Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-11-26
CHAPTER XVIII.
The YOungs Lords Ride Axyax

This was the letter which, with the chan
| cellors invitation, came to the hand of the
| Earl William as he rode forth to the deer
| hunting one morning from his castle of
| Thrieve:
| MY Lord-lf it be not that you have
| wholly forgotten me and your promise. this
| comes to inform you that my uncle and
| purpose to abide at the castle of CriChton
| Tor ten days before finally departing fort h
| or this land. 1t is known TO me that the
| chancellor, moved thereto by one who de-
srts nuch 10 see you hath invited the Earl
| OF Douglas to come thither with what ret
niue Is well beSeening to 50 great a Iort!
| But It's beyond hope that we should meet
| IN this manner. My lord hath doubtless
| ere TINS forgot all that was between US and
| hath already seer others more worthy of
| ms courteous regard than the Lady Sv-
| Dllid- IhIs is as well beseems a mighty
iolu' VINO taketh up cup full and setteth
| II down empty. But a woman hath naupht
~ no save only to remember the things
| tlat nave been and think upon them (,raca
! oe 10 you my dear lord, and SO for this
| tine, ana 1t may be forever, fare you welI,''
| -" men the earl mad read this letter from
| me Lazy Sybllla, he turned himself In his
| S~ld4e without delay and said:
| Take back the hounds, We will not hunt
| the stag this day.
| Inc messenger stood respectfully before
rim waiting TO take back an answer.
| Come you from the town of Edin-
| ptrgh? asked the earl, quickly
Nay sald the youth yet it please your
greatness am servant of my Lord of
| Crnnton and come from his new castle in
| the doWdens" ti' III
Doth the chancellor abide there at this
PRESENT. asked the earl
he came Two days ago with but one at
t'hdant, and babe us make ready for a
great company who were to arrive there
| TINS very day. Then he gave me these two
letters and set my head on the safe de-
livery of them"
.'Shn1fo ba
the guard and men-at-arms Take all that
can be spared from the defense of the cas-
tie and make ready to follow me- l ride
medlately to visit the chancellor of Scot
land at his castle in the Lothians
1t was Sholtos duty to obey but his heart
sank within him, both at the thought of
the earl thus venturing among his enemies
and also because he must leave behind him
MAUD LINDSAY, on whose willful wayWard
self his heart was set.
My lord, he stammered, permit me one
word. Were 1t not better to wait till a fol-
| lowing of knights and gentlemen beseeming
tne Earl or Douglas should be brought to-
ney?
| DO as l bid you, sir captain" was the
ears short rejoinder; you have my
ORDERS"
20 that the abbot were here" thought
ShoIto, as he moved heavily to do his mas
ter business; he might reason with ths
earl with some hope of success"
On his way to summon the guard he met
Maud Lindsay going out to Irvine gowaus
with the maid on the meadows about the
| mains of Relton. for as Margaret Douglas
| complained, "All ours on the isle were tfod-
| den down by the men who came to the
tourney, ard they have not grown up
again"
, whittier away so gloomy, sir knight p"
! cried Maud, all her winsome face aiight
| with joy in the bright day. and the excel
| lent joy of living.
"On a most gloomy errand," said Sholto
| My lord rides with small company into
! the very stronghold of his enemy-and viii
| bear no word from anyr'
And do you go with him. cried Maud
| her bright color leaving her face.
Not only l, but all that can be spared
| or the men-at-arms and of the archer
guard!' answered Shoito.
Maud Lindsay turned about and took the
| little girls hand
| Margaret" she said, 'let us 60 to nv
LADY. Perhaps she will be able to keep my
| Lcrd William at home'
So they went back to the chamber of my
| Lady of Douglas. Now, thu countess lad
| never been Of great influence with her son
/ even in her husbands lifetime, and had GER
| tainly none with him since. STILL it was
possible that William Douglas might at
| least listen to advics and delay his setting
out till suitable retinue could be brought