Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1906-08-17

much to look after. now that the lands
OF Minstead were Joined 30 those Of TWyn-
ham, and Alleyne had promised her that n
she would but bide with bis wife be
would never come back 10 Hampshire
again until he had gained some news, good
or III Of her lord and lover.
The yellow cog had been engaged, with
Goodwin HawiayBe In command. and a
month after the wedding Alleyne rode
down 10 Bucklershard 10 see II she had
come round yet from Southampton. On
the way he passed the fishing village Of
Pitts Deep, and marked that q little
ereyer or brig was taekling Of the land
as though about 10 anchor there. On
bis way back. as he rode towards the VII
lage, be saw that she had indeed anchored
and that many boats were round her
bearing cargo to the shore.
A bow-ahot from Pitts Deep there was
an inn a little back from the road, very
large and widespread, with q great green
bush hung upon pole from one OF the upper
windows. At this window, be marked,
as he rode up, that g man was seated
who appeared to be eranlng his neck 10
bis direction. Alleyne was still looking
up to him, when & woman came rushing
from the open door OF the inn, and made
as though she would climb q tree, looking
u
Wondering what these dolngs might
mean. Alleyne tied bis horse and was
walking amid the trees toward the Inn,
when there shot from the entrance a sec
ond woman who made also for the trees.
Close at her heels came a burly, brown
faced man, who leaned against the door
post and laughed loudly with his hand
TO his side. "Ah, ma beles" he cried,
and is 1t thus you treat met All. ma
petitesl | swear by these fngerbones
that / would not hurt a hair of your pref
~ heads; but / have been among the
black paynim, and, by my hiltl it does
me good to look at your English cheeks.
Come, drink a stoup Of muscadine with
me, mes enges, for my heart is warm to
be among ye again.
At the sight Of the man, Aileyne had
stood staring, but at the sound of his
voice such q thrill Of joy bubbled up In
his heart that he had to bite his lips to
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 out from
1t. "Aylward," cried the voice, II have
seen just now a very worthy person come
down the road, though my eyes could
scarce discern whether he carried coat
armor. ! pray you to wait upon him and
tell him that a very humble knight of Eng
land abides here, so that If he be in need
Of advancement, or have any small vow
upon his SOUL or desire to exalt his lady
/ may help him TO accomplish it."
Aylward at this order came forward
amid the trees, and In an instant the two
men were ellnging In each others arms,
laughing and shouting and patting each
other in their delight while Sir Nigel
came running with his sword, under the
impression that some pickering had brok-
en- out, only to embrace and be embraced
himself until all three were hoarse with
their questions and Outeries and eongratu-
lations.
On their Journey home through the
woods Alleyne learnt their wondrous story
how, when Sir Nigel came to his senses,
he with his fellow-captive had been hur-
ried &c the coast, and conveyed by sea
to their eaptors castle; how upon the way
they had been taken by Barhary rover,
and how they exchanged their light cap,
tiyity for a seat on a galley bench and
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 q small coaster which they had
taken, and 80 made their way to England
tolls. All this Alleyne listened to, until
the dark keep Of Twynham lowered above
them In the cleaning, and they saw ptht
red sun lying athwart the ripping Avon,
No need to speak Of the glad hearts al
Twynham Castle that night, nor of the
rich offerings from out that Moorish cargo
which found their way to the ehaael OF
Father Christopher.
Sir Nigel Loring lived for many years,
full of honor and laden with every bless
| ing He rode no more TO the wars, but he
found his way to every jousting within
thirty miles; and the Hampshire youth
treasured 1t as the highest honor when q
word of praise fell from him as to theii
management of their horses, or theil
breaking Of their lances. So he lived and
so he died, the most revered and the hap
piest man in all his native shire.
For Sir Alleyne Edricson and for his
beautiful bride the future had also naught
but what good. Twice he fought IL
France, and came back each time lader
with honors. A high place at court was
given to him, and he spent many years a.
| windsor under the second Richard and thu
fourth Henry where he received tn,
honor of the Garter, and won the name O.
being q brave soldier, a true-hearted gen
tleman, and a great lover and patron o.
every art and science which fennes or en-
mobiles life.
| As to John, he took unto himself a VII
! age maid and settled IN LyndhuFst
where his five Thousand crowns made hin
the richest franklin for many miles around
For many years he drank his ale every
night at the ''Pied Merlin" which wal
now kept by his friend Awkward, who hat
welded the good widow to whom he ha(
committed his plunder. The strong meT
and the bOwmen OF the country rount
used to drop IN there of an evening t
wrestle a fall with John or to shoot {
round with Aylward, but, though a silve
shilling was to be the prize Of the victory
It has never been reported that any maj
earned much money In that fashion. 81
they lived, these men, In their own, lusty
CHEEKY fashionable and rough, but hon
est, kindly and true. Let us thank God
we have outgrown their vices. Let u
pray to God that we may ever hold thei
| virtues.
] THE END.