The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-10-23

CHAPTER Y
n t

-lahtV EWOTus Mllb1o bihAO oboA AAo ~ tNo
,~n,iebt as II the master armorer had drawn
.h,, moment from his charcoal fire.
y little in front OF Malise there stood an
Nuurel less imposing in physical proper
w. ~. INIT infinitely more striking In apparel.
~ ,scond was n man OF tall and spare
- of n countenance grave and severe. yet
IN a certain kindly power latent in It also.
n" rae dressed In the white robe OF q Cister-
.r with the black scapulary OF the order.
~ Me head was the mitre aud in his hand the
Ian n, the abbot OF n great establishment
-hcb he wears when he goes visiting his sub
',Iorv houses. More remarkable than all
20 the monks likeness to the young man
W. now stood before him with an expression
y, Indignant surprise IN his face. which slow
moroed into anger as he understood why
he two men we're there.
u, was the Abbot William Douglas. the head
=, The great abbey OF Dulce Cor. upon Solway
ode.
~ brother OF the first Duke OF Touraine. had
~ The flower OF his age suddenly renowned
Ma domains OF Nithsdale. that he might take
hlv orders, and who had ever since been re-
rorned for high sanctity and a multitude Of
good works.
The pair stood looking toward the lady and
William Douglas without speech. q kind OF
rim patience upon their faces.
n was the Earl who was the first to speak.
what seek you here so late. my Lord
Abbott he said. with all the haughtiness OF
ts unquestioned head OF his mighty house.
"Nay, what seeks the Earl William hero
,lone so late?" answered the Abbot. with equal
d~irectness.
The two men stood fronting each other.
,.a.oJ ,,nnn hfa t-n- hondad aUnrd and
razed upon the ground.
"Ihave come.' the Abbot went on. after
,,,ply waiting for the young Earl to offer an
EXPLANATION. as your kinsman tutor and coun-
senor. to warn you against his foreign witch
woman. What seeks she here in this Ian OF
Galloway but to do you hurt2 We have heard
her with our W ears almost persuade you to
accompany her to Edinburgh. which Is a city
tned with the power and deadly intent OF your
%tsmies,"
Earl william bowed ironically to his uncle.
and his eye glittered as it fell upon Malise Mac
Kim.
Il thank you. uncle" he said. II am deeply
Indebted for your so great interest. THANK you.
too. Malise. for bringing about this timely in
reference. l will pay my debts one day. In
the meantime. your duty is done. Depart both
Of vou. l command you"
Outside the thunder had begun to RroWl In
the distance. An extraordinary oppression
had slowly filed the air. The lamps swinging
on the pavilion ~rooftree fickered and flared,
alternately rising and sinking like the life In
the eyes Of a dying man.
And the while the lady sat still on the couch
with an expression Of amused contempt on her
tMe. But now she rose to her feet.
And 1 also ask. In the name OF the King OF
france. by what right you intrude within the
~recincts OF a lady's bower? I bid you leave
mel ... 900.
She pointed imperiously with her white.hand
to the black oblonR doorway. from which Ma
Uses rude hand had dragged the covering flap
TO the ground.
But the churchman and his guide stood their
ground.
Suddenly the Abbot reached a hand and took
the sword on which the master armorer leaned.
With Its point he drew a wide circle upon the
rich carpet which formed the floor Of the
pavilion.
William Douglas" he said. II command
you. come within this circle. while in the right
Of my holy office I exercise that demon there
Tho hath so nearly beguiled you to your ruin
The lady laughed a rich. ringing laugh.
These are indeed high heroics for so plain
and poor an occasion. l need not to utter a
word OF explanation. l am a lady travelling
peacefully under escort OF an Ambassador OF
France through a Christian country. BY
chance | met the Earl Douglas and invited
him to sup. What concern. spiritual or tenn
poral. may that be OF yours. my Lord Abbot?
Who made you my Lord Earl's keeper2
Woman or demon from the pit" said the
abbot %sternly. think not to deceive William
Douglas the aged. as you have cast the glamour
over William Douglas. the boy. The lust of
the flesh abideth no more forever In this frail
tabernacle. | bid thee let the lad go. for he is
dear to me as mine own soul. Let him 60. L
say. ere | curse thee with the curse OF God
Almighty
The lady continued to smile. standing mean
time, slender and fair. before them. her bosom
heavinG a little with emotion and her fair hair
fpoItng in red gold confusion down her back.
Certainly my lord Earl came not upon COM
pulslon. He is free to return with you, II he
% yet under tutors and governors or afraid OF
The masters stripes. Go. Earl William: l
made a mistake, l thought you had been a
man. But ! bid you go back to the monks
chapter house to clerkly copies and childish
toys
Then black and sullen anger Rlared from the
eyes Of the Douglas.
Get hence ~ he cried. hence. both Of YOU
Nn, Uncle William. ere 1 forget your holy
SniCe and your k~inship-you. Malise. that l
may settle with tomorrow ere the sun sets. |
sNear i by my word as n Douglas. / will
Yg nn forgive either of you for this nights
TIE fair white hand was laid upon his wrist.
nay, said the lady. do not quarrel with
nUst you love for my poor sake. | am little
N0tth the trouble. Go back with them in
hour "' VIM 60 w ''"'
Nay he, cried. that / will not. I will
s snC Them that | am old enough to choose nv
ssIInniuIainy for myself. Who is my uncle that he
inoull dictate TO me that am an Earl Of Doug
h Ms anu q peer Of France-or my servant. that
"~STntould come forth to spy UPON his master?'"'
inddhen" she whispered. smiling. you will
uIred abide with me?"
GWe gave her his hand.
,oi will abide with YOU till death! Body and
"%t ! am yours alone!"
pa ~ the holy cross Of our Lord. that shall you
hiSb sIleG Malise, not though you hang me
nS 3 a a haman for this ere the morrow's
,nAahd with these words he sprang forward
Itron vaught his master by the wrist. With ono
EitJusts pun o. his mighty arm he dragged him
VIII me clrcl" which the abbot had made
y tGe swords point.
htmne !ddv seemed TO change color. At that
f Meht 4 gust Of wind caused the lamps to
fynral, ana the outlines OF her white-robed
" Seelned 70 waver like an image in water:
God am5ure and command you in the name.oi
own ny one and omnipotent. 10 depart to your