Evening star., 1898-12-17

greatest moment that the Avondale Doug
Iases should know that which had befallen
their cousin. or no suspicion or treach-
cry within the house and name OF Doug
las touched with shade OF shauo" the
mind of SholtO NaCkim.
He thundered at the downward port OF the
castle to which a steep ascent led up, Where
presently the outer guard soon croWaeo
about him. listening to his story ana al
ready lingering bowstring and examining
rope-matches preparatory to the expected
march upon Edinburgh
Il have not time to waste, comrades,
must see my lords, Sald oholto. hA"9'
see them instantly .
And even as he spoke there on the steps
appeared the dark handsome face ana tan
but slightly stopping figure OF William
DnngIas of Avondale. He stood with his
hands clasped behind his back, ana MS
serious thought-weighted face pent upon
the concourse about Skolto.
With a push of his elbows TINS way anu
that the young captain OF the earl sudru
Opened a way through the press.
In short emphatic sentences ne tolo ms
tale and at the name of priSonment ana
treacherv the countenance of Nllllam
Douglas grew stern and hard. His face
twitched as if the news came very near 10
him He did not answer for a moment put
stood biting his lips and gloormhg upon
ShoIto, as though the young man mad peen
= prisoner waiting sentence of pit or gal
lows for evil doing. Ut, -,
II must see James concerning thlS III
news he said, when Sholto finished telling
him of the black bulls head on the chah-
cellors banquet table
He turned to go within.
INV lord :" said Sholto will you give me
another horse, and let DarnaWay resi- IN
your stables? l must rue soulH dsdlu ~
raise Galloway"
..Order out all the horses which are ready
caparisoned," >" commanded William or avon
dale land do you, Captain ShoIto, take
Your choice of them.
He went within forthwith, and there en-
sued a pause ed with the snoruhs ana
prancing of steeds. as, filled with oats ana
nav. they issued from their stalls, or, with
the grass vet deWy about their noses they
were led in from the field. Darnaway took
his leave, of Sholto with backward neigh
OF regret as If to say that he was not yet
tired of riding on his masters service.
Then presently on the terrace above ap-
peared laxy Lord James, busily buckling
The straps of his body armor and talking
hotly the while with William.
Il care not whether our father" he
cried aloud, ere with a restraining hand
upon his wrist his elder brother could sue
ceed in stopping him.
Hush James, he said. "at least he
mindful of those that stand around
Il care not l tell you, William" cried the
| headStrong youth, squaring his shoulders
as he was wont TO do before a fight; Il tell
you that you and L are no traitors to our
name and whose NEEDLES with our coz
VIII of ThrIeve hath US to reckon with
William of Avondale said nothing, but
gesture Said he: AN it were the father
that begat u.s." Whereat, with all the i'm
petuousness of his race and nature, James
dashed his palm into that OF his brother.
"Whiles William" he cried, I'VE appear
clerkiSh and overcautious, and / break out
and miscan ye for no Douglas, when ye will
not spend your silver like a man and are
afraid of the honest pint stoup. But at the
hearts heart ye are aye a Douglas-and,
though the silly gaping commons like ye
not so well they like me, you are the
best o us a, for all that!'
So it came to pass that within the space
of half an hour the young Avondale Doug
! lases>had sent men to the four ARTS, young
Hugh Douglas himself riding west, while
james stirred the folk of Avondale and
Strathaven. and in all the courtyards and
| streets of the little feudal town there be-
gan the hum and buzz of war assembly.
Lord William went with Shoito to see
| staunch Darnaway duly stabbed, and to ap-
| prove the horse which was to bear the mes
| senger TO the south without halt. now that
| his mission was accomplished in the west
| When they came out Sholto's riding har-
/ ness had been transferred to a noble gray
steed large enough to carry the burly
| james, let alone the slim captain of the
/ guard Of Thrieve.
In the court, ranked and ready bride to
| bride, were ranged the knights and suuires
| in waiting about the castle of Avondale,
| while out on level green spot on the edge
| of the moor gathered the denser array Of
/ the townsfolk with spears and partlzans,
| The AVondale Douglases were ready
| enough TO ride to the assistance of their
| cousins. Alas, that Earl William would
| take no advice. for had these and Others
gone In with him to the fatal town there