The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1896-01-13

Come, talk sense. There are no SWALLOWS
flying at this time of year, and II there
were they do not fly by night nor give
men wounds like that. What was itY Out
with it now Do you not see, man" he
added, giving Martin an impatient shake,
that Sir Anthony is waitingS"
The fool nodded stupidity. "a swal'
low" he muttered. AYE, twas swal-
low, great big swallow. II nearly put
my foot on him"
And he flew up and hit you in the
face2" Baldwin said, with huge contempt
in his tone.
Martin accepted the suggestion placidly.
AYE, twas So A great big swallow, and
he flew in my face, he repeated.
Sir Anthony looked at him compassion
ately. Poor fellowl" he said. Baldwin,
sec to him. He has had one of his fits and
hurt himself"
II never knew him to hurt himself, I"
Baldwin muttered darkly.
Let somebody see to him." the knight
said, disregarding the interruption. And
now come, Potronilla Why, where has
the girl gomez"
Not far. Only round to the other side
of him, that she might be little nearer
to Martin. The curiosity in the other
women's faces was a small thing in COM
parison with the startled, earnest look in
hers. She gazed at the man with eyes not
of alright, but of eager, avid questioning,
while through her parted lips her breath
| came in gasps. Her cheek was red and
white by turns, and for her heart-well,
| it had seemed to stand still a moment,
and now was beating like the heart OF
some poor captured bird held in the hand
| She did not seem to hear her father speak
to her, and he had to touch her sleeve
Then she started as though she were
awakening from a dream and followed
him sadly into the house.
Sadly and yet there was light in her
eyes which had not been there five minutes
before. A swallow A great big swallow
And this was December, when the swal-
lows were at the bottom of the horse
ponds. She only knew of one swallow
whose return was possible in winter. But
then that one swallow-aye, though the
snow should lie inches deep in the chase
and the water should freeze in her room
would make summer for her. Could II
be that one? Could 1t bep Petronilla's
heart was beating SO loudly as she went
up stairs after her father that she won
dered he did not hear it.
The group left round Martin gradually
melted away. Baldwin was the only man
who could deal with him in his mad fits,
and the other servants, with a shudder
and n backward glance, gladly left him to
the steward Mistress Anne had gone In
some time, Only Ferdinand Cludde re-
manned, and he stood little apart and
seemed more deeply engaged in listening
for any sound which might betoken the
sheriff's approach than In hearkening to
their conversation. Listen as he might he
would have gained little from the latter,
for it was made up entirely of scolding on
one side and stupid reiteration ON the
other. Yet Ferdinand, ever suspicious and
on his guard, must have felt some interest
in 1t, for he presently called the steward
to him. us he more fool or knayef' he
muttered, pointing under hand at Mar
tin, who stood in the gloom few PAGES
away.
Baldwin shrugged his shoulders, but re.
manned silent. What bappenedP What
Is the meaning of it allY" Ferdinand per-
sisted, his keen eyes on the stewards face.
Ibid he do it himself, or who did iti"
Baldwin turned slowly and nodded to-
ward the moat. Il expect you will find
him who did it there" he said grimly.
81 never knew q man save Sir Anthony
or Master Francis hit Martin yet but he
paid for 1t, and when his temper Is up he
Is mad, or as good as mad, and better
| than two sane men"
"He is u dangerous fellow" Ferdinand
said thoughtfully, shivering a little 1t
was unlike him to SILVER and shake, but
the bravest have their moods.
"Dangerous'" the steward answered.
"Aye, he is to some and sometimes"
Ferdinand Cludde looked sharply at the
speaker, as II he suspected him of covert
sneer. But Baldwin's gloomy face be-
trayed no CLINT of intelligence or amuse-
ment, and the knights brother, treasured
and yet uneasy, turned on his heel and
went Into the house, meeting at the door
a servant who came to tell him that Sir
Anthony was calling for him. Baldwin
Moor, left alone, stood a moment think
| ing and then turned to speak to Martin.
But Martin was gone and was nowhere to
be seen. The lights in the hall windows
twinkled cheerily, and the great fire cast
| its glow half way across the courtyard as
lights and fire had twinkled and glowed
at Cotton End on many night before.
But neither in hall nor chamber was there
| any answering merriment Baldwin,
coming in, cursed the servants who were
in his way, and the men moved meekly
and without retort taking his oaths for
what thoy wore-a mans tears. The
women folk sat listening, pale and fright
ened, and one or two of the grooms, those
who had done least in tho skirmish, had
visions Of tree and rope and looked
sickly. Tho rest soowled and blinked at
the fire or kicked up dog II 1t barked in
its sleep
Hasn't Martin come INF" Baldwin
growled presently, setting his heavy wet
boot on glowing log, which Kissed and
sputtered under it. Where is hep"
Don't knowl' one of the men took ON
himself to answer. He did not come In
here"
II wonder what he Is up to nowg'
Baldwin exclaimed, with gloomy irrita-
ton, for which, under the circumstances,
he had ample excuse, He knew that 70.
sistance was utterly hopeless and could
only make matters worse and twist the
rope more tightly about his neck, to put
the thought as he framed it. The suspi-
cion, therefore, that this madman-for
such in his worst fits the fool became
might BIO hanging round the place in dark
corners, doing what deadly mischief he
could to the attacking party, was not a
pleasant one
n gray Hhlftu man III INC WufInoSt nook
by the fro seemed to read his thoughts.
"There Is one In the house, 4" he said slow
ly and oraonlarly, his eyes on Baldwin's
boot, whom no has just as good a mind
to hurt, has our Martin, as any of them
Clopton men. Aye, that has he, Master
Baldwin"
And who is that, gafferS" Baldwin
asked contemptuously.
But the old fellow turned shy. "Well,
it is not Sir Anthony" he answered, nod
ding his head and STOPPING forward to
caress his toasting shins. "Be you very
sure of that Nor the young mistress, nor
the young master as was, nor the new lady
that came month ago. No, nor 1t is not
you, Master Baldwin"
"Then who Is itf' cried the steward
"He is shrewd, is Martin-when the
saints have not got their backs to him."
said the old fellow slyly.
who Is iti" Numbered the steward. |