Connecticut western news., 1895-02-21

the din of minstrelsy. And finding a great company about the doors they lit down from their horses and stepped into the great hall, Sir Dinar leading them. For awhile their eyes were dazed, seeing that sconces fared in every window, and the place was full of knights and damsels brightly clad, and the floor shono. But while they were yet blink ing band of maidens came and un- buckled their arms and cast shining cloak upon each, which was hardly done when lady came toward them out of the throng. and though she was truly the Queen Morgan le Fay they knew her not at all, for by her necromancy she had altered her countenance.
 "Come, dance," said she, flor in an instant the musicians will begin.'
 Now the other three knights tarried awhile, being weary, but Sir Dinar step ped forward and caught the hand Of damsel, and she, 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 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 Sir Galhaltin, lean- ing by the doorway, heard tho 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 comrada But the guests still drifted by hs they were ghosts, and Sir Dinar, with the red blood showing beneath tho 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 l 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 1t seemed she was grow ing older under his eyes, with deep lines sinking into her face, and the flesh of her neck and bosom shriveling mp so that the skin hung loose and gathered in wrinkles And now he heard the voices of his companions calling about the deer and would have cast off 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 in and freed him, but they, too, were by en- chantment held there in tho doorway. So, with their eyes starting, they must needs stay there and watch 1t all, and while they stood the boards became as molten brass under Sir Dinar' feet, and the bag slowly withered in his embrace, and still the music played, and the oth- CT dancers cast him never look as he whirled round and round again. But at his partners feet trailed heavily, and bending forward she shook her white locks clear of her g;,unt eyes, and laugh ed third time. bringing her lips close to his. And the poison of death was in her lips Gs she kissed him upon the mouth. With that kiss there was a crash, the lights went out, and the music died away in vail, and the three knights by the door were caught away suddenly and stunned by a great wind. . .e......
 
 ing in the glade where they had come upon the threo red pavilions. Their horses were cropping at the turf beside them, and Sir Dinar's horse stood in sight a little way off. But Sir Dinar himself was deep in the forest, twirl- ing and spinning among the rotten leaves, and OH his arm hung corrupt ing corpse. For 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 Sancgrael, on which quest they died, all three, each ill his turn.
 But Sir Dinar remained and twirled and skipped till the body he held was a skeleton, and still he twirled till il dropped away piecemeal, and yet again till it was but stain of dust on his ragged sleeve. But before this his hail was white and his face wizened with age.
 But on day knight in white armol 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, jiggine and capering as if for glad1 ess, yet caught him by tho stirrup and looked up with rheumy tears ill his eyes.
 "In Gods name, who art thou?' | asked the knight. He. too, was past his { youth, but his face shone with a mar vicious, strange glory.
 'I am young Sir Dinar, that was made knight of the round table but five days before Pentecost, and 1 know thee. Thou are Sir Galahad, who shouldst win the Sancgrael. Therefore by Christ's power rid me of this ell chantment.
 II have not won it yet" Sir Galaha6 answered, signing. "Yet, poor comrade, may do something for thee, though cannot stay thy dancing ''
 50 he stetched out his hand ant touched Sir Dinar, and by his touch Sil Dinar became withered leaf of the wood. And when mothers see him danc ing before the wind they tell this story of him to their children.-A. T. Quil ler-Couch.
 Stage Robber Sentenced For Life.
 OROVIIIF Cal Feh So Martin Mev