Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-08-16

tne lower table to bring him a leather
jack that stood upon the board. HAY
ing rinscd it out with wine, he filled
that also, handing it with the Jug to
the reeve to drink their lords health on
this Yule night. The silver vessel he
bore back to the high table, and with
his w hand filed the horn CUPS of all
present, Rosamund alone excepted, for
she would touch none, although he
pressed her hard and looked vexed at
her refusal. Indeed, it was because 1t
seemed to pain the man that Sir An.
drew, ever courteous, took a little him
self, although, when his back was turn
ed, he filed the goblet up with water.
At length. when all was ready, Geor-
gios charged, or seemed to charge, his
w horn and, lifting II, said:
LET us drink, every one Of us here,
to the noble knight, Sir Andrew Darcy,
to whom I wish. in the phrase Of my
w people, that he may live forever"
Then, lifting his beaker, he appeared to
drain it in great gulps, an example
which all followed. even Sir Andrew
drinking a little from his cup, which
was three parts filed with water.
There followed a long murmur Of salts.
faction.
wine! 1t is nectar!' said Wulf.
AYE" put in the chaplain Matthew,
Adam might have drunk this in the
garden" while from the lower table
cane jovial shouts Of praise Of this
smooth, creamlike vintage.
Certainly that wine was both rich
and strong. Thus. after his sup of 1t,
. veil, az it were, seemed to fall on the
mine of Sir Andrew and to cover 1t
up. 1t lifted again. and, 10, his brain
was full Of memories and forcsights.
These passed, and he grew suddenly
afraid. Yet what had he to fear that
night? The gates across the moat
were locked and guarded. Trusty men,
n score or more Of them, ate In his out
buildings within those gates. while 9TH
crs. still more trusted, sat in his hall,
and on his right hand and on his left
were those two strong and valiant
knights, Sir Goodwin and Sir Wulf.
Suddenly he heard a voice speak. It
was Rosamund's. and she said:
why is there such silence. fatherf
A while ago | heard the servants and
bondsmen %carousing in the barn; now
they are still as death. Oh, and look.
Are all here drunken? Goodwin
But as she spoke Godwin's head fell
forward on the board, while Wulf rose,
half drew his sword, her threw his
arm about the neck of the priest and
sank with him to the ground. AS 1t
was with these so 1t seemed with all,
for folk rocked TO and fro, then sank
merchant Georgios, who rose to call
another toast.
stranger" said Sir Andrew in a
heavy voice, your wine is very strong"
at would seem so. Sir Knight" he
answered. but will wake them from
their wassail." Drawing n silver whis-
tie from his robe he blew it long and
loud. What" he laughed, do they
still sleep? Why, then, I must give
them q toast that will rouse them ALL"
and Selling a horn mug he waved it
and shouted:
AROUSE you. We d~runkards, and drink
to the Lady Rose Of the World, princess
ter, Yusuf Salah-ed-din, who sends me
to lead her to him."
AS the words passed his lips there
rose n sound of running feet, and
through the open door at the far end Of
the hall burst in a score or over Of
armed men Then at last Sir Andrew
saw and understood.
With a roar Of rage like that Of q
wounded lion he seized his daughter
and dragged her back with him down
the passage into the solar. where a fire
burned and lights had been lit ready
for their retiring. 1inging to and bolt.
ing the door behind them.
Swift" he said, rs he tore his gown
from him. There Is no escape, but at
least 1 can die fighting for you. Give
ME my mail"
She snatched his hauberk from the
wall, and while they Numbered at the
door did it on to %hiln-aye, and his steel
helm also and gave him his long sword
and his shield.
NoN, III odlu, HcI) HE. anu t1ey
thrust the oak table forward and over.
set 1t in front of the door, throwing
the chairs and stools OH either side,
that men might stumble on them.
There is a bow" he said. land you
can use it as l have taught you. Get
to one side and out Of reach of the
sword sweeps and shoot past me as
they rush. 1t may stay one of them.
Oh, that Goodwin and Wulf were here,
and we would still teach these Paynim
dogs q lesson"
Rosamund looked round. Against the
wall stood a little desk, at which God.
win was wont TO write, and on it lay
pen and parchment. She seized them
and as the door gave slowly inward
scrawlcd:
Follow me to Saladin. In that hope ]
live on. ROSAMUND.
Then as the stout door at length
crashed in Rosamund turned what she
had written face downward on the
Y MM