Evening star., 1898-11-12
CHtPTER NNH.
The LaImp is Blown Out.

from her fears. Maud Lindsay, now more
completely dressed than when he had first
seen her. sat on the other side of the little
iady's couch. She was laughing as he en-
tered at some merry jest of the aarls. And
at the sound of her tinkling mirth Sholto's
heart sank within him. At sight of the
new captain of the guard the gladness left
her face and she became grave and sober
like IL gossip unconfe ssed when the holy
father comes knocking at the door.
At sight of her emotion Sholto resolved
that If his fears should prove to be wsIl
founded he would resign his honorable of
fice. For to abide continually in the castle
and hourly observe Maud Lindesay's love
for another was more than his philosophy
could abide.
In the meantime there was only his duty
70 be done SO he saluted the earl and
in few words told him that which he had
seen. But the soul of William Douglas was
utterly devoid of suspicion. both because he
held himself so great that none could touch
him. and also because being high of soul
and open as the sky. he read into the acts
Of others his own straightforwardness and
UnSuspiCiOn.
The earl rose smIlirgly, declaring to Mar
gHTet that tomorrow he would hang every
dog and puppy in Galloway on tn, dule
tree Of Thrieye, whereupon the child began
to plead for the life of this cur and that
other OF her personal acquaintance with a
fearful earnestness which told of a sore
janglrd mind
We'll. Mt least" cried Earl Douglas. IT
VIII not have such bTutes prowling about
my castle OF Thrieve even in my sisters;
dreams. Capt Sholto, do you station a
man or your guard in the angle of the
staircase where 1t looks along each corri-
dor Pick out your pTettiest cross-bowmen
for 1t were not seemly that my guests
should be disturbed by rude shots of the
fusil''
Sholto bowed stiffiy and waited the fur
ther pleasure of his master Then the two
Vol Eg men want out without Maud Linde-
say having uttered a word or manifested
the least surprise at the advancement
which had befallen the heir of the master
arn-Orer of Thrieve
As soon the door had closed 1pon
the TWO maidens the earl turned a face
suunenly grave and earnest on his young
captain or the guard.
What think you?" he said WAS this
appearance real?''
Real enough to leave these upon the
moor. answered Sholto. pointing to sundry
EOutS and drops of blood upon the turro.
stairs. the earl took the lamp from his
hand and earnestly scrutilized each step IN
downward direction. The spots ran frreg-
uiariy- as if the wounded beast had
shaken MS mead from side to side as he
ran They turned along toward the cOrri-
dor. where. at the first alarm, ShoIto had
found the earl. and in the very midst of it
abruptly stopped. As Snolto and the earl
examined the floor they both looked over
their shoulders occasionally. as if conscious
Of regard upon them as if some one ur-
seen himself had been looking at them
from behind
DO You place your men as told vou"
said the earl abruptly. land bring me
truckle bed out of the guard room shall
remain In this closet till morning But do
YOU keep a special lookout on the floor
above. that the repose Of my sister ana her
friend be not disturbed -
Sholto bowed without speech. and has
teninS down to the guard room, he com
mandei two Of his best bowmen to follow
him with their apparatus. while he himself
snatched UP the low truckIe couch which
custom assiCred 20 the captain of the guard
should he desire to rest himself during the
night. and on which Landless Jock had al
ways passed the ma jority of his hours of
duty. This he carried to the earl and, plac-
ing it in the angle. he saw his youthful
master stretch himself upon it wrapped in
his cloak and with naked sword ready IN
his nGnd.
a good ana Undfsturbed slumber to YOU.
nv lord said Sholto as he went out
He saw that his two men were duly
posted up on the lower landing of the stairs
and then hetO0k himself to the upper floor
whore slept the little maid IF Galloway
He walked slowly to the end of the pas
sage, scru;iniZiCg every recess and closet
Ccor. every garde robe and wall press from
which IL was possible that the hound he
had seen might have emerged He was
wholly unsuccessful in discovering arv-
thing suspicious. and had almost resolved
to station himself ct the turn Of the stair
case which led down from the roof when
looking back n :he sharp click of latch
hr saw Maud Lindsay coming out Of the
chamber of the little maid of Galloway
Softly closing the door behind her she
paused moment as IL undecided and then
mora with her chin than with her finger
she heckoned him to approach.
She slacDs." said the girl. but so IN
certainly and with so many startings of
terror that ! VIII not leave her alone DO
you aid me- to remove the mattress of nv
couch and lay it on the floor beside her"
C"liiy Shnlto sirnified his willingness
FITS mind was more than ever oppressed by
the thought that the Earl of Douglas loved
this girl whom he had found listening TO
his words with such frank laughter
Maud STAYED him with one of the long
looks out from under her evelashes The
dark violet eyes rested upon him a moment
reproarhfully. with hurt expression IN
their depths. and were then dropped witi
a sigh
You are sin angry with me-" she sa:S
little wistful'y. and I wanted to tell you
how unhappy il made me-nade US. I mean
that you are to be captain Of the castle
guard. instead Of that grumbling curmud-
geOu Jock OF Ahernethy.'
The hear; Of Sholto was instantly melted
more by her looks than by her words
though deep within him he had still an
angry feeling that he was being played
solves the eye shot from under those dark
sweeping iashes diI its own deadly work
Il did not know that aught which might
befall me could be anything to Mistress
Maud Lindesayr' said Sholto, with the last
shTeds Of dignity in his voice.
Il said not TO me, but to us" she cor
rectef, smiling. but tell me what think you
Of this appearance which has 50 startled our
Margaret. Was it ghost or goblin or dream
of the nlght2 We have never had either
witch or werlock about the house of
Thrieye since the old abbot Gawain laid the
ghost "f Archibald the Grim with four and
Soryy masses said in the castle chapel"
Nay, ask me not" answered SholtO Il
q little skilled in matters spiritual
Ioud try swordpC!nt and arrowhead on
such gentry, AMI I these do them no HARM
why, thea. 1 think they will not distress
M muchr'
But all the same he said nothing to the
Elri about the red blood on his sword or
the g'Gis on the steps OF the staircase
He followed Maud Lindsay into her
chamber and. being arrived there. lifted
couch and all in his arms with an ease
born Of long apprenticeship 10 the fore
hammer. TIE girl regarded him with ad-
nirat!ou which she was careful not to dis
semhle.
You are very strong" she said: then.
after pause, she added: Margaret and
like strong menr'
The heart OF the youth was glad within
hinl. thus TO be called a man, ey en- though
he kept saying over and over to himself