New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-21

none shall know for indeed it is not matter for the
oossin of servants But if you will show me the man,
distress Marv will take him out to tend my own
horse and so I shall learn all that he has to tell
Noel was absent for sometime, and when ne
-a+,,rned the shadow upon his face brought little
hope to the anxious hearts at the hlgh taDle:
have locked him in the stable-Oft lest he talk TOO
much said he for my questions must nave SHOWN
him whence the wind blew 1t was indeed from
this man that the note came, and he had Drought
with him spare horse for the lady
The old K night groaned, and his face sank upon
his hands 49, NJ,
NAV father they watch you'll! whispered Mary.
For the honor of our house let keep bold tace
r. all" Then raising her young clear voice, SO
that it sounded through the room: II you rae
eastwards, Nigel would fain go with you' that my
sister may not come back alone.
1--WE will ride together, Mary" said Nigel rising;
then in a lower voice: But cannot go alone
and if we take servant all is known. pray you
to STAY at home and leave the matter with me,
NAY, Nigel, she may sorely need a womans aid,
and what woman should it be save her own siSter
7 can take nv tire-wOman with us.
Nay, 1 shall ride with you myself II your I'M,
ratience can 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 to the good of Others Come, my children and
we will go together"
And so it was that stout Sir John Buttesthorn,
the aged Knight of Duplin, was lett alone at MS
own high table, pretending to eat pretending 10
drink tidgetng in his seat, trying hard 10 seem uIi
concerned with his mind and body in a fever, while
below him his var1ets and landmarks laughed and
tested gathering their cups and clearing their trench
ers all unconscious of the dark shadow winch tareW
its gloom over the lonely upon the da1s above.
Meantime the Lady Mary upon the white Jennet
which her sister had ridden the same evening,
Nigel on his war-hOrse and the priest on the mule,
clattered down the rude winding road Wh1ch leo
to London. The country on either SIDE was
wilderness of heather mOOrs and OF 1nOraSSes from
which came the strange crying of mght-toWl- n
half-moon shone in the sky between the riffs OF
hurrving clouds The lady rode in silence, absorbed
in the thought of the task before them, the danger
and the shame.
Nigel chatted in a low tone with the priest. From
him he learned more of the evil name OF this man
whom they followed His house at Shaltord was
den of profigacy and vice. No woman could
cross that threshold and depart unstained In some
strange fashion, neXphcabe and yet common the
man. with all his evil soul and his twisted body,
had vet some strange fascination for women, some
mastery over them which compelled them to his
will Again and again he had brought ruin to a
household, again and again his adrO1t tongue and
his cunning wit had in some fashion saved him from
the punishment of his deeds. His family was great
in the county, and his kinsmen held favor with the
King, so that his neighbors feared to push things
too far against him. Such the man, malignant
and ravenous who had stopped like some foul night
hawk and borne away 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 Godal-
ming, until their path turned southwark over the
PeaSe marsh and crossed the meadows OF Shaltord
There on 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 were IN the moon
Siuered clearing in front