The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-12-01
'1.sr,r said I, smflInga little, 81 VIII 80


what he wants."
| found In the entrance hall . big maj
very plainly habited and wrapped In %
cloak. like one new landed, as indeed he wa
Not far OF Macconochie was standing. wit
his tongue out Of his mouth and his han
upon his chin, like dull fellow thinkin
hard: and the stranger, who bad brought b.
cloak about his face. appeared uneasy. X
had no sooner seen me coming than he wen
to meet me with an ELUSIVE manner.
my dear man" said he. "a thousand apo
ogies for disturbing you, but I'm in the mo.
awkward position. And there's a son OF
ramrod there that | should know tho look
Of. aud more bctoken believe that he know
mine Being in this family, sir, and in
place ~ some responsibility (which ms III
cause took tho liberty to send for you, you
are doubtsss OF the honest partyP
| you may lie sure, at least" says /, that
all Of that party are quite safe in Durris-
deer"
MY dear man, it Is my very thought,
says he you see, | have Just been set on
| shore here by n very honest man, whose name
| cannot remember, and who is tdeetand OIL
md on for me till morning, at sorN danger
| 20 himself; and, TO DO clear with you, am
| a little concerned lest II should be at some to
me- have saved my life so often, Mr.
| forget your name, which is very good one
that, faith, would be very loath TO lose it
after ALL And the son OF a ramrod. whom
| believe saw before Carlisle
"Oh, SIR said !, you can trust Macon
| oche until tomorrow"
"Well and it's delight to hear you say
90 SAYS the stranger. 1.-The truth Is that
| my name is not very suitable one In this
,ountry Of Scotland. With gentleman like
gou. my dear man, would have no conceal
nents Of course; and, by your leave, I'll just
breathe it in your ear. They call me Fran
cis Burke-Col Francis Burke; and | am
mere, at q most damnable risk TO myself, TO
see your masters-if you'll excuse me, MY
god man, for giving them the name, for I'm
ure it's a circumstance | would never have
guessed from your appearance. And II you
would Just he so very obliging as to take my
name to them, you might say that | come
bearing letters which am sure they will be
very rejoiced TO have the reading Of"
Col Francis Burke was one Of the princes
freshmen, that did his cause such an infinity
Of hurt and were SO much distasted OF the
Scots at tho time Of the rebellion; and 1t
came at once into my mind how the Master
If Ballantrae had nstonished all men by going
with that party. In the same moment n
strong foreboding OF the truth possessed my
soul
IF you will step in here" said I, opening
chamber door, II will let my lord know"
"And am sure it's very good OF you, Mr..
WHAT'S your-name, says the colonel.
Up TO the hall went, slow footed. There
they were, all three, my old lord in bis place,
Mrs Henry at work by the window, Mr..
Henry ,as was much his custom) pacing the
low end. III tho midst was tho table laid for
supper. told them briefly what had TO say.
NJ old lord lay back in his seat Mrs. Henry
sprung up standing with a mechanical motion,
and she and her husband stared at each
others eyes across the room; It was the
sxangest. challenging look these two er-
changed, and as they looked the color faded
in their faces. Then Mr. Henry turned 10
me- not TO speak, only 10 sign with his finger;
but that was enough. and won't down again
for the colonel.
When we returned, these three were in
much tho same position had left them in. ]
believe no word had passed.
MY Lord Durrisdeer, no doubtr says the
colonel, bowling, and my lord bowed in
answer. And this continues the colonel,
should be the Master OF Ballantraep
81 have never taken that name" said Mr..
Henry; but am Henry Durie, at your SER
vice
Then the colonel turns to Mrs Henry, bow
ing with his hat upon his heart and the most
killing airs OF gallantry. There can be no
mistake about so fine figure Of lady" says
he IL address the seductive Miss Alison, OF
whom have so often heardr'
Once moro husband and wife exchanged a
look.
Il am Mrs Henry Durie," said she "but
before my marriage my name was Alison
Graeme.n
Then my lord spoke up. 81 am an old
man, Col. Burke" said he, aud frail one
Il will be mercy on your part 10 be expedi.
tious. Do you bring me news Off he hest
tated, and then tho words broke from him
with a singular change OF voice-"my sonF
my dear lord, | will be round with you
like a soldier" said the colonel. II do"
My lord held out a wavering hand; he
seemed TO wave a signal, but whether it was
to give him time or 10 speak on, was more
than we could guess. At length he got out
the one word-"Goodr
"Why, the very best in the creation, " cries
the colonel "For my good friend and al
mired comrade is at this hour in the fine city
Of Paris, and as like as not, If know any
thing OF his habits, he will be drawing in his
chair 10 a piece OF dinner. Bedad, believe
the lady's fainting"
Mrs. Henry was indeed the color Of death
and dropped against the window frame. But
when Mr. Henry made movement as il 70
run to her. she Strengthened with sort OF
SILVER II am well, she said, with her white
lips.
Mr. Henry stopped, and his face had a
strong twitch Of anger. The next moment
he had turned to the colonel. "You must
not blame yourself says he, "for this effect
on Mrs. Durie 1t is only natural; We were
all brought up like brother and sister
Mrs. Henry looked at her husband with |
something like relief or even gratitude. In |
my way OF thinking, that speech was the |
first step he made in her good graces.
"You must try to forgive me, Mrs. Durie, |
for indeed and | am just an Irish savage |
said the COLONEL land | deserve to be shot |
for not breaking the matter more artistically |
to lady. But here are the masters own |
letters -one for each OF the three Of you.
and 20 be sure III know anything Of my
friends genius, he will tell his own story |
with better grace"
He brought the three letters forth as he |
spoke, arranged thep by their superscrip |
tons, presented the first TO my lord, who took |
it greedily, and advanced toward Mrs Henry |
holding out the second.
The lady waved it back. ITO my hus- |
band, - says she, with choked voice.
The colonel was a quick man, but at this he
was somewhat nonplused. ITO be sure" says
he, show very dull OF mol To be sure" But
he still held he letter.
At last Mr.. Henry reached forth his hand,
aud there was nothing to be done but give is
up. Mr. Henry took the letters both bers
and his own and looked upon their outside,
with his brows knit hard as II he we're think
Ing. He had surprised me all through by his
excellent behavior; but be was to excel him