Omaha daily bee., 1898-11-20

gave vent to q short. sharp cry and started
up the steps with the intention OF making
Mistress Lindsay pay in some fashion for
her impertinence. But that very active and
gainsome maid was most entirely on the
alert. Indeed she had been counting from
the first upon provoking such movement.
And so. with her nimble charge at her heels
Mistress Lindsay was already at the inner
port and through the iron-barred gate OF
the turret stair before the youthful captain
of the guard, still encountered with his
armor, could reach the top of the outer
steps.
AS soon as Sholto saw that hc was hope
lessly distanced he slackened his gait aud
with a sober tread befitting a knight and
officer OF q garrison, he walked along the
passage which led to the chamber allotted
to tho captain Of the guard. from which
that day Landless Jock had removed his
effects.
The soldiers of the guard. who had heard
OF the honors which had SO swiftly come
upon the young man, rose and respectfully
saluted their chief. And Shoro. though he
had been silent when the sharp tongue OF
the mirth-l loving maid tormented him, found
speech readily enough now. ..
II thank you." he said. acknowledging
their salutations. I'VE. have known each
other before Fortune and misfortune come
to all and IL will be an your turns one day.
But up or down, good or ill., we shall not
be the worse comrades for having kept tho
guard and sped the bolt together" b.. ...,.,..
Then there came one behind him who
stood at the door Of his chamber as he was
unhelming himself and said: my captain.
there stand at the turret stair the ladies'
Margaret and Maud, with a message for
you"
"a message for me--what is it?" said
Sholto testify, being (and small blame to
him) trine rufiied in his temper. .,.
NAY, SIR" said the anan respectfully,
that I know not, but methinks it comes
from my lord"
1t will not do to say to what our gallant
Sholto condemned all tricks and queens and
spiteful damosels, in whose eyes dwelt mis-
chief brmming over, and whose tongues
spoke softest words that yet stung and
ranked like fairy arrows dipped in gall and
wormwood. .... ,-.
But since the man stood there and re-
peated II Judge the message to be one from
my lord" Sholto could do no less than hast
lily pull on his doubret and again betake
himself along the corridor TO the foot OF the
stair.
When he arrived there he saw no one
and was about TO depart again as he had
come, when the head of Maud Lindsay ap-
peared round the upper spiral, looking moro
distractingly mischevous and more be-
witching than ever, all ripping over with
dark curls and her eyes fairly scintillatins
! light. She nodded to him and leaned a
little further over. holding tightly to the
baluster meanwhile.
"Well," said Sholto, roughly, what are
| my lords commands for me, If, indeed, he
| has charged you with any?"
"He says" replied Mistress Maud Lnde-
say, that since lamps are dangerous things
| in maidens' chambers, he desires you to
assist in the trimming Of the waxen tapers
| tonight-that Is, IL SO menal a service
shame not your knighthood"
"Pshaw!'' muttered Sholto. ''My lord
said naught of the sort!"
| "Well, then" said Maud Lindsay, smiling
down upon him, with an expression in
nocent and sweet as that Of an angel on u
painted ceiling, "you will be kind and come
and help US all the same"
THAT will not" said Sholto, stamping
his foot like an ill-tempered boy.
Eyes. you will-because Margaret asks
you?"
II will not" ...
Then because / ask you?"
| spite or MS Dest endeavors Sholt0 could
not take his eyes from the girls face, which
seemed fairer and more desirable to him
now than ever. A quick sob OF passion
shook him and he found words at last.
20, Maud Lindsay. why do you treat
thus one who loves you with all his heart?"
The girls face changed. The mischief
died out Of it and something vague AMI
| soft welled up in her eyes. making them
mistily gray and lustrous. But she only
said: "Sholto. it is growing dark already!
1t Is time the tapers were trimmed!'
| Then Shoto followed her up the stairs
and, though l do not know, there is some
reason for thinking that he forgave her all
| her wickedness in that sweet interspace be-
tween the cleaning and the mrk when the
lamps were being lighted and the starl
| were coming out
| Ito be Continued)