The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-11-13

Ids. cne thanked nm WITH a low WOTQ
in his ear, audible only to himself, as
he set her in the saddle and bent to
kiss her hand.
A right gallant pair were Douglas
and Sybilla de Thouars, as they rode
away, light and dark together over
the greensward and under the tossing
banners of the bridge, Sholto behind
them giving great heed to the manag-
ing Of his horse, and wondering in his
heart if indeed Maud Lindsay We're
looking down from her chamber win
dow. As they passed the Irawbridge
he turned him about a little in his
saddle as it We're to see that his men
We're all in good order. A little jet of
white futtered out from the spared
wooden gallery which chung to the
gray walls of Thrieve just outside the
highest story. And the young man S
heart told him this was the atone
ment of Maud Lindsay.
Earl Douglas was in his gayest hui
NOR on this second day of the great
tournaying. He had got rid of his
most troublesome guests. His Uncle
James of Avondale, his red cousin of
Angus, the grave, ill-assorted figure
of the abbot of Dulce Cor, had all
vanished Only the young and chivalr-
Gus remained, his cousins, William and
James, Hugh and Archibald, good
lances all, and excellent fellows to
boot. 1t was also a most noble chance
that the French ambassador was con-
fined by the quinsy, for it was certain
ly pleasant to ride out alone with that
beauteous head glancing so near his
shoulder, to watch at his will the sun
crimSoning the red lips, sparkling in
the eyes bright as sunshine slanting
through green leaves on a water-b break,
and to mark as he fell a pace behind
how every hair of that luxuriant
chevalure rippled golden and separate
like the halo of a Florentine work about
the head of a saint.
The Lady Sybilla de Thouars was
merry also, and with what a different
mirth to that of Mistress Maud Linde-
say, thought Captain Sholto MaeKim,
with a conscious glow of pride in his
sweetheart.
True, Sholto was scarce a fair judge,
in that he loved one and did not love
the other. He owned that there might
be something in that. But as the gay
tones of the lady's laughter f1oated
back on the air as his master and she
rode forward by the edge of Dee to-
ward the Lochar fords, the first fear
with which he had seen her in the
greenwood returned upon the captain
of the guard.
Earl William and the Lady Sybilla
talked together that which no one else
could hear.
$50 after all you have not become a
churchman and gone off to drone
masses with the monks of your good
uncle" she said, looking up at him with
one of her lingering, drawing glances.
May Earl William answered,
'surely one Douglas as a time is a gift
enough TO holy church. AT least l can
choose my own way in that, though in
most [ am as straightly constrained as
the king himself"
Speaking of the king she said, my
uncle, the marshal, must perforce ride
to Edinburgh to deliver his credentials.
Would it>not be a most mirthful jest to
ride with equipage such as this to
that mongrel, poverty stricken court.
and let the poor little king and his
starved guardian see what greatness
and splendor mean?"
81 have sworn never again to enter
Edinburgh town." said the earl, slowly.
ut was prophesied that there one of
my race should meet a black bull which
should trample the house of Douglas
into ruins"
"Of course, if you are afraid
unused the lady The earl started as if
he had been stung.
chill hauteur, you come from far and
do not know No Douglas has ever
been afraid throughout al their gen.
erations.''
The lady turned upon him with
sweet and moving smile. She held out
her fair hand.
Pardon, nay, a thousand pardonsl 1
knew not what 1 said. 1 am not ac-
quainted with your Scottish speech nor
TNr nt he
angry with me. | am a stranger, young,
far from my own people and my own
land Think me foolish for speaking
thus freely if you like, but not unkind.'
And when the earl looked at her there
were tears glittering in her beautiful
eyes.
Il will go to Edinburgh he cried, 81
am the Douglas. The tutor and the
chancellor are but as two straws in my
hand longer and a shorter. L fling
them from me-thus!
The Lady Sybilla clapped her hands
joyously, and turned towards the young
man. will you, indeed, go with me?''
she cried, will you truly? 1 could kiss
your hand, my Lord Douglas, you
make me so glad"
Your kiss will keep" said the earl,
with quiet passion quivering in his
voice.
Nay, 1 meant it not thus-not as you
mean it. l knew not what L said. But
it will indeed change all things if you
will but come. Then l shall have some
one to speak to, some one with whom
to laugh at their court mummery, their
fiasco of dignity. You are not like
these other beggarly Scots, my lord
Duke of Touraine!"
They are brave men and loyal gen
tlemen," said the generous young earl.
They would die for me-
Nay, but so I declare would l." gayly
cried the lady, glancing at his hand
some head with a quick, admiring re-
gard $50 would If l were a man.
Besides, there is so little worth living
for in a country such as this"
The earl was silent and she pro-
ceeded.
But how joyous we shall be at Edin-
burghi Know you that at the court of
Charles that was my name-La Joyeuse
they called me. We will keep solemn
countenances while we enter the pres
ence of the king. We will bow. We will
make obeisance. Then when all is over
we will laugh together at the fatted
calf of a tutor the cunning chancellor
with his quirks of law, and the poor
schoolboy scarce breeched whom they
call king of Scotland. But all the while
[ shall be thinking Of the true king of
Scots-who alone shall ever be king to
me-
Lo Joyeuse broke off short, as if her
feelings were hurrying her to say more
than she had intended.
81 did wrong to flout their messengers
yesterday" said William Douglas, his
boyish heart misgiving him at dispraise
of others, perhaps they meant me
well. But L am naturally quick and
easily fretted, and the men annoyed me
with their parchments royal, their her
aids of the Lion and King OF Scots at
every other word
''Who is the youth who rides at the
head of your company" said the Lady
Sybilla.