Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-21

grooves wherein the, string was to lie so
easily and yet SO firmly.
Thus they continued TO-, work. absorbed
each of them in the sadness of his own
thought, Till suddenly shadow seemed to
strike between them and the red light of
the sunset sky. They looked up, and before
them, as it were, assembled out of the very
glow of sunset, they saw a woman on a
white palfrey approaching them by way of
the sea.
SO suddenly did she appear that the Lord
James gave a low cry of wonder and sprang
to his feet while Malise, the practical
reached for his sword But Sholto had
seen this vision twice already, and knew
their visitor for the Lady Sybila
Hold there!' he said. in an undertone
Remember, it is as I said This woman
though We have no cause to love her is
now our only hope Her words brought US
here. They Were true words, and / believe
that she comes as our friend. l will stake
my life on it t'
''Or, if she comes as an enemy, we are no
worse off, grumbled skeptical Malise
I'VE Can at least encourage her, and hold
her as hostage
The three Scots were standing to receive
their guest when the Lady Sybilla rode up
Her face had lost none of the pale sad
ness which marked it when Sholto last saw
her. and, though the look of utter agony
had passed away, the despair of soul in
pain had only become more deeply printed
upOn it.
The girl. having acknowledged their salu-
tauons with q stately and well-accustomed
motion of the head, reached a hand for
Sholto to lift her from the palfrey
Then, still without spoken word she ST.
lently seated herself on a gray lchened
rock rudely shaped into the semblance of
a chair, on which MaliSe had baen sitting
at his meBGing. The strange maiden looked
long at the blue of the sea deepening in the
notches Of the sand dunes beneath them
The three men stood before her, waiting
for her to speak. Each Of them knew well
that lives dearer and more precious than
their own hung upon what she might have
to say.
AT last she spoke in a low voice, as the
wind when it blows its highest among the
trees
You have small cause to trust me or 70
count me your friend, she said but we
have that which binds closer than friend
ship, a common enemy and a common
cause of hatred. 1t were better therefore
that we should understand one another I
have never lost sight of you since you came
to this fatal land of Retz | have been
near you when you knew it not To ac-
complish this 1 have deceived the man who
is my taskmaster, swearing to him that in
the witch crystal I have seen you depart
And / shall yet deceive him in more deadly
fashion.
sholto could restrain himself no longer
Enough he said roughly; tell us
whether the maidens are alive, and if they
ere abiding in this castle of Machecoul"
The Lady Sybilla did not remove her eyes
from the red west.
THUS far they are safe" said She in the
same monotonec 'rfhave come from the
white tower In which they are confined
But he whom serve swears by an oath
that if you or other rescuers are heard CT
again in this country he will destroy them
BOTH I.
She shudderedaa as she spoke with q strong
revulSion of feeling. &c
Therefore befcareful with a great care
fulnesS. Give up all thought of rescuing
them directly. Remember how little you
have been able to accomplish, and that
your slightest actions will bring upon those
you love a fate of which you little dream"
After what we remember of Crichton
castle, how cam we trust you, lady?' said
Malise, sterniy. f"Do you speak the truth
with your MOUTH" j
You have, indeed small cause to think
so,' she answered, without offense; ''yet
havir no choice, yen must cen trust me-"
She turned sharply upon Sholto with a
strip of paper in her outstretched hand.
Il think young sir, that you have some
reason 10 know from whom that comes"
Shoto grasped at the writing with a new
and wonderful hope in his heart. He knew
instinctively before he touched 1t that none
but Maud Lindsay could have written that
script. small, clear and distinct as motto
cut on gem. 80
'sTo our friends in France and Scotland +"
so it ran, 1--WE are stiH safe this eve of the
blessed St. Michael Trust her who brings
this letter. She is our savior and our only
hope in dark and evil place. She is sorry
for that which by her aid hath been done
As you hope for forgiveness, forgive her
And for Gods dear sake, do Immediately
the thing she. bids you. This comes from
Margaret de Douglas and Maud Lindsay.
1t is written by the hand of NJ. L.
The wax at the bottom was sealed in
double with the bears head of Lindsay
and the heart of Margaret of Douglas.
Sholto having read the mssiye silently.
passed it to the Lord James that he might