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Ne CHAPTER X11I—Continued. Surprised and somewhat anxious at heart, Sholto cast over in his mind all the deeds, od and evil, which might procure him the honor of an interview with Earl Wil- Nam Douglas, but could think of nothing except his having involuntarily played the spy at the young lord's meeting with the lady in the wood. It was therefore with some natural trepidation that the young man obeyed the summons “At any rate,” he meditated, with some return of complacency he butted and shoved his way castlew ly mean to have my hi For he was all day with my father at his eibow, and at the worst I may have another chance of seeing” —he did not call the beloved by her Christian name even to himself, so he com- ed by adding somewhat lamely— Sholto, as he put speed in his heels and swung along over the trampled sward with the slow, tireless trot of a s'euth- hound, treading his way among the groups of villain prickers and swearing men-at- arms. who cumbered the main approaches of the castle. He found the earl walking swiftly uy and down a Kittle raised platform which ex tended .round three sides of Thrieve out- side the main defenses, but within the nether moat, the sluggish water of whicn it overlooked on its inner side. Sarl William was manifestly discomposed and excited by the events of the day, and especially by the fact that the L: ybil- la made no allusion to ever having set eyes upon him before, and appeared entire- y ly oblivious of having received him in a pavilion of rose-colored silk under the shel- ter of a grove of tall pines. The young lord in: sly recoiled from any com- muni on with his master armozer, whose grave and Impassive face revealed nothing which might be passing in his mind. Tnen the earl’s thoughts turned unon Sholto, who had been the first to see his compan- ion of the Carlinwark woods Earl Willlam was even younger than Sholto, but the cares and dignities of a great position had rendered him fac less boyish in manner and carriag> than the son of Malise MacKim. His head, released from his helm, rose out from the richly ornamented collar of his armor with the grace of a flower and the strength of a tree rooted among rocks. He had laid aside his helmet, and as Shol- to was announced, the earl's ancient re- tainer, old Landless Jock of Abernethy, brought him a cap of soft velvet, which he threw on the back of his head witn an air of supreme carelessne He walked up and down, carrying his armor as if it nad been a feather weight, whereas It was tllt- ing harness of double pate and designed only for wearing on horseback. Sholto marked In the young lord a boyish eagerness equal to his own, and his impa- tient manner recalled his own. 1s he had stood on the bridge and desired to be left alone with his thoughts of Maid Lindesay. Sholto stood stfll and auiet on the top- most sten of the ascent from the moat bridge, waiting for the earl to sign: his will. CHAPTER XIV. Captain of the Earl's Guard. “Sholto MacKim,” sald the Earl of Doug- las, abruptly, ‘aw you the lady who ar- rived with the foreign ambassador?” “She is indeed wondrous fair to look on,” answered Sholto, the whole heart in him instantly wary, while outwardly he seemed more innocent than before. “Have your eyes ever lighted on that lady before?’ “Nay, my t a surety, no. In what manner should seeing that I have never been in France in my life, nor, in- deed, more than a good score of miles from this castle of Thrieve?” “Thou art a good lad, and also ready of wit, Master Sholto,” said the earl, looking at the armorer’s son musingiy; “clear of and, so they tell me. Did rrow prize this da i William rai his eyes to where in ot youth his own golden ened swording prize at t the moot hill of ito, taking courage, and be- ing resol that if his fortune stood not now on tiptoe it should not be on account ord, of th Lord the bonnet badge of are I of any superfiuity of modesty on his own part “Ah,” said the earl, “I remember. It was two golds Joined together, with an arrow and a star in the midst—a fitting Dougias emblem, by the bones of St. Bride! Where hast thou gotten that badge that thou dost now wear it along with the other?” Sholto blushed and muttered that he had left it at home. He was all of a breaking perspiration lest he should have to tell the earlt d given it to Maud Linde nt to do with the golden . if the dainty, mischiev- len could be persuaded to thereof. said the earl, smiling, “I compre- me maid in the question, e you to the command of 3 guard and give you an officer's responsibility you will of a surety be ever to the gr of Carlinwark a = glades.”” indeed nay!” cried Sholto, . my lord's will to appoint me to his guard, by St. Bride and all the other saints, ave the island—unles I swear never to 1 i Sunday afternoon, for an hour or two, just to see my mothe “Your mother,” quoth the earl, laughing heartily. “So, then, the two golden hearts are in yc r mother’s keeping—art a good lad, Sholto, and as for guile, it is simply not in thee!” Sholto looked modestly dwn upon the arth, as if conscious o ‘ais own exceeding rity, but willing to nothing about But the young earl came over to and dealing him « sound buffet on the cried, y, lad, that lamb-like 1 1 have seen tried on mine uncle, the a heart. Thy brother Laurence i the way of clerkly advancement on account of that same sweetly innocent iook, which he hath in even greater perfection. But I am a young man remember, and one youth flings not