Humberside Collegiate Institute - Hermes Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

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NNN we I-irzwsft' buxom landlady, came bustling up, to curtsy to my lord, and simper, She be awaitin', Lord Geoffreyg she be upstairs awaitinlf' There was a light patter of feet on the old oaken stairs, and suddenly Lady Evadne Gilbert was standing on the bottom step, one hand on the banister, the other over her heart. She looked very small and young and dainty, in her soft lace gown, the warm colour mantling her cheeks, her eyes sparkling under their shadowy lashes, her sunny, lustrous curls thrown back over her shoulder. In two strides Lord Geoffrey was by her side. Evadne, my darling, how beautiful you look! You are enough to make any man mad. She stood on tiptoe and slipped her arms over his shoulders. Geoffrey, dear, I couldn't wait another moment. Qh, dearest, is it really true? Are we really to be together at last? What a rage poor father will be in! I feel sure he will ,smash mama's best china when he gets my note at breakfast tomorrow. Suddenly she drew back with a half- frightened, shy little laugh. Geoffrey, what ails you? How strange you look-and your eyes, they seem to see right through me. Geoffrey, dear, do you love me? Say you love me. Oh, Geoffrey, I feel frightened. Frightened, sweetheart? Fright- ened-with me by your side ? Lord Geoffrey put his arms protectingly about her. I am very silly, Geoffrey, she sighed. Come, Bess, my cloak. The horses are waiting, Geoffrey F Giles hastened forward to unlatch the door, and as it swung open, a gust of cold wind blew into the room. Evadne shivered. Cold, my love ? ' And before any- one could prevent him, Lord Geoffrey had whipped up the crimson cloak and Hung it around Evadne's shoulders. A faint gasp was audible in the roomg Giles Middle-ton took his pipe from his mouth to stare, and old Denis Weatherby, the sexton, unthinkingly swore under his breath. Barnaby started forward, but Lord Geoffrey caught him by the shoulder and sent him spinning back. Then, with his arm around Lady Evadne, he stepped triumphantly out into the night, where the horses were stamping impatiently. The group in the inn, staring at one another in stupefied horror, heard the clatter of the horses' hoofs mingled with Evadne's silvery laugh, as they left the courtyard and rode out into the night. At the same time, they heard some- thing else-a low, clear whistle from the inn-yard. Barnaby, who had been standing with head sunk low on his chest, suddenly looked up with a startled expression on his face and a strange gleam in his eye. Then, silently and swiftly, he hastened out. About eleven o'clock the next morn- ing, Tim, the pedlar, and Robin, the village blacksmith, two old cronies, came upon the body of Lord Geoffrey Arlen lying on the edge of Marley Marsh, wrapped in a crimson cloak with a golden clasp. Apparently, he had been strangled to death. There was no sign of Lady Evadne Gilbert. Great consternation prevailed in the village. Bess, the landlady of The Red Dragonf, was particularly ex- cited. Barnaby, she exclaimed, coming to the door with a flagon of ale in her hand, Barnaby, do ee think-the young mistress could ha'-done it? Eh? No? Well, then, Barnaby, who were it P triumphantly.

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rnEr1eQMEf - Sf, he Crimson Cloak Well, left this very inn, they did, 'bout eleven o'clock. My lady saidf she was cold, and my lord takes off his handsome crimson cloak an' wraps it around her. 'Ahf says she, 'thank you, Geoffrey, you be always that thoughtful' An' off they go, sirs, my lady wavin' 'er pretty hand, an' my lord laughing and joking. A 'ansome pair they were, gentlemen, my grand- father ee often tellt me. Barnaby Summerhayes, the inn- keeper, paused dramatically, and leaned back against his high arm-chair, pulling calmly at his long pipe. The circle around the roaring fire bent forward, breathing heavily, and with expressions of dreadful relish on their honest, homely faces: this, they knew, was the climax. Ah, but they never got married. they never reached the parsonf' purred Giles Middleton, the wheelwright. Barnaby straightened up with a jerky he was not going to have his tale snatched out of his mouth. The very next marnin'. said he, stabbing the air with his pipe at each Word, the very next marnin', Lady Evadne Gilbert was found lyin' dead in her crimson cloak in Marley Marsh-strangled to death! An' he was never seen again! The listeners shuddered. The hre- light made lurid shadows on their strained faces. An' that cloak, Barnaby? Where be that cloak now ? Barnaby leaned forward and opened his mouth, slowly and impressively. Right there in that chest, she be, as I'm a living man. The ol' squire, he couldn't bear the sight on't, an' right there in that chest my grandfather laid it. VVhy, then, Barnaby, let us have it out of the chest. Let us gaze upon this cherished relic of antiquity, cried a cool voice, and there, standing among the shadows, was young Lord Geoffrey, his riding crop in hand and an impudent smile on his face. Eh, 1ny lord, and is it you fl Barnaby was on his feet, pushing forward the old arm-chair, bow- ing obsequiously, shuffling anxiously about. Nay, Barnaby, l will not sit until I have beheld the famous crimson cloak. Blaming my honourable ances- tor for the deed, are you? Egad. Barnaby, you're wrong. He was a man after my own heart. The circle around the fire had drawn back. Interested as they were in Lord Geoffrey's sudden and unexpected appearance at the inn, they had no desire to encounter the bi-tter depths of his cold dark eyes nor the cynical twist of his lips. As he stood there, with his pale face and glittering eyes. they found it strangely easy to believe the rumour which was rife that Lord Geoffrey was somewhat wild and un- balanced. Barnaby, impelled by the insistent note of command in his voice, hastened towards the chest, and, unlocking it, drew forth and brought over for my lord's inspection, a long crimson cloak with a golden clasp. My lord fingered it with his long slender hands-hands that seemed suddenly to clutch it convulsively as Barnaby attempted to draw it away, and the inkeeper, strangely nervous, smiled craftily and whispered to my lord, It would be for another purpose that your lordship came here tonight ? And at this moment, Bess, the

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TH E H EVQWI Efn XXX Well, said Barnaby, if ye must know, Bess, it were-Stattord o' Dunsonf' Barnabyl Stafford-the highway- manl Nay, Barnaby, highwayman or not, Stafford be a gentl'man, an' ye'll not speak ill o' him in my hearing. He be a highwayman now, Bess, chuckled Barnaby, but where be Lady Evadne? An' if she be with Stafford-Bess, my lass, he'll be the most respectable gentleman in Eng- land, mark ee, afore she lets him loose. Ay. it were he, he persisted. VVere it, indeed? An' how know ee that P Because, said Barnaby, I sen' him there myself-an' Stafford o' Dunson be a man o' his word. -Nalzry Smith, V-fl. Moonlz'ght Shadows I paddled slowly o'er the surface of the long lagoon. The wistful trees about me were ensilvered by the moon: , , . - . p . - . lhe quiet surtace mirrored deep the light ot myriad stars VVhile shadows of the drooping trees lay traced in woven bars. The grim, black margins drifted past, enveloped by the night: The willows hanging o'er the edge. were washed in pale white light. No one was there to cheer: I had the stars for company- They were enough for I cannot tell the peace that came to me. -Palmer Barton, ll '-li. I!! 'ff ' -' z ff ,I ,ff . fff 42' .si 5,-E-Se f 42