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SYNOPSIS. rvtDER HAGGARD'S romance, "Red Eve," Is laid |_Yin the period of the battle of Crecy and of the •*■ scourge of the black death, both of these: events playing Important parts In the story. "Red Eve" opens with a prologue, which Is placed In Cathay and Is a fanciful and yet grewsome pic ture depicting the embarking of Murgh, god of death, on his passage from China, which he has devastated with the plague, to the western lands, over which he is about to lay his scourging hand and its blight. From this prologue the scene passes to Blyth burgh.. in Suffolk, a village near to the seaport of Dunwlch, in which place dwell the families of the Claverings and their cousins, the De Cressis. . Th« Claverings, of whom the head is Sir John Clavering, are large feudal land owners, and the De Cressis are wealthy wool merchants at Dunwlch. Sir John Clavering has two children—a son. John, am! a daughter, Eve. the Red Eve of the story, so called because of her fancy for wearing crimson, which sets off her dark beauty. Eve, a lady of great character, is in love with Hugh de Cressl. the younger son of the merchant, a young man of many parts but small fortune, with whom she has grown up from childhood. Sir John Clavering, however, will have none of the match, partly because of a feud that has arisen between his house and that of the De Cressis and still more because he wishes his lovely daughter to marry a great lord, half Norman and half Eng lish, who is named Sir Edmur.d Acour in England, Count de Noyon in France and '.he Seigneur Cat trlna in Italy, in all three of which countries ho has possessions. This Acour, a handsome but false hearted noble. Is at the time of the opening of the story- staying with the Claverings under pretext' of -visiting his English estates, but really as a spy of King Philip of France and to make arrangements for the inva sion of England. The opening of the story describes the secret meeting of Red Eve with her sweetheart, Hugh de Cressi, in Blythburgh fen, upon a winter day. Hugh is accompanied by one of the main characters of the tale, his henchman. Gray Dick, or Richard Archer, so called for his marvelous skill with the bow, a fatherless and misanthropic man, who is supposed to be of the De Cressl blood and who cer tainly loves Hugh like a brother. Their meeting is interrupted by Sir John Claver ing. Eve's father; John, her brother, and Sir Ed mund Acour, with a posse of knights and serving men. who finally fire the reeds In order to drive out the sweethearts, whom they can not find. Hugh and Eve's brother John have a desperate fight, rolling over each other, but too close to stab. The flurry in the snow was at an end. John lay on his back: De Cressl knelt on him and lifted his short sword. "Do you yield?" men heard him say. "Nay," answered Clavering. Then suddenly Hugh rose and suffered his adversary to do likewise. 'Til not stick you like a hog," he said, and some cried, "Well done!" for the act seemed noble. Only Acour muttered "Fool!" Next instant they were at it again, but this time it was Hugh who attacked and John who gave back right to the river's edge, for skill and courage seemed to fail him at once. "Turn your head, lady," said Dick, "for now one must die." But Eve could not. The swords flashed for the last time in the red light. Then that of De Cressl vanished. Clavering threw his arms wide and fell backward. A splash as of a great stone thrown Into water, and all was done. The sweethearts, escaping, swim the Blyth In flood In an effort to find sanctuary In the precep tory at Dunwlch. After an exciting and perilous passing of the river Eve and Hugh are Joined by Gray Dick, who when asked the outcome of the fight tells them he shot thrice and slew three men, but the fourth time he missed. "Whom?" asks Eve. "The French man who means to marry you," is Gray Dick's answer. Arriving at the preceptory of the Knights Tem plar at Dunwlch. Eve and Hugh find themselves given sanctuary by an old priest, Sir Andrew Ar nold, who is In charge of the preceptory, the Knights Templar having been dissolved. Sir Andrew is of high degree and has a famous record as a warrior. Also he is Red Eve's confes sor and Hugh's godfather. He learns the tale of slaughter and love and In turn tells a fantastic story of his experience in his youth with Murgh, the god of death. Early in life Sir Andrew had traveled to Cathay. He it was who met Murgh in a marvelous temple. Murgh in a remarkable Interview bestowed orf Sir Andrew some of his weird wisdom. After