glamour easily into the eyes of enother. Sholto, neither you nor I are any better than we should be. and if we are not > evil as some others, let us not set up as erwhelmingly virtuous, for at twenty irtue is mestly but lack of opportunity.” Sholto blushed so becomingly at th: cusation that if the earl had not b s locked in the death Nev .” continued the earl, ‘ epite your claims to virtue, I am re- solved to make you officer of my castle guard, {f not in name, at least in fact. For old Landless Jock of Abernethy must keep ghe naine while ke lives and stand first When my steward out the golden Hons on Lady day. But you shall have enough, and be no longer a charge upon your father. Malise shculd be a proud man, having both his sons provided for in ene day! The earl turned him about with his usual quick imperiousness. “Malise!’’ he cried, “Malise MacKim And ag: the word ran through the tle, escaped the gate, circumnavigated the moat and ran round the circle tents till the Malise, Malise,"" could have been mo: at the deserted fords of Lochar, where sundry varlets wef watching for # chance to search the pavil- icns for anything left therein by the knights and Pr. y there was seen ascending the moat platform the huge form of the master armorer himself. He stood waiting his mas- ter’s pleasure, with the knife which he had been sharpening in his hand. It was a eurious weapon, long, thin and narrow in the blade, which was double ed; ground fine as a razor on both “Ah, Malise,” sald the earl, not taught your son amiss. He threatens to tyrn out a most marvelous lad, for not only can he make weapons, but he can — = best of my bw ‘arms in their use! ave you any objection that he be attached to my guard?” ‘The strong man smiled with his usual ‘ AUTHOR oF -Tee Rwoees* “ @ sme srcwer megtee the cate man? CopmcaT 1600 OF 6 n.caccnag® ; calm. and kept his humorsome gray eyes | fixed shrewdly on the earl. “Aye.” he said, “it is, indeed, more fitting that Sholto, my son, should ride behind my lord of Douglas than stiff old Malise upon his Flanders mare.” : The earl blushed a little, for he remem- bered how the armorer had offered to ride behind bim after he had shod Black Darn- away at the Carlinwark. He went on some- what hastily. “I have resolved to make your son Sholto officer of the castle guard. It is, perhaps, ever-responsible a posi for-so young a man, yet I myself am younger and have heavier burde Also Landless Jock is growing old and stiff and will not bear to be spoken to. For my father’s sake I can- not be severe with him. He will die in his charge if he will, but on Douglasdale and not at Thrieve. But I would ve your son do my bidding without question, which is more than his father ever did’ before him. “I can answer for MacKim. Sholto,” said Malise “He is afraid of nothing, save, £) SHOLTO SAW A FIGURE THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1898-94 PAGES. oe eee ae ee lis up and rol tl ron doors: which shut the keep off from the wide outer courtyard and the garrison which manned the turrets. The porter, Hugh MacCalmont, sat up on his elbow at Sholto’s salutation only enough to see his visitor by the glint of the little iron ¢‘cruiste”’ lamp hanging upon the wall. He knew him by the golden chain of office which the earl had given Sholto. “Captain of the guard he _ muttered, ‘Lord, here’s advancement, indeed. My loni might have remembered me, that have serv- ed him faithfully these thirty years, open- ing and shutting without a mistake. He might have named me captain of the guard and not this limber jack. But the young love the young, and, in truth, ‘tis natural. But what Landless Jock will say when he comes to have this sprat set over him, I know not.” Satisfied that all was safe there, Sholto stepped gingerly over the reclining forms of the first relief guard, who lay there wrapped in their cloaks, every man grasp- ing his arms. Most of these were lying in the dead sleep of tired men, while others restlessly moved about, this way and that, as if seeking an easier adaptation of their bones to the corners of the blue whinstones and rough shell line than had been provided for when the castle was built by Archibald the Grim, Lord of Thrieve and Galloway. Close by the last turn of the turret stair- case was the iron-sparred mouth of the dungeon, in which in its time many a no- table prisoner had been immured. It was closed with a huge grid of curved iron bars, each as thick as a man’s thigh, cunningly held together by a gigantic padlock, the key of which was nightly taken to the sleeping room of the earl, whether, as was now the case, ft stood empty, or whether it contained an English lord waiting ran- som or a rebellious baron expectant of the morning summons to the dule tree of the Black. Douglas. Then taking his key from his belt, Sholto unlocked the sparred gate which led from SLIP INTO & BOOM. perhaps, the strength of his father’s right arm. He is cool enough in danger. Noth- ing daunts him, except perhaps the flutter of a farthingale; but then my lord knows well that is a fault most commendable in this castle of Thrieve. Sholto will be an honest captain of your house carls, if you see to it that the steward locks up his loaves of sugar and toothsome preserves.” “Faith,” sald the earl heantily, “I know not but what I would join Master Sholto in a raid on these dainties myself.”” In this fashion was Sholto MacKim placed in command of the house guard of the cas- tle of Thrieve. CHAPTER XV. The Night Alarm. At parting