Evening star., 1898-11-05

glad that you are, here"
M Maud Lindesdy Had again turned toward
Hush she said soothingly. "it was a
dream. You were frightened by vision.
| by nightmare. by a vision of the night!
There is no deg, within the cast1e!
But l saw It plainly, she cried. ''It
opened the door as If it had hands saw
oh. so terribly. I saw his teeth glisten and
snap together!"
Little one. be- still it was but dream"
| said Sholto, untruthfully but 1 will go
and search the rest of the castle"
And with these words he went along the
corridor, melting his men. whom he had
summoned by means of his captains silver
call, clustered upon the landing of the
turret stair which communicated with the
third floor. AS he glanced along the long
oak-paneled corridor 1t seemed to Sholto
that he discerned figure vanishing at the
| further end. He instantly resolved on
searching. and summoning his men to fol-
| low he led the way down the passage,
sword in hand. AS he went he snatched
the lamp from its pin on the wall and held
| 1t in his left hand high above his head.
AT the further end of the corridor was
| the door of little chamber. and It seemed
to Sholto that the shape he had seen had
disappeared at this point.
He knocked loudly on the door with his
sword and cried: IF any be within open in
the name of the earlr'
No voice replied and Sholto boldly set
his foot against the lower paneling and
drove the door back to the wall with a
clang.
Then at sight of something dark wrap
ped In cloak standing motionless close
against the window. the young captain Of
the guard elevated his lamp and let the
Kicker Of the light fall on the erect figure
and naughty face of young man, who
with his hand on his hip stood considering
the rude advance of his pursuers with
calm and questioning gaze.
1t was the Earl of Douglas himself.
Sholto stood petrifed at sight of him.
and for long minute could in wise re-
cover his self-contIol nor regain any use
of his tongue.
Well" said the earl. whence this I'M
Shoto?"
5. Then the spirit of his father came upon
him. He knew that he had only done his
duty in its strictness, and he boldly an
swered the earl: NAY, my lord were II
not for courtesy 1 have more right to ask
you that question. Your sister hath been
frightened and at sound of her terror all
we who were throughout the castle rushed
to the spot. AS l came down the stairs
from the roof at speed 1 saw something
like a great hound about to descend the
turret before me. With my sword struck
at 1t. and to all appearance wounded it.
1t vanished. and after searching all the
castle 1 could find no dog. But I saw. as
it seemed. figure enter this room. and
upon opening it find-the Earl Of Douglas.
That is all know, and leave the matter
in your hands,"
The naughty look gradually disappeared
from the face Of the earl Sholto spoke.
Smilingly he dismissed the guard with a
word. saying that he would inquire into the
cause of the disturbance in person, and
then turned to ShoIto.
'You are right" he said: "you have en-
tirely dcne your duty, and justified my ap
pointment."
He pause1, looked this way and that along
the corridor, and continued: 'It chanced
that in the tower without l could not
sleep, and, feeling uneasy concerning my
guests. I entered the castle by the private
door and staircase which leads from the
apartment corresponding to this on the
floor beneath. / vas assuring myself that
you were doing your duty. when, being dis
turbed by the sudden hubbub, and juoging
1t needless that the men-at-arms should
know of my presence in the castle came
in hither till the matter should have blown
over. And so. hut for your good conscience
would have ended"
Sholto bowed coldy.
But, NY lcrd." he said, ignoring tho
earl's explans ten 1.-THE matter grows more
httle Lady Margaret hath been grievously
frighted by an appea rance like great dog
which $50 she afffrns) opened the door Of
her chamber ard looked within
"She bu. dreamed said the earl care
lessly; ''such visions come from supplng
late" i'E
But, with respect your lordship," con-
tinued sholto.' also saw this appearance
even as ram down the stairs from the roof
a. the noise Of her crying"
You wer- startled-excited. n and but
thought you saw" F'
Sholto reversed his sword which he had
held with the point toward the ground
while he was speaking with his lord tn.
earl.
Holding the blade midway with much def
Douglas.
VIII you examine the point of this
sWCrd?' he said.
The earl came a step nearer to him and
Shcito advanced the sword till it was i'm
mediately beneath the lamp There was
blood upon the last inch or so of the blsds
The earl stcdenly became violently asl-
tated.
This is indeed passing strange, There il
no dog withit. the castle nor has there been
for years. Even the presence of a landos,
will fret my mother. so in my fathers time
they were every one removed to the kennels
at the further end of the Isle of Thrieye
whence even their bowling cannot be heard