this recital and the demand of Red Ere and Hugh that they be forgiven and married, Hugh's father reaches the preceptory, learns of the fight In the marshes and praises his son for his courage. He regrets that a feud Is now established between the Claverings and the De Creels, but proceeds nevertheless to protect his son's life, while showing pride in the fact that the old Nor man blood In his veins Is shown in his courage. While father and son talk Sir Andrew takes ac tion by announcing that as part of Hugh's penance he Is to ride to London on an errand that shall save his neck. The father grants permission for Hugh to undertake the perilous ride, but asks, "To whom does he go?" He is told that Hugh is to visit none other than King Edward 111, to whom he is to carry proofs of the treachery of Acour. Eve Is to be left In charge of Sir Andrew. Accompanied by Gray Dick and his men, Hugh reaches Windsor and Is graciously re ceived by the king. Queen Phlllppa hears from Hugh the story of ills love for Red Eve and becomes Interested. She learns of the battle on Blythburg heath, and the king then grants a full pardon to Hugh and puts in his hand a royal warrant calling for cither the capture or death of Acour. Gray Dick then amazes the king and his retinue with an exhibition of archery, nt the conclusion of which the monarch exclaims, "We do not see such shooting every day." , - » '.'.. Meantime Red Eve is decoyed > out of the sanc tuary by a tale of her father's illness. She finds him not ill. but violently angry at the turn of affairs He Insists that she become the bride of Aeollr, and on her defiance Of him nnd absolute refusal to do his bidding she Is conveyed to a dungeon, where it is hoped her spirit will be broken. Her father visits her and she again defies him, but he demands that she swear by a solemn oath to break forever with Hugh de Cressi. Otherwise he declares she can not regain her freedom. Eve remains firm, and with a curse her father ;*ive» her, to be followed soon by Acour, who telle her Hugh is dead, having been beheaded by order of the king. She refuses to listen to the knave's professions of love and drives him from her. CHAPTER VII (Continued). The Love rn::tre. rATHER NICHOLAS; looked at the great count's face. Then he looked at the ground, and, having studied it a while without result, turned his beady eyes to the heavens, where it would seem that he found inspiration. "I am stranger to love, thank. the saints," he said, "but, as you know, Lord, I am a master leech, and among other things in my youth have studied certain, medicines which breed that passion in the human animal." "Love philtres?" queried Acour doubtfully. „ "Yes, that kind of thing. One does and those who RED EVE H. RIDER HAGGARD hate become enamoured, and those who are enam oured hate." "Then in God's or Satan's name, give her one;. only be careful it is of the right sort, for if you made a mistake, so that she hated me any, more than she does at present I know not what would happen. Also if you kill her I'll dig a sword point through you. How will the stuff work?" ./'She'll seem somewhat stupid for a while, perhaps not speak, but only smile kindly. That will last 12 hours or so, plenty of time for you to' be married and afterward, when the grosser part of the potion passes off, leaving only its divine essence, why after ward she'll love you furiously." "A powerful medicine, truly, that can change the nature of woman. Moreover, I'd rather that she loved me—well, as happy brides do. Still I will put up with the fury, provided it be of the good kind. And now, how is it to be done?" "Leave that to me, lord," said Nicholas, with a cun ning smile. "Give me a purse of gold, not less than 10 pieces, for some is needed to melt in the mixture and more to bribe that woman and others. For the rest hold yourself ready to become a husband before sunset tomorrow. Go see Sir John and tell him that the lady softens. Send men on to king's Lynn also to bid them have "our ship prepared to sail the min ute we appear, which, with good fortune, should be within 48 hours from now. Above all, lord, forget not that I run great risk to soul and body for your sake and that there are abbeys vacant in Normandy. Now, farewell; I must do my work, for this medi cine -takes much skill such as no other leech has save myself. Aye, and much prayer also, that naught may hinder its powerful working." "Prayer to the devil, I think," said his master, look ing after him with a shrug of his shoulders. "God's cross 1 if any one had told me three months gone that De