Evening star., 1898-11-12

biila de Thouars, they rode away. light
and dark together over the green sward
and under the tossing banners of the
prloge. sholto behind them giving great
heed to the managing of his horse, and
wondering in his heart If indeed Maud
Lindsay were looking down from her
chamber window. AS they passed the
drawbridge ne turned him about a IittIe
in his saddle as it were to see that his men
were all In good order. A little jet of white
nuttered out from the spared wooden gal
lery which ciung to the gray walls of
Thrieve just outside the highest story
And the young mans heart told him that
thls was the atonement of .daud Lindesav
Eari douglas was in his gayest humor
On On this second day OF the great tournaying
lie mad got rid of his most troublesome
guests. His uncle James of Ayondale his
red cousin Of Angus, the grave iII-assorted
hsure OF the abbot Of Dulce Cor, had ali
vs.nisnsu' aia ohly the young and chivalrous re-
manned, his cousins, William and James.
Hugh and Archibald, good lances ali and
excellent fellows to boot 1t was also n
most noble chance that the French ambas-
sador was confined by the quinsy. for il
was certainly pleasant to ride out alone
with that beauteous head glancing so near
MS shoulder, to watch at his will the sun
erims3ning @ the red lips, sparkling in the
eyes bright as sunshine slantine through
green leaves on water break and to mark
as ne fell pace be,.-nd how every hair of
that iuxurlant chevalure rippled golden and
separate, like the halo of a florentine yorL
about the head of a saint VIVA
The Lady Sybilla de Thouars was merry
also and with what different mirth to
Gn Ihat OF mistress Maud Lindsay, thought
glow Of pride in his sweetheart
True, Sholto was scarce a fair iudgs in
that he loved one and did not love the
other. He owned that there might be some
thing in that. But as the gay tones of the
lady's laughter f1oated back on the Air as
his master and she rode forward by the
edge of Dee toward the Lochar forSs th
ha had
the greenwood returned upon the captajn
of the guard.
Earl William and the Lady Sybilla talked
together that which no one else couId hasr
SO after all you have not become a
churchman and gone off to drone masses
with the monks of your good uncle" She
said, looking up at him with one Of her
lingering, drawing glances eA
Nay, Earl William answered. "surelv
one Douglas at time Is gift enough to
holy church. AT least 1 can choose NV
own way in that, though in most | am as
straightiy constrained as the king himself -
Speaking of the king" she said INV
uncle, the marshal, mus. perforce ride to
Edinburgh to deliver his credentials Would
it not be a most mlrthful jest to ride with
equipage such as this to- that monsreI
poverty-stricken court, and let the poor liz
tie king and his starved guardian see what
greatness and splendor mean?'
Il tave sworn never again to enter Edin
burgh town." said the earl, SLOWLY .It
was prophesied that there one of INV raca
should meet a Black Bull which shonId
trample the house of Douglass into ruins ;"
"Of course, If you are afraid" mused
the lady. The earl started as If he had
been stung.
Madam" he said. with a sudden chin
hauteur. you come from far and do not
know. No Douglas has ever been afraid
throughout all their generation"
The lady turned upon him with q SWEAT
hand. : -. A"t-
Pardon; nay, a thousand pardonsr T
knew not what 1 said. ] am not ACQUAINTED
with your Scottish speech nor with vonr
Scottish customs. , Do1 not be angry with
me- l am stranger, young, far from INV
own peopls and my own land Think mo
foolish for speaking thus freely, If YOU
like, but not unkind." uC
And when the earl looked at her tbere
We're tears glittering In her beautiful eyes.
Il will go to Edinburgh" hs cried 1T
am the Douglas. The tutor ana the cbanH
cellor are but as two straws In INV hand a
longer and shorter. I fling them from
me-thusr'
The lady Sybilla clapped her hands iov-
ously, and turned toward the young man
''Wfll you indeed go with me?' she cried.
will you, truly2 could kiss your hand
my Lord Douglas, you make ma SO glad"
Your kiss will keep" said thu earl with
quiet passion quivering in his voice.
Nay, 1 meant it not thus-not as vou
mean It. knew not what I said. But II
win indeed change all things If you will but
come. Then l shall have some one tn
speak to, soma one with whom to laugh at
their court mummery, their fiasco of DIG
nifty. You are not like these other beggarlv
Scots. my Lord Duke of Tourainer'
They are brave men and loyal gentle