Evening star., 1898-10-29

the breaking point: but he wished not 10
cause disturbance among so great a COM
| pany and on day Of such renown.
AT last they came to the muster of the
clean-run timber lads of kelton, artificers
mostly, and stated retaners of the castle
and its various adjacent bourgs of Carln-
wark. Rhorehouse, Gelston and Mains Of
Thrieve.
! Some one Immediately took the abbot by
| the elbow and shouted in his ear that this
was the company he desired to see. Then
| he rode forward to the left hand Of lis
nephew. MaliSe and he passed slowly
down the line. examining the weapons.
Laurence Mackim, | would see Lau-
| renee MacKim!" cried the abbot. holding
| up his hand, as if in the chapel of his non
astery. The earl stopped. and Malise
| turned right about on his heel in great as
constituent.
What wants I'D Marrowbones with our
Larrie:'' he muttered: Surely he cannot
| have gotten into mischief with the lassics
| already. But l kcnra-I kenna. When
| was sixteen 1 can mind-I can mind. And
| the loon may we'll be his fathers own SON"
And Malise. the man of brawn. watched
| out of his quiet gray eyes the face of Alb
| bot William, wondering what vas to come
| next
| Laurence stood forth at word of COM
| mand from the earl He saluted and then
| dropped the point of his sword meek,v upon
| the ground. His white and rose chcrubs
| face EXPRESSED the utmost goodness and in
| nOccnce.
| nerhew Il have a request to prefer which
| I hope You will grant. though it deprive
| ycu of one re etainer. This youth is not fit
| CCmpany for rude soldiers and ruffiers of
| the camp. His mind is already on higher
| TIN Gs. He hath good. clerklv Latin, also
| beng skilled iT the humanlties, as / have
| heard Prov with mine own ears. His
| grace of .angGSge and department is man
| ifest, and he can sing the sweetest and
| most sprit19l songs in praise of Mary and
the saints. 1 would have him in our choir
| at Sweetheart Abbey, where we have much
need both OF a voice such as his, and also
| Of a youth whose Sanctity and innocence
will eaven with the grace of the spirit the
| reophytes of our college. and the consider
| alton of which may even bring repentance
| into older nnG more hardened hearts,
| Malise MacKim could not believe his ears
| as he listened to the abbOt's rounded pc
| riods. But all the same his gray eyes twin
| kied, his mouth slowly drew itself together
| into the round of an Q, from which issued
a long low whistle, perfectly audible to
| al about him except the abbot.
| Lord nave mercy on the innocence and
| clostered quiet of the neophytes # they
| get our Larrie for an example" muttered
| Malise to himself as he turned away.
| Even the young earl smiled. perhaps re-
| me mbering the last time he had seen the
| youth before him, clutching and tearing like
| a wildcat at his brothers throat in the
| smthy at Carinwark.
| you desire the life of a clerk?" said Lord
| William. pleasantly, to Laurence. He
would gladly have purchased his uncle's at
| even greater price.
| IF your lordsfip pleases." said Laurence,
| meekly. adding TO himself 1T cannot be
SO hard work hammering at the forge.
and If like II not. why then L can always
| run away"
You think you have a call to become a
| holy clerk?"
| Il feel it herer' quoth Master Laurence
! kypocrtically, indicating correctly how.
ever. the organ whose wants have made
| clerks of so many-that is. the stomach
| Earl William smiled yet more broadly
| but, anxious to be gone he said: Mine
uncle, here is the lads father, Malise Mac
| Kim, my master armorer and right good
| servant. Ask him concerning his son.
| ''Tis all up q rotten tree nOwr' muttered
| Laurence. My father will reveal an."
| Malise MacKim smiled grimly. but with
| a salutation to the diGnitary of the church
| had never thought of this; my son as
| worthy to be holy clerk. But 1 will not
stand in the way of his advancement or
thwart your favor. Take him for year on
| trial, and If you can make monk Of him
1 do So and welcome. / recommend a ieath-
ern strap. well hardened in the fire for the
purpose of making beginning"
| He shall Indeed have penance if he need
| 1t For the good of the soul must the body
suffer- said Abbot William, sententiouslv.
| Saints bones and cracklingsr' muttered
| Laurence. This is none so cheerful Rut
| can always run away if the strap grows
| oN erlimber. and then let them catch me If
| they can. Sholto will help me-"
| ran out, commanded the earl. SHARPLY
| and join yourself to the company of bbof
| William. Come, Malise we lose our time
Thus was one of our heroes brought into
| the way OF becoming learned and holy
| clerk. Il 1t those who knew him best agreed
| that he had a far road to travel
| CHAPTER XII.
| he Ar,,hn.SnI--