The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-10-23

up a headstrong youth. apt at those studies and duties which jumped with his fancy, and at those only; impatient of | restraint or rebuke; brave. hardy, hon. orable; but imperious and self-willed. his natural good qualities being dimmed by the indulgence with which his lady treated him, so that he came as near be- ing that worthless monstrosity spoiled child as 1t Twas possible for a boy of his sterling and chivalrous parts to be- come.
 Some of the household envied and hated him for his overbearing manner and for envy that he had his ladys favor; some others, of a more generous nature, loved the boy In spite of his faults and his airs. Master Warden, the gloomy preacher, was one of the former, and Adam Woodcock, the falconer. one of the latter. Yet 1t was quarrel with Adam. in which the page drew his dagger, that caused Roland to be finally dismissed from the service of Lady Glendinning, 8 dismissal which the lady regretted as soon as made, which served the chaplain for red-hot discourse and caused the honest falconer to follow
 
 force upon the boy money which he had haughtily refused to accept from the Lady of Avenel. Roland was now IS years old, handsome, strong accomplished in falconry, the exercise of arms. and in all that went to make up the accomplish ments of cavalier of those days. The boy believed that be was of gentle blood, though his ancestry was clouded in doubt and he had known neither kith nor kin with the exception of old Mag dalen Graeme. AS he wandered forth alone, homeless, with no prospects In life. no powerful friends to appeal te, his fiery and naughty spirit for a while broke and he wept as any other boy would weep under such circumstances if he thought no prying and scornful eye was upon him. T will go," he thought at last, ito the Abbey of Kennequhair and seek advice of Brother Ambrose"
 Now a fearful thing had been discov- cred at the castle of Avenel by my lady's waiting maid, Lilias, after the departure of Roland. string of gold beads-a ros- ary sue has is used by Cathoics-she had found among the effects which the boy had left behind. The woman confided her secret to the major domo who, being a discreet man, advised her to say noth- ing, as in those times when one religion was on top today and another tomorrow, 1t was far from safe to meddle with | matters of theology So Lilias had the l beads melted down into a pair of shoe buckles and held her tongue though she tl1 guess at the reason of the understand ing which had seemed to exist between Brother Ambrose of Kennaquhair and Roland when the former paid his rare visits to the castle Brother Ambrose had in the world been Edward Glendin- ming, and though he and his brother Hal bert loved each other as brothers should. the difference of religion and politics had come to be bar between their inter- dom.
 The Abbey of Kennaquhair had former ly been the most richly endowed the most powerful the most famous on the border. In its halidom were many a broad acre, many a right of forestry and fishing and its vessels held possess sion for many mile around so that. in time. of need. the mitred abbot of Kennaquhair could range beneath his banner small army of mailed warriors. One of these vassals had been the head of the Glendinnings for generations. Brt now the abbey was clipped and shorn of its possessions; its power brought to naught; its revenues sequestrated A few monks still housed amid the ruins of the cloisters and celebrated mass fin the pillaged and wrecked church. suf fered to remain there through conni vance in spite of the edict which had banished them; contempt for the fallen rather than pity made the government of the regent wink at their remaining there. And so in the person of Roland Graeme the castle of Avenel had actual ly been harboring a ''Papist." Mistress Lilias was fully alive to the horror of the thing, but her horror was some what mitigated by the pride she took in her new shoe buckles
 On his way to the eedespoiled abbey Ro- land stopped at the hermitage of St D,,n stan, where formerly a pous anchorite had afforded shelter to belated pilgrims He found the cell broken down and the holy well filled up-the work of the van- dals who in that age were breaking and destroying not only humble hermitages. but the most splendid ecclesiastical build | ings of Scotland. He was trying to set up the heavy stone cross which had been thrown down when he heard A. voice | pronounce his name, and turned to sae | Magdalen Graeme standing behind him Roland told her what had befallen him at Avenel, and the old woman repied that 1t was well, that he had been chosen | by heaven for some great design. what. she would not tell him, but enjoined upon him unquestioning obedience. thdugh he walked blindly. to all that hel should l be ordered to do in the Holy Cause to which she dedicated him. Magdalen took Roland to house which had once been a nunnery and was partly ruinous. the nuns having been driven forth. An aged woman, formerly the Mother Superior of the convent, lived there and with her was girl of about Roland,s ape Catherine Seyton.
 This said the Mother Superior. as she looked at Roland. lis then, the son of thy unhappy daughter. Do you dedi- | cate him to the Work?" Yes" replied Magdalen, with the fire of fanaticism blazing in her eyes. q de- | vote him flesh and fell sinew and limb body and soul" Shall he see Gather