with his father the young cap- tain recetved many wise and grave in- structions, all of which he resolved to re- menfber and profit by—a resolution which he did not fail to keep for full five min- utes. “Be douce in deportment,” said his father, speaking quietly and yet with a certain sternness of demeanor. ‘Think three times before you give an order, but let no man think even once before obeying it. Set him astraddle the wooden horse with a spear shaft at either foot to teach him that a soldier's first duty is not to think. Keep your eyes more on the alert for the approach of an enemy than for the ankle of the women folk at the turnings of the turret stat To these and many other maxims out of the wisdom of the elders Sholto promised faithful attendance, and he fully intended to keep his word. But no sooner his father gone and he introduced to his new quarters and duties by David Douglas, the younger brother, than he began to r which was the window of Maud Lindesay’s chamber, and speculate how soon he would see her thereat. In the castle of Thrieve that night there was little sleeping room to spare. The earl and his brother lay wrapped in their plaids in one of the round towers of the outer defenses. In the castle hall the tainers of the French amt dor slept side by side or heads and tails with the archers of the house guard. Lights flickered on the stairs which led to the upper floors. The survivors had cleared the great hall, and here on a dais raised above the “marsh” and sheltered by an arras curtain hastily arranged, James the Gross slept on a soft French bed, which he caused to bé brought all the way from his castle of Strathavon on the moors of Lanark- shire. In the earl’s chamber on the third floor was lodged the Marshal de Retz. Next him was the apartmert of the countess. Here also was the Lady Sybilla at the end of the passage in the guest chamber which looked to the north and from the win- dows of which she could look upon the broad river dividing itself about the castle isiand and flowing calmly on ‘as if the stern feudal pile had been a peaceful mon- astery and the waving war banners no more than so many signs of holy cross. Above, in the low-roofed chambers which gave upon the wooden balcony, were the apartments of Maud Lindesay and her charge, the little Margaret Douglas, the fair maid of Galloway. Now the single postern stair of the castle was closed at the foot where it opened upon the hall of the guard by a sparred iron gate, the key of which was put into Sholto’s charge. The night closeé@ early upon the castleful of wearied folk. The marshals of the camp caused the lights to be put out at 9 of the clock in all the outer tents and pavilions, but the lamps and candles burned longer in the castle, where the earl had been giving a banquet to his guests of the best that his estates could afford. Nevertheless it was yet long before midnight when the cheep of the mouse in the wainscot, the restless stir or muftied snore of a sleeper in the guard room, were the only sounds to be heard frcm dungeon to bannerstaff of the great castle. Sholto’s heart was tumultuous and in- surgent within him. And small {s the won- er! Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined such a fate as this, to be actual captain of the earl’s own bodyguard, even though neither title nor emoluments were yet wholly his. Better still, to dwell night and day within arm's reach, almost, of the desire of his heart, flinty-bosomed and mis- chievous as she was. These were heights of good fortune to which his imagination had never climbed in its most daring mo- ments. No longer did he envy his brother's good fortune as he had been somewhat inclined to do earlier in the day when he thought of returning to wield the forehammer all alone in his father's smithy. The first night of Capt. Sholto’s responsi- Mlity in the castle of Thrieve was destined to be a memorable one. To the youth him- self it would have appeared so in any case. Only a door divided him from the girl, who, ard and scornful as she had ever been to him, yet kept his heart dangling at her waist belt as truly as if it had been the goiden key of her armoir. ‘The ancient Sir John of Abernethy, dubbed Landless Jock, would not be separated from his masters, and slept with some part of the guard in the turret adjacent to that in which the brothers of Douglas, William and David, lay in the first sleep of youth and an easy mind. Sholto, therefore, found himself left with the undivided responsibility for the safety of the castle and all who dwelt within it. He was the only man who by reason of his charge and by virtue of his master’s key was permitted to circulate through all the floors and of the vast feudal pile. the salle-de-garde into the turret stair, which was the sole communication with the upper floors of the castle. Slowly and with a step no louder than the beating of his heart, he went upward, glancing in upon the banquet hall, where on the great table the dim light from the postern without revealed a number of dark forms wrapped in slumber lying on the din- ing table and on the floor. Ascending yet higher, he came to the floor whereon slept the Countess of Douglas, the Lady Sybilla, and in the earl’s own chamber the Marshal de Retz, ambassador of the King of France. Saolto stood a moment with his hand raised in a listening attitude, before he ven- tured to ascend the stairs which led to the upper floor on which were the chambers occupied by the little maid Margaret