The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-04-13
4 YOUNG HERO.

Strowan. the boy chief Of the warlke
Rober;sons-the Clan DOnnoQuhy OF Athole
-rambed up the glen. with his fair sister
Jessie beside him, carrying his fshipg-p0le
and basket. She was some FIVE years his
senior-a gleesOme, light-fOoted, bright
eyed lassie, with the bloom Of seventeen
summers blushing into roses upon her
cheeks. Her step was as light and springy
as the mountain antelope as she bounded
over the heather, the light of health cleaned
from her dark-blue eyes, and her auburn
tresses escaped from beneath the little hood
she wore, and danced In mad profuson upon
her white shoulders.
Side by side they assembled the craggy
glen, sprlngDg from rock to rock, and
laughing j0yously at each others mishaps,
for the path was steep and the moss upon
the rocks damp from the spray of the tor
rent that dashed wildly down the glen.
They had many slip and tumble, but they
nimbly recovered their footing and still
sped on.
At length they reached their favorite
haunt-a place where the mountain grew
more level, and the narrow torrent spread
into a lake, with deep, shelving, rocky sides
"a black tarn of sOmber waters, gloomy
even in the sunlight, and almost con stantly
in the shade resting as il did midway in the
Of water was called shadow Lake"
Perching himself upon craG that pro-
ieeted out into the lake. StTowan cast his
line into the waters. anxious to ensnaIe
some Of its fnny denzenS. Jessie placed
herself beside him TO watch his success
1t was capital place for sport, for the
spreckled trout loved to lie in the deep
shadow ofthe cliff, and the boy landed many
good-siZed fish upon the stunted heather,
which Jessie's fair fingers released from the
hook and consigned to the basket.
Once more tie line was skmming over
the water, fish Of unusual size rose TO the
bait there was strong and uneXpected tug
at the line, and Strowan was precipitated
headong into the dark waters of the lake.
A scream burst from Jessie's lips at this
unexpected catastrophe, and she stood upon
the crag wringing her hands wildly. and
calling for help, as if help could be found ia
that lone spot. Suddenly becoming con-
scious of this, she was about TO spring after
the boy, when strong grasp upon her arm
restrained her.
She turned around and saw a swarthy
face, out of which CLEANED pair Of bright,
dark eyes. and heard CHEEKY voice say:
"Dinna fear, lassie: I'll save the bairnv
There was a plunge in the water. Jessie
sank upon her knees in supplicatIon, closing
her eyes as if to shut out some fearful vision.
When she reopened them she saw the
stranger clambering up the rocky sides of
the lake. with the limp form Of Strowan
He bore the inanimate boy to her aud laid
him down upon the heather before her.
us he dead?" cried Jessie, in anguish,
kneelng beside Strowan and chafng his
cold temples.
'sNay. lasse," replied the rescuer; she
has swallowed more water than is good for
him, but there is life in him yet. Feel how
his heart beats"
Strowan gave signs Of returning ANNA
ton, and, treasured as TO his safety, Jessie
-
He vas young fellow, clad in coarse
homespun kilt and tartan, somewhat below
the medium height of the Roberfsons, and
yet not of a diminutive figure. for the men
Of Athole were hardy race. His frame
was sight vet well developed and graceful
withal. giving little token of the great
strength and activity he had so recently dis
played His features were regular. and,
notwithstanding his swart complexion and
black, restless gypsy eye, pleasing in their
expression.
He stood before Jessie not unlike huge
spaniel shaking the water from his coat. his
shock of coal-black hair crisping into in
Vulnerable tiny curls.
"You have saved the life Of your Chief"
said Jessie, at length recalled to herself by
the fact-that the stranger youth, unable to
longer bear her scrutinizihg glance. had
east his eyes modestly upon the ground.
THE more luck miDe," answered he
eheerfully. raising his eyes again to hers:
L
let him sink to the bottom of Shadow Lake
whilst | had the strength to pull him out"
"Name your reward" cried Jessie impul-
sively; 'such brave action should be well
Tecompensed-what shall it bep"
A shade overcast his frank features, and
II was not without feeling of modification
that he replied:
"The Robertsons never yet took reward
for doing an act Of duty. and l am of the
Clan Donnoquhy."
Sc. -
ing her hand warmly TO the strange youth.
He grasped 1t in his own sinewy palm, sank
upon his knee and imprinted kiss upon
the white fingers. Jessie gazed upon
him in establishment This was the action
of cavalier, and yet his dress proclaimed
him to be one of the humblest membe of
her clan.
''Tell me your name." she said in bewil-
derment.
''Geordie Robertson"
Her countenance fell-he was then what
he seemed.
"Have you no other title2" she asked.
'"Oh, yes"
Her eyes frightened, and she cried,
eagerly:
"The Tinker of AtholeW
Jessie binshed at the sudden demolition
OF the romantic air-castle she had been con-
struc'ng. The quick eye of Geordie caught
the look OF disappointment upon her face.
oho III piblta d[l1Ht.
YES" he answered sadIy-mure SADLY
than he had ever spoken before in his life.
ior Georale was naturally of a cheerful.
contented disposition, "yes-only tinkerw
Jessie 1elt the reproach which these words
contained, and the hot blood mounted to
her forehead IN an accusing blush.
tinker or not. she exclaimed, 'you have
saved my brothers life, and / shall ever
love you for itf'
And with the impulsiveness of her ma tnre
she threw her arms around Geordie's neck
and Imprinted kiss upon his lips Then
abaShed at her own act, she as suddenly
withdrew. her face changing to as many
colors as the plumage Of the dying swan.
Gecrdie stood like one In dream-en-
tranced, amazed with happiness and wonder.
The perfume Of her breath still fingered on
his lips-the white arms were Withdrawn.
but they had cast spell around him whose
power was to remain unbroken while life
remained.
A low moan from Strowan aroused them
both from this awkward pause. His eyes
opened and he feebly called his sister by
name. She few to his side and bent over
him.
81 will take him in nv arms to the castle"
said Geordie, raising the boy as ne spoke
"Oh. You cannot carry him so far" inter-
posed Jessie.
"Ob. YES, l can," he answered. and lifting
the boy lightly, he placed him over his
shoulder, and commenced the descent OF the
glen. Jessie walked by his side. Burdened
rs Geordie was they necessarily proceeded
now established between them anu tney
questioned each other freely.
Jessie learned from Geordie that ne was
an orphaD-his father having perlsneo IA
the wars. and his mother dying soon aIter
while be ascertained from her what was