Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-14


world. None knoweth when We may have
to leave it. YondeT is a star. Look well
at it. They say God made il. Perhaps He
takes more interest in II than He does in
the concerns of this other world He hath
NADER
The son of Malise MacKim gripped him
self, as it Were, with both hands, and turn
Ell a face pale marble to look into the
grim countenance which hid the soul OF the
lord of Machecoul
Giles de Retz appeared to peruse each
feature of the boys person if he read
in a book. Yet even he gave back glance
for glance, and with the memory of what
he had seen yet fresh upon him, strange
courage began to glow in the breast OF
the young Scot. There came a kind of
contempt. too, into his breast, though
he had it in him to be a man. in despite of
the devil and all his works.
The marshal continued his scrutiny and
Laurence returned his gaze with interest.
Well, boy" said the marshal. smiling as
If not ill-pleased at his boldness what do
you think of me?'
Il think, sir said Laurence. boldly. that
you have grown older since l saw you in
the lists at Thriever'
1t seemed to Laurence that the words
were given him. And all the time he was
saying to himself. Now, l have done it.
He will surely now put me to death. He
cannot help himself Why did l not stick to
1t that | was an Irelander?"
But somehow the answer seemed like
an arrow from bow shot a a venture. en-
tering in between the joints of the mar
sbafs armor
DO you think so?" he said. with some
startled anxiety, Yet without surprise; old
er than at Thrieve-I do not believe it. 1t is
impossible. Why, l grow younger every
day 1t has been promised me that 1
shouldr'
And, setting his elbow on the sill OF the
window, Giles de Retz looked thoughtfully
out upon the cool dusk of the rose garden.
Then, all at once, 1t came to him what was
L.
rences. The grim look returned to his
eyes as he erected himself and bent his
brows, white with premature age. upon
the boy, who confronted him with the fear
lessness born of youth and ignorance.
All" he sad; this is interesting. You
have changed your nation. You were an
Irshman to De Sille in Paris, to clerk Hen
riet and to the choir at Machecoul Yet to
me you admit in the very first words that
you speak that YOU Scot and saw me
at the castle of Thrieve.
Even yet the old Laurence might have
turned the corner. He had, we know,
been a liar ready and expert. He had
daily pra cticed his art upon the abbot lie
had even. though more rarely, succeeded
with his father. But now in the day of his
necessity the power and wit had departed
from him.
At the castle of Machecoul Laurence sim
ply could not lie. Hinged as he was by
evil his spirit became strong for good and
he testified like a soul in the place of final
judgment, wher the earthly lendngs of
word and phrase and covering excuse must
all be cast aside and the soul stand forth
naked and markedly answer that which is
required.
Il am Scot" said Laurence, briefly and
without explanation.
Come with me into my chamber" said
him.
And without word of complaint or back
ward glance the lad followed the great
lord to the chamber into which many
Il hgF fore h
beautiful of the earth, and whence so few
had come out alive.
As he passed the threshold Laurence put
into his mouth the elastic pellet which
had been given him by Blaise Renouf, the
chOirmaSterS son.
Look forth and tell me what you see?"
he said.
Laurence set his head out of the window
He looked upon an intricate mass of build
ing composing the western wing of the cas-
tie, and it was some moments before he
could distinguish what the Sieur De
RetZ wished him to see. Then as his eyes
took in the details, he saw on the fiat roof
OF square tower beneath him two maid
ems seated, and when he had looked closer
10! they were Margaret Douglas and be
side her Maud Lindsay. These two were
sitting hand in hand as was their wont
and the head of the child was bowed al
most to her friends knee. Maud's arm
was about Margarets neck and her fingers
caressed the childish tangle of hair Pres
entity the elder lifted the younger upon
her knee and hushed her like a nurse who
puts a tired child to sleep.
Immediately behind this group I'm the
shadow of buttress Laurence saw a tall
man, masked. clad in a black suit, and
with a drawn sword in his hand.
The marshal looked out over the lads
shoulder.
The day you are missed from the castle
of Machecoul or the day that the rest
of your company arrives here. that sword
shall fall, but in more terrible fashion
than l can tell you! l bid you good night
Go to your singing in the choir. 1t is time
for the chanting Of vespers in the chapel |
of the Holy Innocentsr'
10 be continuedl