and her companion and gossip, Mistress Maud Lindesay. He told himself that it was his duty to see to the safety of the whole castle, that he had special instructions to visit ‘three times during the course of each night of duty all the passages and corridors of the castle. But, nevertheless, it needed all his courage to enable Sholto to perform the task which had been laid upon him. As he dragged one foot after the other up the turret stairs it seemed as if a leaden clog had been attached to each pointed shoe. He had also a vague sense of being Watched by presences invisible to him, but malign in their nature. Again and again he caught himself listening for footsteps Which seemed to dog his own. He seemed to hear mysterious whisperings that flouted his utmost vigilance, and mocking laughter that lurked in unseen crevices and broke out so soon as he had passed. Shoito set his hand firmly upon his sw handle and bit his lips, lest even te hinont even to himself he should own his uneasiness. It was not seemly that the captain of the Dougls guard should be frightened by shadogue Passing the corridor wh: led toward the sleeping rooms of the maid and her com, Panion, he ascended to the roof of the cas Ue, thrusting aside the turret door and te. suing upon the wide open space with an assured step. The cool breeze from the we restored him to himself in a moment. The waning moon cast a pale light acsoos the landscape, and he could see the tents on the Castle Island glimmer grayish white beneath him, beyond that again the shining confluence of the sluggish river about the isle, and the dark line of the woods of Bul maghie opposite. He had begun to medi- tate on the rapid changes of circumstances which had overtaken him, when suddenly @ shrill and piercing shriek rang out, com. ing up through the castle beneath, again and again repeated. It was like the ory of a child in the grip of an instant 2 eadly — ip ant and deadly Sholto’s heart gave semething untoward this the first night of disastrous. @ great bound. That phoula, happen on is charge was t isas He drew his ‘sword and a Te his lips the silver call which depended from bas ae oe omee the earl had thrown bout his neck whi e@ md i D Sone ree len he made him captain His feet hardly touched as he flew downward, ed to his haste by t. continued the stone stairs , and wings were add- he sound of fear which to increase. In another mo. ment he was at the entrance of the comp dor which led to the rooms of the tittle Lady Margaret and Maud Lindesay. As Sholto came rushing down the steep descent from the roof he caught sight ce a dark animal running on all fours ike a dog just turning out of the corridor and taking the first step of the descent toward the floor beneath. Without pausing to consider, Sholto lunged forward with all his might, and his sword struck the fusi- tive figure behind the shoulder. He hed time to see in the pale bluish flicker of the cruisie lamp that the beast he had wound. ed was of a dark color, and that its head seemed immensely too large for its body Nevertheless the thing did not fall, but ran on and vanished out of Sholto's sight. The young man again set ROULIED DETR rs set the silver call CHAPTER Xvi. Sholto Captures n Prisoner of Dis- tinction, He found that the noise came from the chamber occupied by the little Lady Mar- garet. When he arrived at the door he found it open to the wall. The child was sitting up on her bed, clothed in the white garmentry of the night. Bending over her, with her arms thrown round the heaving shoulders of the little sirl, Sholto saw Maud Lindesay, clad in a hooded mantle thrown with the appearance of haste about her. The door of the next chamber also stood wide, and from the coverlets cast on the floor it was obvious that its occupant had left it hastily in order to fly to her friend’s assistance. At the sound of hasty footsteps, Maud Lindesay turned about and Was instantly stricken pale and astonished by the sight of the young man with his sword bare, hereto c = Im, what do you An fore he hi the little girl looked ‘at higy “out of net friend's arms and called out, “O Sholte, Sholto, Iam so glad you are come, I woke to find such a terrible thing passages looking Sholto went ont to the barred. gata <2. the me out of the night. It was shaped tie castle where in a small c ole, dark |@ great dog, but it was rough of hide and even at noonday and black as ‘pt now, | had upon it a:head like a man. I was so he warder slept with his hand upon his terrified that at first I could not cry out. and head touched the handle of But when it came rf. then I cried. Do not go away, Sholto. I am glad, so glad that you here. pas Lind Hea again turned toward she said soothingly, “it was a dream. You were frightened by a vision, by e@ nightmare, by a vision of the night! There is no dcg within the castle!” “But I saw it plainly,” she cried. “It opened ‘the door_as if it had hands—I saw it stand there by the bed and look at me— oh, so terribly. I saw his teeth glisten and snap together!” « “Little one, be still, it was but a dream,” said Sholto, untruthfully, “but I will go and search the rest of the castle.” And with these words he went along the corridor, meting ‘his men, whom he had summoned by means of his captain’s silver call, clustered upon the landing of the turret stair which communicated with the third floor. As he glanced along the long oak-paneled corridor it seemed to Sholto that he discerned a figure vanishing at the further end. He instantly