Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-03-13

W101e N ms Hoet C11u 1DT666
difficulties Of the way. And also I be-
came aware that these same feet were
quite out OF the ordinary. AS they
moved along in front OF me, now In
and now out, Of the lanterns circle of
feeble light, they seemed incredibly
small and well-shaped. Likewise they
had q gait most delicate and graceful
and moved SO noiselessly in their soft
shoes that I heard no sound at all.
And it seemed also from the glimpse
to be caught now and then under the
long cloak that the limbs above them
were m~arvelously delicate. though
round and well-shaped.
But while my slow mind was puz-
cling over these twinkling little heels
my guide stopped at a narrow door.
After some persuasion that betokened
disuse the lock yielded to a key and
we emerged into the open air. Shell
tered from a chance gaze by the shad-
cw of the wall my guide put into my
hand a bit of paper, at the same time
parting the mufiing of the lantern that
a ray of light nigh fall on it Twas
but a few lines:
"At the smiths in the lane there is
a horse-pistol in the saddle-bags-also
a purse and food. Haste away and
Cad.cnaad
There was no name and the words
were writ so that none might know the
hand. stared at the rough writ mes
sage for a moment like one in a dream,
my mind cropping iblindly for a clew.
Then a wild hope made my heart leap,
and I drew nearer my guide and said
low:
NAY; I go not without my sword"
Without a word the cloaked figure
plucked out from it's ample drapery
something that glittered in the feeble
light and clinked with a music that
hath no like. Twas my sword and
belt!
Now, this sword vas the apple of
my eye and save the smith and one
other none in the castle knew where I
kept it behind the books in the old
library. And that M was the Lady
Maud.
I took the sword into my hands and
had no shame to draw the blade from
the scabbard and press it to my lips.
Then l belted it in place. Nor did l
shame to throw out a hand as if by
chance as I was busy with the fasten-
ings. My hand fell upon the cloak Of
my guide. And under the rough horse
mans cloak was a woman's breast.
Still I gave no sign that l knew, busy
ing myself with the fastenings of my
shoes. Then when all was ready /
stepped closer to my guide.
Fair sir" I whispered, wilt do me
one more kind turn and fill the meas
ure to overlooking? Return my
thanks for this most unexpected de-
%liverance. Say-to whom I know not
that some day l will make payment
with interest-if / live. And if fall,
the last beat Of my heart will be n
of gratitude and remembrance"
Now, while l said this, in some
way it happened that my guide game
closer yet, and a hand came out from
under the cloak and caught at my
arm.
"And if 1 come to my own again." l
went on, whispering close in an a
that did not draw away, Il will bring
back more than thanks-more than
gratitude"
But the message was " finished.
Out rang a sudden shout and then
through all the castle ran the alarm.
"Go!" l whispered. go on the in
slant. 1 will remain and face them
and invent some tale"
But the Lady Maud came to me and
kissed me on the lips.
Go" she said. "Go-that you may
come back to me-"
So I waited till she was safely in
side the narrow door and / heard the
turning of the key. Then l stole away
through the shadows of the smithy.
And there I found all she had said,
save this:
Instead of one horse there were two,
and one bore a woman's saddle.