Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-10-11

ped forward and caught the hand Of ilamsel, and sine. as she gave it, laughed in his eyes. She was dressed all in scar let, with scarlet shoes, and the hair lay on her shoulders like furnished gold. As Sir Dinar set his arm around her with a crash the merry band began, and floating out with him into the dance, her red shoes twinkling and her tossed hair shaking spices under his nostrils, she leaned back little in his arms and laughed again.
 It happened that SIT Galhaltin, Iean- ing by the doorway, heard the laugh and saw her feet twinkle like blood red moths, and he called to Sir Dinar. But Sir Dinar heard nothing, nor did any of the dancers turn their heads, though he called again more loudly. Then Sir Sen trail and Sir Ozanna also began to call, fearing they knew not what for their comrade. But the guests still drifted by as they were ghosts, and Sir Dinar, with the red blood showing beneath the down on his cheeks, smiled and whirled with the woman upon his arm.
 By and by his breath came shortly, and he would have rested, but she de- nied him.
 For moment" he said, because I have ridden far today"
 But she hung the more heavily upon his arm, and still the music went on. And now, gazing upon her, he was frightened, for it seemed she was grow ing older under his eyes, with deep lines sinking into her face, ...-I t2e flesh of her neck and bosom shriveling up so that the skin hung loose and gathered i'll wrinkles And now he heard the voices of his companions calling about the door and would have cast of the sorceress and run to them. But when he tried, his arm was welded around her waist, nor could he stay his feet. The three knights now, seeing sweat | upon his face, and the looks he cast to- ward them, would have broken i'll and | freed him, but they, too, were by en- chantut nj held there in the doorway. So, with their eyes starting, they must needs stay there and watch it all, and while they stood tine boards became as molten brass under Sir Dinar' feet, and the bag slowly withercd in his embrace, and still the music played, and the oth- CT dancers cast him never q look as he whirlCd round and round again. But at length, with never stay in the music, his partners feet trailed heavily, and bending forward ske shook her white locks clear of her g;,uEt eyes, and laugh ed third time. bringing her lips close to his And the poison of death was in her lips aS she kissed him upon the mouth. With that kiss there was a | crash, the lights went out, and the music died away ill n wall, and the three knights by the door were caught away suddenly and stunned by great | wind.
 Awakinr, they found themselves ly- ing in the glade where they had come upon the thrCc rcd pavilions. Their horses were cropping at the turf beside them, and Sir Dinar's horse stood in sight a little way of. But Sir Dinar | himself was deep ill the forest, twirl- ing and spinning among the rotten leaves, and on his arm hung n corrupt ing corpse. Fer whole day they sought him and found him not (for he heard nothing of their shOUts), and toward evening mounted and rode forward aft CT the Saucgrael, on which quest they died, all three, each in his turn.
 But Sir DiIar remained and twirled and skipped till the body he held was a skeleton, and still he twirled till it dropped away picC, meal, and yet again | till 1t was but a stain of dust on his raCg,rl sleeve. But before this his hair Was white and lis face wizcncd with age.
 But on day knight ill white armor came riding through the forest, lean intr SomPNY hat heavily on his Sl1lla hOXy- as he rode, and was aware of an old de- crepit man that ran toward him, jiggifl; and capering as if for gladness, yet caught him ly the stirrup and looked up with rheuniy tears ill his eyes.
 ''In Gods name, who art thou:' asked the knight. He. too, was past his youth, but his face shone with n mar vicious, strange glory.
 II am young Sir Dinar, that was made knight of the round table but five days before Pcntccost, and I know thee. Thou are Sir Galahad, who shouldst win the Sancgracl. Therefore by Christ's power rid me of this en, chantment.
 II have not Won it yet" Sir Galahad answered, signing. Yet, poor comrade, may do something for thee, though cannot stay thy dancing"
 So he stretched out his hand and touched Sir Dinar. and by his touch Sil Dinar became a withercd leaf of the wood. And when mothers sec him danc ing before the wind they tell this story of him to their children A. T. Quil Ter Couch.
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