Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-02-14

mention of some evil to befall So strong
was this upon my spirit that hurried down
stairs In my shirt and brooches, and my hand
q renember) shook upon the rail. 1t was
cold, sunny morning with thick white
frost; the blackbirds sung exceeding sweet
and loud about the house of Durrisdeer, and
there was q noise Of the sea in all the cham
bers.
As / came by the doors of the hall, an
other sound arrested me, Of voices talking.
drew nearer and stood like a man dream
ing. Here was certainly human voice, and
that in my own masters house, and yet
knew 1t not, certainly human speech and
that In my native land; and yet listen as
pleased, could not catch one syllable. An
old tale started up in my mind Of a fairy
wife Tor perhaps only wandering strangely,
that came to the place Of my fathers some
generations back, and staid the matter Of
week, talking often in tongue that signif1ed
nothing to the hearers and went again as
she had come, under cloud Of night leaving
not so much as a name behind her. A little
fear had, but more curiosity; and / opened
the hall door and entered.
The supper things still lay upon the table;
the shutters were still closed, although day
peeped In the divisions and the great room
was lighted only with single taper and some
lurching reverberation Of the fire. Close in
the chimney sat two men. The one that was
wrapped in a cloak and wore boots | knew
at once; il was the bird OF i'll omen back
again Of the other who was set close to the
red embers, and made up into bundle like a
mummy, could but see that he was an alien,
of a darker hue than any man Of Europe,
very frailly built with singular tall fore
head and secret eye. Several bundles and
a small valise were on the floor; and to judge
by the smallness of this luggage and by the
condition of the masters boots, grossly
patched by some interruptions country cob
bier, evil had not prospered.
He rose upon my entrance; our eyes
crossed; and l know not why it should have
been, but my courage rose like lark on a
May morning.
"Hal" said l, lis this youT'-and was
pleased with the unconcern of my own voice.
at is even myself, worthy Mackellar,"
says the master.
This time you have brought the black dog
visibly upon your back" | continued
Referring to Secundra Dass3" asked the
master. Let me present you. He is
native gentleman of India"
HUMP said l. 81 am no great lover either
of you or your friends, Mr.. Bally. But will
let little daylight in and have a look at you.n
And so saying, | undid the shutters of the
eastern window.
By the light of the morning l could per-
ceive the man was changed. Later, when we
were all together l was more struck to see
how lightly time had dealt with him; but the
first glance was otherwise.
"You are getting an old man." said l.
A shade came upon his face. "1f you could
see yourself" said he, you would perhaps not
dwell upon the topic"
Hut! returned; "old age is nothing to
me- l think | have been always old; and l
am now, thank God, better known and more
respected. 1t is not every ono that can say
that, Mr.. Bally. The lines in your brow are
calamites; your life begins to close in upon
you like prison. Death will soon be rap
ping at the door, and | see not from what
source you are to draw your consultations"
Here the master addressed himself to Sc
cundra Dass in Hindoostanee, from which
gathered Il freely confess, with high de-
gree Of pleasure) that my remarks annoyed
him. AL this while you may be sure, my
mind had been busy upon other matters even
while | rallied my enemy, and chiefly as to
how l should communicate secretly and
quickly with my lord. To this, in the breath
ing space now given me, turned all the
forces my mind when, suddenly shifting my
eyes, was aware of the man himself standing
in the doorway, and to all appearance quite
composed. He had no sooner met my looks
than he stepped across the threshold. The
master heard him coming and advanced upon
the other side about four feet apart, these
brothers came to full pause and stood ex-
changing steady looks, and then my lord
smiled, bowed a little forward and turned
briskly away.
"Mackellar," says he, 1--WE must see to
breakfast for these travellers"
1t was plain the master was triAe discon-
certed; but he assumed the more impudence
of speech and manner. II am as hungry as
hawk" says he. Let it be something good,
Henry"
My lord turned to him with the same hard
smile. Lord Durrisdeer,n says he.
"Oh, never in the family" returned the
master
Every one in this house renders me my
proper title" says my lord. IF it please you
30 make an exception, will leave you to con-
slider what appearance it will bear to strang-
ers, and whether it may not be translated as
an effect of impotent Jealousy"
could have clapped my hands together
with delight; the more so as my lord left no
time for any answer, but, bidding me with
sign to follow him, went straight out Of the
hall
Come quick" says he, i've have to sweep
vermin from the house" And he sped
through the passages with 30 swift step
that could scarce keep up with him, straight
TO the door of John Paul, the which be open
ed without summons and walked in John
was to all appearance sound asleep, but my
lord made no pretense Of waking him.
John Paul" said he, speaking as quietly
as ever heard him, you served my father
long, or would pack you from the house
like dog. If in half an hours time l find
you gone you shall continue to receive your
wages in Edinburgh If you lnger here or in
st. Bride's-the old man, old servant and al
together-I shall find some very astonishing
way 10 make you smart for your disloyalty
Up, and begons. The door you lot them in
by will serve for your departure. | do not
choose my son shall see your face again"
81 am rejoiced to find you bear the thing
SO quietly said /, when we were forth again
by ourselves.
"Quietlyl" cries he, and he put my hand
suddenly against his heart, which struck upon
his bosom like a sledge
At this revelation / was filled with wonder
and fear. There was no constitution could
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