Omaha daily bee., 1898-11-13
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looks out from under her eyelashes. The
dark, violet eyes rested upon him a moment
reproachfully with a hurt expression In
their depths, and were then dropped with Q
sigh.
"You are still angry with me-" she said,
a little wistfully, land I wanted to tell you
how happy 1t made me-made US, / mean
that you are to be captain Of the castle
guard instead Of that grumbling curmudgeon
Jock Of Abernethy."
The heart Of Sholto was instantly melted,
more by her looks than by her words, though
deep within him he had still an angry feel
ing that he was being played with. All
the same and in spite OF his resolves the eye
| shot from under those dark, sweeping
lashcs did its own deadly work.
1T did not know that aught which might
| befall me could be anything to Mistress
| Maud Lindesay!" said Sholto. with the last
| shreds OF dignity in his voice.
II said not to me, but to u.s." she cor
rected. smiling, but tell me what think you
Of this appearance which has 20 startled our
Margaret. Was 1t ghost or goblin or dream
of the night? We have never had either
| witch or werlock about the house Of Thrieve
since the old abbot Gawain laid the ghost
of Archibald the Grim with four and forty
masses SAID IN tne Castle Chapel.
may, ask me not" answered Sholto. II
am little skilled In matters spiritual. I
should try swordpoint and arrowhead on
! such gentry, and If these do them no harm,
| why, then, l think they will not distress me
much"
But all the same he said nothing to the
girl about the red blood on his sword OF
the gouts on the steps Of the staircase.
He fo1lOwo1 Maud Tindaoav tutO hor cham.
| Der, and, being arrived there, lifted couch
and all in his arms with an ease born oil
long apprenticeship to the forehammer. The
girl regarded him with admiration which
she was careful not to dissemble.
"You are very strong" she said; then.
after a pause, she added: Margaret and |
like strong men!"
The heart of the youth was glad within
him, thus to be called a man, even though
he kept saying over and over to himself:
.'She means it not! She means 1t mott
She loves the earl! l know we'll she loves
the earl!"
Maud Lindsay paused a moment before
the chamber door Of her little charge, fnge,
on lip, listening.
"She sleeps-go quietly" she whispered
holding the door open for him.. He Sc,
down the bed where she showed him, By
the side Of the little slumberlng figure. o.
the maid Of Galloway.
Then he went softly to the door. The cir
followed him. you will not be far away
she said, doubtfully, and with a perilou,
sort OF humility. 'If this dreadful Trims
should come back again. THAT Is, We
would feel safer IL we knew that you-tha'
any one strong and brave was near a
hand"
Then the heart Of Sholto broke out in quick
anger.
Deceive me mott" he cried. II know well
that the earl loves you, and that you love
him in return"
well, indeed, were 1t for him il he loved
as honest a woman" said Maud Lindsay
pouting disdainfully." But what is such q
matter. yea or nay. to you?"
ut is all life and happiness to me-" said
Sholto earnestly. "Ah, do not go-stay
moment. I shall never sleep this night II
you go without giving me an answer"
Then" said the girl, "you will be the
more in the line Of your duty. You are hui
a silly p~etufant boy for all your fine cap.
taincy. l wish 1t had been Landless Jock
He would never have vexed me with foolish
questions at such a time!"
But l love you, and I demand an an.
L SWeT, CTlcu ouOllU luLuAu6p W YOU lOVt
the earl?"
What do you think yourself. now?" sh.
said, looking up at him with an inimitablt
| slyness and pronouncing her words to imi
tate the simplicity Of countryside speech.
Sholto vented a short gasp or inarticulatt
snort of anger. at which Maud Lindesa,
started back with affected terror.
ID not fright a poor maid" she said
"Wilf you put me in the dungeon IL I do MOI
answer? Tell me exactly what you want m,
to say and l will say it, most mighty cap.
TAIN"
And she made him the p~rettiest LITTLE
courtesy. turning at the time her eyes IL
mock humility on the ground.
20, Maud Lindsay" said Sholto, with .
little conflicting sob in his throat, ll-becom.
Ing so noted a warrior as the captain of tn,
castle guard of the Brack Douglas. "if 20,
knew how I loved you. you would not trea
me thus"
The girl came nearer to him and laid
white and gentle hand on the sleeve of hi
blue archer's coat.
NAY, lad" she said, more soberly, liftinl
a finger to his face. Surely you are n,
milksop to mind how a girl flouts you. Low,
the earl-say you? Well. is 1t not our dut,
to the bread we eat? Is he not worthy? /
he not the head OF our house?"
"Cheat me not with words. The ear
loves your" said Sholto. lifting his hea,
haughtily out of her reach. Ito have one
chin pushed this way and that by a girl
! forefnger, and as 1t was considered crit
ically from various points of view, may b
pleasant, but it interferes most %seriousl
with dignity.
!. "He may, indeed" drolled the mink, ION
can never tell. But he has never said 81
He is perhaps afraid, being born without th
> self-conceit of som people-archers OF tn
guard. fedgling captains and such lk
gentrice."
do you love him ?" reiterated Sholto.