resolved on searching, and summoning his men to fol- low he led the way down the passage, sword in hand. As he went he snatched the lamp from its pin on the wall and held it in his left hand high above his head. At the further end of the corridor was the door of a little chamber, and It seemed to Sholto that the shape he had seen had disappeared at this point. He knocked loudly on the door with his sword and cried: “If any be within open in the name of the earl!” No voice replied and Sholto boldly set his foot against the lower paneling and drove the door back to the wall with a clang. Then at sight of a something dark wrap- ped in a cloak standing motionless close against the window, the young captain of the guard elevated his lamp and let the flicker of the light fall on the erect figure and haughty face of a young man, who with his hand on his hip stood considering the rude advance of his pursuers with a calm and questionitg gaze. It was the Earl of Douglas himself. Sholto stood petrified at sight of him, and for a long minute could in no wise re- cover his self-control nor regain any use of his tongue. “Well,” said the earl, ‘whence this un- seemly uproar? What do you here, Sholto?” Then the spirit of his father came upon, him. He knew that he had only done his duty in its strictness, and he boldly an- swered the earl: “Nay, my lord, were if not for courtesy, I have more right to ask you that question. Your sister hath been frightened and at sound of her terror all we who were throughout the castle rushed to the spot. As I came down the stairs from the roof at speed I saw something like a great hound about to descend the turret before me. With my ‘sword I struck at It, and to all appearance wounded it. It vanished, and after searching all the castle I could find no dog. But I saw, as it seemed, a figure enter this room, and upon opening it I find—the Earl of Douglas, That fs all T know, and I leave the matter in your hands.” The haughty look gradually disappearcd from the face of the earl as Sholto spoke. Smilingly he dismissed the guard with a word, saying that he would inquire into the cause of the disturbance in person, and then turned to Sholto. “You are right.” he said: “you have en- tirely dene your duty, and justified my ap- pointment. He paused, Icoked this way and that along the corridom, and continued: “It chanced that in the tower without I could not sleep, and, feeling uneasy concerning my guests, I entered the castle by the private dcor and staircase which leads from the apartment corresponding to this on the floor beneath. I was assuring myself that you were doing your duty, when, being dis- turbed by the Sudden hubbub, and juaging it needless that thé men-at-arms should know of my présence in the castle, I came in hither till the matter should have blown over. And 80, But for your gcod conscience and the keert-ess. of Your vision, the matter wevld have ended.” Sholto bowed ¢olfly. “But, my Icfd," he said, ignoring the earl’s explanz tien, “the matter grows more mysterious than ever. Your sister, the little Lady Margaret, hath been grievously frighted by an appearance like a great dog, which (so she 4 ms) opened the door of her chamber ard looked within. “She but dreamed,” said the earl, care- lessly; “such vistons come from supping ate. x “But, witn respéct, your lordship,” con- tinued Sholtu, "Y algo’saw this appearance even as I ran down the stairs from tne roof at the noise of her crying.” “You wer- ‘startled—excited, ‘dnd | but thougnt you saw Sholto reversed his sword, which he had held with the point toward the ground wrue he was speaking with his lord th> earl. Holding the blade midway with much de?- erence he presented the hilt to Wiliiam Douglas. “Will you examine sword?" he said. The earl came a step nearer to him and Shclto advanced the sword till it im- mediately beneath the lamp. There was blcod upon the last Inch or so of the blade. The earl sucdenly became violently agi- tated. “This is indeed passing strange! ‘There is no dog withi:. the castle, nor has there been for years. Even the presence of a lapdog will fret my mother, so in my father’s time they were every one removed to the kennels at the further end of the Isle of Thrieve. whence eve’: their howling cannot be heard. the point of this “Vil Make You Captain.” But let us go to the Lady Margaret, and on our way examine the place where you saw the apparition.” Sholto stood aside for the earl to pass, but with a wa ve of his hand the latter said, Nay, but lead the way, cap- ‘They passed the door of the chamber of the Lady Sybilla. The niece of the ambas- sador must haye been a sound sleeper, for there was nv sound within. Opposite was the chamber of’the ‘earl’s mother. She also appeared undisturbed, but the increasing deafness of the%countess offered a complete explanatioy. of her tranquillity. Next the two young men came t. of the marshal’s CWamber. Ags Bees about to pass, it opened silently, and a man servant with a® closely cropped obsequious head appeared: witHin. He unclosed the door no furthet than would permit of his exit, and then he shut it again behind him, and stood holding the latch in his hand.” “His excellency. ed over. h need of a little ‘strong spirit,” he said. a curious gobbling movement of his hare as if he himseli had been thirsty. ‘The ceri ordered Sholto to wake the cellarer and bid him bring the ‘ambassador of France that which he reavired.” He himself would go onward to his sister's chamber. Sholto somewhat