Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-10-15
THE WHITE DOG.
TEE CURSE OF THE MACQ UILLs.

THE CURSE OF THE MACQ UILLs.
! In all the Highlands there wers DO such
brave hunters as the two MacQuill brothers,
who lived in quaint old house among the
hills. But marry they would not, because
a great calamity had always followed the
wedding day of every man of their race.
A quaint old rhyme against the house OF
MacQuill marrying was inscribed on the
fireplace of the great kitchen, and they
would point it out to their friends when
questioned why they did not marry.
One autumn they went down to their
hunting lodge with three or four friends
The sport was better than usual, and a
curious incident occurred. A little doe
followed the hunters about wherever they
went, and it seemed to be particularly fond
of Allan MacQuill.
1t was not the custom of these hunters to
kill the female deer or the young. They
simply hunted the stag; but hitherto they
had been content with sparing the pretty
creatures; now this doe, following them to
their lodge, became Allan's pet. He would
caress its beautiful head, feed it from his
hand, and call it tender names.
'If any woman was as beautiful and gen.
tie as this doe," he often said, laughing,
81 would brave the family curse and marry
a wife; but there is none. Look at her
eyes, Fergus"
And truly the eyes of the dee were
beautiful-soft as velvet, yet bright as any
hut were kind to her. No ore but felt
fattered when she touched a weather
bronzed hand with her delicate pink nose,
and uttered little smothered bleat like q
laugh. However, she seldom 80 compli
| mented any one but Allen.
| orc night the brothers and their friends
sat about rude table set in the midst OF
the great hut. The light of flaring torches
showed the walls covered with trophies oi
| the chase; drinking-cups and great TASKS
adorned the table, and dry econes lay near.
| This, with venison, was their food. Nc
strong man was dainty in those days. They
were very merry, and many tale was told
and many song sung.
| Suddenly the doe, VINO had been asleer
on pile of heather in the corner, occa
stoned a diversion by starting to her fee
and running to Allan. She touched his
hand and cheek with her little nose, utter
ing her loving bleat and signified to him al
plainly as dog could have done that she
wanted him to accompany her.
Laughingly no obeyed. He pushed oper
| the creakiDg door of the hut, and they saw
| that the m0Onsh1ne made all without al
light as day, and that the doe led Altar
away with her into the depths of tht
| forest.
Suddenly an inexplicable pang of terror
filled the heart of Fergus. He started tt
his feet.
II must follow my brother" be said
and the others saw him turn pale.
However, it was plain that he did no
wish them to 60 with him, so they remained
at the table, and, growing drowsy, cas-
themselves upon their rude couches and fel
asleep.
Meanwhile Fergus followed his brother
track until it led to wild SPOT in th
woods, where, from the entrance of grea
black cave, bearing rough resemblance t,
a gothic doorway, stream of slvery waite
gushed forth, foaming and Laughing a
though it had played the earth trick.
The silvery moonlight, filtered througl
the boughs, lit the place sufficiently s.
that Fergus could plainly see his brothe
standing in the open space regarding wit
astonished eyes the fawn, who certainl
had met with some strange transformation
She grew taller, more slender. He
forelegs seemed to shorten, the beautifu