Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1886-10-01
CHAPTER v.
HE WHITE EEATHEA
THE WHITE FEATHEh

lime wore OH.
Presently the chaise and pair drove up
the postillions alighted to take their orders
from Strathmines. He gave them in low
tone of voice-Curly could not distinguish a
word-he saw the men, however, yoke Mac
Allister's horse in front Of the other two,
and he noted that they had saddlel and
bridled Deempster's horse. Then they sat
down and began to smoke their pipes.
What could it all meant
Half an hour later Mac Allister appeared
at The door, and spoke in an undertone to
Decmpster, who gave further orders to the
posllnons ana fheh turning 70 MS rival,
said in curt, insolent manner: "Hii you,
a.r. step this way. and look alive about itv'
Curly paussd a moment, as who should
:ay, Am l a man or q dog, to be thus
spoken to! But after all, it is for her sake,
for hersl" And so he entered the ROOM To
bis establishment she was not there. The
door closed after him with a bang, and lie
found himself entrapped. He was con-
fronted on the one hand by MacAllister, on
the other by Deempster, both desperate
men, with loaded pistols in their hands. He
was prisoner, alone, unarmed, defenselessl
There was moments pause-then Mac
Allister handed to Deempster a sheet of
paper, on which a few lines were hastily
scrawled.
"Will it dor he inquired.
YES" responded the other
snow, you sir" said MacAllister, "listen
to what l am about to say, and don't inter-
rupt me. Fifty years ago, If fellow like
you"
Fellow me no fellows, sir" replied Curly,
Il am Campbell"
ttCarpv,I,ol1 ha n Ty,o,, ,,,ro oya a
set Of thieving caterans, the best Of them,
but they were men, not spangle- jacks, and
tell you that fifty years ago. had the best o
have done to me and mine this day, my for
bears would have given him Jedburgh law
they'd have hanged him first, and tried him
after! You're not worth swinging for, else
I'd think no more Of shooting you than
wringing the neck of a muir fowl"
"You are Floras father, sir, and for her
sake endure these bitter words"
You'll endure more before I've donel
Now listen, if you've any regard for your
life, answer me clearly and quickly, and
above all truthfully. Yon demented girl
swears that you are her husband; that
know to be liel But she has been in your
charge two days and nights. Have you
wronged herr"
IF any other man had asked me the ques-
ton, think should know how to answer
him. You are her father, and l forgive
you; but, as God is my Judge, she is as pure
as when she left your roof two nights agol"
And she is not your wifef'
Would to heaven she werer'
Good Now read this paper"
Curly took up the paper and read these
cruel words:
These presents are to attest that Flora
MacA1lister is not my wife; and call God
to witness that neither now nor hereafter
will seek to become her husband.
DONALD CAMPBELL.
"Dudhope Ferry, May 18th, 49,"
'You have readF' said MacAllister.
Curly assented in silence
Now; your answer"
my answer is this" said the young man,
tearing the paper in pieces. and casting the
fragments to his feet
Just So" said MacAllister. '.Dan'l,
copy yon paper once more"
Strathmines locked the outer door, and,
putting the key in his pocket, began to
write. As he wrote. not sound could be
heard save the scribbling Of the pen on the
paper.
While the old man locked the inner door
Curly looked through the window. It was
smah-so small that there was no possibility
OF escape that way. No human being ap-
peared within sight or sound. Then he
looked towards the fireplace. There lay the
poker, primitive and unrOmantic weapon,
1t Is true; but II he could only reach It'll
Quickly as he moved towards the hearth.
stone MacAuister was quicker still. with
the pistol at his bead.
NO, you oon't my mannie," said he,
grimly. ''Is the paper done, Dan'lF"
ut is" replied the other.
"Read it aloud. then, that there NAV be
no mistake about itr' Deempster read it
aloud. 1t was textually word for word
with the document which Curly had de-
stroyed. Now" said MacAllister. there's
my watch" and he placed it on the table
Its now fve-and-twenty minutes past
four; If at half past you've not signed that
paper, by the living God I'll chance this
world and the next, and put the contents of
this pistol into your head the next minute!n
The young man darted towards the door.
but was intercepted by Deempster, also
pistol in hand. Poor Curly! he was any,
thing but . hero, but a better or drawer
man might have felt daunted, placed be-
tween the pistols Of these stalwart and des
perate men. He loved Flora MacAllister
better than anything in the world-better
even than life. If by sacrificing his own
life he could have saved hers, i think he
would have found courage to do so. But
le reasoned that she was safe enough for
ne present; besides. while there was life
there was hope. These and thousand
her thoughts passed through his mind
lring those five minutes. Five minutes.
id lsaya l should have said five ages of
.yony.
Times up" said MacAllister, cooking
MS pistol.
"One moment" said Curly. II will sign
this paper on two conditions"
Name them" said the old man sternlv.
First, that you will promise me not to
coerce her into marrying this'' 6ndicatino