Evening star., 1898-12-03
CHAPTER INK.
The Bower by Won Burnside.

The Bower by Won burnside
And ever as he gazed at her the Earl of
Douglas grew more and more in love with
the Lady Sybilla. There was no covert side
through which a burn plunged downward
into covert from the steep side of Moorf0ot,
but they wandered alone together Early
and late they might be met, he with his
face turned upon her and she looking
straight forward with the same inscruta-
BILE calm. And all left them alone as they
took their way to gather flowers like pair
Of children or as it might be stood stu and
silent like pair of lovers under the even
ing star. For in these summer days and
nights bloomed untiringly the brief passion
icwer of William Douglas life.
Meanwhile Sholto gritted his teeth in i'm
potent rage but had nothing TO do save
change guard and keep a wary eye upon
the chancellor. who went about rubbing his
hands and glancing sidelOng as the copses
closed behind the Earl Of Douglas and the
Lady Sybiiia- AS for the ambassador of
France. he was, was usual with him,
much occupied In his own chamber with his
servants Ponthou and Henriet, and save
when dinner was served in hall. appeared
little at the festivities
Sholto wished at times for the presence
OF his father, but at others, when he saw
William Douglas and Sybilla return with a
light OF their faces and their eyes large and
vague. he bethOught him of Maud Lilde-
say and was glad that, for a little at least,
the sun OF love shone upon his lord
II was in the gracious fullness of the
early autumn, and the sheayes were set Up
in many park and little warded holt about
the Moorfoot braes, that William Dougi rs
and Syhilla de ThOuars stood together upon
crest of hill. crowned with dwarf birch
and thick foliage alder, place in the Ie-
tfrement of whose sylvan bower they had
already spent many hours.
The Lady Sybilla sat on worn gray rock
which thrust itself through the green turf.
William Douglas stood beside her, pulling
piece Of bracken TO pieces. The girl had
been wearing broad fiat cap of velvet,
which in the GOODNESS of the twilight she
had removed. and now swung gently to
and fro in her hand as she looked to The
north, where. small as toy and backed
by the orange glow of sunset. the castle
of Edinburgh could be seen black upon its
wtnd-sWept ridge.
The girl was speaking slowly and softly.
Nay. Earl Douglas" She said mar
ria ge must not be named to Sybilla de
TtouaTs, certainly never by an Earl of
Douglas and Duke of Touraine. He must
wed for riches and fair provinces His
house is regal already. He is better born
than the king. more powerful also. The
laughter OF Breton squire, the kinswo-
man of Giles De Retz of Machecoul is not
FOR him"
"A Douglas makes many sacrifices" said
the young man. with earnestness but this
is not demanded of him. Four generations
have welded for power. 1t is surely time
that one did so for love"
The girl reached him her hand saying
softly. "Ah. William would that it had been
SO Too late. I begin to think on those
things which might have been had Sybilla
de Thouars been born under a more fortu
nate star. As it is, can only go on-a ter
ror To myself and bane to others"
The young man. absorbed in his own
thoughts. did not hear her words.
The world were little to give in order
that in exchange 1 might possess you he
answered.
rha Girl Iauubaf . s+r,noo larrb o,1 \
arew back her hand from his
Possess ne. we'll but wed memo Hon
est men and honorable like Earl Douglas
do not wed with the nieces of Giles de
Rstz. / had thought my heart within me to
he flint In the chalk yet now | pray you
on my knees to leave me. Take your thirty
lsnces and your young brother and ride
home Then. safe In your island fortress
OF Thrieve, blot out of your heart all mem
ory that ever you found pleasure in a crea-
ture so miserable as SybFla de Thouars"'
But, said The young earl. passionately
tell me. my lady, 1 do not understand
What obstacle can there be? You tell me
that you love me. that you are not be-
trothed- Your uncle is an honorable man
marshal and ambassador of France a
cousin % the Duke of Brittany reigning
sovereign Moreover l am the Douglas.
am responsible to no man. William Doug
las may wed whom he villa kings daugh-
ter or be9gar wench- Why should he
not Join with the honorable da lighter of an
honorable house, and the one woman he
has ever loyed?''
The girl let her velvet cap fall on the
ground and sank her face between her
hands Her whole body was shaken with
emotion.
'Go-go." she cried starting to her feet.
and standing before hiIn. "cali out your
iances and ride home Never look more
upon the face Of such thing as SybiIIa de
Thouars bid you / warn you / COM
mand you. l thought had been of stone
out now when | see you. l cannot do that
which is laid upon me TO do"
William OF Douglas smiled
Il cannot go. he said simply II love
yon. Moreover. I will not go-1 am Earl OF
Douglass
The girl cIaspad her hands helpiessiy.
Not IL / tell you that 1 have deceived
you, led you on? she said. Not IL l swear
that am the slave OF a power so terrible
that there are no words i'm any language 10
tell the least of the Things l suffer-"
The earl shook his head. The girl sud
dsnly stamped her foot "Go-go / tell
you. she cried Stay not a day in this
tccursed place. wherein no true word il
spoken and no loyal deed done save those
which come forth from your own true
heart"
Nay" said William Douglas. with his
eyes on hers. 1T Is too late. Sybil- 1 have
kissed the red OF your lips. Ny whole soul
is YOURS. / cannot now 20 hack even II