Evening star., 1905-10-11

had tried to paint them In the Beaulieu mis-
sails: but here there was something ntuaan.
were it only in the battered hawk and dis
coiored dress, which sent a tingie and thrill
through his nerves such as no dream of ra-
diant and stainless spirit had ever yet been
able to cenjure up. Good, quiet, uncom-
planning Mother Nature long slighted and
miscalled. still bides her time and draws TO
her bosom the most errant of her children.
The two walked swiftly across the
meadow to the narrow bridge, ne IN 'front.'
and dsshe pace or two behind. There they
paused. and stood for a few minutes face to
face, talking earnestly. Alleyne had read
and had heard of love and lovers. Such were
these doubtless, this golden-bearded man
and the fair damsel with the cold. proud
face. Why else should they wander together
in the woods. or be so lost in talk by rustic
streams7 And yet as he watched, uncer-
tain whether to advance from the cover or
to choose some other path to the house, he
soon came to- doubt the truth of this first
conjecture. The man stood, tail and square.
blocking the entrance to the bridge, and
throwing out his hands as he spoke in a
wild, eager fashion, while the deep tones of
his stormy voice rose at times into accents
of menace and of anger. She stood fear
lessly in front of him, still stroking her
bird; but twice she threw swift question:
ing glance over her shoulder. as one who Is
in search of aid. So moved was the young
clerk by these mute appeals that he came
forth from the trees and crossed the
meadow. uncertain what to do, and yet
his aid. So intent were they upon each
other that neither took note of his ap-
proach until. when he was close upon them,
the man threw his arm roughly round the
damsef's waist and drew her toward him.
she straining her 1.-THE, supple figure away
and striking fercely at him, while the
hooded hawk screamed with ruffied wings
and pecked blindly In his mistress defense.
Bird and maid. however, had but little
chance against their assailant, who, laugh
ing loudly, caught her wrist in one hand.
while he drew her toward him with the
other.
.'The best rose has ever the longest
thoras." said he. Quiet, little one, or you
may do yourself a hurt. Must pay Saxon
toll on Saxon land. my proud Maude. for all
your airs and graces.'
bred clod' Is this your care and your hospi-
tality? I would rather wed branded serf
from my fathers fields. Leave go, say.
All, good youth, heaven has sent you. Make
him loose me! By the honor Of your
mother, pray you to stand by me and to
make this knave loose me-
Stand by you 1 will, and that blithely."
said Alleyne. Surely. sir, you should take
The man turned face upon him which
was lion-like in its strength and In it's
wrath. With his tangle of golden hair, his
fierce blue eyes, and his large, well-marked
whom Alleyne had ever seen; and yet there
was something so sinister and so fell in
his expression that child or beast might
well have shrunk from him. His browss
were drawn his cheek flushed, and there
was mad sparkle In his eyes which spoke
of a wild. untama BILE nature
Young fool!' he cried, holding the wo-
man still to his side. though every line of
her shrinking figure spoke her adherence.
DO you keep your spoon in your own
broth. l rede you to go on your own way
lest worse befall you. This little wench
has come with me, and with me she shall
bide.''
'Liarr cried the woman: and. stoonine
her head. she suddenly bit fiercaly into the
broad brown hand which held her. He
whipped 1t back with an oath, while she
tore herself free and slipped behind Alleyne,
covering up against him like the trembling
leveret who sees the falcon poising for the
swoop above him.
(To be continued tomorrow