Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-31

| yet ripe to perfect mellowness She was
but little past the prime of her rich wo-
| manhood and still bore the traces OF q
| great beauty. She bore in addition. upon
| cheek and forehead, the scars OF three
| frightful burns.
1.-THE peace of the grave can never be
mine while my heart is open to the Sor-
rows of Others" she answered with sad
ness. Sister Sexberga, that was an Eng
| lish band which passed last night. L made
out English words in their song. am IN
utmost fear for the Danes of Avalcomb."
They that take the sword shall perish
with the sword the old nun quoted, lit
tie sternly IAN Englishman was despoiled
of his lands when Erode the Dane took
Her companion made a gesture of en-
treaty. 1T is not for Erode that l am
timorous dear sister, nor for the boy,
Fridtjof; it is for Randalin, his daughter"
Sister SeXberga was some time silent.
When at last she spoke. 1T was but to re-
peat slowly, 'Randalin, his daughter. God
pity her!''
Sister Wynfreda was no longer listen
ing. She had quilted her hold upon the
gate and taken a step forward, strain
ing her eyes. They had not deceived her.
Out of a tall mass of golden bloom at the
farther end of the lane, arm clad in
brown homespun had tossed itself for one
delirious instant. Trailing her robes over
the daisied. grass, the nun came upon a
wounded man lying face downward in the
tangle.
There was little in that to awaken sur
prise; it would have been stranger had
warriors passed without leaving some such
mute token in their wake. Yet when the
united strength of the four arms had turn
ed the limp weight upon its back a cry
of astonisment rose from each throat.
1.-The woodward Of Avalcomb!''
1.-The hand of the Lord hath fallen!''
After a moment the younger woman said
in trembling voice: ''The whisper in my
heart spoke truly. Dearest sister. put your
arm under here, and we will get him to
his feet and bring him in, and he will tell
off the swoon. After he has swallowed
some of your wine he will be able to speak
and tell US"
1t was muscle-breaking work for women's
backs, for though he tried instinctively to
obey their directions, the man was scarcely
conscious; his arms were like lead yokes
upon his supporters shoulders Just
and they were forced to put him down
among the spicy herbs There as one
was pulling off her threadbare cloak to
make him a pillow and the other was start
ing after her cordial, he opened his eyes.
Master he muttered. Master? Have
In an instant Sister wynfreda was on
you mean? Did they beset the castle?"
Slowly the mans clouded eyes cleared.
1.-The Sisters" he murmured. II had the
intention-to get to you-but I fell" His
words QleQ away IN a Whisper, ana MS eye
lids dropped. Sister Sexberga turned again
to seek her restorative. Sister Wynfreda
leaned over and shook him.
Answer me- first. Where is you master?
And young Fridtjof? And your mistress?"
He shrank from her touch with a gasp
of pain. Dead" he muttered. "Dead-At
the gate-Frode and the boy The raven
starvers cut them down like saplings.'
and Randalin?''
II heard her scream as the Englishman
seized her-Leofwinesson had her round
the waist-they knocked me on the head,
then-I-I-" Again his voice died away.
Sister Wynfreda made no attempt to re-
call him. Mechanically she held his head
SO that her companion might pour the
liquid down his throat. That DONE she
brought water and bandages, and stood
by. absent-eyed and in silence, while Sex
berga found his wounds and dressed them.
1t was the older woman who spoke first
THE fate of this maiden lies heavy on
your mind. beloved" she said tenderly;
and l would have you know that my heart
also Is sorrowful For all that she is the
fruit of darkness it was permitted by the
Lord that Randalin, Frode's daughter