Evening star., 1898-11-12

| would die for me-"
Nay, but 80 declare would l." gayly
| cr1eo the lady, glancing at his handsome
| head with q quick, admiring regard. so
would LII I were a man. Besides, there
is 80 little worth living for in a country
| such as this"
The earl was silent and she proceeded
But how joyous We shall be at Edinburgh!
Know you that at the court of Charles that
! was my name-La Joyeuse they called ma
| we will keep solemn countenances whils
We enter the presence of the king We will
| DOW. We will make obeisance. Then whsn
all Is over We will laugh together at the
! iatted caif OF tutor, the cunning chancel-
| lor with his Quirks of law, and the poor
| school boy scarce breeched whom they call
King of Scotland. But all the whils shall
be thinking of the true king Of Scots--who
| alone shall ever be king to me-
| La Joyeuse broke off short, as II her
! feelings were hurrying her to say more
| than she had intended
| Il did wrong to fiout their messengers
xesterday, said William Douglas, his boy.
| ish heart misgiving him at dspraise of
others; perhaps they meant me well. But
am naturally quick and easily fretted
and the men annoyed me with their parch
| ments royal, their heralds of the Lion and
| King oc Scots at every other word
Who Is the youth who rides at the head
| of your company?' said the Lady Sybilla.
His name is Sholto MacKim, and it
was but Yesterday that L made him cap
| tain of my guard"
II like him notr' said Lady Sybilla. He
Is full of ignorance and obstinacy and
! pride. Besides which, am sure he likes
| not me-
! Save that last, I not sure that q
Douglas has right to dislike him for any
| such faults. Ignorance obstinacy and
pride are indeed. good Galloway virtues
| OF ancient descent. and rot to be despised in
| the captain of an archer guard
| And pray. what may be the iH-qual
ties which in Captain Sholto make up for
these excellent Scottish virtues?" asked the
| lady disdainfully.
| He is faithful" began the earl
so is every dog" interjected Sybilla de
| Thouars.
The earl laughed little gay laugh.
There is one dog somewhere about the
! castle, licking unhealed sword thrust,
that wishes our Sholto had been a trife
| less faithful"
| The Lady Sybilla sat silent on her saddle
| for space; then, striking abruptly into
new subject. she said: DO you defend
| the lists today?"
| Nay" answered the earl. To-day it is
my good fortune TO sit by your side and
| hold the truncheon, while others meet the
| shock, but the knight who this day gains
the prize tomorrow must choose side
against me and fight melee
| All" cried the girl, Il would that my
| uncle were healed. He loveth that sport.
| He says that he is too old to defend his
| shield all day against every conner, but
| in the melee he is still as good lance as
when he rode by the side of the maid over
the bridge of Orleans"
THAT is we'll said" cried the earl He
shall lead the Knights Of the Blue in my
place"
Nay, my lord duke" cried the Lady Sy-
blla. more than anything on earth 1 de-
sire to see you bear arms on the field of
honor"
"Oh, 1 am no great lance replied Doug
las modestly; Il am yet too young and
light. AS things go now the butterfly can
not tilt against the beef barrel when both
are done into armor. But with the sword
l will fight all day and be hungry for
| more. Aye, or rattle merry rally with the
quarter staff like any common varlet But
at both Sholto there is my master. and
doth ofttimes swinge nle tightly for my
souls good"
The lady went on quickly as If avoiding
any mention of Sholtos name.
Nevertheless tomorrow 1 must see YOU
ride in the lists. Ny uncle says that your
father was mighty lance when he roda
at Amboise on the famous day of the ID
Victories
"Ah, but my father was twice the man
1 am said the earl.
Great alike In love and war;" she
answered, smiling.
so at least it is reported of him in
| Tcuraine," answered his son, smiling back
at her.
He loved. and he rode away, like all
your race!' cried the girl with a strange
| sudden flicker of passion. which died as
suddenly. But think it not of you, Lord
William. 1 think you could be true, that
| is. where you truly loved"
And as she spoke she looked at him
| with questioning eagerness in her eyes
which was almost pitiful.
| Il do love and l am loyal" said the
| young man with a grave quiet which be-
came him well and ought to have served
| him better than many protestations.