The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1902-03-13
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he presently lay, sprawling with the
utmost good humor.
"In this motley world, anger and
strife often follow fast on the heels of
mirth. While her bridegroom was thus
playing the buffoon, Clara had disap-
peared. But Lady Cavendish, who had
been narrowly observing her, had noted
where she had withdrawn herself and
with whom. She had marked looks of
tender sympathy exchanged between
Clara and Ralph, and had seen them
sidle off together into window recess
protected by curtain. She gave the
two lovers little time, and then
passed the word through the tittering
throng, directed all eyes on the recess,
and sent one of her maids to suddenly
pull aside the curtain, and show the
picture. A pretty picture it was, the
two figures standing very close together
against the light, his left arm grasping
a chair behind her, while with his
right hand he tenderly ,and respectful
ly guided her forefnger in tracing let
ers on the moistened pane. conject-
ure that he had written something there
which she protested herself unable to
copy. So absorbed were they in their
occupation that they were not aware of
the tittering crowd of onlookers till
the loud oaths of Sir Richard made
them turn their astonished faces.
"Sir Richard was the only man of
the company that did not laugh. To
speak the truth of the young offenders,
they bore themselves with easy and
seemly self-possession. Ralph's color
heightened little, but he came for
ward from the recess with deity as
sumed look of surprise and inquiry as
to the meaning of the laughter, as if it
were the most natural thing in the
world that he should be found giving
the young demoiselle lesson in prim-
tive handwriting. What he would
have said by way of explanation l cam
not tell you, for before he could utter
word the injured knight rushed on
him, shouting, Miserable scrivener!
l will write on the walls with your
brains!'
"There was great cutlery and COM
motion. Sir John Cavendish cried
Peace! Ho! For shame!' but his
voice could hardly be heard above the
hubbub. The ladies screamed, and
several knights ran to drag Sir Richard
away. Ralph at first made no attempt
at retaliation, but merely laid hold of
his assailant's arms to steady himself
and keep his feet, and avoid being
dashed against the wall or through
the window. But when Sir Richard
did not desist, but held on by his throat
and twisted and dragged him about,
the youth also lost his temper and put
forth his strength, laying Sir Richard
on the polished floor, flat on his back.
"Ralph was at once hurried off by
Sir John Cavendish before Sir Richard
recovered his footing. The enraged
knight would have hustled after him,
but the ladies threw themseles in his
way and he dared not thrust them aside.
Then he turned to his bride, and shook
his great fist at her. She, who had
stood all the time in the recess, with
pale face and soft, velvety CLEAN in
her eyes, answered with disdainful
smile.
Il will tame your proud spirit yet,
MINK he gasped. She returned his
look without quailing, the light in her
eyes becoming darker with resolute
scorn. Marry me, if you dare, she said,
in quiet voice.
"The foolish man did dare: ne
married her, and carried her to his
castle. But their welded bliss was not
of long duration. On the morning
after the marriage the bride rose long
before prime and walked out to taste
the morning air. When it was near
midday and she had not returned, and
her lord had never stirred from his
chamber, they went in and found him
lying in heavy sleep, from which they
had much ado in rousing him. The
crafty wench had drugged his evening
cup, and made her escape in the morn
} ing. Sir Richard broke the porter S
ribs and flung him into the moat, but
! that did not recover the fugitive, who
was traced at the last to the priory at
hartford, where she had taken shelter,
and from which, as far as know, her
husband has not yet succeeded in
! dragging her. II he ever should lay
, hands on her he will tame her proud
/ spirit l make no doubt"
"God grant he never do" said the
: host.
"Amen," said Simon d'Ypres, who
; had listened with courteous interest to
the canon's long-winded tale. "And
; what became of Ralph Hardelot?"
The canon yawned. 81 have heard
5 little of him." he said, "till he reap
) peared here in the FOOLS dress of a