The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-04-08

ing lacking, from lne plperS W Ihe
deadly feud. The MacLeishs of Tucho-
ran had killed, burned, betrayed, mas
sacred and generally made themselves
mutually unpleasant from time immemo-
rial. The two branches of this amiable
family sprang from twin brothers, and,
according to tradition, were to carry on
the same bloodthirsty relations till they
became simultaneously extinct.
"And may l ask how you and the
representative of the other linz conduct
yourselves when you happen to meet in
society nowadavsP" l inquired Mac
Lish laughed
"We don't meet. Tuchoran was sold
generations ago and the MacLeish of
that date died abroad. We have often
tried to trace out his descendants, but
with only partial success. Perhaps it
is as WE'LL" he continued with an en-
barrassed laugh, for they say that
though we don't slay and plumber now
adays, the-the curse is on us yet
When one of each line shall meet, there
follows calamity"
l looked as profoundly impressed as
he could desire.
Ten years ago clergyman in the
South-chaplain to a hospital-wrote to
my father to say his cousin, Fergus Mac
Leish, lay dying MORALLY wounded in
some discreditable brawl. My father,
good man, started at once. He was in
time to see the dying man and to prom
Use to befriend his only soma boy of
about fourteen. Fergus MacLeish died
with his hand clasped in my fathers. 1t
was their first and last meeting"
"Well! No harm came of it l sup
pose"
"My father never saw his home again.
He was killed in the great railway ac-
cident on the Great Northern"
"What became of the boy?" 1 asked
presently.
Young Fergus? He was an utter
good-for-nothing. My mother gave the
chaplain carteblanch, and he did his
utmost to reclaim him. 1t was no use.
lie was in and out of prison half dozen
times and at last we shipped him off to the
Colonies-but Pm almost sure met him
last year at the Derby"
Glow did you know him?''
"By his likeness to myself. Its Curl
Qusly strong. Also by another mark
a cut on one eyelid that gives him a
most sinister look. The chaplain men
toned it to me-"
'Did anything happen?" 1 could
not resist asking. MacLeish' face grew
dark.
Don't ask me-enough to ruin my
life, and making it little worth having
from henceforward. Hullo it's seven
o'clock. Do you dine at mess tonight"
and he left me to dress.
Still | got no nearer to any explana-
nation of the occurrence on the first
night of our meeting. He always
avoided the Westwood road / noticed,
and another peculiar fact which struck
me was the way in which his servant
Alistor-his foster brother he told me-
kept us constantly in sight 1t was as if
he expected me to do his master q mis-
chief. Wherever we went Alistor's red
head and foxy eyes appeared at I'M
expected moments. One day MacLeish
came into my room in great distress.
An accident had happened in the town
"a scaffold had fallen, and Alistor, who
was passing at the moment, had been
knocked down and injured-some iron
work had struck his head and it was
feared had destroyed the sight of one
eye.
HE must 90 up town as soon as he
can travel. Everything that the best
man there can do for him shall be done
I'll trust him to no one here. My poor
Alistorr' and he was hurried into the
train, and | saw no more of him.
10 Cd In. Il |I,
memorable Westwood road.
"Can you guess what he meansp"
asked MacLeish, after long silence.
mot in the least replied.
DO you remember the night we
came?"
Perfectly" l answered. We turned
corner as l spoke, and the broad white
road to Cinqhaven sloped down the hill
at our feet-with the milestone standing
out white and distinct against the dark
hedge. MacLeish stopped.
"There by that stone, on that night.
stood Fergus MacLeish. | saw him as
clearly as | see you now. He held out
his hand, and said: Welcome! we are
waiting for you, Caolchairn.' His face
was clear in the moonlight. 1t was the
face of dead man."
Il don't believe word of it, l said
energetically, to assure myself l was not
frightened.
q Do as you please" said MacLeish
coldly.
1t was evident" l reasoned, taking
counsel with myself, L" that poor Mac
Leish's brain had become diseased; living
all his life in bogie-ridden Highland
stronghold, in an atmosphere of Gaelic
superstition. He would be better
without Alistor lowering about him and
ministering to his fancies and | must do
my best to drag him into society He
certainly hates the sight of his fellow
creatures as much as any man | know. :"
Accordingly, next day, instead of our
usual secluded seat on the single, by a
deserted Martello tower, l suggested that
we should take our books to the parade,
studying in public being a Cinqhaven
fashion.
Where's the paradeP I've never
seen it yet," he remarked. l marched
him eastwards forthwith. 1t was half
past twelve on a bright autumn morning,
the sun was shining, the sea dancing,
bevies of pretty children rolcling on the
single, and three of the prettiest girls in
Cinqhaven taking brisk turn after bath
| sna g. i