The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-10-16

hind him, the Earl William abandoned
himself to the strange enchantnent VI
his surroundings. He did not stop 10
ask himself how it was possible thaI
such dainty providings had pesh
brought into the midst OF ms Wiee
realm of Galloway. Nor yet why TINS
errant damseI should be all alone on
this hilltop with the tents or her retlnue
empty and silent about The present
sufficed him. The soft radiance or dark
eyes fell upon him. and all the quick
running inconsiderate Douglas biocti
rushed and sang in his veins responsive
to their subtle shining.
He was with a fair woman ana she
not unwilling to be kind. That was
enough for all the race of the Black
Douglas. What the Red Douglas loved
was another matter. Their ambitions
were more reputable, if less generous
MY lord" she said, giving him her
hand. will YOU lead me to the table?
cannot offer you the Refreshments or
any elaborate toilet, but here at least
is wheaton bread to eat and wine OF
good vintage to drink.
You Yourself scarce need such earth
ly sustenance' he answered calamity,
for your eyes have stolen the radiance
of the stars and tits evident that the
night dews visit your cheeks only as
fresh and fair"
MY lord hatters well for one so
young" she smiled as she seated -her-
self and motioned him to sit close pc
side her, how comes it that In TINS
wild place you have learned 10 speak
so chiyalroUsly?"
when one speaks to beauty the
words are given" he answered, and
moreover. have not dwelt in the gray
Galloways all my days.
You speak French2" she queried IN
that language.
All" she said, when he answered,
1.-THE divine language. 1 knew you were
perfect And so for a long while the
young man sat spellbOund, watching
the smiles coming ond going upon her
red and liowcr-like lips, and hsteninS
10 the fast-running ripple of her for
eign speech. 1t was pleasure enough
to listen without reply.
1t seemed no common food for NOR
tai men that was set before him with
sweep of white arms and bend of deli
cate fingers upon the chalice stem. He
did not care to eat, but again and
again he set the wine cup down empty,
for the vintage was new to him and
brought with it a haunting aroma in
stinct with strange hopes and vivid
with unknown joys.
The pavilion with it's cords of Sendal
and it's silver hanging lamps spun
round above him. The fair woman
seemed to dissolve and reunite before
his eyes. She had let down her hair,
and il flowed in the Venetian fashion
over her white shoulders, sparkling
with an inner fire Each fine silken
thread as it glittered separate from its
fellows like a twining golden snake.
And the ripple of her laughter played
upon the young mans heart as lutte
that is touched carelessiy by the hands
tive glamor of the night and the stars
chung TO this woman. 1t seemed
thing impossible that she should be less
pure than the air and the waters, than
the grass beneath and the sky over
head. He knew not that the devil sat
from the first day of creation on Eden
wall, that human sin is well nigh as
eternal as human good, and that pas
sion rises out of its own ashes like the
phoenix bird of fable and stands again
all beautiful before US a creature of
fire and dew.
Presently the lady rose to her feet,
and gave the earl her hand to lead her
to a couch.
set footstool by me-" she said, Il
desire TO talk to you"
You know not my name" she said,
though l know yours. But then, the
sun in mid heaven cannot be hidden,
though namelesS bide the thousand
stars. Shall I tell you mine? 1t is a
secret nevertheless l will tell you if
such be your desire"
Il care not whether you tell me or
no." he said looking up into her face
from the low seat at her feet, birth
cannot add to your beauty nor lack Of
quarterings detract from it. have
enough of both, good lacki And little
good they are like to do mel"
Shall tell you now" she went on,
cor will YOU wait till YOU convey me to
Edinburgh
''To Edinburgh cried the young
man, astonished, I have no purpose of
jOurneying to that town OF mine enc
mics. l have been counselled oft by
those who love me to remain in mine
own country. MY horoscope bids me
refrain. Not for 1000 commands of king
or chancellor will l go TO that dark and
bloody town, wherein they say lies the
curse of my house"
But you will go to please a woman?''
she said, and leaned nearer to him,
looking deep into his eyes
For moment William Douglas way
cred. For moment he resisted. But
the dark eyes thrilled him TO the soul
and his own heart rose insurgent
against his reason.
Il will come if you ask mel" he said.
you are more beautiful than 1 had
dreamed any woman could be"
Il do ask yOui" she continued, with
out removing her eyes from his face.
Then l will surely comet" he replied.
She sat her hand beneath his chin
and bent smilingly and lightly to kiss
him, but with an imprisoned, passion
ate cry the young man suddenly clasp
ed her in his arms. Yet even as he did
So his eyes fell upon two figures,
which, silent and motionless, stood by
the open door of the pavilion.
(To be Continued.)