Amador ledger., 1906-07-20

of her bearing were enhanced now b.
the rich simplicity of her attire.
Ah, s,go'a you start ,r, said she with the
cannot marvel at it. pidst not S look
to see the distressed damozel again.
All, that 1 were minstrel, that 1
might put it into rhyme, with the
whole romance-the luckless maid, the
wicked socman, and the virtuous clerk!
So might our fame have gone Down
together for all time, and you be num-
bered with Sir Percival or Sir Galahad,
or all the other rescuers of oppressed
ladies'"
What did" said Alleyne. 'was TOO
small thing for thanks; and yet, If
may say it without offence, it was toe
raillery. I had counted on my broth
er's love, but God has willed that it
should be otherwise; 1t is a. Joy TO me
that you have reached home in safety.
if this be indeed your home"
Yes, in sooth. Castle .Twynham is
m my home and Sir Nigel Loring my
morning, but you said that you were
coming hither, so I bethought me that
might hold it back as a surprise to
your she cried, bursting out .a-laugh-
ing once more, standing with her hand
pressed to her side, and her half-closed
drew back and came forward with your
eyes upon my book there, like the
mouse who shifts the cheese and yet
breads the trap"
II take, shame" said Alleyne, shat
I should have touched it,
Nay, it warmed my very heart to
see it. So glad was I that I laughed
can himself. be tempted then, thought
l; he is not made of another clay to
the rest of u.s."
the weak" groaned Alleyne. 'T pray
tnat may have more strength
And to what end?" she asked sharp
shut yourself forever in your cell with.
in the four walls of an abbey, then of
what use would it be were your prayer
TO be answered? Wilt do what ask?"
what is it, lady?"
'Tis but to bear. me out in what I
say to my father"
'In saying, if he ask, that it was
south of the Christchurch road that I
met met you: l shall be shut up with the
spindle and bodkin, when I would fain
be galloping Troubadour up Wilverley
Wal wax: OF f., lo%osing %g my little falcon Ro-
ST shall not answer him if he ask"
Not answer, But he will have an
answer, Nay, but you must not fail
"But, lady" cried q LED Tasa DOOR ms Hileyne, in
great distress, show can say that it
was to the south of the road when I
the north?"
You will not say it,"
surely you will not, too. when you
know that it Is not SOP"
she cried, and swept away with toss
OF her beautiful heao, ieaving Alleyne
as cast down and ashamed as though
he had himself proposed some infam-
GUS thing. She was back again in an
instant. however, in another of her
varying moods.
Look at that. my friendw said she.
II you had been shut up in abbey or
| the. truth. Is it not so? What avail
is the shepherd if he leaves his sheep?'
"A sorry shepherd!'' said Allyene
humbly. But here is your noble
"And you shall see how worthy
pupil I am. Father, am much be-
holden to this young clerk, who was
| or service to me and helped me this
very morning in Minstead Woods, four
miles to the north of the Christchurch
road, where I had no call to be, you
| having ordered it otherwise" Ali this
she reeled off in loud voice, and then
glanced with sideling questioning eyes
at Alleyne for his approval.
| ITO be Continued Neat Week.)