suddenly obeyed, for his heart was hot and angry within him. He thought that he began’ to see clearly the motive of the earl’s presence. He was himself so deeply and hopelessly in love with Mistress Maud Lindesay that he could not undersiand any other of his sex’ being insensible to the charms of her beauty and myriad winsome graces. As he went down the stairs he recalled a thousand circumstances to mind which now seemed capable of but one explanation. was evident thet Earl William came Sd visit scme one by means of the private side and Maud Lindesay on the other. That the young earl was by no means insensible to beauty, knew, and he remem- bered the words of his own father, when he had asked to be allowed to accompany him on his Flanders mare, that such at- tendance was not seemty when a man was going &-courting. As is always the case, a thousand cif+ cumstances contributed to his ill-humor as soon as the eye of jealousy began to view everything in the light of prepossession. Sholto awaked the cellarer out of his crib, who presently, with snorts of ill-humor end much jingling of steel keys, drew half & tankard from a keg of spirit in the cel- lar on the dungeon floor, and handed it gtudgingly to the captain of the guard. “The Frenchman wants it, does he he “Had the messenger been old Landless Jock, I had knuwn down whose Scottish throat it had gone; but this one is surely too young for such tricks. See that you spill it not by the way, Master Shol- to,” he called out after him, as that youth took his way up to the chamber of the am- bassador of France. At the shut portal he paused and knocked. His hand was on the pin to enter with the tankard, as was the custom. But the door opened no more than an inch or two, and the dark face of the cropped servitor ap- peared in ths crevice. “In a moment, sir,” he began, and again disapp21red within, while a strong animal odor disengaged itself almost like some thing tangible from the chinks of the door- way. Sholto stood in astonishment ya th? eau-de-vie in his hand, till presently it was opened again very quickly. The form of the servitor was seen, end with swift edging motion he came cut, drawing the door behind him as before. He held a ber of iron in his hand like the fastening of a window. and a little breath of heat told the smith’s son that, though black, it was still warm from the fir “Take this iron,” he said abruptly, “and bring it to me heated. I am finishing a lit- tle device which his excellency needs for the combat of the morrow. The ~aptain of the guard was nettled at the man’s tone; also he desired much to know what his master was doing on the floor above. “Heat it at your own nose, fellow.” le sald rudely. “I am captain of the castle guard. and must attend to my own busi- ness. Take the spirit out of my hand. The swacthy, bullet-headed man glared at him with eyes like burning coals, but Sholto cared no jot for his anger. Forth- with he turnéd his back upon him, glad at heart to have found some one to quarrel with. and hoping that the man might prove courageous and challenge him to fight on the morrow. But the man only replied, “I am fenriot, servant of the mareshal. I bid you remem- ber that I shall make you live to regret these words.” (To be continued.) CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR NOTES The Christian Endeavor topic for discus- sion at tomorrow's meetings is ‘“‘The Good Fight,” and writing on the topic, the Rev. Louis Albert Banks, D.D., pastor of the First M. E. Church, Cleveland, Ohio, says: “But the worst do nat come altogether from the outsid>. There are traitors inside the camp. A fort is never in so much dan- ger as when a treacherous spy lurks in- side the fortress, ready some dark night to open the citadel gates to.a horde of in- vaders. So a lurking thought of evil, or an unholy imagination or desire, if it be given house room, though it may -be in the darkzst corner of an -unfrequented cel- lar, is an enemy that threatens with dieaster the whole character and iffe. We need to be sure that there are no trai- tors inside the camp of our own rts, We must show no quarter there, or we shall be overthrown. “In this good fight, however, it is not enough to simply keep the enemy out of the fort and hold our own; we must arm ourselv2s for offensive warfare. Sin has in- vaded this world and laid it waste, and Jesus Christ proposes to capture it and re- claim it. We are soidiers in an army of re- demption. We need to have on the whole armor of our Lord. No worldly armor of wealth or culture or good br2eding will avail us. We must be strong in the Lord. Our loins must be girt about with the gir- dle of truth; the breastplate of righteous- ness must protect our hearts, while shoes made .from the Gospel of P2ace make us sure-footed on the rocky path or the glare ice. The shield of faith alone can quench the darts that fly at us with devilish malig- nity, and the helmet of salvation must pro- tect our minds from intellectual assault. When we are thus clothed upon, the sword of the Spirit in our strong hand will be a weapon that will do execution. “We all need the soldierly qualities. We must b> alert, wide awake, and not be caught slumbering on guard. We must dis- cipline ourselves by everyday service so that we shall be steadfast in this holy campaign. It is for a lifetime. It is tie soldier that endures to the end that r2- ceives the divine applause and is crowned by his Lord. “The Christian who goes into this fight with honest heart and