The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-09-01
THE WHITE COMPANY
BY SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE
Condensation by A. J. Stafford, WoIIaston, Mass.

The Abbot of Beaulieu sat in a lofty
room. before him his thirty monks
All were labOr-stained and weary, for
the abbot was a hard man. A big red
haired youth, the black sheep of the
fold. stood awaiting punishment. His
sins were many, the worst being that
he had "conversed with d maiden &.
and did carry her across a
stream, to the infinite relish of the
devil"
The abbot rose il wrath John of
Hordle!" he Numbered, 'ThDd shalt
be cast into the outer world! Seize
him and scourge him from the pre-
cincts."
But the culprit had different plans
Lifting the big oaken desk he hurled
it at his accusers, sprang through
the open door and escaped.
He is possessed OF a DEVIL" they
shouted
Far different was the leave taking
of Alleyne Edricson, slender, yellow
haired youth, favorite Of all.
Twenty years ago." said the abbot,
your father, the Franklin of Min
stead, died, leaving to the abbey three
hides, and you, his infant son, for US
tate; and now you must return into
the world"
Alleyne was a learned clerk, skill
ed in music. writing, painting and
other attainments. His reading was
scant and he had only vague idea
of Europe, beyond which were "Jeru-
salem, the Holy land. and the great
river which hath it's source in the
Garden of Eden" The abbot now told
him of strange nations. including that
Of the fair but evil women who STAY
with beholding, like the basilk. After
many prayers, blessings, and warnings
from the abbot against sin and the
snares of women, Alleyne left the
peaceful abbey and went out into the
world. And he found it a fearful
place.
His only relative was brother
now Socman of Minstead, who had
earned an evil name. Alleyne decided
to go to his brother and try to reform
him. On the way he was set upon by
robbers and would have been killed
had not the bailiff appeared. He was
then made sick by seeing one robber
shot and the other decapitated. Night
found him with a boisterous crowd
at the Pied Merlin. kept by Dame Ell
liza. His clerky ways got him into
trouble, but big Horde John protect
ed him. Samkin Awkward, a bowman
of the White company, came in with
rich booty from France. He induced
John to enlist for the wars, and in the
morning they started for Castle Twyn
ham, held by the famous knight, Sir
| Nigel LOring, who was to command the
| White Company.
Alleyne set out to find his brother
| In forest he came upon the most
| beautiful creature he had ever seen
Such he had pictured the angels. She
was being held against her will by a
big yelloW-haired man. Alleyne came
to the girls assistance and found that
the man was his brother.
Young cub of Beaulieu, Ny dogs
shall be set upon you.' cried the Soc
man. But he was unarmed and Al
leyne, raising his iron-shod staff com
PEELED him to free the girl. He ran
for weapons and dogs, but the other
two escaped through the woods. The
girls page came with horses and when
the young clerk told her that he in
| tended to join two friends at Castle
Twynham she laughed and rode a
way without telling her name. Long
he stood, hoping she might return
Then he turned away, no longer a
| Eghthearted boy.
At Twynham castle Alleyne met his
angel again. She was the Lorings
only child. He became squire to Sill
Nigel, while Lady Loring engaged him
to teach the wayward Maude and two
other girls. Maude was no easy pupil
given to strange moods. In spite of the
abbot's warning, teaching three girls
was to Alleyne joyous experience.
Time came for him to follow Sil
Nigel to the wars. Maude was faI
above him in station, yet he told heI
| of his live and begged her for some
word of hope.
win my fathers love and all may
follow" she told him.
| Sir Nigel was small man with a
lisping voice, but when he said, "let
US debate the matter further" II
meant a fight. He spoke of his small
Deeds" and he called a deadly hand
to-hand fight a small bickering'
With Alleyne, John Alyward, and one
hundred fifty archers and men-at-arms
he set sail for France. They fought
a bloody battle with two pirate craft
Alleyne had his first taste of war and
fought bravely. Sir NigePs sword
flashed everywhere at once. AlywarC
! led the archers and John took the
! big Norman captain prisoner by sheer
strength. They lost nearly all theil
men but captured both pirate ships
In a fast sinking ship they landed al
Bordeaux where King Edward was
mastering his forces to carry the wal
into Spain. Here Alleyne fought a
! duel and came out hero. Five Eng
fish knights held the lists aginst al
corners. The English won two bouts
| their opponents two, and Sir Nigel wor
] the fifth. Then an unknown knigh,