The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-12-04
CHAPTER XXI.
THE GARERLITNzIE MAN.


The next morning the chancellor came
down early from his chamber and find
ing Earl Douglas already waiting in the
courtyard, ne rubbed his hands and
called out cheerfully, I'VE shall be
more lonely today, but perhaps even
more gay. For there are many things
men delight in which even the fairest
ladies care not for, fearing mayhap
some invasion of their dominions!"
What mean you, my lord chancel-
lor?" said the Douglas to his host,
eagerly scanning the upper windows
meanwhile.
I mean" said the chancellor, fawn-
ingly, that his excellency, the ambas-
sador of France, hath ridden away IN
der cloud of night, and hath taken his
fair ward with him."
The earl turned pale and stood glow
ering at the obsequiOus chancellor as if
unable to comprehend the purport OF
his words. AT last he commanded him
self sufficiently to speak.
Was this resolution sudden, or did
the Lady Sybilla know Of it yester-
day."
Nay, of a certainty it was quite sud-
den, replied the chancellor, "a message
came from the queen mother to the
Marshal de RetZ, requesting an imme-
date meeting on business of state,
.whereupon [ offered my castle of Edin-
burgh for the purpose, as being more
convenient than Stirling. So / doubt
not that they are all met there-the
young king being of the party. 1t is
indeed a strange falling out, for of late,
as you may have heard, the tutor and
the queen have scarce been of the num-
Der of my intimates."
The earl of Douglas appeared
strangely disturbed. He paid no further
attention to his most, but strobe to and
fro in the courtyard with his thumbs
in his belt, in the deepest meditation.
The chancellor watched him from I'M
der his eyebrows with alternate APP
prehension and satisfaction, like a
timid hunter who sees the lion half in
and half out of the snare.
81 have a letter for you, my Lord
Douglas" he said, after a long pause.
All" cried Douglas, with obvious
relief, why did you not tell me at first?
Pray give it me"
Il knew not whether it might afford
You pleasure or no" answered the
Give it met cried Douglas, imperi-
ously, as though he spoke to an under
ling.
Sir William Crichton drew a square
parcel from beneath his long furred
gown and handed it to William Doug
las, who. without stepping back, in
stantly broke the seal.
''Pshawi" cried he, CONTEMPORARY,
at is from the queen mother and
Livingston"
He thought it had been from another,
and his disappointment was written
clear upon his face.
Even So said the chancellor, suave-
~, ''it was delivered by the same ser
want who brought the message which
called away the ambassador and his
The earl read it from beginning to
end. After the customary greetings
and good wishes the letter ran as fol- |
lows:
The king greatly desires to see his
noble cousin of Douglas at the castle |
IF Edinburgh presently, put at his ma
iesty's disposal by the high chancellor |
)f Scotland Here in this place are |
now assembled all the men VINO desire |
he peace and assured prosperity of the |
-ealm, saving the greatest Of ALL my
Lord Douglas. The king sends affec-
ionate greeting to his cousin and de
;ires that he also may came thither,
hat the ambassador of France may
AIRY back to his master a favorable
'eport of the unity and kindly govern
lnce of the kingdom during his min
,rity"
The chancellor watched the earl as he
cad this letter. To one more suspicious
han William Douglas it would have
'een clear that he was himself perfect
y acquainted with the contents
7 am hidden meet the king at the
astle of Edinburgh" said Douglas; Il
will set out at once"
Nay, my lord" cried Crichton. mot
his day, at least. Stay and hunt the
tag in the braes of Borthwick. My
untsmen have marked down a swift
nd noble buck. Tomorrow to Edin-
urgh an you will!''
Il thank you, Sir William" the
Douglas answered, but the command
5 peremptory. I must ride to Edin-
urgh this very day"
I pray you remember that Edin-
urgh is a turbulent city and little in
lined to love your great house. Is it
hink you, wise to go thither with so
mall retinue?"
The earl waved his hand carelessly.
Il am not afraid" he said. besides
hat harm can befall when lodge in
he castle of the lord chancellor of
cotland?"
Crichton bowed vary low.
What harm, indeedr he said. "T
Id but advise your lordship to bethink
imself. am an old man, remember.
ast growing feeble and naturally in
med TO overmuch caution. But the J