Noyon would live to seek the aid of priests and potions to win a woman's favor I'd have named him liar to his face. What would those who have gone before her think of this story, I wonder?" Then with a bitter laugh he turned and went about his busi ness, which, as it happened, was to lie to the father as he had lied to the daughter. Only in this second case he found one more willing to listen and easier to deceive. On the following morning, as it chanced, Eve had no relish for the food that was brought to her, for confinement in that narrow place had robbed her of her appetite. Also she suffered much from grievous fear and doubt, for whatever she might say to Acour, how could she be sure, that his story was not true She sent away the food and bade the woman, Mell, bring her milk, for that would be easy to swallow and give her sustenance. After some hours it came, Mell explaining that she had been obliged to send for it to the farmsteading, as none drank milk in the manor house. Being thirsty, Eve took the pitcher and drained it to the last drop, then threw it down, saying that the vessel was foul and made the milk taste ill. The woman did not answer, only smiled a little as she left the chamber, and Eve wondered why she smiled. ■ „ • A while later she grew very sleepy and, as it seemed to her, had strange dreams in her sleep. She dreamed of her childhood, when she and Hugh played' together upon the Dunwich shore. She dreamed of her mother and thought dimly that she was warning her of some thing. She heard voices about her and thought that they were calling her to be free. Yes, and followed them readily enough, or so "it seemed in her dream, followed them out of that hateful prison, for the bolts clanged behind her, down stairs and into the court yard, where the sun's light almost blinded her and the fresh air struck her hot brow like : ice. -: Then there were more voices and people moving to and fro, and the .drone. of a priest praying arid. a touch upon her hand from : which she ;shrank. And oh! she wished that dream were done, for it was long, long. It wearied her and grasped her heart with a cold clutch of fear. —— .'.; CHAPTER VIII. .- Too Late. IT was past 3 o'clock on this same day when Eve had drunk the milk and some hours 'after she began to dream that Hugh de Cressi and his men, safe and sound but weary, halted their : tired horses at the door, of the Preceptory of the Templars ;in Dunwich. Ssfi&ra- - "'Hflßi '■;, "Best go on to his worship the mayor and serve the.'king's; writ upon him, master," grumbled Gray Dick as they rode up Middlegate street. "You wasted good time in a shooting bout at Windsor against my will, and now you'll waste more in a talking match at Dunwich, and the sun grows low and the French men may have[heard and be on the wing, and who Eve took the pitcher and drained it to the last drop. can see to lay a shaft at night?" "Nay, man," answered Hugh, testily, "first I must know how she fares." !' -J""The lady Eve will fare neither better nor; worse for your knowing about her, llit one with wh^m you should talk may fare further, lor doubtless hisn spies are out. But have your way and leave me to thank God that no woman ever found a chance to clog my leg, perhaps because I was not born an ass." It is doubtful if Hugh heard these pungent and practical remarks, for ere Dick.had finished speaking them he was off his horse, hammering at the Precep tory door. Some while passed before any answer came, for Sir Andrew was walking in the garden be yond the church in no happy mind because of certain rumors that had reached him, and the old nun Agnes, spying armed men and not knowing who they were, was afraid to open. So it came about that 15 min utes or more went by before at length Hugh and his godsire stood face to face. "How is Eve and where? Why is she not with you, father?" he burst out. "One question at a time, son, for whose safe re turn I thank God. I know not how she is, and she is not with me because she is not here. She has re turned to her father at Blythburgh." * "Why" gasped Hugh. ; "You swore to keep her safe." ■ . "Peace and you shall learn," and as shortly as he could he told him. "Is that "."'" asked Hugh : doubtfully, for he saw trouble in Sir Andrew's face. "Not quite, son.". Only today I have learned that Acour and his folk never went to London and are now again, at Blythburgh Manor." "So much the better, father, for now I have the king's warrant addressed to the mayor and all his subjects in Dunwich, to take these Frenchmen, living or dead." BflßßKißflHߣ "Ah! But I have