Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-18
THE WHITE COMPANY
BY A. CONAN DOYLE.

with big John towering In the front rank,
ana the veteran Aylward marching by the
coat In strange contrast with the snow
white Jupons and shining brigandines OF his
companions. quick cross-fire OF greet
i ta ana questions. and rough west Saxon
yests new from rank to rank. or were
banded about betwixt the marching archers
and the gazing crowd.
Hoia, CATER Higginson.' cried Awkward.
as ne spied the portly figure of the village
Innkeeper. mo more OF thy nut-brown.
mon gar. We leave It behind u.s.
by ST Paul. nor cried the other. You
left In the great kilderkin. Il was time
for you to 60"
III your cask is leer. warrant your
purse is full. gaffer." shouted Horde John.
for our homecoming"
See that you keep your throat whole for
the drinking of It. archer. cried a voice.
and the crowd laughed at the rough pleas
antry.
IF You will warrant the beer will war
rant the throat" said John. composedly.
avant mes enfants. All. by my finger
bones! there is my sweet Mary from the
Priory Mil! Ma fol! but she is beautiful!
Adieu. Mary. ma chere. Mon occur est
man. and swing your shoulders as a free
companion should. BY my hilt! your jer-
kins will be dirty mine ere you clap
eyes on Hengistbury Head again."
The company had marched to the turn
OF the road, ere Sir Nigel Loring rode out
from the gateway, mounted on Pommers, his
great black warhorse. whose ponderous foot
fall on the wooden drawbridge echoed loud
iy from the gloomy arch which spanned It:
Sir Nigel was still In his velvet dress OF
peace. with fat velvet cap of maintenance.
and curling ostrich feather clasped IN
golden brooch. To his three squires riding
behind him 1t looked as though he bore the
birds eggs as well as Its feather. for the
back of his bald pate shone like globe
- IL No.
and heavy sword which hung at his sad
die bow; but Terlake carried In front OF
him the high wivern-crested bassinet, Ford
the heavy ash spear with swaliow-tali PEN
non while Alleyne was intrusted with the
emblazoned shield. The Lady Loring RODE
ner palfrey at her lords bride arm, TOT she
would see him as far as the edge OF the
forest and ever and anon she turned her
hard-lined face up wistfully to him and
ran questioning eye over his apparel ana
appointments. ,,
she said, reckoning TO Alieyne to ride on her
further side Il trust him to you. Edricson,
Hosen, shirts, cyclas and underJupons are
in the brown basket on the ieft size Oh .ne
mule His wine he takes hot when tne
nights are cold, malvoise or Verna8e, "itn
as much spice as would cover the thumo
nail. Sec that he hath change IL ne come
back hot from the ti 4bs Old scars ache at
the turn of the weather Let his blankets
be dry. and ,.., ,,st
May. my hearts life." the little e,i kn asns
INTERRUPTED, trouble not now about such
matters Why so pale and wan, Eorlc-
son? LIS It not enow to make mans
heart dance to see this noble company.
such valiant men ,,,IS "a ~ To
niease tf I were not blithe to see the req
roses flying at the head OF SO nooie io'-
lowing.' a,,,s, va,
Edricson," continued the lady. There are
In II twepty-three marks, one NOBLE. three
shilHngs and fourpence, Which Il sIsaI
treasure for one man to carry. Anu !
nray YOU to bear In mind, Edrtcson that no
ha tn two pair of Shoes those Of red leather
for common use, and the others with goio.
en- toe-chains. which he may wear snouio
ne chance to drink wine with the prince OF
with Chandos. a.,
NV sweet bird" said Sir Nigel. i am
right loath to part from you. but we are
now at the fringe OF the forest. and ~ y
not right that should take the chaie1aAa0
too far from her trust ms,
"Rut. oh. my dear lord she cried. with
a trembling ND, "let me bide with you Tor
one furlong further-or one ana mar p sn.
haps You may spare me this out OF the
weary miles that you Will journey alone.
Come, then my hearts comfort, ne an
swered. But I must crave gage from
thee 1t Ia my custom, dearlfng ana main
been since have first known thee, TO pro-
claim by herald in such camps. townships
or fortalices as may chance TO Visit' that
my lady love. being beyond compare eae
should deem II great honor and kfnoly
condescension * any cavalier would run
three courses against me with sn8rpeheo
lances should he chance to have lazy
whose claim he was willing to advance. l
nray YOU then, my fair dove. that you VIII
vo,rchsafe to me of those doe-skin
gloves that / may wear 1t as the badge
of her whose servant 1 shall ever be-
"Alack and alas for the fairest ana
sweetest she cried. Fair and sweet /
would fatn be for your dear sake, my lord.
but old / am and ugly, and the knights
would laugh should you lay lance In rest
in such a cause.
''Edricson," quoth Sir Nigel. you have
Young eyes and mine are somewhat be-
dimmed. Should you chance to see knight
laugh, or smile. or even. look you. arch his
brows or purse his mouth, or In any way
show surprise that I should uphold the
of his name, his coat-armor. and his lods-
ing Your glove my lfe's des!re!
The Lady Mary Loring slipped her hand
from her yellow leathern gauntlet, ana he,
lifting 1t with dainty reverence, bound IL
to the front of his velvet cap.
ut Is with mine other guardian angels
uuoth he,- pointing at the saints medals
which hung beside 1t. And now, my dear
est you have come far enow- May the Viz
gin guard and prosper thee. One kiss
He bent down from his saddle. and then,
striking spurs into his horses sides, ne
galloped at top speed after his men. with
his three squires at his heels. Half mile
further, where the road topped a hill. they
looked back, and the Lady Mary on her
white palfrey, was still where they had left
her A moment later they were on the
downward slope, and she had vanished
from their view.