Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-08-27

old man came out suddenly from the
bush and knelt on the road, crying out
"A boon, o king, a boon!" So shrewd.
ly was the king galloping that in the
one instant he glimpsed the kneeline
man and in the next he was near ator
of him Roundly cursing, he wrenchet
in his horse, while the man jumped uI
and ran at the kings stirrup. still cry.
in, "A boon, o king, q boon!"
What boon, in the DEVILS name?'
gave back the king testify, while his
knights. forced to check themselves In
full haste, regarded the stranger in
surprise and unwelcome.
The old man, who was habited as q
yeoman archer, called up to the king
that 1t was a private matter.
Then choose private time, spoil
SPORT" roared the king, and as his bay
ing dogs swept around the bend out OF
sight he made to follow, but the old
man, clinging to his stirrup. would not
be checked, crying that the case was
urgent and touched a high born maiden
in the realm.
What" cried the king. "am to lose
a stag for a high-born maiden? Out
of my way, sirrah!" And with deep
throated "Hulloo, hulloo!" he gave rein
to his chafing horse. and the knights
swept after, so that the yeoman was
put to it to regain the bush to avoid
their hoofs. Shaking his head, he went
back into the wood.
Around the curve swept the king, and
up hill and down again, and then the
dogs lost scent in a splashy brook that
ran through that place. AS they circled
widely about. nose to earth, the king
walked his sweating horse up and down
a meadow-land, and suddenly he saw q
woman's figure, bent and hooded, cane
in hand, come hobbling across the
meadow land to him; and as she near
ed him she raised her voice in shrill
cry, "a boon. o king. boon!"
Curious he spurred his horse to her
Good dame, what aileth thee?" And
he leaned down.
Ducking in curtsy, she quavered that
she craved his ear for a most piteous
and wonderful tale.
Another time. mistress" he answer
ed. for at that moment the hounds gave
tongue on the scent; and to her wall
that the matter was urgent and touch
ed the interests Of q maid Of birth she
got back but the chuckling shout, Me
seems they are in deep distress this
day." and the sight Of flying hoofs.
Shaking her head, she went back into
the wood.
For some half an hour the chase
wound through the forest after the cum
ming stag, and then the trail led again
to the ancient road. and with thun-
der of hoof- beats and jingle of chains
the king and his knights swept down II
like a banner of scarlet and green.
Suddenly out of the bush came a
maiden's figure, mantled and hooded in
silken gray, and she ran into the road
and cried, "A boon, o king, boon!"
The kings horse plunged, and the
king roared, Back" at her sharply,
but she stood unmoved, holding up her
clasped hands in silent entreaty. Then
when his horse was somewhat still she
came a pace nearer, throwing off her
hood and showing him face Of great
beauty framed in red gold hair, looking
up at him all the time with eyes OF
much beseeching.
She was very young maiden. and
there was something 80 gentle-born in
her aspect as she stood there, frighten-
ed at her boldness, yet desperately re-
solved in 1t, that the king spoke with
all mildness of chivalry.
who art thou, lady? And how may
l serve thee?"
81 am in sad plight" said the maiden
"and I crave thee to hear my dolefuI
story"
Il am, as thou seest, in chase" re-
turned the king, and his eye ran i'm
patiently ahead; but she begged sc
pleadingly, looking at him all the time
irked him, he was constrained to lister
to her, and he came down off his horse
and tied him to a. tree, bidding his
knights ride ahead and he would soor
follow.
And now lady" he said, what all
eth thee?"
Her gaze hung upon him very fixed
ly; she had eyes. he had now leisure tt
observe. of blue as sweet as the June
skies above them, with lashes 80 long
and dark that they cast soft shadows
like little clouds. She was very pale
and her skin against the red-golt
brightness of her hair was like snow
against the sun. Her mantle, held only
by a clasping chain, hung back and
displayed a gown of rich London green
wrought with gold and silver brodieries
with white laces cunningly let in. She
made a fair picture in the dappling sun
shine OF the road.
Speak out" said the king as she
stood yet silent, land tell thy tale"
She cast a quick glance in the wooe
behind her. There are those in the
forest" she said, a little breathless
"who can present this matter more
modestly than l."
Speak out" cried the king, and
will be modest enough for two. Only b'
brief. for thou art costing me stag"
Sir" began the maiden hurriedly
81 am the Lady Elaine Monfort, daugh
ter of your faithful knight, who die'
when l was so young that J have NJ
memory of him, being indeed but tw'
months Of age. My mother, who wa!
young and alone and Of few possession
came to live with her brother and MI
wife. dwelling in their castle. which Il
near here, while they remain at court
On one day, long past, when / was We
unable to walk, my mother was sittin.
in the grass of the castle park, pluck
ing daisies and making of them chains
for me, being herself but maid IL
wears, when on a sudden she saw ;
face peering at her from a hedge. s.
oft and so vividly hath she told me thi
tale that meseems l have myself mem
60 o,f, h1rn