El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-07-07


LNIL times fell upon England in the
Il year 1913. when the great plague
devastated the land Il was during
us period that the story Of Sir NiEel
takes place.
s'he house CT Loring. like many an
other noble family, felt the heavy
hand OF misfortune; for after the
Earons' war and lawsuits with Va
verify abbey the men of the church
ana the men Of the law left nothing
but the manor of TilfOrd for the re-
naming members of the family, lady
Ermynrrude and her grandson Nigel
Nigel Loring came Of race Of he
roess his grandfather having fallen at
tie battle OF Stirling, and his father
in the sea fight OF Sluys. Nigel. his
veins thrilling with the blood OF a
hundred soldiers, was filled with de-
sire Tor adventure and combat: hav-
ing been trained at the desire Of his
grandmother in skill al arms, and
courage. he became also a daring
rider At times a fierce bitterness as
sailed Nigel at the thought of the
wrongs done by the abbot Of Waver-
y, whom he believed had robbed the
Lorings OF much Of their estate
The Scene at the Abbey.
On the first day Of May, the festival
OF the apostles Philip and James, con-
sternation reigned at the abbey, when
II was found that large pike had
eaten the carp in abbot Johns fish
pond. Nigel being accused of putting
the pike in the pondj- Abbot John
and the sacrist. brother Samuel. were
in consultation upOn the subject
when they were rudeiy Interrupted by
buzz OF excitement among the
monks in the clOister. A white faced
brother flung open the door and rush
ing into the room cried; Father
dead. and the subprior is dead. and
the devil Is loose in the five virgate
field"
Now what the brother called the
devil was a great yellow horse, held
at the abbey for the debt of his own
er, Franklin Aylward: such a horse,
il was said, was not to be found be-
twixt the abbey and the kings sta
bles at Windsor.
II was a sorry day that brought the
could be found who would or could
ride him or conquer him he had in
deed nearly killed the brother and the
subprior.
LorinE Meets the Horse.
Abbot John and the monks, intent
upon seeing, with their own eyes.
This terrible creature, hurried down
the stairs and gained the wall Of the
meadow where looking over its top
they beheld the magnificent horse
standing fetlock deep in the meadow
grass Upon This wild scene there ar
rived, riding his pony the young
squire Loring. small Of stature. but
with muscles Of steel, and a soul Of
fire His face, though tanned with the
weather. vas delicate OF feature
The horse was at the moment tram
ping his latest victim, and Nigel.
Swinging from his pony, was over
the wall and at battle with the crea-
ture, proving himself master. Some
discussion arose among the monks as
TO the killing Of the yellow horse, or
the giving him to Nigel as punish
ment; the last suggestion finally won,
and Nigel proceeded to further sub
due the heretofore untamabie crea-
ture called "Pommers"
The horse tried 10 unseat his rider,
but Nigel held fast and at last they
we're over the four-foot gate and
away Then took place the most
notable ride ever known to that part
Of the world. and the authors de-
scripion recording il is a gem worth
reading: also It is the key to NigeTs
whole character.
Horse Is Broken.
After q long battle Of wills, the
horse was broken and conquered. he
fell in the heather with q sobbing
sigh, throwing his rider over his head