Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-21


horse, and so I shall learn all that he has to tell"
Nigel was absent for sometime, and when he
returned the shadow upon his face brought little
hope to the anxious hearts at the high table 81
have locked him in the stable-loft, lest he talk too
much said he, for my questions must have shown
him whence the wind blew. 1t was indeed from
this man that the note came, and he had brought
with him spare horse for the lady
The old Knight groaned, and his face sank upon
his hands.
NAY, father they watch you'll" whispered Mary
For the honor of house let us keep bold face
to all" Then raising her young clear voice. so
that it sounded through the room: I" If you ride
eastwe IS, Nigel would fain go with you that my
sister may rot come back alone
I'VE will ride together Mary said Nigel, rising
then in a lower voice: But cannot go alone,
and if we take servant all is known. L pray you
to stay at home and leave the matter with me.
Nay, Nigel, she may sorely need woman's aid,
and what woman should it be save her own sister?
l can take my tre-woman with us. y
Nay, l shall ride with you myself if your i'm
patience keep within the powers of my mule, ,
said the old priest.
But it is not your road, father?"
THE only road of a true priest is that which
leads tc the good of Others Come, my children, and
will go together"
And SO it that stout Sir ohm Buttesthorn
the aged Knight of Duplin, left alone at his
high table, pretending to eat, pretending to
drink, fdgetng in his seat trying hard to seem I'm
concerned with his mind and body in fever, while
below him his varlets and landmarks laughed and
ested Gathering their cups and clearing their trench
ers all unconscious of the dark shadow which threw
its gloom the lonely upon the das above
Meantime the Lady Mary upon the white jennet
which her sister had ridden the same evening"
Nigel his war-horse, and the priest on the mule
c1attered down the rude winding road which led
to London. The country on either side was
wilderness of heather moors and of morasses, from
which the strange crying of night-fowl A
half-moon shone in the sky between the riffs of
hurryng clouds. The lady rode in silence, absorbed
in the thought of the task before them, the danger
and the shame.
Nigel chatted in low tone with the priest. From
him he learned more of the evil name of this
whom they followed His house at Stafford was
a den of prohigacy and vice. No woman could
cross that threshold and depart unstained In some
strange fashion, nexplicable and yet common, the
man, with all his evil soul and his twisted body,
had yet some strange fascination for women, some
mastery them which compelled them to his
will Again and again he had brought ruin to a
household, again and again his adroit tongue and
his cunning wit had in some fashion saved him from
the punishment of his deeds. His family great
in the county, and his kinsmen held favor with the
King that his neighbors feared to push things
too far against him. Such was the man. malignant
and ravenous, who had stopped like some foul night
hawk and horne away to his evil nest the golden
beauty of Cosford Nigel said little as he listened
but he raised his hunting dagger to his frightened
lips, and thrice he kissed the cross of its handle.
They had passed over the moors and through the
village of Milford and the little township of Goda-
ming, until their path turned southwark over the
PeaSe marsh and crossed the meadows of Stafford
There the dark hillside glowed the red points of
light which marked the windows of the house which
they sought. A somber arched avenue of oak
trees led up to it, and then they in the moon
slvered clearing in front.
From the shadow of the arched door there sprang