Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1894-11-16
hair shaking spices under his nostrils,
she leaned back little in his arms and
launched aeyain

Ae<eSoA'ONA
1t happened that Sir Galhaltin, lean
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
Oh his cheeks, smiled ard whirled with
the woman upon his arm.
By and by his breath came shortly,
and he would have rested, but she de-
MED him.
"For a 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, wllh deep lines
sinking into her face, and the flesh of
her neck and bosom shriveling up SO
that the skin hung loose and gathered
in wrinkles And now he heard the
voices Of his companions calling about
the door and would have cast off the
sorceress and run to them. But when he
tried, his arm was welded a ound 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 in and
freed him, but they, too were by en-
chantment held there in the doorway.
So with their eyes starting, they must
needs stay there and watch it all, and
while they stood tho boards became as
molten brass under Sir Dinar' feet, and
the bag slowly withered in his embrace,
and still the music yed, and the 9TH
er dancers cast hin never look as he
whirled round and round again. But at
length, with never a stay i'll the music,
his partners feet trailed heavily, and
bending forward she shook her white
locks clear of her gaunt eyes, and laugh
ed q 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 q
crash, the lights went out, and the
music died away in wall, and the
three knights by tho door were caught
away suddenly and stunned by great
wind
Awaking, they found themselves ly-
ing in the glade where they had come
upon the three red pavilions Their
horses were cropping at the turf beside
them, and Sir Dinar's horse stood in
sight little way off. But Sir Dinar
himself was deep in the forest, Twill
ing and spinning among the rotten
leaves, and on his arm hung 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
er the Sancgrael, OH which quest they
died, all three, each i'll his turn.
But Sir Dinar remained and twirled
and skipped till the body he held was a
skeleton, and still he twirled till it
dropped away piecemeal, and yet again
till it was but a stain of dust on his
ragged sleeve. But before this his hair
was white and his face wizened with
age.
But On day knight in white armor
came riding through the forest, lean
ing somewhat heavily on his saddle bow
as he rode, and was aware of an old de-
crepit man that ran toward him, jigging
and capering as if for gladness, yet
caught him by the stirrup and looked
up with rheumy tears in his eyes.
s'In Gods name, who art thou?"
asked the knight. He, too, was past his
| youth, but his face shone with mar
velous, strange glory.
ST am young Sir Dinar, that was
made knight OF the round table but
five days before Pentecost, and I know
thee. Thou are Sir Galahad, who
shouldst win the Sancgrael. Therefore
by Christ's power rid me of this en-
! chantment -
81 have not won it yet, Sir Galahad
answered, signing. ''Yet, poor comrade,
l may do something for thee, though !
cannot stay thy dancing %
So he stretched out his hand and
touched Sir Dinar,- and by his touch Sir
Dinar became withered leaf of the
wood. AND when mothers see him dane
ing before the wind they tell this story
of him to their children-A. T. Gull
ler- Couch.