Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1911-01-20


the color from his face. which as soon
as saw 1t knew 1t belonged to one
of tender years But he was not un-
armed. having a rapier at his waist.
which gladdened me. If. indeed, could
be gladdened at such a time, for 1t
gave me an excuse to slay him.
Eleanor turned, too, and gazed at me.
all amazement.
"Aha, my Mistress Eleanori Is ii
meet that you should accept a lover
one day and the next receive another
In your chamber? Mayhap had not
a draft set the door aJar l should
never have known of your faithless-
nessr' With that began to bawl and
to roar at the Spanish dog" the mis-
creant." TO come out into the corridor
and defend himself. And, he not COM
ing. / made a step forward. What did
the coward do but run behind the bed
and crawl under III
By this time. with my roaring and
swearing. the corridor was filed with
guests, both gentlemen and Iadies, who
had come from their rooms to learn.
mayhap, If a lion had got into the
castle. They saw me standing before
the Lady Eleanor's open door, she, fac
ing me. white as a sheet and not able
to make herself heard above the noise
made
Then came Lord Everest running
along the corridor. and when he reach
cd me and saw me standing, rapier In
hand. glaring and bowling for the
Spanish cur to come out and fight Ike
a man. he drew his own sword and
beat mine down. crying;
what means this bedlam? Cease
your bowling and let me hear what the
Lady Eleanor has to say"
This somewhat quieted my tongue
though continued to glare. The Lady
Eleanor. seeing protection, went to th'
bed and, putting her hand under II
dragged the Spaniard out and helpe'
him to stand upon his feet. Then sh
pushed him forward saying:
"Look at this Spanish cur seein
for yourselves the crime have CON
mitted in harboring him in my cham
ber."
"Why, It's the Lady Gwendolin Ira
cyl" said one Of the bystanders.
Then my choler suddenly gave place
| 70 a sinking IN the heart as well as
the knees. for saw what had done
Surely the Spaniard was none Other
than the Lady Gwendolin, whose cos
tune for the masquerade had just ar
rived from London and who. having
! taken her friend the Lady Eleanor into
the secret Of her character. was trying
the suit on in her company.
"There, Sir Ralph" said Eleanor. ''is
the Spaniard for whom you would
rob me of my good name before MI
these goodly people. Get you gone
from me and never let me see you
again"
With that she burst into a torrent
of weeping and, retreating within hei
room, shut the door.
And stood broken by my folly be
fore the whole company. who present
| Iy, after the retreat of the Lady Flea
nor. suddenly seeing the absurdity o.
my action. burst into loud peals o.
| laughter.
"Down with the Spaniardr' criet
the old duke. who had heard the SAINT
words often during his boyhood wher
! Queen Mary's Spanish match was un
popular in England, whereupon all thu
company laughed again.
"'Tis like the dons." cried another
"to hide under the bad before a draw
rapierw
For shame. Sir Ralph. to draw swort
upon a girl.'
But /. full Of anguish at having by
my eholer induced by jealousy to act
upon Impulse and without knowledge
heard not a word of these jests. l was
longing TO throw myself upon my knees
before the Lady Eleanor and at the
same time bethinking myself that
would never obtain her forgiveness
Finally Everest, with kindly courtesy
seeing my suffering, came to me and
taking my rapier from my hand, thrus
II into its scabbard. Then, putting hi'
arm through mine, he led me awny
As we walked down the corridor to
| gether ! heard the murmur of voice.
and laughter behind me Of those wht
continued to discuss my lamentabl,
blunder.
"Do not fret your SOUL" said Everest
This evenings festivities will weal
away the effects of your rashness."
"There are no more festivities fol
me" | walled. .unless mayhap the Lad,
Eleanor may find 1t in her guilelesi
heart to forgive me-"
And so she WILL" replied my friend
when she comes to consider that youl
act was goodiy evidence of your love
for her"
"she will never forgive the affront
put upon her"
"Come. come; cease this maudliI
whlningl l will engage that you arr
forgiven this very evening"
With that he poured out a flagon o.
sack and bade me get up my courage
but be sure not TO drink so much a,
! to spoil the reconciliation that was Il
be between me and my ladylove.
dare not excite my brain, already hot
with the liquor and would have nom
Of 1t.
When the ball was on Everest sough
me out and led me to curtainet
corner where sat Isabella. that queer
who furnished the funds by mean
Of which Virginia was discovered.
'Here is Columbus. your majesty
who returns to ynu penitent
He left me with my love. And a
drew the curtains that those ii;;,sssiii;.- siii-
should not see In. so l draw the cur
tain over the close of my story.
Nathan Gutman & co,