Woman's Choice —The Story Of A Hero.

the disgrace Avhich our father had cast on roe , paint it Avith thy smooth tongue in its worst colours , ancl preach and prate till a saint ' s patience Avould haA'e failed him 1 'Tis true , brother Guy , that the Avords , though often smooth , carry with them the sting of

a scorpion , and Avill never bear repetition ; but this time thou wert less prudent than thou art Avont to be ; for me thinks thou did betray a secret Avhen thou toldest me that with mine honour I had also lost my betrothed bride . "

The colour came to the pale broAV of Guy , and he glanced nervously toward his father ; but he had no reason at that moment to dread the anger of Sir Oliver du Guesclin , who Avas too much enraged Avith his eldest son to giA'e a thought or a hasty word to auother . " And Avherefore should it be a secret ?"

he asked m a voice of thunder . " Dost thou think I shall ask thy consent to dispose of my Avard 1 Both my lands and my pretty Claire are designed for my obedient sou ; for him who Avill sustain the unblemished honour of my name . Ay , and thou ,

profligate as thou art 1 must mind thy manners , lest I refuse thee even a younger son's portion , and driA'e thee to seek a shelter Avith thy ruffianly comrades of yore—the free companions of the forest . " " Nay then , " ansAvered Bertrand , proudly

but bitterly , " since I am to be disenberited of my right , ancl robbed of mine early affianced bride , I will go hence and seek a new destiny Avith my sword ; it may be a brighter one—for there is a feeling at my heart tells me I shall one day cast off these stigmas , so rudely heaped upon me ! Father ,

you are deceived and blinded by the arts of a villain , who knows too well hoAv to avail himself of the weakness of your credulous nature , and makes the rash temperament I inherit from you an agent against me . Pare you Avell , Sir Oliver ! may your

favourite sou never make you rue to-day ' s Avork . The old knight listened to his words in a state of perfect frenzy . " / deceived 1 / blinded ! the weakness of my nature , quotha Thou rude , undutiful , discourteous villain , get thee from my sight ! " he gasped ; " i thee

renounce ; I cast thee forth for eA'er ! B y St . Gildas , an' thou goest not quickly I Avil l have thee Avhipped hence . " The air Avith Avhich the discarded son listened to these Avords Avas almost majestic . He again approached the lady , ancl hent one knee before her .

" Mother , " he said , " forgive me ! I haA r e too often pained and grieved you ; and every tear you shed falls on my heart like drops of fire . Forgive me , sweet mother , forgive the unhappy son who will no longer annoy you with his presence . "

The lady neither moved nor spoke ; Bertrand rose sloAvly , ancl with a deep sigh turned toAvard the door , paused on the threshold for an instant , ancl then Aveut forth , rejected he believed even by his last friend . He did not IUIOAV that his mother leaned on her husband in a state of

insensibility—and had not heard his appeal . With a heavy heart the disinherited son traversed the corrider that led to the castle hall . As he entered it , a noble wolf-bound , roused from his slumber by his step , sprung joyously to meet him , and fawned upon him .

His young master patted him with a tremb , ling hand . " Thou lovest me , good hound , ' - lie said , " aud . wilt folloAV me with unshaken fidelity . Thou ivilt listen to no slanderers of thy foolish ( it may be ) but not guilty master . Thou sbalt go Avith meold

com-, panion ! it is SAveet to feel one has a friend , though it be but a dog , " The hound looked wistfully up at his master aud licked bis hand , as if be understood the words addressed to him ; and Avhile the youth buckled on bis cuirass and

steel cap , ancl took his sword ancl dagger , the faithful animal bounded joyfully toAvard the door Avith a cheerful bark , as if encouraging bis young master to come forth into the Avorld , Avhich Avas now to provide for him a neAV home .

As Bertrand crossed the court and went through the barbacan he received the smiling and respectful salutations of several of the men-at-arms , 'for his very faults rendered him popular Avith the soldiery . At the distance of about a mile from the chateau the youth and his canine friend paused on

the summit of a gentle eminence , and Bertrand took a parting look at the home of his fathers . The AVOOCIS ancl turrets of the old building Avere ( as Ave have said ) clad in a gorgeous vail of sunlight , and the young exile thought he had never before seen bis lost inheritance look so fair .

" Fare you Avell , old toAvers , said Bertrand , Avith a sad smile ; " I will not look on you again until I have clone some deed of daring , Avhich shall redeem the clouded honour of my youth , as this g lorious sunshine has succeeded the gloom of tori 2