The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1901-11-19
!. SYBIL AND
!. THE ARCHER
A Story of the Olden Time.
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straight to the center of the butts which
stood at one end of the chosen place of
recreation.
Another shaft missed the clout,"
laughed an old man as the arrow stuck
quivering in the turf, falling three yards
short of the butt "The king will never
complain that lads of Wainwood make
havoc among his deer if he hears of such
shooting as this"
| Hold your pirate, CATER Jenkyn," said
the young man who had discharged the
last shaft, pettishly unstringing his bow.
''It was cross wind which marred my
shooting, unless, indeed, it was the wiz
ards wand" he added, crossing himself
devoutly as he cast a glance of scorn and
adherence at young maiden standing
some little distance apart from the group
of rustics, fair haired girl Of middle
height, with pair of laughing gray eyes.
Her age could scarcely have exceeded
eighteen years, and the merry expression
of her face as she smiled at the woebe
gone look Of the discounted bowman had
no more wizards glamour about it than is
always to be found in the ripping laugh
ter of pretty girl.
Eyes, there she be, sure enough" NUT
tered CATER Jenkyn, with a glance Of
malevolent hatred at the young girl.
"What business has she down here among
us? Even if she can't cast spells herself
she can tell all about us to that old war
lock who lives in the ruined tower in
Carnstone Chase"
BY this time general attention was drawn
to the beautiful intruder and threats and
excavations were leveled at her head.
At first the girl appeared unconscious
of her danger, but all at once stone
thrown by lad grazed her arm, and as
she perceived the threatening attitude of
the crowd look of intense terror passed
across her face and she turned to fly.
do not let the witch escape" cried an
old crone II lost two sweet grandchil-
dren last autumn. They said it was the
falling sickness, but | know better. 1t
was through the devilments of the old
wizard and his ward"
A menacing circle soon formed around
the poor girl, whose entreaties for mercy
were received with shouts of derisiOn, and
she would have been seriously maltreated
had not figure burst through the ranks
of her assailants and loudly asked the
meaning of their cowardly conduct.
The man who interposed in the girls
behalf was attirU1 in the picturesque
dress of a forester, though he wore no
badge or cognizance to show that he was
the retainer of any noble house, and the
cloth of which his Lincoln green doublet
was composed was of a finer character
than that in which servitors were attired.
"Hello, my mastersp cried he, step
ping between the maiden and her assail-
ants. "What wit is this? BY the bones
of Jonathan the Archer, call ye your
selves Englishmen to behave in such
mannerW
A confused chorus of explanation rose
from the little crowd, but the smith, who
had first suggested violent measures,
strobe to the front.
"This is no business of thine, Hob Of
the Butts" growled he. Get We to your
own business of stealing the kings deer,
and leave honest men to look after their
own affairs We will have no witches or
warlocks among us, and this wench, who
lives up at Carnstone Chase with old
Michael Rexthorpe. shall not come down
here casting her spell over us and ours"
AS he spoke he laid rough, sinewy
| hand upon the shoulder of the shrinking
girl, but in moment staggered back I'M
der the effects of heavy blow dealt him
| by the man called Hob of the Butts, who,
placing the girls arm in his, drew her
through the crowd, not one of which ven
tured to manifest any opposition
! Neither spoke a word until they had
left Friars Holt some little distance be-
hind them, and then the girl said timidly:
81 thank you, fair sir, for your kindness
in rescuing me from that dreadful man.
| thought | should have died with terror
| uhnn ha laid his hand an mo "
The forester laughed merrily. Matt
Clink and understand each other, pretty
one," said he. But tell me. who are you,
why did they call you a witch and want
to throw you into the pond?'
Tears started to the girls eyes. 81 am
called Sybi Tressider," answered she,
land l am no witch, though | live up in
Carnstone Chase with that fearful man,
Michael Rexthorpe.
"My father, Reginald Tressider, who
believed that he could find the philosoph-
er's stone, was the owner of the house in
the Chase and Michael Rexthorpe was
his trusted familiar and acolyte, but my
poor father died. and the fearsome man.
Michael, has taken everything. He says
am his ward and. though | am not abso-
lutely prisoner, yet he has forbidden me
to go beyond certain limits"
Hob of the Butts stroked his chin
thoughtfully "A sad tale" said he.
''But what doth he up in the lonely tower
from whence as | have passed that
way at night have seen strangely col
ored vapors issue and clouds of bright
sparks float away like evil demons on
their errand of illY'
"He searcheth for two 7hings-the Sc
cret of eternal youth and the waters Of
oblivion" replied Sybil Tressider.
Hob of the Butts looked puzzled. 81
know not what you mean by the last"
said he.
at is the draft which brings forgetful-
ness" answered the maiden.
"Then Mat Clink often finds that when
he quaffs the nut brown ale." returned
the forester with his merry laugh.
81 cannot ask thee in replied Sybil,
'but from the bottom of my heart thank
thee | have not met friend since can
recolect."
She turned from him with sigh and
made her way slowly toward the time
torn tower, which stood like some giant
sentinel watching over the bleak waste.
In a very few days Hob Of the Butts
again found himself in the vicinity of ths
tower, and with a witness which those
who were acquainted with his frank and
open nature would never have given him
! credit for he carried on his shoulders a
fat doe. which be humbly offered tc
Michael Rexthorpe as tribute from one
who, though ignorant, was devoted adj
mirer of learning
The cunning old man fathomed the
handsome forester's motive in a moment,
but he was not one to cast away gifts,
eve6 though y. 4elt in his heart that Hot
of re Butts had a magnet in Sybil Tres
siG6l He received him graciously and
accepted the present.
Sybi and the forester had now many
opportunities of meeting, and strong
feeling of affection sprang up between
them-not unnoticed by the keen eyes OF
Michael.
There were times when he felt inclined
to rend his snow white beard with disap-
pointment.
And now began a new life for Hob OF
the Butts. His former sylvan haunts and
gay companions knew him not, for he be-
came Michael ReXthorpe's drudge, q
mere newer of wood and drawer of wa
ter. and yet he felt that this unaccus-
toned toll was amply repaid by the op-
portunity of breathing his love into Syb-
lis ear and hearing her shy answer in
response.
One day Michael'l countcnance was
full of triumph II have found them, y
cried he. 81 have found them. | am not
quite certain of eternal youth, for that
will be gradual process, but of the wa
tiers of oblivion have no doubt. | have
however, hit upon a sure means of testing
the latter and will do so on that jolter
headed archer and see if it will make him
forget Sybil"
He FASTENED away to the keeping room
of the tower with the silver goblets, each
containing small quantity of some
liquid pure and colorless as crystal.