San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-01-15

7efP Sssssf never e err. US s. ,
doting as he showed himself He was con,
| tinually uneasy in his sons absence. Was
the child abrosd2 the father would be watch
ing the clouds in case it rained. Was it
| night! he would rise out of his bed to observe
| its slumbers. His conversation grew even
| wearyful to strangers, since he talked of lit
| tie but his son. In matters relating to the
estate, all was designed with a particular eye
to Ale Wander; and it would be: LET us put
it in hand at once, that the wood may be
grown against Alexander's majority" or
this will fall in again handsomely for AL
exander's marriage"
Every day this absorption Of the mans ma
ture became more observable with many
touching and some very blameworthy par
ticulars. Soon the child could walk abroad
with him, at first on the terrace hand in
hand, and afterward at large about the poll
cies and this grew to be my lords chief &C.
cupatiOn. The sound Of their two voices
audible great way of, for they spoke loud)
became familiar in the neighborhood, and for
my part | found it more agreeable than the
sound of birds 1t was pretty to see the pair
returning, full of briers, and the father as
flushed and sometimes as bemuddied as the
child; for they were equal sharers in all
sorts of boysh entertainment, digging in the
beach, damming of streams, and what not;
and | have seen them gaze through fence
at cattle with the same childish contempla-
ton.
The mention of these rambles brings me to
strange scene of which was a witness.
IL 7
without emotion. so often had | gone there
upon miserable errands so much had there
befallen against the house of Durrisdeer. But
the path lay handy from all points beyond
the Muckle Ross, and was driven, although
much against my will, to take my use of it
perhaps once in the two months 1t hefell
when Mr.. Alexander was of the age of or
| had some business on the far side in the
morning, and entered the shrubbery on my
homeward way, about 9Sf bright forenoon
1t was that time Of year when the woods are
all in their spring colors, the thorns all in
flower and the birds in the high season Of
their singing In contrast to this merriment,
the shrubbery was only the more sad and
the more oppressed by its associations. In
this situation of spirit it struck me disagree
ably to hear voices little way in front. and
to recognize the tones of my lord and Mr.
Alexander. | pushed ahead and came pres
emily into their view. They stood together
i'll the open space where the duel was. nv
lord Nth his hand on his sons shoulder and
speaking with some gravity. At least. as he
raised his head upon my coming, | thought
could perceive his cOuntenance TO tighten.
AL" says he, here comes the good Mac.
kellar. | have just been telling Sandie the |
story of this place, and how there was man |
whom the devil tried to kill and how near he |
came 20 kill the devil instead
had thought it strange enough he should |
bring the child into that scene; that he should |
actually be discoursing Of his act, passed |
measure But the worst was vet to come;
or he added, turning to his son. "You can |
tek Mackellar he was here and saw it,"
rs it true, Mr.. Mackellar!" asked the child |
And did You really see the devil
Il have not heard the tale" lreplied, and |
am in press of business" So far said |
title sourly, fencing with the embarrassment |
If the position; and suddenly the bitterness |
If the past and the terror of that scene bv
,andIe light rushed in upon my mind; be-
hought NE that, for the difference OF a sec
md qWckHesS in parade the child before
ne might have never seen the day, and the |
mOtlon that always huttered round nv
leart ii that dark shrUbbery burst forth in |
words. But 50 much is true, | cried, ''thet
have met the devil in these woods and seen
linn fOiled here; blessed be God that we es-
aped with life--blessed be God that one
tone vet stands upon another in the walls of
)urrisdeer. and oh, Mr.. Alexander, if ever
'ou come by this spot, though it was hun
lred years hence, and you came with the
,ayest and the highest in the land | would
tep aside and remember bit prayer"
My lord bowed his head gravey. All" |
ays he, ''MaCkellar is always in the right.
Jome, Alexander, take your bonnet off"
And with that he uncovered and held out his
Iaml 20 Lord, said he, Il thank thee and
ny son thanks thee for thy manifold great
nercies. Let US have peace for a little; de-
lend us from the evil man. Smite him, O
Lord, upon the lying mouth" The last broke
)ut of him like cry; and at that, whether
anger Choked his utterance or
whether he perceived this was a singular sort
If prayer, at least he came suddenly to full
stop; and alter moment set back his hat
lpOn his head
Il think you have forgot a word, my lord"
'aid |. Forgive US our trespasses as we for
give them that trespasS against us. For thine
; the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
'or ever and ever. Amen.n
"Ah, that is easy saying" said my lord.
That is very easy saying, Mackellar. But
,Or me to forgivel | think | would cut a
very silly figure if had the affectation to
pretend it,"
The BARN, my lord" said l, with some
severity, for | thought his expressions little
tilted for the ears of children.
why, very true" said he; this is dull
work for BARN. Let's go nesting"