Amador ledger., 1906-07-27
perchance you may change

once; perchance you may change
again."
"Cruel| he cried. who hath
And then your brother!" she con-
tinued with a little laugh, disregard
become family custom amongst the
Edricsons. Nay, 1 am sorry; 1 did not
mean a jibe. But, indeed, Alleyne,
this hath come quickly upon me, and
l scarce know what to say
Say some word of hope, however
distant--some kind word that 1 may
cherish in my heart"
NAY, Alleyne, 1T were a cruel kind
ness, and you have been too good and
true friend to me that 1 should use
you despitefully. There cannot be a
closer link between us. 1t is madness
to think of it. Were there no other
reasons, it is enough that my father
and your brother would both cry out
against it,
MY brother. what has he to do with
1t! And your father -
Come, Alleyne, was it not you who
would have me act fairly to ali men
and certes' to my father amongst
truly. But you do not reject me-
Maude? You give me some ray of
nope! l 90 not ask pledge or promise.
say only 4y that l am not hateful to
hear kinder words from you"
Her eyes softened upon him, and a
heartfelt answer was on her lips,
of arms and stamping of steeds. rose
up from the bailey below. At the
sound her face set her eyes sparkled,
and she stood with flushed cheek and
but soul of fire.
my father hath gone down." she
cried. Your place is by his side. Nay,
t G1e For h1t d at ne; Al5Sy y1 1t is no
love, and all may follow. It is when
the brave soldier hath done his devoir
mat mat ne ne hopes for his reward. Fare
heidout her white, slim hand to him,
but as he bent his lips over it she
m w ike o away ro and was gone. leaving
mad craved in vain. Again the hoarse
cheering burst out from below, and he
heard the clang of the rising portcul-
thrust it into the bosom of his tunic,
and rushed as fast as feet could bear
him to arm himself and join the muster.
and last farewell spoken. First came
Black Simon with his banner, bestrid-
ing lean and powerful dapple-gray
charger! as hard and wiry as himself.
After him, riding three abreast, were
nine men-at-arms, all picked soldiers,
who had followed the French wars
before. So, with Jingle of arms and
Bridge of Avon, while the -burghers
shouted for the flag of the five roses
and its gallant guard.
Close at the heels of the horses came
tWo-score archers, burly and mostly
bearded, their round targets on their
backs and their long yellow bows, the
most deadly weapon. that the wit of
man man, mad a6y yet devised, thrusting forth
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 We'll toast altogether
To the Gray Goose Feather,
And the land where the Gray Goose
flew.
Behind the bowmen strobe two
two drummers in parti-colored clothes.
After them came twenty-seven sump-
| ter-horses carrying tent poles, cloth,
spare arms, spurs, wedges, cooking
the. hundred other things which ex-
perience had shown to be needful in a
harried hostile country. A white mule
carried Sir NigePs own napery and
table comforts. Then came two-score
more archers, ten more men-at-arms,
ana. anallly rear,guard of twenty
the front rank and the veteran Awkward
marching by his side, his battered har-
ness and faded surcoat in strange con-
trast with the snow-white jupons and
shining brigandines of his companions.
A quick cross-fire of greetings and
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 Loring
rode out from the gateway, mounted
on Pommers,. his great black war
war-horse, whose ponderous football
on the. wooden drawbridge echoed
spanned it. Sir Nigel was still in his
velvet dress of peace, with fiat velvet
cap of maintenance, and curling ostrich
feather clasped in a golden brooch.
He bore no arms save the long and
WI u