The sun., 1891-05-24

stordy voice rose ut times into aocents o.
menace and OF anger. She stood fsarlessly ir
front OF him. stil strokine her bird; but twice
she threw a swift. questioning glance over hel
shoulder. a. one who 10 In search OF aid. Sc
moved was the young clerk By these mute
appeals that he came forth from the trees and
crossed the meadow, uncertain what to DO
and yet 10th to hold back from one who migh'
need his aid. So intent were they upon each
other that neither took note OF his approach
until. when he was close upon them. the man
threw Its arm roughly round the damsers
waist and drew her toward him, she siraininG
her 1.-the supple figure away and striking
nsrcely at him. while the hooded hawk
screamed with ruf1ed wings and pscksd
blndly In its mistress's defence. Bird and
maid. however. had but little chance against
their assallant, who. laughing loudly. caught
her wrist In ono hand whilo he drew hor
toward him with the other.
The best rose has ever the longest thorns, v
! said he. Quiet, little one, or you may do
yourself n hurt. Must pay saxon toll on
saxon land. my proud Maudo. for all your airs
and Graoes."
You boorp she hissed You base under
bred clodl Is this your care and your hos
pitallty2 1would rather we'd q branded serf
from my fathers fields. Leave 60. I say!
All good youth. Heaven has sent you. Mako
pray you to stand By mo and to make this
knave loose mo-"
Stand By you will. and that blithely." said
AIleyne. Surely. sir. you should take shame
to hold the damsel against her Will"
The man turned face upon him which was
lion-like In its strength aud in its wrath. With
his tangle Of golden hair, his fierce blue eyes.
and his largo. well-marksd features. he was
tho most comely man whom Alleyne had ever
seen: and yet there was something 30 sinister
and SO fell in his expression that child or
benst might we'll have shrunk from him. His
brows were drawn his cheek flushed. and
there was mad sparkle in his eyes which
spoke OF wild. untamable nature.
Young fool!' he cried. holding the woman
still to his sido. though every line OF her
shrinking figure spoke her abhorroncp. do
you keep yonr spoon in your own broth. I
redo you to 60 on your way lest worse befall
you. This little wench has come with mo, AMI
with mo she shall b.de"
"Liar!" cried tho woman. and. STOPPING her
head. she suddenly bit fercsly into tho broad
brown hand which held her. He whipped 1t
back with m oath while she tore herself FREQ
and slipped behind Alieyne. covering up
against him like tho leveret who sees the
falcon poising for the swoop above him.
Stand OF my lnnd!" the man said flercely,
Needless Of the blood which trckled freely from
his fingers. What have you to do herep BY
your dress you should be one OF those cursel
clerks who overrun the land like vile rats pok-
ing and prying into other mems concerns, too
caitiff to fight and too lazy to work. BY tho
rood! II had my will upon ye, should nail
you upon the abbey doors. as they hang vermin
before their holes. Art neither man nor wo-
man. young shaveling. Get thee back to IN;
fellows ere lay hands upon you: for your foot
In an Inv oplT ,No
draw latch"
Is this your land. then2" gasped 'Alleyne.
Would you dispute it. dog? Would You wish
by trick or bubble to iugge mo out OF those
last acres? Know. base-born knave, that
you have dared this day to stand in
the path OF one whose race have been
the advisers OF kings and the leaders of
hosts ere ever this vile crew OF Norman rob-
bers came into the land. OF such half blood
hounds as you were lot loose TO preach that
the thief should have his booty and the honest
man should sin II he strove to win back his
own"
You are the Socman Of Minstead 2"
That am I: and the son OF Edrlc the Soc.
man. OF the pure blood Of Godfrey the thane,
BY the only daughter OF the house of Alurc,
whose forefathers held the white.horse ban
ner at the fatal fight where our shield was
broken and our sword shivered. I tell you,
clerk that my folk held this land from Bran
shaw Wood to the Rlngwood road and. By the
soul OF my father! 1t will be a strange thing II
am to bs bearded upon the little that is loft.
Begone. say. and meddle not with my af1a ir,"
lfyou leave me now" whispered the wo-
man. shame forever upon your manhood"
Surely. sir" said Alleyne speaking In as
persuasive and soothing way as he could. If
your birth is gentle there ia the more reason !
that your manners should bs gentle too. am
well persuaded that you did but Jest with this
lady. and that you will low permit her to leave
your land either alone or with me as a guide II |
she should need one. through the wood As to |
birth. 1t does not become me to boast and |
there Is sooth In what you say as to tho un- |
OF clerks. but it is mono the less
true that am as we'll born as you.'
Dog" cried tho furious Socman. there is
no man in the aouth who can say as much"
Yet can l." said Alleyne. smiling. "for in.
deed also am the son OF Edric the Socman OF
the pure blood OF Godfrey the thane By the
only daughter Of Aluric OF Brockenhurst
Surely. dear brother" he continued. holding
out his hand. you have q warmer greeting
than this for me. There are but two boughs
loft upon this old old Saxon trunk"
HIS elder brother dashed his hand aside with
IN OATH while an expression OF malignant ha.
red passed over his passion drawn features.
You arc the young cub Of Beaulieu, then"
laid he. Il might have known 1t by tho sleek
ace and tho slavish manner. too monk. ridden
md craven In spirit to answer back q rough
word. Thy father. shavelIne. with all his
aults. had mans heart; and there wore
ew who could look him In tho eyes on the
lay Of his anger. But you Look there,
at on yonder fold where the COWS
.raze. and on that other beyond. and on the
richard hard by the church. Do you know that
II those wsre squeezed out OF your dying
Athsr By greedy priests. to pay for your up
ringing In tho cloistsrs2 !. tho Socman. am
horn OF my lands that you may snivel Latin
nd eat bread for which you never yet did
ands turn. You rob mo first. and now you
'ould come preaching and whining in search
,ayhap OF another field or two for your priest.
: friends. Knayel my dogs shall be set upon ..
ou; but. meanwhile. stand out OF my path,
nd stop me at your peril" As he spoke he
ushed forward. and. throwing the lad to one
lde caught the woman's wrist. Aleyne. how
YER. as active as young deerhound, sprane
} her aid and seized her by tho other aru,