Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-12

out here to drink broth or to gather whor-
tleberries. One more fight, and 1 am ready
TO hang up my bow, marry Wife anG
take to the fire corner. But how now,
Robin? Whom is 1t that you seek?"
THE Lord Loring Graves your attendance
in his tent" said a young archer to AL
leyne.
The squire rose and proceeded to the pa
wilton, where he found the knight seated
upon a cushion, with his legs crossed in
front of him and a broad ribbon of parch-
ment laid across his knees, over which he
was porting with frowning brows and pursed
lips.
at came this morning by the princes
messenger" said he and was brought
from England by Sir John Falislee, who is
new come from Sussex. What make you of
this upon the outer side?'
at is fairly and clearly written" Alleyne
answered, 'and it signifies To Sir Nigel
Loring, Knight, Constable of Twynham
Castle, by the hand of Christopher, the
servant of God at the Priory of Christ
church
80 l read it." said Sir Nigel Now
pray you to read what is set forth within. ]"
Alleyne turned to the letter, and as his
eyes rested upon It his face turned pale
and cry of surprise and grief burst from
his lips.
What them" asked the knight, peering
up at him anxiously. There is naught
amiss with the Lady Mary or with the
Lady Maude?"
brother!'' cried Alleyne. with his hand to
his brow. He is dead
by st. Paul! / have never heard that
he had shown so much love for you that
you should mourn him So
yet he was my brother-the only kith or
kin that had upon earth. Mayhap he had
cause to be bitter against me. for his land
was given to the abbey for my up-bringing.
Alas! alas! and l raised my staff against
him when last met! He has been slain
and slain, | fear, amid crime and violence"
'Ha!' said Sir Nigel. Read on, / pray
YOU
- God be with thee my honored lord, and
have thee in His holy keeping. The Lady
Loring hath asked me to set down in writ
Ing what hath befallen at Twynham, and
all that concerns the death of thy Ill neigh
Dor. the Socman of MinStead. For when We
had left us, this evil man gathered around
him all outlaws, villains and masterless
men, until they We're come to such force
that they slew and scattered the kings men
who went against them Then, coming
forth from the woods. they laid siege to
thy castle, and for two days they grit us
in and shot hard against us, with such
numbers as were marvel to see. Yet the
Lady 1oring held the place Stoutly, and on
the second day the soeman was slain-by
his own men. as some think-so that we
were delivered from their hands; for which
praise be to all the saints, and more espe-
ciaily to the holy Anselm, upon whose feast
1t came to pass. The Lady I.oring,
and the Lady Maude, thy fair daugh-
ter, are in good health: and so also am
|, save for an imposthume of the toe
joint, which hath been sent me for my sins.
May all the saints preserve thee! "
1t was the vision of the Lady Tiphaine,"
said Sir Nigel, after pause. Marked you
not how she said that the leader was one
with yellow beard, and how he fell be-
fore the gate. But how came 1t. Alleyne,
that this woman, to whom all things are
as crystal, and who hath not said one word
led astray as to say that your thoughts
turned to Twynham Castle even more than
my own?'
my fair lord" said AlIeyne with a flush
on his weather-stained cheeks. the Lady
Ttphaine may have spoken sooth when she
said it; for Twynham Castle is in my heart
by day and In my dreams by night
Hat cried Sir Nigel with a sidelong
glance.
Yes, my fair lord: for indeed I love
your daughter, the Lady Maude; and, un-
worthy as l am, l would give my hearts
blood to serve her.
by st. Paul! Edrlcson.' said the knight.
coldly, arching his eyebrows, you aim
o oISh in this matter. Our blood is very
And mine also is very DID," answered
the squire.
And the Lady Maude is our single child
All our name and lands center upon her."
Alas! that ! should say it, but also
now the only Edricson"
And why have | not heard this from
you before. Alleyne? In sooth, think that
you have used me H."
Nay, my fair lord, say not SO; for
know not whether your daughter loves me,
and there Is no pledge between u.s.
Sir Nigel pondered for a few moments,
and then burst out a-laughing. by st.
Paul!' said he. ''I know not why should
mix in the matter, for I have ever found
that the Lady Maude was very well able
to look to her own affairs. Since first she
could stamp her little foot, she hath ever
been able to get that for which she craved;