The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-10-28
THE MAIDEN'S LEAP.

cast a Lleep shadow over the castle of In
verloch, and far out upon the placid blue
waters O LochieL
A mer ~ group of Highland lads and
lasses wei g congregated upon the green
sward Def ore the castles walls, threading
with joyoE Is steps the mazes of the dance,
to the insp iring notes of the shrill bagpipe
All was mirth and glee, when an I'M
toward accident disturbed the harmony Of
the scene. A band of Highlanders de-
scended the mountain pass, driving before
them herd of cattle A bull, shaggy and
untamed, broke from the herd, and with a
ferocious below dashed toward the circle
of dancers
With shrill cries they broke up their
sport and fed in all directions, The in
furiated animal singled out one fair girl,
probably attracted by her scarf, the pre-
vailing color of which was red. and closely
pursued her.
Though fear lent her wings, the mad
beast gained upon her He was close at
her heels, mis- head leveled for the plunge,
when a tall Highlander sprang before the
flying girl, grasped the bull by the horns,
and with a dexterous movement hurled
the huge animal upon its back Ere it
could rise to its feet again, the drovers,
who had been swaruing to the rescue of
the girl. bound it securely with cords.
When goaded to its feet again, the bull
moaned plaintively, and lool led around be-
wildered and subdued by it's rough tumble.
The villagers of Inverlo chy thronged
around the man who had p erformed this
great feat of muscular str myth, and the
fair girl he had saved timidl thanked her
deliverer. They all gazed uriously upon
him. for 1t was now perceived that he did
not wear the tartan of the q .mpbells, and
was q stranger
He was boy in years, not over twenty,
and yet fully developed, stan ding full six
feet four inches in height, clst in Highland
costume, which displayed his well proper
toned form to great advantaI re, and wear
ing an eagles feather in his bonnet, the
symbol of a chief His targ ct, or shield,
round as the MOON" cover ed with OK
hide and studded with brass lnobs, hung
around his neck The hilt of a huge two
handed cIaymore peeped FROM under his
left arm, and a long dirk re- ted in the
sheath upon his right thigh. clad in this
picturesque garb, with long 10 wing locks
OF light brown hair, ruddy omplexion
and bright blue eye, he was a. ne type of
the bard Ossian has immortal zef1 in song
What is thy name, pretty Ia ssie?" be
asked the girl. when she had th allked him
for the good service and stolen a glance of
admiration at the frank, open face and
stalwart form of her preserver.
al am called Annie of Lochiel," she an
swered, timidly, yet with a sweet smile
that had strange fascination for the
young Highlander. who found it 5mpossi-
BILE 10 withdraw his gaze from that wiz
ming face.
Are you Cameron of the Clan Loeb
ielp" he asked, eagerly, and with interest.
Not sheP' broke in one of the men of
Inverlochy, who wore the badge of an I'M
der chief "She is Campbell. and we call
her Annie of Lochiel because she was born
by yonder water. Her mother was a Nc
Lean; she died when Annie was an infant;
Her father was Duncan Campbell, laird of
Morven, and he was slain by the Gordons
of Huntley in the raid of Garioch. There's |
her history in nutshell. | that tell it to
you am Malcolm MacPhie, captain of In
verlochy, and now. my Draw gillie, who |
are your"
The Highlander reared his tall form |
with naughty pride as he replied:
81 am Alaster Macdonald, son of Coll |
of-the- left-hand, chieftain of Mingarry and |
Kintyre."
buzz went around the circle at these |
words The MacDonalds were a bold and |
warlike clan, and Coll-of-the-left-ha hand was |
not unknown to fame.
al have heard of the chieftain of Kin |
tyre" returned Malcolm MacPhie, but |
why do they call him of the left handP"
"Faithl | know not" answered Alaster |
carelessly, "unless it be that he can WELD |
his claymore as well with the left hand as
with the right"
A murmur of admiration greeted this |
announcement. Strength of limb and /
skill in arms were considered great virtues |
in those warlike days.
Come, Alaster," cried Malcolm, his |
heart won by the bold bearing of the |
young Highlander Thou has preserved |
our fairest maiden from a cruel death. |
Bide with me in Inverlochy for few days |
and taste the hospitality of our ancient
castle"
There is no feud between our Clans"
returned Alaster, land | accept your Of
fer"
They entered the castle together.
Malcolm MacPhie had cause to rue the
hospitality which had induced him to in
vite the young Highland chieftain to enter
the walls of Castle Inverlochy. 1t soon
became apparent to others besides himself
that the bold Alaster had found favor in
the eyes of pretty Annie of Lochiel. 4
strong affection seemed to have arisen at
the first meeting of this young pair, an af-
'-ction which their eyes were not slow to
Mess, and which was revealed in elo-
uent glances.
Malcolm had detected more than one OF
these glances as he dispensed the hospital
ity of the castle, and he resolved in his own
mind that Alaster should not bide long at
lnverlochy. He prevented all chances Of
conversation between them until it was
time for Annie to retire for the night. He
then invited Alaster TO walk with him upon
the battlements. and pointed out the
strength of the castle.
A taper cleaned from a low turreted
window that looked out upon the parapet.
who occupies yon chamber2" asked
Alaster.
Annie of LOchiel." replied Malcolm.
"a winsome lassieF' responded Alaster
warmly Il would could persuade her to
70 with me into the Land OF kintyre and
become the mistress of Castle Mingarry. 1t
would glad the heart of Coll-of-the-left-
hand 10 welcome so fair daughter"
That can never be-" returned Malcolm,
quickly, with an angry flush; Annie is the
ward OF Sir Donald Campbell of AuchiR-
brock, my chief snd kinsman Seek an
other bride. Alaster Macdonald, for Annie
is TO be my wife"
AlSster's eyes were fixed upon the little