Evening star., 1898-11-12
coerRonT 1898 5 SR.cs6oxerS

that any one strong and brave was near
at hand"
Then the heart of Sholto broke ont in
quick anger.
Deceive me notr' he cried. 'I know we'll
that the earl loves you, and that you love
him in return"
Well, indeed. were 1t for him if he loved
as hdrest a woman" said Maud Lindsay,
pouting disdainfully." But what is such a
matter. yea or nay, to your
1T is all life and happiness to me-" said
Shoito earnestly. "Ah, do not go-stay a
moment. | shall never sleep this night If
you go without giving me an answer"
Then" said the girl, you will be the
more in the line of Xour duty. You are but
taincy | wish it had been Landless Jock
He would never have vexed me with fool
Ism questions at such a timer
But l love you and I demand an an
the eari?''
What do you think yourself, now? she
said looking up at him with an inmitabe
slyness and pronouncing her words to imi-
tate the simplicity of countryside speech.
Sholto venturei a short gasp or inarticu-
late snort of anger. at which Maud Linde-
say started back with affected terror.
DO not fright poor maid she said.
VIII you put me in the dungeon If I do not
answer? Tell me exactly what you want
me to say. and | will say it, most mighty
captain"
And she made him the prettiest little
courtesy. turning at the xsame time her
eyes in mock humility on the ground
oh. Maud Lndesay,' said Sholto, with
a little conflicting sob in his throat, i'll be-
coming so noted a warrior as the captajn
OF the castle guard Of the Black Douglas.
IF you knew how l loved YOU YOU WouId
not treat me thus"
The girl came nearer to him and laid
white and gentle hand on the sleeve of his
blue archers coat.
Nay lad she said more soberly, lifting
mnser TO his face. surely you are no
milksop to mind how girl fouts you. Love
the earl. say You: Well. is it not our duty
to the bread we eat? Is he not worthy? Is
ne not the head of our house,"
cheat me not with words The earl loves
you SAID Sholto. lifting his head haughti-
ly out of her reach. (TO have ones chin
pushed this way and that by girls fore
nnger. and. as it were. considered critical
~ from various points of view, may be
pleasant. but 1t interferes most seriously
with dignity)
He may, indeed" drolled the mink. lone
can never tell. Eut he has never said So
He Is. perhaps. afraid, being born without
the guard. fedgling captains and such like
sentrice."
DO you love hirn?" reiterated Sholto.
will tell You for that gold buckle"
SAID Maud calmly pointing with her finger
Instantly Sholto pulled the cap from his
head. undid the pin of the archery prize
and thrust 1t into his wicked sweetheart's
hands
v,
then she pressed it to her lips Sholto re-
joicing at heart, moved step nearer to
her. But i'll spite of her arch delight she
was on the alert for she retreated deftIy
and neatly within the chamber door of
the Fair Maid of Galloway. There was still
more mirthful wickedncss in her eyes
Love the earl? OF course, 1 do. Indeed,
| dote upon him. she said. How l shal!
love this buckle, just because he gave it
to you"
And with that she shut the door
Sholto. in act to advance stood a moment
poised ON one foot, like a goose. Then with
a heart blazing with anger and one of the
first oaths that had ever passed his lips he
turned on his heel and strobe away.
Il Will never think of her again. l will
never see her. / will go to France and per-
ish in battle. ] will throw me in the castle
pool. 1 will"
So the poor lad retreated. muttering hot
and angry words. all his heart sore within
him because of the cruelty of this girl.
But he had not proceeded twenty steps
along the corridor when he heard the door
softly open and low. sweet voice whis-
pered: 'Sholto! Sholto, 1 want you,
Sholto!"
He bent his brows and strobe manfully
on. as if he had not heard a word.
''Sholto-dear Sholto. Do not go. need
you
Against his will. he turned, and seeing
the head of Maud Lindsay, her pouting
lips and beckoning finger, he went sulkily
back.
Well he said, with the stern curtness
of military commander, as he stood be-
fore her.
She held the iron lamp in her hand. The
wick had fallen aside, and now was vast
ing itself in a broad. unequal flame The
maid of honor looked at it in perplexity,
knitting her pretty broWs in a mock frown
1T burned me as l was ordering my
hair she said Il cannot blow it out /
dare not, VIII you-wiu you blow 1t out
for me, Captain Sholto?"
.Ir.r r.-fs !,
ity.
And she held the lamp up so that the iron
handle was almost touching her soft cheek
There was dancing challenge in her dark
eyes and her lips smiled dangerously red
She could not, of course, have known that
the light made her look so beautiful or she
would have been more careful.
ShOlto stood still moment at wrestIe
with himself, trying to conquer his dignity
and retain his attitude of stern disapproyal
But the girl swept her iashes up toward
him, dropped them again dark upon her
cheek, and anon looked second time at
him
Il am sorry" she said, more than ever
like child, ''I-forgive me-and-the lamp
is so hot"
Now, Sholto was young, but he was not
quite fool. He stopped and blew out the
light and the next moment his lips rested
upon other lips, which, as it had been un-
consciously, resigned their soft sweetness
for long moment to his will
Their the door closed and he heard the
click of the lock as the bolts shot from
within The gallery round and round
about him like clacking wheel. His heart
beat tumuhuOusly and there was strange
humm.ng sound In his ears.
The captain of the guard stumbled half
distracted down the turret stair. The old
world mad been destroyed in a moment and
he was walking in naw, where perpetual
roses bloomed and thu spring birds sang
forever more. He knew IIol his poor fool
ish Sholto, that he had much to learn ere
he should know the tricks AMI strategems
of that most naughty and pIettiiy disdain-
full mink, Mistress Maud Lindsay. But for
that night he thought he knew her heart
and soul, which made him Just as happy
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Morning Light.
In the morn ing he had other views OF it,
Even when he was relieved from duty he