
como uppermost. Another instant and l
had smiton him The son of my own
mother. the man whom I have longed to take
to my heart. Alas! that hould still be SO
weak"
Weak" she exclaimed raising her black
eyebrows. Il do not think that even my
father himself. who Is n hard judge OF man.
hood. would call you that. But 1t is. as you
may think. sir. very pleasant thing for me to
hear that you are Grieved ut what you have
done md can but rede that We should 20
back together. and you should make your
peace with the Socman by handing back your
prisoner. 1t is a sal thing that SO small q
thing as woman should come between two
who are OF one blood"
m nln a hi
squirt OF feminine bitterness. Nay. lady"
said he. that were worst of all. What man
would be SO caitifr and thrall as to fall you at
your need? l have turned my brother against
me. and now. alas! appear to have given you
offence also with my clumsy tongue But in
deed. lady. am torn both ways. and can scarce
grasp in my mind what 1t is that has beiallen."
Nor can marvel at that" said she. with
little tinklin9 laugh. You came In as the
knight does in the jongleurs romauces. be-
tween dragon and damse. with small time for
the asking Of questions. Come" she went on.
springinR to her feet and smoothing dowr her
rumpled froak. "let US walk through the shaw
together and we may como upon Bertrand
with tho horses II poor Troubadour had not
cast shoe. We should not have had this trou-
BILE. Nay. l must have your arm: for. though
speak lightly. now that all is happily over.
his chest heaves. and his dear feathers all
awry. the little knight who would not have his
ady mlshandled." So she prattled on to her
hawk. while Allsyne walked by her side. steal
ng glance from time to time at this Queenly
and wayward woman. In silence they wan
1ered together over the velvet turf and on
through tho broad Minstead woods. where tho
'ld lichen-draped beeches threw their circles
II black shadow upon the sunlit sward
You have no wish. then. to hear my story ?"
said she. at last.
III it please you to tell NO." he answered.
oh" she cried. tossing her head. "if It is OF
10 little interest We had best let 1t blde"
Nay" said he eagerly. - I would hear it."
You have . right to know 1t II yon
lave lost brothers favor through it. And
'st- All. we'll. you are. as I under |
tand, clerk. 80 1 must think of you as one |
onfessor. Know. then, that this man has been |
suitsr for my hand. less as think for my |
wn sweet sake than because he hath ambi- |
ion and had 1t on his mind that hs might i'm |
rove his fortunes by dipping into my father's
tronR box. though tho Virgin knows that he
1ould have found little enough therein. Ny
Rthsr. however. is a proud man. a gallant
night and tried soldier OF the Oldest blood,
D whom this mans churlish birth and low
escent- Oh. lackaday! I had forgot that
Q was OF the same strain as yourself"
May. trouble not for that" said Alleyno,
We are all from good mother Eve"
Streams may spring from one source, and
OF some be clear and some be foul" auoth she
uickly. But to be brief over tho matter. my
lther would have mono OF his wooing, nor in
both would /. On that he swore VOW against
8. and as he is known 10 bs perIlous man,
ith many outlaws and others at his back. my
'ther forbade that should hawk or hunt in
ny part OF the wood to the north OF tho Christi
,urch road.1As 1t chanced. however. this
ornlng my little Roland here was loossd at O
rong winged heron. and page Bertrand and 1
'de on. with no thoughts but for the sport.
ntil We found ourselves in Minstead woods.
nall harm then. but that my horse Trouba-
'ur trod with tender foot upon q sharp
ick. rearing and throwing me to tho ground. |
70 to my gown. the third that have be-
uled within the week. Woo worth me when
zathn the tire-woman sets eyes upon I'll"
' And what then, lady 2" asked Alleyne.
y Why. then away ran Troubadour. for belIke
,purred him In falling and Bertrand rode |