The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-12-04


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 SybilIa- There was no
covert side through which a burn
plunged downward into covert from the
steep side of AIoorfoot, but they wan
dered alone together. Early and late
they might be met, he with his face
turned UPON her, and she looking
straight forward with the same in
scrutabie calm. And they left them
alone as they took their way to gather
flowers ike pair of children, or, as 1t
might be, stood still and silent like
pair OF lovers under the evening star.
For, in these summer days and nights
bloomed untiringly the brief passion
flower of William Douglas life.
Meanwhile Sholto gritJed his teeth in
impOtent rage, bur had nothing to do,
save change guarC and keep a wary
eye upon the chancellor, who went
about rubbing his hands and Slancing
sidelong as the cODses closed behind
the earl Of Douglas and the Lady Sy-
billa. AS for the ambassador of france.
he was, as was usual with him, much
occupied in his own chamber with his
servants, Ponthou and Henriet, and
save when dinner was served in the
=.
Sholto wished at times for the pres
ence OF his others. but at others, when
he saw William Douglas and Sybilla
return with Il light on their faces and
their eyes large and vague, he be
thought him OF Maud Lindsay and was
glad that, for a little, at least, the sun
Of love shone upon his lord.
1t was in the gracious fitness Of the
early autumn, and the sheaves We're set
UP in many a park and little warded
holt about the Moorfoot braes, that
William Douglas and Sybilla de
Thouars stood together upon a crest
of hill, crowned with dwarf birch and
thick fcli2ge alder, a place in the re-
tirement of whose sylvan bower they
had already spent many hours.
The Lady Sybilla sat on a worn gray
rock, which thrust Itself through the
green turf. William Douglas stood be-
size her, pulling q piece of bracken to
pieces. The girl had been wearing a.
broad fat cap of velvet, which, in the
GOODNESS OF the twilight, she. had re-
moved. and now swung gently to and
FRO In her hand as she looked to the
north, where, small as a toy and back
ed BY the orange glow Of sunset, the
castle Of Edinburgh could be seen,
black upon its wind-swept ridge.
The girl was speaking slowly and
softly.
Nay --aIl OOUSAdSs she SalQ, mar
rage must not be named TO Syhilla de
Thkiuars, certainly never by an earl of
Douglas and Duke Of Touraine. He
must wed for riches and fair provinces. |
Ifs house is regal already. He is better
born than the king, more powerful also.
The daughter of 4 Breton squire, the
kinsWoman Of Giles de Retz of AIache-
c0ul 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, say
ing softly: "Ah, William, would that
II had been so. Too late. I begin 10 /
think on those things which might 1
have been had Sybilla de ThOuars been /
born under more fortunate star. As I
ii is, can only go on-a terror to my |
self 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 l might possess you"
he answered
The girl laughed a strange laugh and /
drew back her hand from his
Possess me, well, but we'd memo.
Honest men and honorable. like Earl |
Douglas do not wed with the niece of I
Giles de Retz. I had thought my heart
Nllnln me 10 De lint IN the chalk. yet
now pray you on my knees to leave
me. Take your thirty lances and your
young brother and ride home Then.
safe in your island fortress Of Thrieve.
blot out Of your heart ali memory that
ever you found pleasure in a creature
so miserable as Sybilla de Thouarsw
But" said the young earl, passion
ately, tell me. my lady. I do not I'M
aerstand. What obstacle can there be?
You tell me that you love me, that you
are not betrothed. Your uncle is an
honorable man, a marshal and ambas-
sador OF France, a cousin Of the Duke
Of Brittany, reigning sovereign. More
over, am the Douglas. I am respon-
sibie to no man. William Douglas may
wed whom he villa kings daughter
Or beggar wench. Why should he not
Join with the honorable daughter of an
honorable house. and the one woman
be has ever ioved?"
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
'eef- and standing before him. "call out