The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-03

aunt, the Abbess, insisted upon De Lacy
annulling his betrothal, while the con-
stable insisted upon an immediate mar
riage. The constable then declared that
the decision of the matter should be left
entirely to Eveline, and she, glad of the
respite, but still mindful of her vow and
of her fathers wishes, decided that mat
ters should remain as they were until
De Lacy's return. Kneeling, De Lacy
kissed hep hand and declared that should
he not return in three years time he alb
constable went off to the Holy Land, and
Eveline, escorted by a large force under
Damian De Lacy, who had been appointed
her guardian by his uncle, set out for the
Garde Doloureuse, which place she had
chosen for her residence during the alb
sence of the Constable. Since Damian
had escorted her to the convent at Glou-
cester Eveline had seen but little of him
He had eagerly sought distant service,
and had even begged his uncle either to
let him lead his forces to the Holy Land
or at least, to take him along with him,
should he go himself He had been ex-
tremely i'll and had tainted at the be-
trothal ceremony.
1t was lonely and monotonous life that
Eveline lived for three years at the Garde
Doloureuse. Damian, on the journey to
the castle, had kept out of sight of his
ward, communicating with her through
his page, young Amelot. He would not
enter the stronghold, but pitched his
camp at a distance, and, sending every
day to learn if Eveline had any orders,
kept his men busy scouting the border
that no danger might surprise the castle.
When Eveline was minded to ride abroad
with Rose, her sole companion and con-
fidant, to go hawking or to venture in
any way beyond the castle walls, Damian
insisted upon furnishing her with an
armed escort, while he himself guarded
the mountain passes against any foray of
the welsh. Eveine, althoughSin her Sc
cret heart she knew and approved of the
feelings which actuated Damian, could
not resist saying to Rose with affected
carelessness: ut is strange that De Lacy
should so avoid our presence" HE does
WE'LL" replied Rose; "he who would guard
a royal treasure faithfully should not in
dulge himself with too often gazing upon
| it,
One day a man came to the castle with
falcons for sale, and old Raoul, the hunts
man. went out to try them. The merchant
asked If there were no ladies in the castle
| who would like to see the trials, and Eve
| line, hearing his question, suddenly de-
| termined to take Rose and go out for
| once unguarded and unknown to Damian.
| The party, in the eagerness of their sport
J had passed we'll over the Welsh border
| when they were suddenly surrounded by
| an armed body of Cymri. Eveline's UNI
\ armed companions were driven off and
\ she herself hurried into the mountains
But the triumph of the abductors was
| short lived, for rescuing party under
Damian soon fell upon them, killing and
dispensing them, carried the daughter Of
| Berenger back to the CASTLE In the con-
flict, however Damian had been badly
wounded and was apparently at the poin'
of death. Eveline insisted that he be
taken to the castle. In the fight the mar
with falcons to sell had disappeared, anc
it was evident that he had either 81.