The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-10-31

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CuFy seized Me remaining oar ard tried
10 sem ont 10 sea
or three miles wide. If w dnl tide servel
it was n mere nothing; but unfortunately
the tide was going out and tho wind deal in
his teeth AT first his skill and str myth
stood him in good stead The prospect Of
the reward ncrvei his arm and gave him
added pOwcr-on the one side love, life, hap
piness; on the other, ah! h didn't ike TO
think of that! Flora encouraged HIM with
sweet and tender words, while MacAlhster
ravcd like maniac, ami had it not been
for Deempster woul most certainly have
shot the young man, who presented tempt
ing mark as he stood at the stern, sculling
away. Dan'l, however, merely said:
ats just sinful waste Of powder and shot,
tosay nothing of misprision Of manslaug hter.
Bide wee He'll be glad to let her drift In
by and byl' So saying, he unyoked pair
Of horses, and desiring the postillions to fol-
low with tho coach, he and MacAllister
rode leisurely along the side OF the firth,
keeping pace with the boat Despite oil
Curlys efforts, although she driftei down
toward the sea, it was all he could do to
keep her from running ashore into the very
arms Of the enemy. Fora was for going
out, upon the cnance II either landing At
Dundee or of being picket up by some ship
in the ofIlng. An tn, strength was leaving
his body. but all the courage remained
strong in her heart.
Let us 60 out b sea, darling" she said.
ave can only die; and better death than
life without YOU
At length they were opposite small fish
ing village. The fishermen, who were mend
ing their nets in front Of their cottages,
sprang to their feet, and stood horror
stricken Mt the sight Of the fra,l skiif and
the two helpless creatures drifting out to
destruction.
A low, moaning sound came over the
water: the boat trembled beneath them.
Curly knew what that sgnitiei; SO di the
fsherm IN; so did Deempster.
What doe, it mean" MacAllist,r in.
quired.
1T means" replied Deempster, that IL
they are not ashore in ten minutes no
mower on earth can save them. She's game
10 90 down. can see it in her eyes; but
that whte-liverei hound hasn't the pluck
to go through with it They'll DO ashore In
five minutes"
The follow was right Poor Curly had
not the pluck" to see tho woman he loved
dearer than his own life go down to death
before his eyes while he had the power to
save her He therefore gradually suffered
the boat to drift ashore.
The moment efore they landed she said,
"Remember, I'm your wife, darling-your
wife. Tell them that, and they dare not
part uSl'
Now, of course Curly knew well enough
that the statement he had made to the inn
keeper, combined with certain corroborating
circumstances, would constitute them, ac-
cording to Scottish law, really man and
wife. But he loved her too well to suffer
the sha low of shame TO fall upon her
Astle boat touchol the beach couple of
fishermen held it fast, while couple more
carried out the poor ferry man, who was
sti Il scnselesa and took him to the nearest
cottage Then Curly sprang forth, and
takiny Flora in his arms lifted her ashore
Taking eff his hat, AMI bowng formally to
MacAIlister, he said, 81 am ut your SER
vice, sir" Meanwhile Deempster had ar
ranged with Sandy MacDiarud the head
man Of the village) for the use of his cot.
taga daring the forthcoming interview.
llacAlist,r keeping his hand upon his
pistol, indicated by an expressive gesture
that he ished the lovers to precede HIM.
Curly gave his arm 20 Flora, and the two
followed the Laird OF Strathmine', being in
iEcir turn followed by MacAllist"r
Standing ON the threshold of the cottage
was n tall wcrl-looking woman, with hair
white as snow, and large dark eyes. with
mn ecria, far-nway look in them. Elspeth
MacDmrmd Cor it was Sandy's wlfe)
stoopel It'll, Tut when she encounter ii
Decmpster she raightcuHd herself and
stood erect, looking HIM full in the face, as
she mutterel, The evil eenl the evil eenl'
When she caught sight of Curly AMI Flora
she exclaimed "Piifr laddiel puir lassier'
and then, with a smile OF rare sweetness
she said 10 Flora:
Come ben my bonnie dearier Flora
took the old woman's hand, and went into
the cottage without a word Curly was
about to follow, when he was intercepted
by Decmpster, pistol in hand. Then
MacAllister sad, 'Dan'l, wish to speak to
my daughter alone Mini this man doesn't
cross the threshold, and don't lose sight
of him until | am ready for himv'
Trust me for that" said Deempster, his
hanl upon his trigger The night was now
falling into darkness, AMI the villagers had
dispersed. leaving the rivals alone together.
As Curly made another step towards the
door DcempSlcr presented his pistol, re-
marking with II grim sort of pleasantly,
M Playcr-mnn, this pistol Is loaded with
slugs, and if you have any regard for your
health you will keep clear of the muzzle!
Curly clenchei his fist and Gnashei his
teeth at his own impotence. IF only had
IA weaplnl If only had n weaponr' ho NUT.
tered. while h. paced to and fro, and
D,empster mounted guard at the ga'es OF
his paradise
CHAPTER "