The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-10-02
CHAPTER x1-conHnued.

| me ana nelpeQ ms tnlB 4Sei y NV i1ii6 ~
Minstead woods, four miles to tho
north Of the Christ Church Road where
| / had no cali to be, you having ordered
LIE otherwise" All this she reeled of
Ii, loud voice, and then glanced with
s.deloig questioning eyes at Allcyne for
his approval. 81
| Sir Nigel, who had entered the room
With sllvery-haired old Indy upon his
aim, stared aghast at this sudden out
burst of candor. Mi
.Maudc, N1aude!" said he, shaking his
head, ut Is more hard for me. to gain
obedience from you than from the ten.
| score drunken archers who followed me
to Guinnc. Yet, hush! little one, for
your fair lndy-mother will be here anon.
and there Is no need that shes should
know 1t. We will keep you from the
provost narshall this Journey. Away to
your chamber, sweottng, and keep n
blithc face, for she who confesses Is
| shriven. And now, fair mother, = he con-
| tinued, when his daughter had gone. sit
YOU here BY tho fire. for your blood
runs colder than 1t did. Alleyne Edrlc-
son, i would have a word with you. for
/ would fair that you should take SCR
vice under me. And here IN good time
comes my lady, without whose counsel
It Is not my won't to decide nught Of
Import; but, indeed, 1t was her own
thought that you should come.
"Fore1 have formed good opinion OF
YOU and can see that you are one who
may be trusted" said the Lady Loring.
and in good sooth my dear lord hath need
Of such a one by his side, for he recks
SO little OF himself that there should be
one there to look to his needs and meet
his wants. You have seen the clolst e y.
it iwerc we'll that you should sec the
world too, ere you make choice for life
between them. - 81
I&.Itwns for that very reason that my ia tn
err willed that should come forth into
the world at ny twentieth year.. said
Alleyne.
"Then your father was a man OF good
counsel" said she, and you cannot car
ry out his will better than by going on
this path, where e:lthats is noble and gall !.
liant In England will be your compan-
ions
s"You can ride?" asked Sir Nigel look
ing at the youth with puckered eyes.
Yes, il have ridden much at the abb
bey.''.s i5s ,As
yet there is a difference betwixt n
friar's hack and a warriors destrier. You
can sing and play 10
ION citole. flute and rebeck. :"
Good! You can read blazonry 20 q
"Indfferent we'll.
Then read this, quoth Sir Nigel.
pointing upwards to one OF the many
quarterings which adorned the wall Lover
the fireplace.
Argent" Alleyne answered. "a fess
azure charged with three lozenges divid-
Ing three mullets sable. Over all, on an
escutcheon OF the first. jambe gules"
"a Jamie gues erased" said Sir Nigel
shaking his head solemny. Yet 1t IS
not amiss for monk bred man. ! trust
that you are lowly and serviceable z"
II have served all my life, my lord A
"Canst carve too?" 4
II have carved two days a week for
the brethren ".
"a model truly! wilt make a squire
OF. squires.s But tell me. I pray, canst
curl hair? S II
"No, my lord. but i could learn
ct is OF Import said he, for love
! to keep my hair we'll ordered, seeing that
the weight OF my helmet for thirty years
hath in some degree frayed it upon the
top.,s He pulled OFF his velvet cap OF
maintenance as he spoke and displayed
a pate which was as bald as an egg,
and shonc bravely in the freight. You
9sec..' said he, whisking round, and show
l. =
| tered hairs, like the last survivors IN
some fatal field, still barely held their
own against the fate which had fallen
| upon their comrades; these locks need
some little oling and curling, for ! doubt
mot that II you look santwise at my hcad:
when the light Is good, you will ayourself
perceive that there are places W' hcre tl'e o
! harris sparse, ~ 81 !,
4E"It is for you also to bear the purse"
said the lady for my sweet lord Is OF 80
| free and gracious a temper that he would
give 1t gayly to tho first who asked aims
OF him. All these things. with some
knowledge OF venerI, and OF the manage
men ttof horse, hawk and hound. with me
grace and hnrdihood and courtesy Whi men
| are proper to your age, Will make you a
AT squire for Sir Nigel Loring.
55g"Alas! lady" Alleyne answered. Il know
we'll the great honor that you have done
| me in deeming me worthy to wait upon
| so renowned knight, yet am 50 con
I scious OF my own weakness that ! scarce
dare incur duties which might be SO
ill-fltted to fulfil" !,
''"Modesty and a humble mind. !" said
she, "are the very first and rarcst gifts
! in mage or squire. Your words prove that
Vol, have these, and all the rest is put
| tho work OF use and time, But there 10
i no call for haste Rest upon 1t Tor the
1 night. and let your prisons ask Tor g "!
| Rnce In the alter we kneW yu ,1' -
er WE'LL and would fam help ms som,
though we have small cause 70 love your t'
i brother the Socnlan, who is for ever SUR
ring up strife In the county ~.
can scarce hope" said Nigel, ., 20
! hnye all ready for our start berore Tvs
,east Of st. Luke, for there Is much TO
ieas done in the time. You VII have les-
ure, therefore. Il e please you 10 ' vnKr
service r, under me. in which to learn ;; your ,n
deyolr, Bertrand my daughters page,
Is lot to go; but In sooth he Is over young
for such rough work as may be pe1 lots
| us. Ss9 5si II ~
"And have one favor to crave =, ! from e : :
you.n added the lady Of the castle as
Allnvne turned to leave their presence
you have, as i understand much learn e
ing which you have ACQUIRED at Beau "
i leu. * ~ & - is55i 4. !, !,
5nIIttle enough lady. compared with
those Who were my teachers .,..
NYet enough for my purpose, d 70 aI,,
not n For & would have you give armour 7.