Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1911-03-02

4
Come out lest | disgrace myself az
you have done by intruding into d
lady's chamber and l STAY you there"
The fellow turned and, seeing me
glaring at him with my rapier leaping
forward 10 pierce his vitals. lost all
the color from his face, which as soon
as / saw ii | knew ii 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 time. for II
gave me an excuse to Stay him.
Eleanor turned. too. and gaZed at me,
all amazement.
"Aha, my Mistress Eleanor! Is II
meet that you should accept a lover
one day and the next receive another
In your chamber? Mayhap had not
draft set the door ajar i should
never have known Of your faithless-
nessw 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, l made step forward. What did
the coward do but run behind the bed
and crawl under it!
By this time, with my roaring and
swearing, the corridor was filed with
guests, both gentlemen and ladies, who
had come from their rooms TO learn,
mayhap, If 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
ed me and saw me standing, rapier in
hand, glaring and bowling for the
Spanish cur TO come out and fight like
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 the
bed and, putting her hand under 1t,
dragged the Spaniard out and helped
him to stand upon his feet. Then she
pushed him forward saying:
Look at this Spanish cur seeing
for yourselves the crime | have com
mitted in harboring him in my cham
Der"
why, it's the Lady Gwendolin Ira
cyl" said one Of the bystanders.
nile
TO 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, sis
the Spaniard for whom you would
rob me Of my good name before all
these goodly people. Get you gone
from me and never let me see you
again."
With that she burst into torrent
of weeping and, retreating within her
room, shut the door
And l stood broken by my folly be-
fore the whole company, who present
ly, after the retreat Of the Lady Flea
nor. suddenly seeing the absurdity of
my action, burst into loud peals of
laughter
"Down with the Spaniardr cried
the old duke. who had heard the same
words often during his boyhood when
Queen Marys Spanish match was un-
popular in England, whereupon all the
company laughed again.
"'Tis like the dons," cried another.
"to hide under the bed before a drawn
rapier!'
For shame Sir Ralph, to draw sword
upon girl
But /, full of anguish at having by
my choler induced by jealousy to act
upon impulse and without knowledge,
heard not word Of these jests. j 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. thrust
it into its scabbard Then, putting his
arm through mine. he led me away.
AS we walked down the corridor to-
gether | heard the murmur Of voices
and laughter behind me Of those who
continued to discuss my lamentable
Diunder.
do not fret your SOUL" said Everest
This evenings festivities will wear
away the effects of your rashness."
There are no more festivities for
me-" walled, unless mayhap the Lady
Eleanor may find it in her guileless
heart TO forgive me-"
And so she WILL" replied my friend,
when she comes To consider that your
act was goodly evidence of your love
for her"
"She will never forgive the affrOnt I