learned also that her father .holds Eve a prisoner, suffering her to speak with none, and—one lamb among these wolves— God, why didst .thou suffer my wisdom to fail me? Doubt less for some good purpose—where is my faith? Yet we must act. 1 Hie! you" there," he called ;to one of the men at arms, "go to Master de Cressi's house and bid him meet its by the market cross mounted and armed with all his sons and people 1: And you, get out my horse! Mother Agness, bring my armor, since I have no other squire! We'll go to the mayor. Now, while I don my harness, tell me all that's passed, wasting no words!" , - Another half hour almost had gone by before Hugh met his father, two. of his brothers and. men riding into the market place. They greeted in haste but thankfulness, and something of the tale was told as they passed on to the house of the mayor, who, as they thought, had already been warned of their coming by messengers. But here disappointment awaited them, for this officer, a man of wealth:and honor, was, as it chanced, absent on a visit to Nor wich, whence it was said that he would not return for three full days. V "Now, what shall we do?" asked Sir Andrew, his face falling. "Jt is certain that the burgesses of. Dunwich will not draw sword in an unknown quarrel except upon the direct order of their chief, for there is no time to collect them and publish the king's war rant. It would seem that we must wait till tomorrow and prepare tonight." "Not I," answered Hugh. "The warrant is to me as well as to the mayor. I'll leave it with his clerk, which is good delivery, and away to Blythburgh Manor on the instant with any who will follow me, or without them. Come, Dick, for night draws on and we've lost much time." - His father tried to dissuade him, but he would not listen, for the fear in his heart urged him for ward. So the end of it was that the whole company of them—l 3 men in all, counting those that Master de Cressi brought— away across the heath -to ■ Blythburgh,, though, the horses of Hugh's party being very weary, not so fast as he could have wished. .'.'.' Just as the sun :sank they mounted the slope of the further hill, on the crest of which stood the manor house backed by woods. —• "The drawbridge is down, thanks be to God!" said t Sir Andrew,: "which shows that no attack is feared. I doubt me, son, we shall find Acour flown." v "That we. shall know presently," answered Hugh. "Dismount all and follow me." They obeyed, though some of them who knew old Sir John's temper, seemed to scarcely like the busi ness. Leaving two of their people with the horses, they crossed the bridge, thinking to themselves that the great house seemed strangely silent and deserted. Now they were in the outer court, on one side of which stood the chapel, and still there was no one to be seen. Dick tapped Hugh upon the shoulder, point ing to a window of this chapel that lay in the shadow, through which came a faint glimmering of light, as though tapers burned upon the altar. "I think there's a burying yonder," he whispered, "at which all men gather." Hugh blanched, for might it not be Eve whom they buried, but Sir Andrew, noting it, said: -.' --"Nay, nay; Sir John was sick., Come, let us look." The door of the chapel was open and they walked through it as quietly as they could, to find the place, which was not very large, filled with people, but of these they took no heed, for the last rays of the sun light flowing through the western window showed them a scene that held their eyes. - A priest stood before the lighted altar holding his hands in benediction over a pair '. who kneeled at its rail. One of these wore a red cloak, down which her dark hair streamed. She leaned heavily against the rail, as a person might who is faint -f-ith sleep or with the ardor of her orisons. It was Red Eve, no other! At her side, clad in gleaming mail, kneeled a knight. Close by Eve stood her father, looking at her with a troubled air, and behind the knight were other knights and men-at-arms. In the little nave were all the peo ple of the manor and with them those that dwelt around, every one of them intently watching the pair before the altar. t It was the priest who saw them first just as the last word of the blessing passed his lips. "Why do armed strangers disturb God's house?" he asked in a warning voice. The knight at the altar rails sprang up and turned round. , Hugh saw that it was Acour, but even then he noted that the woman at his side,' she who wore Eve's garment, never stirred from her knees. - Sir John Clavering glared down the chapel