The Delta independent., 1906-07-20

rood! I shall drive him into the earth
like a nail into a door. rather than s-e
you do scath to each other.
Fore God. this is a strange way of
preaching peace cried Black Simon
You may find the scath yourself. my
lusty friend. If you raise your great
cudgel to me. l had as lief have the
castle drawbridge drop upon my pate.
Tell me, Aylward." said Alleyne
earnestly. with hands outstretched to
keep the pair nrra asunder; What is the the
whether honorable settlement may not
be arrived att?
The bowman looked down at his
feet and then up at the moon. Par
rel? Why, mon petit, 1t was years ago
in LimousIn, and how can. | bear in
mind what was the cause of 1t? Simon
there hath ii at the end Of his tongue"
Not I. in troth." replied the other.
Il have had other things to think Of
There was some sort OF pickering over
dice. or wine, or was 1t a woman, coz?"
it," cried Aylward TT was indeed
about a woman: and the quarrel must
mind as before"
What OF the woman. them" asked
Simon. May the murrain strike me If
can call to mind aught about her"
1T was La Blanche Rose, maid at
the sign Of the Trois Corbeaux at Linn
oges. Bless her pretty heart! Why.
m9e asn gar, Ala loved mdrH her. oro., Simon .1
call her to mind now. On the very
day that We fought over the little
a long-legged Welsh dagsman. They
have a hostel OF their own now. some
where on the banks OF Garonpe. where
the landlord drinks SO much OF the
customers"
so ends our quarrel. then" said
Aylward: sheathing his sword "A
vais gout, camarade. and the more so
when she had jolly archer. and a
lusty ma1-at-arms to choose from
strobe off together in all good-fellow-
ship. Alleyne had turned to follow
them; when he felt touch upon his
| his side.
The Lord Loring commands" said
the boy, that you will follow me to
the great chamber. and await him
Up the broad steps Alleyne went,
following his boyish guide. until at the
and ushered him into the main hall of
On entering the room the clerk look
tinued to stand. his cap in his hand.
examining with the greatest interest
a chamber which was so different to
| any to which he was accustomed.
Most Interesting of all to Alleyne was
| a small ebony table at his very side.
| on which. by the side of a chess board
4
clerkfy hand. and set forth with brave
gins. In vain Alleyne bethought him
| OF where he was and of those laws OF
| good breeding and decorum which
| itals and black even lines drew his
hand down to them. as the loadstone
dra rs the needle, until. almost before
! re, nance of Garin de Montsiane before
| his eyes. So absorbed in its contents as
Il. be completely oblivious OF where he
He was brought back to himself
however. by. sudden little ripple OF
quick feminine laughter: Aghast. he
| chessmen and stared in bewildermen,
| round the room. 1t was as empty and
as still as ever. Again he stretched
came that roguish burst OF merriment
He looked up at the ceiling. back al
the closed door. and round at the stir
folds OF motionless tapestry. OF sud
| den. however, he caught quick SHIN.
mer from the corner of high-backet
pace OF two to the side, saw a white
slender hand. which held n mirror OF
polished silver in such way that the
concealed observer could see withou,
being seen. He stood irresulute, un-
certain whether to advance or to take
no notice: but. even as he hesitated
| and stately young lady swept out from
| behind the oaken screen. with dane
ing light OF mischief in her eyes
| Alleyne started with astonishment ms
he recognized the very maiden who
had suffered from his brothers vio-
lence in the forest. She no long"l
| wore her gay riding dress. however
| but was atttred In a long sweepin~
| robe OF black velvet Of RruCes. with
delicate tracery of white lace at neck
| and at wrist. scarce to be seen against
| the ivory skin. Beautiful she had
| seemed to him before. the 1.-THE charm
OF her figure and the proud. free grace