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


race of Berenger.
One night she sought the chapel ant
kneeling before a picture of the Blessed
Virgin made a vow that she would, il
heaven sent her aid in time give large
donatives to the church and, should it be
in accordance with the design of Provi-
dence bestow her hand in marriage
should he seek it, upon the first knight
who came as her rescuer. In her highly
., wrought state of mind she imagined the
pictured face of the Virgin smiled upon
her. Calling Rose. she proceeded to the
battlements sentry. worn with watch
ing, lay asleep upon the platform. Eve
line, gazing pityingly upon him, said;
Poor fellow, he is worn out. l will keep
his watch for him." and taking up the
sleeping mans weapon she paced up and
down the space which had been allotted
to the care of the delinquent sentry.
Soon came old Will1in, making his watch
ful rounds. and with him the castles
chaplain. Father Aldrovand. who had
been a soldier before he was a monk AMI
now, having donned a corslet over his
robe, had constituted himself lieutenant to
| Hammock in the defense of the strong
hold. what means this, daughter?"
cried the monk. 4Methinks this is no
place for thee, nor this an occupation fit
for high-born damsels." "And what means
this?" cried the Fleming observing the
sleeping sentry. Asleep on post. He
shall die the DEATH" And he awakened
the soldier with a kick in the side which
brought him to his feet with an ejacula-
/ ton of pain. Nay" Said Eveline, '1et
not the man be blamed because of me. As
/ he had fought for me all day I might
well watch for him until relieved" 81
! will relieve him with a vengeance cried
Wilkin. and turning to the man said.
/ Get thee down TO the under bailey. Thou
| deservest death by all the policies of war,
! hut look We. variet, and see who hast
! saved your worthless neck by watching
for you while you dreamed of swines
| flesh and beer potts.
Wilkin himself who had been almost
entirely without sleep since the invest
ment of the castle, here gaped as If he
would swallow one of the bastions and
| the man being gone. Eveline said to him.
! trust my watchfulness. | cannot sleep
! If I would Take thou a little rest and
fear not but l will be trusty sentry"
/ well" said the stolid Fleming. THE
rounds must pass in an hour | will zen
close mine eyes for a space, for they feel
as heavy as foodgates:" and throwing
himself upon the pavefpents of the plat
no Il.
of profound repose. The monk seated
himself beside Hammock and began to
reeite the penitential psalms But his
voice died away in a murmur and he
soon was as sound asleep as the
Fleming:
The two anxious maidens on the plat
form bent their eyes now on the dim
landscape and now on the stars, amid
which shown the pale crescent of the new
moon. The night was calm and still
with an almost unearthly stiffness. Out
side the walls of the Garde Douloureuse
there were no sounds save the murmur of
the rushing river and now and then from
the Welsh camp the tinkling of a harp
that came with weird note like the voice
lines hand grasped Roses arm and she
whispered, DO you hear nothingr'
Nothing but the hooting of the owl"
replied Rose. But Eveline, leaning for
ward, with her wonderful eyes seeming ito
penetrate the darkness, her beautiful head
inclined upon her swan-like neck in a
listening attitude, said, "Hark, 1t comes
! again-distinct amid the intermitting
sound of the rushing waters-a low,
tremulous sound, mingled with tinIxling
like smiths or armorers at work upon
their anvils." Il hear it now" whispered
Rose, and Eveine, stirring the sleepers
with the end of her weapon. cried:
Awake! Awake, The Welsh are upon
usn
Fammocks heavy ear could not catch
the sound and he only said: 1.-THE Welsh
lie not in that quarter. lady" But
Father Aldrovand cried out. Il hear it.
| hear it. praise to st. Benedict: Oul
Lady of the Garde Dooureuse has beer
gracious to her servants as ever. 1t is
the tramp of horses-it is the clash OF
armor; the chivalry of the Marches are
coming to our relief" 1t was indeed the
power of the lord constable marching to
the succor of the castle. With the first
light of dawn they fell upon the WEIGH
killing the Prince of Fowls, slaughterine
many of the Cymri and driving the scat
tered remnant of the invaders back into
the mountains. And as the full light OF
day rolled over the plain and glanced
from the castle towers there rode through
the sounding -barbican a goodly youth
whose coal-black steed, fecked with blood
as well as foam, and painting from the ex.
ertions of the battle. still arched his
neck, shook his steel caparison and paved
the ground as if to show his unabateo
! mettle and unwearied love of combat.
The youths helmet hung at his saddl,
bow allowing his fair and rudy face =.
be seen in a framing of crisp shor
| chestnut curls His armor was of massiv,
, and simple form, yet he moved under i
= with such elasticity and ease that /
seemed a. graceful attire rather than :
. burden and encumbrance So youthful
was he shat only the down upon his uppe
9 lip announced the approach of manhood
4 1t was Damian de Lacy, nephew and het
:, of~the Constable, come to greet the Lad
- of the Garden Doloureuse on behalf of hi
q uncle.
e Eveline, attired in such mourning habili
n ments as the stores of the castle afforded
| 81 Il