Evening star., 1905-11-05

| marked silver cross, which Is surely sign
enough that there is naught of evil In these
strange powers which you say that she
possesses"
| ed SO powerfully to the Bohemian and to
| the Hospitaller. that they at once init
mated that their objections had been en-
Ynr, Oxercpme' over p while even the Lady Roche-
hersetr, ceased TO cast glances at the door
ana allowed her fears to turn to curiosity.
s.fad Ainong .n tne gifts which have been vouch-
safed TO my wife," said Du Guesclin. "tbere
| rs the wondrous one of seeing into the fu-
ture, out IL comes very seldom llnop her
.. aho goes as quickly, for none can command
IL. Inc Dressed hour of sight as she hath
named 1t, has come but twice since i have
hhoWn her, and l can vouch for II that ALI
lhat she hath told me was true. for on the
evening or the battle of Auray she said
that the morrow would be an Ill day for me
| ana for Charles of Bois. Ere the sun had
SUNG again. he was dead. and 1 the prisoner
OF Slr John Chandos. Yet Il is not every
| those iS
Bertrand. Bertrand" cried the lady in
tne same muttering. far-away voice. the
! blessed hour passes. Use it. Bertrand
while you may
fortune comes upon me?"
Danger. Bertrand-deadly press,no dan
It not" ~" N"'"
The French soldier burst into a thunder
with amusement.
AT what time during these twenty years
would not that have been true word?''
he cried. Danger is In the air that
breathe: But is this so very close. II
phaine?'
-Here-now-close upon you,"
The words came out In broken strenuous
speech. while the lady's fair face was
writhed and drawn like that Of one who
looks upon a horror which strikes the
words from her lips. Du Guesclin eazed
taDeStried ba
the tables, the abace. the credence the buff
fet with its silver salver, and the half cir
Gle of frient.y. wondering faces. There
was an utter stiffness save for the sharp
breathing of the Lady Tiphaine and for the
gentle soughing of the win. outside. which
waited to their ears the distant call upon
a swiue-herd's horn.
THE danger may bide," said he shrug-
ging his broad shoulders And now, Ii
phaine, tell us what will come of this war
in Spain?"
Il can see little," she answered, strain
ing her eyes and puckering her brow, as
one who would fain clear her sight. There
are mountains, and dry plains. and flash
OF arms and shouting OF battle-cries Yet
1t is whispered to me that by failure you
will succeed"
'.Ha! Sir Nigel, how ike you that?'
quoth Bertrand. shaking his head. 1T is
like mead and vinegar. half sweet. half
sour. And Is there no question which you
would ask my LADY,"
Certes there Is. would faln know.
fair lady. how all things are at Twynham
Castle, and above all. how my sweet lady
employs herself"
40 answer this / would fain lay hand
upon one whose Thoughts turn strongly
to this castle which you have nameu.
Nay my Lord Loring, IL is whispered to
me that there is another here who hath
thought more deeply Of IT than you"
Thought more of mine own home!" cried
Sir Nigel. Lady. fear that In this mat
ter at least you are mistaken.
mot SO. Sir Nigel. Come hither. young
man. young English squire with the gray
eyes! Now give me your hand and place
It here across my brow. that I may
that which you have seen. What is this
that rises before me? Mist, mist, rolling
mist with square black tower above It.
See 1t shreds out. 1t thins. it rises. and
there lies a castle in green plain. with the
sea beneath 1t. and a great church within
bow-shot. There are two rivers which
run through the meadows. and between
them lie the tents OF the besiegers."
"The besiegersr' cried Alleyne. Ford and
Sir Nigel all three in a breath.
"Yes, truly, and they press hard upon
the castle. for they are an exceeding multi
tude and full OF courage. See how they
storm and rage against the gate. while
some rear ladders, and others, line after
line, sweep the walls with their arrows.
There are many leaders who shout and
beckon and one a tall man with q golden
beard, who stands before the gate stamp
ing his foot and hallooing them on. as
pricker doth the hounds. But those In the
castle fight brayely. There is woman.
two women, who stand upon the walls. and
give heart to the men-at-arms. They show
er down arrows. darts. and great stones.
All! they have struck down the tall leader.
and the others give back. The mist thick
ems and can see no more"
by st. Paulr' said Sir Nigel, Il do not
think that there can be any such doings
at Christchurch. and am very easy of the
fc rtaIice so long as my sweet wife hangs
the key of the outer bailey at the head OF
her bed. Yet will not deny that you have
pictured the castle as well as could have
done myself and am full OF wonderment
at all that I have heard and seen"
CTo be continued tomoeroWl