Omaha daily bee., 1898-11-20
CHAPTER XIV.
The Second FlOutinK of Maud Linde


Sholto McKim stood on the lowest step
Of the ascent into the noble gateway OF
Thrieve, hardly able to believe in his own
good fortune But these were the days
when no man awaked without having the
possibility OF either q knighthood or the
gallows tree to encourage him to do his
duty between dawn and dark.
The lords Of Douglas had gone within
and were now drinking the cup o. appetite
as their armour was being Embraced by tho
servitors and the chafed limbs rubbed with
oil and vinegar after the tolls OF the tour
ney. But still Sholto stood where his mas
ter had left him. looking at the green scum
Of duckweed which foated on the surface OF
the moat Of Thrieve. yet of truth seeing
nothing whatever. when low voice pierced
the abstraction of his reverie.
"Sir Sholto," said Mistress Maud Linde-
say. II bid you a long goodbye, Sir Sholto
McKim! Say farewell to him Margaret as
you hear me dol"
Goodbye. kind Sir Sholto!" piped the
childish voice Of the maid Of Galloway, as
she made a little courtesy to Sholto Nc
Kim in imitation OF her companion, know
not where you are going, but Maudie bids
me, SO / will"
"And wherefore say you goodbye to me?"
cried Sholto, finding his words at once in
the wholesome atmosphere Of raillery which
everywhere accompanied that Quipsoms
damsel, Mistress Maud Lindsay.
why, because we are humble folk and
NUT get our ways upstairs out OF the way
Of dgnities. Permit me to kiss your hand,
fair lord!" and here she tripped down the
steps and pretended to take his hand.
"Hold off" he cried, snatching 1t away
angrily. for her tone vexed and thwarted
him.
The girl affected great terror. which
merged Immediately into meek and re-
spectful resignation.
"No-you are right-we are not worthy
even to kiss your knightly hand" she said.
"but we will respectfully greet you" Here
she swept him a full reverence and ran up
the steps again before he could take hold
Of her. Then. standing on the topmost STEP
and holding her friends hand In hers, she
spoke to the maid Of Galloway in a tone
hushed and regretful, as one speaks OF the
dead.
mo, Margaret" she said, "he will no
more play with US hide and seek about the
stackyard ricks at the Mains over In the
gloamings. Sir Sholto cares no more for
US or for our childish things. He will not
even blow out lamp with his own honor
able lips. No, he will call his squire to
do It,"
Sholto looked the indignation he would
not trust himself to speak.
"Hs will dine with the earl In hall and
drink and stamp and shout with the best
when they drink the toasts. But he has
become too great a man to carry you and
me any more over stepping stones at the
ford or pull with US the ripe berries when
the briars are dropping purple on the
braes OF Keltonhill. Bid him goodbye,
Margaret, for he was our kind friend once.
And when he rides by to battle, perhaps, If
we are good and respectful, he may again
wave us a hand and say, There are two
lasses that once kenned'"
At this inordinate fouting the new
knight. growing more and more angry at
each word. came quickly to the breat'""
point, for his nerves were Jared and
tangled by the excitensnts OF the day. lie