The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-12-04


he saw with what care every want of
the earl and his brother was attended
TO, and, If possible, even forestalled
Inc young king was in jubilant spir-
It's, and could not be persuaded to let
the brothers Douglas remain a moment
alone. He was resolved, he said, to
nave his bed brought into their cham
Der, that he might talk to them all
night of the tournays and deeds of
arms. Never had he met with any that
he loved so much, and on their part,
the young lords of Douglas became
boys again in this atmosphere of frank
and boyish admiration.
1t was a state banquet to which they
sat down. That Is. there was no hun
cry crowd of hangers-on Clustered be-
low the salt. To each gentleman was
allotted one silver trenchard for his
own use, instead of one betwiXt two, as
was the custom. The service was or
dered in the French manner. and there
was manifest through all a quiet OBJ
serVance and good taste, which won
upon the Earl of Douglas. Neverthe-
less, his eyes still continued to range
every way through the castle, scan
ming every tower, glancing at every
balcony and archway, in search of the
Lady Sybilla.
In the banquet hall the little king sat
in his high chair in the midst, with the
brothers of Douglas, one on either side
of him. He spoke loudly and confident
ly, after the manner of pampered boy
of high spirits.
81 will soon come and visit you in re-
turn at the castle of Thrieve The Lady
Sybilla hath told be how strong it is
and how splendid are the tournays
there, as grand as those of France"
The Lady Sybilla is perhaps gone to
her own land?" ventured Douglas, not
wishing to ask a more direct question.
He spoke freely, however, on all other
subjects with the king, laughing and
talking mostly with him, and finding
little to say to the tutor Livingston, or
the chancellor, who, either from humil-
ity or fear had taken care to interpose
half dozen knights between himself
and his late guests.
Nay" cried the young king, looking
querulously at his tutor, but indeed I
wot not what they have done with my
pretty gossip, Sybilla; 1 have not seen
her for three weeks, save for a moment
this morning, and before she went
away she promised to teach me to
dance in the French manner, and the
trick of the handkerchief to hide dag
ger in the hand"
AS the earl listened to the boys pratt
tie he became more and more convinced
that the Marshal de Retz, having in
some way discovered their affection for
each other, had removed Sybilla out
of his reach. Her letter indeed showed
clearly that she was in fear of ill-treat-
ment both for himself and for her.
The banquet passed with courtesies
much more elaborate than was usual in
Scotland, but which indicated the great
respect in which the guests were held.
Between each course a servant in the
royal colors presented a golden salver
filled with clear water for the guests to
wash their hands. Through the in
terstices of the ceiling strains of music
filtered down from musicians hidden
somewhere above, which sounded Curl
ously soothing and far away.
The chancellor bowed and drank
every few minutes to the health of the
earl and his brother across the board,
while the tutor sat smiling upon all
with the polish of professional cour-
tier. In his high seat at the table end
the little king chartered incessantly of
the times when he could do as he
pleased, and when he and his cousin of
Douglas would ride together to battle
and tourney, or feast together in hall.
BE sure, I will not keep all these
sorners about me-" he said, lowering
his voice cautiously; Il will only have
young, gallantmen, like you and David
there. But what comes here?"
There was a stir among the ServitorS !
at the upper end of the room. Sholto |
who stood behind his masters chair |
heard the music of the pipes approach !
nearer. 1t grew louder, more insistent, |
finally almost oppressive. The doors at |
either end were filed with armed men. I
They filed silently into the hall in dark |
armor, and carrying shining Lochaber |
axes.
Douglas leaned back in his chair and !
looked nonchalantly at these like /
spectator of a pageant. He continued to /
talk to the king easily and calmly, as
f he We're in his own castle of Thrieve. /
But Sholto saw the white and CHASTITY |
ook on the face of the chancellor, and |
MS hands nervously grip the table. He |
noted him lean across and confer with |
who nodded like one that |
agrees that the moment of action has |
come.
At the upper end of the ha1l were
vide folding doors, which till now had |
1een shut. These were opened now,
either half falling back to the wall And
through the archway came two servi-
.ors in black habits, carrying between
hem on a huge platter of silver a
black bulls head, CHASTITY and ominous
wen in death, with staring eyeballs
md matted frontlet of ensanguined
lair.
''Treacheryl" instantly cried Sholto,
Ind ere the men could approach he had
irawn his sword and stood ready to do
)attle for his lord For throughout all
Scotland the bulls head is the symbol
If death.
The earl did not move or speak. He
watched the progress of the men in
black, who staggered under their heavy
burden. David had risen to his feet,
With his hand on his sword but Will
lam Douglas sat still. Alarm and anX-
ETY. chased each other across the face
# the young king.
"What is this, chancellor? Why is the
DOM filed with armed menu" he cried.
But Crichton had withdrawn himself
behind the partisans of his soldiers,
md down the long table every man had
isen and drawn his sword. Every eye
vas turned upon the young earl. A
core of men at-arms came forward to
eize him.
Stand back, on your lives!" cried
'holto sweeping his blade about him
o keep a space clear about his youth
I'll master.
But still the Earl William sat calm
nd unmoved, though all 9TH
rs had risen to their feet, and held
rms in their hands.
What means this mumming?" he
RED IF a mystery is to be played,
urely it We're better to put it off till
fter dinner" \
Then, through the open doorway,
anne voice. piercing and reedy:
THE play is played, indeed, William
Douglas, and the lion is now safe in
he power of the dogs. How like you
ur kennel, mighty lion?"
1t was the voice of the Chancellor
The young king came running from
is place, and threw his arms about
ne earl's neck.
II am the king!" he cried. mot one
YOU shall touch or hurt my cousin
Douglas"
THE Douglas is a traitor, {
nd you shall never reign while he
LIas LIn biz. ]