The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-01-14
MAID SYPHILIS LOVER.

ward the middle of the Fifteenth century,
and the inhabitants of the little village of
Friars Holt were all assembled upon
the green watching the attempts of some
of the younger men to send their arrows
straight to the center of the butts which
stood at one end of the chosen place of
recreation.
Another shaft missed the clout," laugh
ed an old man, rs the arrow stuck CULVER
ing in the turf, falling three yards short
of the butt. 1.-THE king will never com
plain that lads of Wainwood make havoc
among his deer if he hears Of such shoot
ing as this"
"Hold your pirate, CATER Jenkyn," said
the young man who had discharged the
last shaft, pettishly unstringing his bow;
lit was cross wind which marred my
shooting, unless, indeed, it was the wiz
ards wand" he added, crossing himself
devoutly, us he cast Il glance of scorn and
adherence at a young maiden standing
some little distance apart from the group
of rustics, Il fair haired girl of middle
height, with Il pair of laughing gray eyes.
Her age could scarcely have exceeded
eighteen years, and the merry expression
of her face, as she smiled at the woe begone
look of the discounted bowman, had no
more wizards glamor about it than is al
ways to be found in the ripping laughter
of Il pretty girl
YES there she be, sure enough" NUT
tered CATER Jenkyn with glance Of ma
levolent hatred at the young girl. "What
business has she down here among us9
Even if she can't cast spells herself she can
tell all about us to that old warlock who
lives in the ruined tower in Carnstone
Chase"
BY this time general attention was drawn
to the beautiful intruder, and threats and
excavations were leveled at her head.
At first the girl appeared unconscious Of
her danger, but all at once stone thrown
by a lad grazed her arm, and as she per
ceived the threatening attitude of the
crowd look of intense terror passed across
her face, and she turned to fly.
do not let the witch escape" cried an
old crone II lost two sweet grandchildren
last autumn; they said it was the falling
sickness, but know better; it was through
the devilments of the old wizard and his
ward"
a menacing circle soon formed around the
poor girl, whose entreaties for mercy were
received with shouts of derision, and she
would have been seriously maltreated had
not figure burst through the ranks of her
assailants and loudly asked the meaning of
their cowardly conduct.
The man who interposed in the girls be-
half was attired in the picturesque dress
of a forester, though he wore no badge or
cognizance to show that he was the re-
tainer of any noble house, and the cloth of
which his Lincoln green doublet was com
posed was of a finer character that that in
which servitors were attired.
"Hullo! my masters" cried he, stepping
between the maiden and her assailants
what wit is this? By the bones of iona
than the Archer call ye yourselves Eng
lishmen to behave in such manner?"
A confused chorus of explanation rose
from the little crowd, but the smith, who
had first suggested violent measures, strobe
to the front.
"This is no business of thine, Hob of the
Butts" growled he; get ye to your own
business of stealing the kings deer, and
leave honest men to look after their own
affairs
1--WE will have no witches or warlocks
at Carnstone Chase with old Michael Rex
IIOIIc, Sllttll uOO COIllc 0ON III uclC SttSUlllS
her spell over us and ours"
AS he spoke he laid rough, sinewy hand
upon the shoulder of the shrinking girl,
but in moment staggered back under the
effects of IL heavy blow dealt him by the
man called Hob of the Butts, who, placing
the girls arm in his, drew her through the
crowd, not one of which ventured to mani
fest any opposition.
Neither spoke word until they had left
Friars Holt some little distance behind
them, and then the girl said timidly
81 thank you, fair sir, for your kindness
in rescuing me from that dreadful man. |
thought | should have died with terror
when he laid his hand on me-"
The forester laughed merrily. Mat Clink
and understand each other, pretty one"
said he But tell me, who are you, why
did they call you witch, and want to
throw you into the ponds"
Tears started to the girls eyes II am
called Sybil Tressider," answered she, land
am no witch, though | live up in earn
stone Chase with that fearful man, Michael
Rexthorpe."
my father, Reginald Tressider who be
lieved that he could find the philosophers
stone, was the owner Of the house in the
Chase and Michael ReXthorpe was his trust
ed familiar and acolyte, but my poor father
died and the fearsome man, Michael has
taken everything; he says | am his ward,
and though am not absolutely prisoner
yet he has forbidden me to go beyond Ger
tain limits"
Hob Of the Butts stroked his chin
thoughtfully. "A sad tale" said he. But
what doth he up in the lonely tower-from
whence as have passed that way at night
! have seen strangely colored vapors issue
and clouds of bright sparks float away like
evil demons ON their errand of ILL.,"
"He searchest for two things-the secret
OF eternal youth and the waters of obliv
ion," replied Sybil Tressider.
Hob of the Butts looked puzzled 81
know not what you mean by the last"
said he.
1T is the draft which brings forgetful
ness" answered the maiden.
"Then Mat Clink often finds that when
he quaffs the nut brown ale," returned the
forester, with his merry laugh.
IL cannot ask thee in," replied Sybil, "but
from the bottom of my heart thank thee.
| have not met friend since | can recol
lect."
She turned from him with sigh, and