determined purpose is sure of abundant victory. Paul, in his 2nthusiasm, says he is more than a con- q.eror. That is, he does not escape by the skin of his teeth, and get through barely with his life, but comes to the end rejoic- ing, with many trophies of the victories which he has won under th2 Banner of the Cross,” The officers and teachers of Union M. E Church have inaugurated a monthly busi- ness meeting and social, at which plans for the advancement of the school’s interests and improvements in methods of work will od discussed. The first meeting was held t the home of the secretary, Judge A. S. ‘Taylor, on Tuesday evening, November 1. It was decided to present to every child graduating from the primary department a copy of th> Bible containing all the latest helps. A special program will be arranged for Thanksgiving Sunday, November 20, in which each class of the school will par- ticipate. The November meeting of the District of Columbia Christian Endeavor Union will be held in the vestry of Calyary Baptist Church at 8 o'clock n2xt Monday evening. A feature of the meeting will be a sym- pcesium of Sunday school superintendents, a dozen or so of such officers from some of the city schools having consented to be present and speak for a minute or two. It is 2xpected to be a very interesting and profitable meeting to all Endeavorers. ‘Baltimore, ‘98,"" is the watchword among Maryland Endeavorers just now, the state convention being called to meet in that city the 15th, 16th and 17th of this month. Del- aware holds her stat2 convention in Wil- mington the 16th, 17th and 18th. et your recreations be manful, not sin- ful." Endeavorers would respectfully call the young people’s attention to these words of the father of his country, now that the holidays ar> drawing near. The teachers and officers of Mt. Vernon Place M. E. Church South had a very pleasant meeting at the home of their pas- tor, Rev. J. W. Duffey, Wednesday evening. —— For Stout Women. From the Ladies’ Home Journal. A black net waist will apparently reduce @ stout woman's size, but she must not use the cross tucks. She should put on length- wise strips of black lace insertion and fin- ish off the lower edge with narrow folds of black silk Uke the skirt. The latter should be of five gores with two tiny ruf- fles on the edge. A design which is much trimmed should be avoided. Have the col- lar of a band of brilliant jet and jeweled passementerie, or of velvet or taffeta of a bright color. The Case for the Defense. From Punch. Ceerright, IAL, ty & ML Rutter BRUSSELS FASHIONS Plain and Fancy Velvet Will Be Moch Used, > WOOL AND TAFFETA COMBINATION Trimming of Silk Soutache and Fine Beads. AN ELEGANTCARRIAGE WRAP SS Special Correspcnéence of The Evening Star. BRUSSELS, October 16, 1898. Fall fashions are now well established, and upon the new ideas ‘which the dress- makers have expressed in their creations this fall are based the styles which will be worn in winter. True, that much is yet in a state of evolution: not every idea will mature, and many a decided novelty has yet to make its debut before the public. A decision has been reached in the mat- ter of dress goods only, and it is evident that the silk manufacturers may be satis- fied with the season's outlook. Velvet, plain and figured, will be a much used material, and among silks the return- ed favorites prove to be taffeta, plain or faconne, with brocaded dots or small flow- ers, or changeable. . Black taffeta is much used for dress skirts and forms a desirable foundation for the handsome embroideries of chenille and jet, or the incrustations of white lace which fashion fancies. Heavy satin duchesse rivals taffeta and replaces the latter’s pleasing frou frou by its dig- nified luster. Combinations of worsteds and taffeta are manifold, and woolen skirts are trimmed with flounces of taffeta and woolen bodices show sleeves of taffeta, a very convenient combination in case of renovation of an old gown. A favorite garniture for cloth or cash- mere gown is made by cutting out large de- signs or scrolis of taffeta, which are forth- with appliqued upon the woolen material with silk soutache or fine bead trimming. A novelty in this ine is the use of plaid taffeta in delicate colors appliqued in the shape of large conventional lilies or fleur de lis on a darker ground. Braid and Applique. One elegant gown of dark lavender cloth is made in pri e, with a loose front and tablt with appliqued fleur de lis of mauve and green plaid taffeta, edged with very fine fancy braid of a darker shade of lavender Among the choicest dress goods the Season must be mentioned a vy ribbed 9ods of silk and wool, resembiing the T fashionable poplin. ‘Ribbed effects in Iks, like ottoman and bengaline, w their wonderful vs nd shades adapts them to any use. ie. wita their kindred 3 violet and levender, are prevailing colors, with a dash of red now and then in the shape of a red jacket, cape or hat. Mauve and rose form a dainty combina- tion for evening gowns and millinery. It shows off particularly well in a dinner gown of mauve tulle over a foundation of rose-colored satin. The skirt is mado in apron form with a full wide ruffle of the same material. The latter ts edged with a number of alternate rows of shirred mauve baby ribbon ond tiny ruchings of rose-co'- ored mousseline de suite. The decol'ct blouse, as well as the tight anron of t! skirt, 1s covered with tiny rosettes of the rose-colored mov selin each b a brilliant rhinestone as a