Churchill standard. (Fallon, Nev) 1903-1908, 1906-08-18

u AilaA tht Slid baAhHAth
But alas for plots aud plans when love
aud youth and nature. and above all, for
tune are afrayed against them. Who is
his travel-Stained youth who dares to
ride SO madly Though the lines Of staring
burghersY Why does he fling himself
from his horse and stare SO strangely
about himY See how he has rushed
through the Inconsistencies, thrust aside
lay-sister Agatha, scattered the two-and-
twenty damoSels who sang SO 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 Il sobhing 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 i'll lesson too for the stainless
two-and-twenty who have ever been taught
that the Nay 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 aud the birds are singing
amid the ivy ON the dropping heeches.
Their choice is made, and they turn away
hand-in-hand. with their backs to the
darkness aud 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 Il dozen bowmen from the
castle. The Lady of Twynham had droop-
ed and pinned 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. 1t had been her
wish TO start for Spain and TO search for
him, hut Alleyne persuaded her
to let him go in her place. there WIS
much to look after. now that the lands
of Minstead were Joined To Those of Twyn-
ham, and Alleyne had promised her that II
she would but bidc with his wife he
would never come back to Hampshire
again until he had gained some news, good
or i'll of her lord and lover.
The yellow cog had been engaged. with
Goodwin Hawtayne in command. and n
month after the wedding Alleyne rode
down to Bucklershnrd 10 see if she had
come round yet from southampton. On
the way he passed the fishing village of
Puts Deep, and marked that n little
creycr or brig was tackling off the land,
as though about to anchor there. On
his way back. AS he rode towards the vii
lage. he saw that she had indeed anchored,
and maj many heats were round her.
hearing cargo 70 the shore.
\ how-shot from PITTS Deep there was
nm Inn a little back from the road. very
larpe and vido-snrend. with n great green
bush hung upon a pole from one of the upper
windows. At this window, he marked,
rs he rode up. that a man WAS seated
who appeared to be craning his neck in
his direction. Alleyuc WAS still looking
up To him, when Il woman came rushing
from the open door of the inn, and made
as though she would climb a tree. looking
back the while with a laughing face.
Wondering what these doings might
mean. Allevnc tied his horse and was
walking amid the trees toward the inn,
when there shot from the entrance a ser
oud woman who made also for the trees.
Close nj her heels came Il hurry. brown
faced man. who leaned against the door
post aud laughed loudly with his hand
TO his side. ''Ah. ma hellesl'' he cried,
and is it thus you treat me? All, ma
p%etites, swear by these ingerhones
that would not hurt a hair of your pref
ty heads. but | have been among the
black paynim. and, by my hilti II does
me good 10 look at your English checks.
Come. drink a stoup of muscadine with
me, mes cngcs, for my heart is warm To
he among We again
Al the sight of the man, Alleyuc had
stood staring, but NJ the sound of his
voice such a thrill of JOY hubbled up in
his heart that he had to bite his lips Ia
keep himself from shouting outright. But
a deeper pleasure yet was in store. Even
as he looked, the window above WIS
pushed outwards, and the voice of the man
whom he and seen there came out from
it.. "Aylward. - cried the voice. = have
seen just now a very worthy person come
down the road, though my eyes could
scarce discern whether he carried con-
armor. pray yen 10 wall upon nm ana
tell him that a very humble knight of Eng
land ahides here, 50 that II he he IN need
Of advancement, or have any small vow
upon his sonl, or desire Ia eNait his lad,
| may help him to accomplish it
Awkward at this order came forward
amid the trees, and in an Instant the two
men were cliuging in caeh others arms,
laughing and shouting and paitlhg rach
other in their delight. while Sir Nipel
came running With his sword under the
impression that some pickering had brok-
on out. only to embrace and he embraced
himself, until all three were hoars" with
their questions and o%utcrles ana congratu-
lations.