The La Jara chronicle., 1906-07-27

once; perchance you may change
"cruel!" he cried. Who hath
And then your brother!' she con-
tinued with a little laugh. disTegard-
ing his question: Meth Methinks this hath
mean a jibe. But. indeed. Alleyne,
this hath come quickly upon me, and
scarce know what to say
Say some word OF hope. however
eherish chs aaasHsUms in my heart" e u 'A"' may
Nay, AiIeyne, it were a cruel kind
ness, and you have been too good and
you despitefully. There cannot be a
closer link between US. 1t Is madness
to think OF 1t. Were there no other
and your brother would both cry out
against it"
My brother. what has he to do with
Come. Alleyne, was it not you who
would have me act fairly to all men,
and certes. to my father amongst
them"
You say. truly" he cried, you say
truly But you do not reject me;
Maude? You give me some ray of
hope? do not ask pledge or promise
you-;that on some happier day l may
Her eyes softened upon him, and
heartfelt answer was on her lips.
when a hoarse shout. with the clatter
up from the bailey below. At the
sound her face set. her eyes sparkled.
and she stood with flushed check and
but a soul of fire.
My father hath gone down." she
cried. Your place is by his side. Nay,
time for dallying. Win my fathers
love; nnd nlI may, follow. It is when
that he hopes for his reward. Fare
Wen, and may God be with youn" She
heldout her white. slim hand to him,
whisked away and was gone, leaving
in his outstretched hand the very
green veil for which Peter Terlake
had craved in vain. Again the hoarse
cheering burst out from below. and he
heard ne ns; the ;GlanE of the rising portcul-
thrust it into the bosom of his tunic,
and rushed as fast as feet could bear
The raw, morning had broken ere
the hot spiced ale was served round
and an last farewell spoken. First came
ing lean and powerful dapple.gray
charger. as hard and wiry as himself.
After him, riding three abreast, were
who had followed the French wars
clatter OF. hoofs. they, rode across the
shouted for the flag of the five roses
and its gallant guard.
two-score archers, burly and mostly
bearded, their. round targets. on their
backs and their long yellow bows. the
man had yet devised. thrusting forth
from behind their shoulders. From
each mans girdle hung sword or axe.
according to his humor. and over his
right hip there jutted out the leathern
culver. with its bristle of goose, pigeon,
and peacock feathers.
So Wen toast Altogether
To the Gray Goose Feather.
And the land where the Gray Goose
flew.
Behind the bowmen strobe two
trumpeterS blowing upon nukirs. and
two drummers in parti-colored clothes.
After them came twenty-seVcn sump-
ter-horses carrying tent, poles. cloth.
spare arms, spurs. wedges, cooking
kettles, Eorscshocs. bags OF nails, and
the. hundred other things which eN-
perieuce had shown to be needrul I'm
harried hostile country. a white mule
with red trappiuEs, led by variet.
carried Sir Nigels own nnpcry and
table comforts Then came two-score
more arche-s, ten more men-at-arms,
and, finally rear-guard of twenty
the front rank and the veteran Aylward
marching by his side. his battered hnr-
ness and faded surcoat in strange con-
trast with the snow-white jupons and
SHINING brigandines of his companions
questions and rough West Saxon jests
flew from rank to rank. or were banded
about betwixt the marching archers
and the gazing crowd.
The Company had marched to the
turn of the road ere Sir Nigel Lorine
rode out from the gateway mounted
on Pommers, his great black war
war-horse, Nn tba ,owhSs whose pondIerogs football
loudly from the gloomy arch which
spanned it. Sir Nigel was stili in his
velvet dress of peace, with nat velvet
cap of maintenance. and curling ostrich
feather clasped in a golden brooch.
He bore no arms save the long and
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