Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-01-26

ly sending Sir Omar to his ruin.
So all that day they rode, two and
two, in the strait alley that she had
pointed out, and by her entertainments
she made the winter trees to move with
them, serried close on either hand, so
that, though the four knights visit moth
ing Of it, they advanced not furlong
for all their haste. But toward nightfall
there appeared close ahead blaze Of
windows lit and then tall castle with
dim towers soaring up and shaking to
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
shone. But while they were yet blink
ing band Of maidens came and I'M
buckled their arms and cast a 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, for 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 a
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 hel
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.
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
on his cheeks, smiled and whirled with
the woman upon his arm.
By and by his breath came shortly,
o,,I bo would hova ,acto1 hut cl,o do
MED him.
"For moment" he said, "because
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, and the flesh Of
her neck and bosom shriveling up sc
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 around he1
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 anG
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, anG
while they stood the boards became as
molten brass under Sir Dinar' feet, ant
the bag slowly withered in his embrace
and still the music played, and the 9th
Ell dancers cast him never look as HI
whirled round and round again. But a
length, with never stay in the music
his partners feet trailed heavily, ant
bending forward she shook her white
locks clear Of her gaunt eyes, and laugh
ed third time, bringing her lips clost
to his. And the poison Of death was il
her lips as she kissed him upon tn,
mouth. With that l.iss there was I
crash, the lights went out, and tn
music died away in a wall, and thu
three knights by the door were caugh
away suddenly and stunned by grea
wind
Awaking, they found themselves ly
ing in the glade where they had conn
upon the three red pavilions. Thei
horses were cropping at the turf besid'
them, and Sir Dinar's horse stood il
sight little way off. But Sir Dina
himself was deep in tho forest, twirl
ing and spinning among the rotten
leaves and on his arm hung corrupt
ing corpse. For whole day they sough
him and found him not (for he heart
nothing Of their shouts), and toward
evening mounted and rode forward aft
er the Sancgrael, on which quest the,
died, all three, each in his turn.
But Sir Dinar remained and twirlet
and skipped till the body he held was ,
skeleton, and still he twirled till i
dropped away piecemeal, and yet agail
till it was but stain Of dust on hi
ragged sleeve. But before this his hal
was white and his face wizened will
age
But on day knight in white armo
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, jiggini
and capering as if for gladness, ye
caught him by the stirrup and looked
up with rheumy tears in his eyes.
In God s name, who art thou9'
asked the knight. He, too, was past hi
youth, but his face shone with a mar
velous, strange glory.
II am yonng Sir Dinar, that wa
made knight Of the round table bu
five days before Pentecost, and I know
thee. Thou are Sir Galahad, WHIT
shouldst win the Sancgrael. Therefore
hv Christ,s mower rid ma Of this an