Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-25

each STEP and laying my hand without fail
on the knob which led me out into the night
air.
now stood under the curve Of the HILL up
to my knees in mire, for the door opened
upon ditch, and out of gaze of the castle
shrouded in it's veil of trees No sound of
man smote my ears as I stood a-listening
naught save the whistle of the night wind
that had set up his pipe at shutdown. This
wind made a pretty cracking and rustling
among the thorn bushes, and blew bits of
straw into my face, as l strove to shield the
wick OF my lantern, while setting it alig.lt
1 his done, clam bered to the thorn hedge
the winds noise leading me to it, and there
sat me down to wait. The highway curled
by me, going up hill on my left hand and
down hill on my right. The wind flowed
cold along 1t, but l was sheltered by the
kindly thorn-bush and did not feel it unduly
There was no moon, nor even star so I
was fain to turn from the heavens to my
own lantern, wherein the flame twisted and
Swayed.
Thus sat /, for what seemed a long space,
when suddenly the breeze brought to nv
ears a faint and steady sound, the tread of
horses. more than one, and stepping slowly
My heart rang loud in my ears at this and
l thrust my tell-tale lantern deep into the
thorn bush till should know what this por-
tended. The sound came nearer, climbing
up the hill toward me, then ceased q little
way off, and 1 could hear the shifting of the
horses as they rubbed and muzzled each
other This continued for space along
with the whisperings of mems voices, then
over the brow of the hill, dark against the
one clear quarter of the sky, grew the figure
OF man on horseback, one who rode with
dropping head and slack rein, He came on
slowly, looking to right and left, until he all
but overrid me, but rose under the horses
foot and thrust out my lantern, SO that he
might see the light.
PART IL
Fair sir, whose steed ride your" l ask
ed, with as much firmness of tone as I
could muster.
A very gentle voice made answer to me:
THE kings"
Upon this there fell silence for as I
had made no manner of guess at the rank
of my accoster. 1 was put to it by what
title to address him. He himself spoke the
next word.
Il am at your leadership. sir. 1 follow
you"
l slipped to the horses head, and took
his bride rein, and, doing this, the lanterns
light fell clear on me, for the gentleman
moved in the saddle, saying: My lord of
Worcester has in good sooth chosen young
messenger
And therefore the better to serve him
with all my strength" l answered.
yet, me thinks, for SO dangerous an err
rand he has more fitting and tried es-
quires?' The voice remained gentle, and
thought 1t best if there be danger, that
these should not suffer it, my lord
The man sighed, and we spoke no further
We gained the ditch, fighting the now
arisen wind, and l assisted the cavalier to
alight, opened the door for him and put the
lantern into his hand, bidding him enter
! his he did with firm step, while tethered
the horse to q near stump and returned
bearing my barred sword. The night was
quiet, yet l felt shiver of distrust
You go well armed said he, as We pre-
pared to set forth.
There may be need" 1 replied. "Will
your honor permit me to be your candle
bearer"
In this manner we set forward, 1 going
first, with the light held aloft, and naked
blade cleaving the darkness of the passage
Twas of necessity a slower journey than
when / had come alone, for my companion
stumbled at the irregularities of the way,
CROPPED somewhat fearfuily with his hands
and muttered under his breath. Although
l turned on moments to aid him, yet never
clearly saw what manner of man was con-
Quoting, save that he wore fair hair curled
ever the lace collar of his buzz coat and
was in figure thin, not much over my own
height. His dress was that of simple
cavalier. but there was wrought goldwork
at his sword hilt, at his ear 1 caught the
CLEAN of a great pearl and on his breast
hung the miniature Of a lady, richly in
cased and trimmed with brilliants. The hand
that caught betimes at my shoulder or the
wall, was white and delicate, but Of the
face under the shadow of his beaver, l saw
not feature.
We passed on, neither speaking, save a
word on my part to charge him of a step or
pitfall till we came out in the gallery of
the keep. and thence upon the drawbridge,
where, to be sure, I snuffed my lantern.
The castle lay in utter silence, as 'twere
empty Of life. In my lords closet not the
tiniest spark showed that we were stayed
for. But my heart sung as we crept upon
the stair, and thought at once to taste the
sweetness of my patrons praise. This as
1t turned out I was not yet to have, for
when we stood, the visitor and I. before my
lord marquis i door twas open S,ad to my com
Bailey In q few short words to remain in