The Breckenridge news., 1906-08-08

tune are arrayed against them. Who is
this travel-stained youth who dares to
ride mady through the lines of staring
burghers? why does he fling himself
from his horse and stare so strangely
about him? See how he has rushed
through the incense-bearers, thrust aside
lay-sister Agatha, scattered the twO-and-
twenty damosels who sang 50 sweetly-
and he stands before the novice with his
hands outstretched, and his face shin
ing, and the light Of love in his gray eyes.
Her foot is on the very Intel of the
church. and yet he bars the way-and she,
she thinks no more Of the wise words and
holy rede Of the lady abbess, but she
hath given sobbng cry and hath fallen
forward with his arms around her droop-
ing body and her wet cheek upon his
breast. sorry sight this for the gaunt
abbess, an III lesson too for the stainless
two-and-twcnty who have ever been taught
that the way Of nature is the way OF sin.
But Maude and Alleyne cared little for this
A dank, cold air comes out from the black
arch before them. without, the sun
shines bright and the birds are singing
amid the ivy on the dropping beeches.
Their choice is made, and they turn away
hand-in-hand, with their backs to the
darkness and their faces to the light.
Very quiet was the wedding in the old
priory church at Christchurch. where
Father Christopher read the service. and
there were few to see save Lady Loring
and John, and q dozen bowmen from the
castle. The Lady Of Twynham had droop-
ed and plned for weary months, so that
her face was harsher and less comely than
before. yet she still hoped on. for her lord
had come through so many dangers that
she could scarce believe that he might
be stricken down at last. IL had been her
wish To start for Spain and to search for
him, but AllCyne persuaded her
to let him go In her place. There was
much to look after. now that the lands
of Mnstcad were Joined to those of Tvyn-
ham, and Allcync had promised her that II
she would but bide with his wife he
would never come back to Hampshire
again until he had gained some news good
or IN of her lord and lover.
The yellow cog had been engaged, with
Goodwin Hawtayue In command. and a
month after the wedding Aleyne rode
down TO Bucklershard TO see II she had
come round yet from Southampton. on
the way he passed the fishing village Of
Pitts Deep. and marked that little
creycr or brig was tackliug Off the land,
as though about to anchor there. on
his way back. as he rode towards the VII
lngc. ne saw that she had indeed anchored,
and that many boats We're round her,
hearing cargo to the shore.
\ bow-shot from Pitts Deep there was
am inn a little back from the road. very
large and widespread. with great green
bush hung upon a pole from one Of the upper
windows At this window. he marked.
as he rode up, that a man was seated
who appeared to be craung his neck I'm
his direction. Aneyue wIs still looking
up to him, when a woman came rushing
from tho open door Of tho inn. and m0dc
as though she would climb q tree. loohiug
back the while with laughing face.
Wondering what these doings might
mean Allcync tied his horse and was
walking amid the trees toward the inn.
when there shot from the entrance q Soc
ond woman who made also for the trees.
Close at her heels came a hurly, brown
faced man. who leaned against the door
post and laughed loudly with his hand
10 his side "Ah, ma belles!' he cried,
and is II thus you treat me? All, ma
petitesl swear by these ingerbones
that ! would not hurt a hair Of your pret-
ty heads; but ] have been among the
black paynim. and. by my hiltl II does
me good 10 look at your English cheeks.
Come. drink n stoup OF muScadine with
me, mes enges. for my heart is warm TO
be among yc again.
At the sight Of the man. Alleyne had
stood staring but al the sound Of his
voice such a thrill Of Joy hubbled mp in
his heart that he had 10 bite his lips 10
keep himself from shouting outright. But
a deeper pleasure yet was in store. Even
as he looked. the window above was
pushed outwardS. and the voice Of the man
whom he and seen there came ont from
it, "Aylward,' cried the voice ~ have
seen just now very worthy person come
down the road. though my eyes could
scarce discern whether no carried coat
armor. ! pray you TO wait upon him and
tell him that a very humble knight Of Eng
land abidcs here, so that II ne be- in need
Of advancement. or have any small vow
upon his soul or desire To cValt his lad,
[ NAV help him to accomplish it,
Awkward at this order came forward
amid the trees and in an instant the tw"
men were cllnging I'm each Others arms
laughing and shouting and patting each
other in their delight; while Sir NigeI
came running with his sword. under the
impression that some pickering had hrok-
on ont. only To embrace and he embraced
himself. until all three were hoarSc with
their questions and outcries aId cougroin.
lations.
on their Journey home through the
woods Alleyne learnt their wondrons story
how, when Sir Nigel came to his senses.
he with his fellow-captve had been hur-
rled TO the coast, and conveyed by sea
10 their captor's castle: how upon the way
they had been take. by a Barhary rover
and how they exchanged their lighl cap
tivitv for n seat ON galley hehch ana
hard labor at the pirates oars; how, IN the
port at Barbary, Sir Nigel had slain the
Moorish captain, and had swum with Ayl-
ward to a small coaster which they had
taken, and so made their way To England
with a rich cargo 10 reward them for their
tolls. All this AlIcyne listened to, until
the dark keep Of Twynham lowered above
them In the cleaning. and they saw the
red sun lying athwart the ripping Avon.
No need to speak Of the glad hearts NJ
Twynham Castle that night nor of the
rich offerings from ont that Moorish cargo
which found their way 10 the chapel of
Father christopher.
Sir Nigel LOrng livod FOR many years
full Of honor and laden with every bless
ing lie rode no more N the wars, hut he
found his way 10 every iousting within
thirty miles: and the Hampshire youth
treasured Il as the highest honor when n
word Of praise fell from him MS TO their
management of their horses. or their
breaking Of their lanccs. So he lived and
so he died, the most reyered and the hap
piest man I'm all his native shire.
For Sir Alleyne Edricson and for MS
beautiful bride the future had also naught
but what s good Twice he fought In
France and came back each time laden
with honors. A high place at court was
given to him and he spent many years at
windsor under the second Richard and the
fourth Hanrv- where he received the