The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-12-11
CHAPTER XxXTV.
BETRAYED WITH A KISS

The earl and his brother were incar-
cerated in the lower chamber of the
high keep, called David's tower. which
rose next in order eastward from the
banQueting hall. following the line of
the battlements
Beneath, the rock on which the castle
was built fell away toward the Nor
Loeb, in a precipice so steep that no
descent was to be thought OF; and this,
indeed. was the chief defense for the
window of the chamber was large and
opened easily, according to the French
fashion.
i pray that you permit my young
knight, Sir Shoito AacHim, to accom-
pany me" said the earl TO the officer
who conducted them to their prison
house.
i have no orders concerning him. -
said the man, gruffiy, but nevertheless,
permitted Sholto to enter after the earl
and his brother.
The chamber was bare, save for a
priedieu in the angle Of the wall. at
which the Douglas looked with a
strange smile upon his face.
Right apropos,' said he; they had
need Of religion in this house Of
traitors"
David Douglas went to the window
seat OF low stone, and bent mis- head in
his hands. He was but q boy, and life
was sweet to him, for he had just. be-
gun tc taste the apple and to dream Of
the forbidden fruit. He held his head
down, and was silent space. Then
suddenly ne sobbed aloud, with quick,
gasping noise, startling enough in that
stIll place.
For Gods dear sake, David, laddie,"
said his brother, going over to him,
l. Ii
der, be silent. They will think that We
are afraid"
The boy stilled himself instantly at
the word, and looked up at his brother
with pale sort OF smile.
NO, William, am not afraid, and if,
indeed, We must die, ] viii not disgrace
you. Be never afraid of that. Yet 1
thought on our mothers loneliness. She
VIII miss me sore, for she 1eeched and
plead with me not to come, yet would
rot listen to her"
Sholto stood by the door erect, as if
on duty at Thrieve.
Come and sit with u.s. said the Earl
William kindly to him, I'VE are no
more master and servant, earl and
squire. We are but three youths that
are to die together, and the AXIS edge
levels all. You, Sholto, are in some
good chance to live the longest of the
three by some half-score, minutes I
am glad 1 made you a knight on the
field of honor, Sir ShOlto, for then they
cannot hang you to a bough, like a
varlet caught stealing the kings veni-
son."
Sholto slowly came over to the win
dow-seat aud stood there respectfully
as before with his arms straight at his
sides, feeling more than anything else
the lack Of his sword hilt to set his
right upon.
Nay, but do as I bid you" said the
earl, looking up at him, ''sit down,
Sholto."
And Sholto sat down on the window
seat and looked ont upon the lights
leaping out one after the other down
among the crowded gables of the town
as this and that burgher lit his lantern
at the nearing of the hour of supper.
Far away over the shorelands the
narrow strip Of the Forth showed anne
thyst and mysterious, and farther out
still the coast of Fife lay in a sort of
opaline haze.
Il wonder" said William Douglas,
after a long pause, what they have
done with our hundred good lads. Had
they been taken or persisted, we had
surely heard more noise, z warrant.
give up their arms without a tulzie
for it"
They might induce them to leave
them behind when they went out to
take their pleasures among the maids
Of the Lawnmarket,' said Sholto
NOT their swords" said the earl, ct
needed all your lords commands to
make yours quit your side l warrant
these thirty viii give an, excellent ac-
count OF themselves
Presently the night fell darker, and