and ail the other people turned to look at them. Now Hugh with his company halted in the open space where the nave joined the chancel, and said, answering the priest: , "I come hither with my companions bearing the warrant of the king to seize Edmund Acour, count de Noyon, and convey *im to London, there to stand trial on a charge of high treason toward his liege lord, • Edward of England. Yield you. Sir Edmund Acour." The San Francisco Sunday Call At these bold words the French knights and squires drew their swords and ringed themselves round their captain, whereon Hugh and his party also drew their swords. •' "Stay," cried old Sir Andrew in his ringing voice. "Let no blood be shed in the holy house of God. You men of Suffolk, know that you harbour a foul traitor in your bosoms, one who plots to deliver you to the French. Lift no hand on his behalf, lest on you also should fall the vengeance of the king* who has is sued his commands to all his officers and people to seize Acour living or dead." Now a silence fell upon the place, for none liked this talk of the king's warrant, and in the midst of it Hugh asked: ! "Do you yield, Sir Edmund Acour, or must we and the burgesses of Dunwich who gather without seize you and your people?" Acour turned and began to talk rapidly with the priest, while the congregation stared at each other. Then Sir John Clavering, who all this while had been listening like a man in a dream, suddenly stepped for ward. "Hugh de Cressi," he said, "tell me, does the king's ' writ run against John Clavering?" "Nay," answered''Hugh. "I told his grace that you were an honest man deceived by a knave." "Then what do you, the slayer of my son, in my house? Know that I have just married my daughter to this knight whom you name traitor and that here I defend him to the last who is now my kin. Begone and seek him elsewhere, or stay and die." "How have you married her?" asked Hugh in a hol low voice. "Not of her own will, surely? Rise, Eve, and tell us the truth." Eve stirred. Resting her hands upon the altar rails, slowly she raised herself to her feet and turned her white face toward him. '' "Who spoke" she said. "Was it Hugh that Acour swore is dead? Oh! where am I? Hugh, Hugh, what passes" . "Your honor, it seems, Eve. They say you are married to this traitor." "I married, and in this red robe! Why, that be tokens blood, as blood there must be if I am wed to any man save you," and she laughed a dreadful laugh. "In the name of Christ," thundered old Sir Andrew, "tell me, John Clavering, what means this play? Yonder woman is no willing wife. She's drugged or mad. Man, have you doctored your own daughter?" "Doctored my own daughter? III! Were you not a priest I'd tear out your tongue for those words. She's married and of her own will. Else would she have stood silent at this altar" "It shall be inquired of later," Hugh answered coldly. "Now, yield you, Sir Edmund Acour; the king's business comes first." "Nay," shouted Clavering, springing forward and drawing his sword, "in my house my business comes first. Acour is my daughter's husband and so shall stay till death or the Pope part them. Out of this, Hugh de Cressi,' with all your accursed chapman tribe." , Hugh walked toward Acour, taking no heed. Then suddenly Sir John lifted his sword and smote with all his strength. The blow caught Hugh on the skull and down he fell, his mail clattering on the stones where he lay still. With a whine of rage Gray Dick leaped at Clavering, drawing the archer's axe he always wore from his side. But old Sir Andrew caught and held him in his arms. "Vengeance is God's, not ours," he said. "Look." - As he spoke Sir John began to sway to and fro. He let fall his murdering sword, he pressed his hands upon his heart, he threw them high. His knees gave beneath him; he sank to the floor a hud dled heap and sat there, resting against the altar rail, over which his head hung backward, open mouthed and eyed. The last light of the sky went out, only that of the tapers remained. Eve, awake at last, sent up shriek after shriek. Sir Andrew bending over the two fallen men, the murderer and the murdered, began to shrive them swiftly ere the last beat of life should have left their pulses. His father, brothers and Gray Dick clustered round Hugh and began to lift him. The fox faced priest, Nicholas, whispered quick words into the ears of Acour and his knights. Acour nodded and took a step toward Eve, who just then fell swooning and was grasped by Gray Dick with his left hand, for in his right he still held the ax. To Be Continued."