Adventure Magazine Cover, August 18, 1921 — page 74: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

68 dealt honorably with you. Never, till we slew de Born, did we approach those men- at-arms whom Sir Giles had yielded to him or let them know we still lived. After the Brown Bull’s death we did indeed go to his castle and reveal ourselves to them. They could follow us honorably then, having been released by their master’s death. “Nor did we ask these men of yours to join us. But when they saw Sir Giles ride into your bailey with their own old com- rades, they acted for themselves. They are free men, serving for wages; they can choose masters as they will. We are clear of dishonor. ‘As for the Lady Margaret—I give you my word not to interfere between her and you. Let her choose, as she will.” Umfraville’s eyes sought Margaret’s and sank before the sentence they read there. But she stepped between him and _ her father, the tears gathering to fall. “Nay, how can I choose?” she asked softly, “save to say that my heart is his who loved me first and always through wounds and peril and exile. You, mv Lord Umfraville, would have taken me against my will, not knowing that a woman’s heart cannot besowon. If Iam tobe judge “You, Geoffrey, and you, my father, have seen the best and the worst of this man. He could not kill me even to withhold me Adventure from his enemy. He has dealt very kindly with me, so far as he knew how. I will not marry him; but do you be just to him as he has been just to me.” She placed her hand in Geoffrey’s and waited for him to speak. ‘Let him have pardon.” Geoffrey spoke deliberately, as one not to be denied. ‘Margaret and your men-at-arms go with us, Sir Giles. Let Umfraville keep his castle, his own men and all his goods. We seek not plunder nor wealth. But Margaret is mine, nor will I ever yield her to any man!” Gislac agreed. ‘“‘A just judgment,” he said. “Farewell, Umfraville. God grant you to be as honest to others as you have been to my daughter. Ho, sir priest. Follow me. We have need of you in High Tower.” a a! sun flashed on the bright mail and glowing cloaks of armed men riding along the Murkwood’s edge, toward distant, unseen High Tower. The lone watcher on the battlements of Flamford Keep gazed long after them, misery in his eyes. Even after they had vanished in the Autumn wood, even till the sun sank, he stood looking where they had disappeared. Darkness stole over him. The stars came out. St. Simeon’s Day had passed. Giook C© CO