Evening star., 1905-11-02

But have something for thee. Geurval.
said Simon. What thenr he asked. There
was an English archer who slept here last
week, Of the name of Hugh of Nutbourne.
We have had many rogues here said
Gourval. His conscience hath been heavy
within him because he owes you debt of
fourteen derniers, having drunk wine for
which he hath never paid. For the easing
of his soul, he asked me to pay the money
to you as passed Now this Gourval was
very greedy for money, so he thrust forth
his hand for the fourteen dernieTs. but
Simon had his dagger ready, and he pinned
his hand to the door. have paid the Eng
lishman's debt, Gourval! quoth he; and so
rode away, laughing SO that he could scarce
sit his horse, leaving mine host still nailed
to his door. Such is the story of the hole
which you have marked and of the smudge
upon the wood. l have heard that from
that time English archers have been better
treated in the auberge of Cardillac: But
what have we here by the wayside?"
"It appears to be a very holy man. said
Alleyne.
And, by the rood! he hath some strange
waresn' cried John. What are these bits
of stone, and of wood, and rusted nails
which are set out in front of him?'
The man whom they had remarked sat
with his back against a cherry tree, and
his legs shooting out in front of him. like
one who is greatly at his ease. Across his
thighs was a wooden board, and scattered
knobs of brick and stone, each laid sepa-
rate from the other as huckster places
his wares. He was dressed In a long gray
gown, and wore broad hat of the same
color much weather stained, with three
scallop-shells dangling from the brfm AS
they approached the travellers observed
that he was advanced In years. and that
his eyes were upturned and yellow.
Dear knights and gentlemen he cried.
in high, cracking voice, worthy Chris
tan cavaliers, will ye ride past and leave
an aged pilgrim to die of hunger? The
sight hast been burned from mine eyes
by the sands of the Holy Land, and l have
had neither crust of bread nor cup OF wine
these two days past"
by my hilt, father said Aylward, look
ing keenly at him, ''it is marvel to me
that thy girdle should have so goodly a
span and clip thee so closely If you have
in sooth had SO little to place within it,
Kind stranger" answered the pilgrim,
you have unwittingly spoken words which
are very grievous to me to listen TO. Yet
/ should be loath to blame you, for | doubt
not that what you said was not meant to
sadden me, nor to bring my sore aff1iction
back to my mind. 1t i'll becomes me to
prate too much Of what / have endured for
the faith. and yet, since you have observed
it. 1 must tell you that this thickness and
roundness of the waist is caused by a
dropsy brought on by overhaste in jour-
neying from the house of Plate to the
Mount of Olives
A
redeemed cheek 'let that curb your blunt
tongue. How could you bring fresh
pang to this holy man. who hath endured
so much and hath journeyed as far as
Christ'sNown blessed tomb?"
May the foul fiend strike me dumb
cried the bowman, in hot repentance; but
both the palmer and Alleyne threw up their
hands to stop him.
II forgive thee from my heart dear
brother" piped the blind man But, oh.
thoco x.-tIH UnrdC of
mine ears than aught which you could say
of me -
Not another word shall 1 speak," said
Aylward; but here is a franc for thee, and
1 crave thy blessing"
"And here is another" said Alleyne.
And another" cried Horde John.
But the blind palmer would have none
OF their aims.
"Foolish, foolish pride" he cried, beating
uron his chest with his large brown hand
Foolish foolish pride! How long. then,
will it be ere I can scourge it forth? Am
/, then, never to conquer it? Oh, strong,
strong are the ties of flesh, and hard it is
to subdue the spirit! come, friends. of a
noble house and I cannot bring myself to
touch this money, even though 1t be to
save me from the grave"
Alas! father" said Alleyne, "how, then
can we be of help to thee?"
1T had sat down here to die" quoth the
palmer; ''but for many years 1 have car
red In my wallet these precious things
which you see set forth now before me-
1t were sin, thought 1, that my secret
sheuld perish with l SHALL therefore
sell these things to the first worthy pass
ers-by, and from them l shall have money
enough to take me to the shrine of Our
Lady at Rocamadour, where 1 hope to lay
these old bones"
What are these treasures, then. father?
asked Horde John. IT can but see old
rusty nail with bits of stone and slips of
wood
my friend" answered the palmer mot
hot fc In
pay a Just price for these wares of mine
This nall" he- continued, pulling off his
hat and turning up his sightless orbs, lis
one of those wherewith mans salvation
was secured l had 1T, together with this
piece OF the true rood from the five-and-
twentieth descendant of Joseph of Arima-
thea, who still lives in Jerusalem alive and
WELL though latterly much afflicted by
bols. Ay, you may we'll cross yourselves.
and l beg that you will not breathe upon
it ortouch 1t with your fingers
And the wood and stone, holy father?'
asked Alleyne, with bated breath, as he
stared. awe-struck at his precious relics
This cantle of wood is from the true
cross this other from Noah and his ark,
and the third is from the door-post of the
temple of the wise King Solomon. This
stone was thrown at the sainted Stephen,
and the other two are from the Tower of
and lock of hair from Elisha the
Prophet"
but. father quoth Alleyne. "the holy
Elisha was bald, which brought down upon
him the revflements of the wicked chill
dren"
hair said the palmer. quickly, "and It is
this which makes this relic so exceeding
precious. Take now your choice Of these,
my worthy gentlemen. and pay such 3