center collete is edged with a plea mauve tulle, edged with a ing. rleated ruffles also for shoulder covering. The princess rob: lines, has beea th with its long, dignitie precursor to the ex ite model of a long cloak which we lish today. Royal Purple and Mauve. Royal purple velvet forms the skirt of the cloak, which is lined throughoet with mauve satin. Heavy yellow guipure la over mauve satin is appliqued as a border along the hem, and on each side of the front. The bodice; which is firmly attached to the skirt, under a narrow folded belt of mauve satin, ig tight and seamless at the back, while the front forms a slight pouch A wide rever-like collar of yellow guipure over mauve satin falls over the back and | shoulders and shows a ye |large Medici collar of the over white satin. The ¢ also an incrustation of This model is very effective white and may be made of hiack y j alone, with a border and collar of bi fur, while the vest, yoke and faring « alone may be of guipure over white The cost of this cloak :may still more if it is fashioned of rea or purple cloth, with border and collar of black and black lace yoke. e and y seme eta pure. in black and and pure, has st g sleeve Hruscm & Co., Brussels, Amsterdam, Cologne, Dresden, and Hamburg, USED ALL WINTER. wi Cloth and From Harper's Bazar. Lace waists are to be used all winter with cloth skirts as well as with silk, and most of them are extremely smart. They are made over silk or satin, with a satin yoke and vest. The newest model turns back from the shoulders with pointed revers, has a straight piece down the front held in by a black belt, and the back is cut like a man’s cutaway coat. It is very odd in effect, but exceedingly smart, particularly if made of the heavy yellow lace. Such a waist is worn with a black silk or black cloth skirt, thus making two costumes from the one. Black lace waists are not so smart as the white ones, but still are used. They are le up over white, and trimmed heavily with black satin and little ruchings of chiffon. Chiffon, by the way, is to be used again on every- thing, even’ more than lace. Some of the new silk waists have the body of lace, the sleeves of silk shirred or tucked and with deep lace cuffs. This is a more becoming fashion for a stout woman than when the waist is made all of lace. A pale blue is very effective made with a belt and collar of blue mirror velvet. Heavy black lace put on over white satin looks best with black cloth skirts, and a very smart model has the body of black guipure lace, tight- fitting at the back, and in front cut in dou- ble boleros over a white vest. The sleeves are of black satin, with deep cuffs of white satin with lace over and edged with black chiffon. This same chiffon is put around the edge of the bolero jackets. This is exceedingly becoming, and a very useful style of waist. Some waists—so- called lace waists—are nearly all satin or ik, with deep cape collars of lace and to match. The collar and cuffs can be taken off and the waist worn plain. In buying a collar of this kind it is best to buy one that has very long points. Some come with points so long that they reach to the belt. There can be two shorter points over the sleeves, one in front and one back, the one in front forming a tight-fitting vest. The cuffs should cover either the upper or lower part of the sleeve. Some people prefer having the upper part covered and the lower part plain, with a ruffie of lace at the wrist. Be Worn With Silk Skirts. AND CHARITY, WOMEN Some lacies Under Which They Labor in Arranging Affairs. From Harper's Buzar. When the summer is fairiy over and wo- men have entered upon the ordinary home Ufe again, their thoughts turn dnstinctively to charity. Among the first ideas which present themselves are those which con- cern the raising of mon Fairs, festiva concerts and suppers of one kind or an. other naturally occur to ble means for procuring need to carry on various schemes of p) anthropy, How very hard the: these entertainments only the their families know. women as feasi- the money they he a el ch, an association or the agence upon to make it a final suc a reat Many people must b the first place, nine ene which are to be &reat public i to furnish the articles sold; halls or other plac any charitable purpose were given out- any women and artistic ready mon ry pleasant) nother while right. On the other hand. m: can give their time end labor ideas when they cannot give Then women are brought ye into connection with one ai working for a given object. In the sec meetings of committees and in the nese fary endeavor which goes before such en mere emery have opportunity for agree- able chat, and are often drawn vi tionately together. rate fp A fair or fete should be o reference to business priate Should not — to any of these en ments any feature of the lotter, other objectionable form of raising momen, That which is questionable or illegal should by no means be allowed to mar what woe men ars doing in good faith and self-dentat Another thing about which women should on with Women tertain- think when raising money for charity this: An author ts frequently solicited for ccples of his books to be used at a fair. The persons who ask him evidently forget that after a half-dozen copies or so are given him an author has no more owner. ship of his books than has anybody else, and every copy he gives away must be paid for by himself. Equally, women go confi- dently to an orator, or an artist, or a for an address, @ picture, a