Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-01-17

his haAd his clothes although of the one hue
were Of French and foppish design; his
rufiies which he wore longer than common.
of exquisite lace; and wondered the more to
see him in such a guise, when he was but
newly landed from a dirty smuggling lugger.
At the same time he had better look ut me,
tossed me a second time sharply and then
smiled.
81 wager. my FRIEND" says he, "that
know both your name and your nickname. |
OWNED these very clothes upon your hand of
writing, Mr.. Mackellar."
At these words fell to shaking.
"Oh," says he, "you need not be afraid of
me. l bear no malice for your tedious let
tiers, and it is my purpose to employ you a
good deal. You may call me Mr.. Bally; it
is the name | have assumed, or rather Since
l am addressing SO great precisiomJ it is SO
l have curtailed my own. Come now, pick
up that and that"-indicating two of the
portmanteaus. THAT will be as much as you
are fit to bear and the rest can very well
wait. Come, lose no more time, if you
please"
His tone was so cutting that managed to
do as he babe by Il sort of instinct, my mind
being all the time quite lost. No sooner had
| picked up the portmanteaus than he turned
his back and marched off through the long
shrubbery, where it began already to be
dusk, for the wood Is thick and ever green |
followed behind, loaded almost to the dust,
though profess | was not conscious of the
burden, being swallowed up in the monstros-
ity of this return and my mind flying like a
weaver's shuttle.
On a sudden / set the portmanteaus to the
ground and halted. He turned and looked
back at me
"Welm said he.
"You are the Master of Ballantraer
"You will do me the justice to observe"
says he, 'that [ have made no secret with
the astute Mackellar."
"And in the name of God" cries !, "what
brings you here, Go back, while it is yet
time.n
II thank YOU" said he. "Your master
has chosen this way, and not L; but since he
has made the choice, he (and you also must
abide by the result And now pick up these
things of mine, which you have set down in
a very DOGGY place, and attend to that
which | have made your business
But had no thought now of obedience: |
came straight up to him. IF nothing will
move you to go back" said l; Though sure,
under all the circumstances, any Christian
or even any gentleman would scruple to go
forwardn--
These are gratifying expressions" he
threw in.
"If nothing will move you to go back
continued, there are still some decencies to be
observed. Wait here with your baggage,
and | will 60 forward and prepare your
family. Your father is an old man; and
/ stumblcd-''there are decencieS to be OBJ
served
"Truly.' said he, "this MacAellar improves
upon acquaintance, But look you.here, my
man, and understand 1t once for ail--yOu
waste your breath upon me, and | go my
own way with inevitable notion
"Ah!n says l. is that sol We shall see
then'
And | turned ana took to my heels Tor
Durrisdeer He clutchel at me and cried
ont, angrily, and then | believed | heard
him laugh ana then am certain he pursued
me for "A step or two, and q SUPPOSE dcaisted.
One thing at least is sure, that | came but a
few minutes later to the door Of the great
house, nearly strangled for the lack of breath
but quite alone. Straight up the stair ran,
and burst into the hall, and stopped before
the family without the power of speech; but
| must have carried my story in my looks,
for they rose out of their places and stared
on me like changelings.
lie has come painted at last.
"Her said Mr.. Henry.
"Himselt,' said |.
My sonf cried my lord. "Imprudent,
impruIent boy! On, could he not stay where
he was safe
Never word said Mrs Henry, nor did
look at her; | scarcely knew why
well said Mr., Henry, with very deep
breath, "anl where is he(
Il left him in the long ,hrubbery," said l.
Take me to him. said he.
SO We went out together ho aud |, without
another word from any one, and in the midst
of the graveled plot encountered the master
strolling up, whistng rs he came and beat
ing the air with his cane. There was stfll
light enough overhead to recognize though
not to read a countenance.
"Ah, Jacob!' says the master. $50 here is
Esau back"
james" says Mr.. Henry, "for Gods sake
call me by my name. | will not pretend that
| am glad to see you; but would fam make
YOU as welcome as | can in the house of our
fathers"
"Or in my housed or yoursl" says the mas
ter. (Which was you about to sayt But
this is an old sore and we need not rub it. If
you would not share with me in Paris, hope
you will scarce deny your elder brother a
corner of tine fire at Durrisdeeri'
That is very idle speech" replied Mr.
Henry. And you understand the power of
your position excellently we'll"
"Why, believe do, - said the other, with
little laugh. And this though they had
never touched hands, was las we may saw
the end of the brothers meeting for at this
the master turned to me and babe me fetch
his baggage,
|, on my side, turned to Mr.. Henry for
confirmation; perhaps with some defiance.
"As long as the master is here, Mr., Mac
kellar, you will very much oblise me by re-
garding his wishes as you would my own,n
says Mr.. Henry. I've are constantly
troubling you; will you be 50 good As send
one of the servantsr with an accent ON the
word.
If this speech were anything at all, it was
surely a we'll deserved reproof upon the
stranger, and yet, SO deviish was his impu-
dence, he twisted it tho other way.
And shall we be common enough to say
'Sneck upr" inquiries he, softly, looking upon
me sideways.
Had kingdom depended on the act, l
could not have trusted myself in words; even