The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-04-14
4 YOUNG HERO.
IC0NCLUDED.l

accident, and Strowan was consigned to the
care of his tutor, who warmly thanked
Geordie for the service he had rendered his
young chief. Geordie hurried away to
escape the congratulations which met him
OF every side, and his last farewell was ex-
changed at the castle gate with the fair
Jessie. who gave him her h and at parting
and made him promise to visit them often.
assuring him how welcome he would be and
how glad they would be TO see him.
GeOrdie at last reached his humble dwell
ing, and sat down to ponder over the events
of tie day. His brain grew dizzy and his
thoughts became confused. 1t seemed like
a dream to him. The kiss fingered On his
lips and the white arms again pressed his
neck. lie sprang to his feet and danced
about his howell in paroxysm OF JOY. upset
ting neighbor who came in atthat moment
with kettle which required mending.
The fall of the man aud the rattle of the
kettle restored Geordle 10 his senses. lie
FASTENED 10 set Sandie on his feet again.
"Are We daft, lad % exclaimed Sandie as
soon as he recovered his breath, which had
been somewhat damaged by his fall.
"De'el Bit" answered Geordie. "only
merry. that's all. Leave thy kettle, and l
will repair its damages"
Sandie left the kettle and retired, but the
first neighbor outside he told what lie had
SEEN and shaking his head wisely remarked
that "Geordie Robertson was clear daft
Meaning to intimate thereby that Geordie
had lost his senses.
His rosy dreams faded into thin air as he
sat down to his usual ayocation, and as his
hammer clinked upon the metal Geordie
Robertson muttered 10 himself:
Fool that / am TO let my thoughts
wander in that direction. She is a chefs
daughter, while / am tinker - only a
tnkerW
That night he sought his couch with the
firm resolve TO think Of her no more. He
dreamed an angel rose up before him.
opened the gates Of the promised land and
babe him enter. That angel wore the face
of Jessie!
a wear passed away. Ge0rdie had visited
the castle but seldom, but he had become the
constant companion Of Strowan IN all his
hunting ana fishing excursions. and the
fair Jessie, who had become very fond of
open-air concerts made one Of the party
whenever the weather permitted.
Many noticed that a great change had
come over GeOrdie. He became particular
in his dress, and. though OF coarse material,
he kept 1t Scrupul0uSly clean. lie practiced
much with various weapons and taught the
Young chief the use of the claymore who in
return loaned him his books and taught him
TO read aud wTite-no mean accomplishments
IN those days.
AS we have said, a year passed away,
when stranger rode, In hot haste. through
the village of Athole, and drew rein before
the castle gate. A fumor Of strife had
already been borne into these quiet noun
tains. II was said that the brave James
Grahame, MARQUIS of MOntroSe, had raised
the roval banner against tie COvenanters
and called upon the loyal clans of Scotland
to assemble beneath his banner. This call
had already been answered by numerous
loyal clans, and 1t was not 10 be supposed
that the men of Athole would be ba kward
iu unsheathing the claymore TO tight Tor
king Charlie"
Tie stranger proved to be Patrick Me
Oregon, who had been sent by the Marquis
of Montrose to claim the aid of the men of
Athole in an expedition against the Camp
bells of ArgyleshiTe-the Marquis of Argyle
being one of the principal leaders OF the
COvenanteIS.
The tutor of Strowan mustered the fight
ing men of the clan to march to the assist
apce OF MOntrOse. and Geordie Robinson
buckied his claymore TO his side. made his
preparations for the march, and then sirOlled
Up to the castle TO say farewell to Strowan.
At least he tried 10 cheat himself into that
belief. Poor fellow! he would not acknowl-
e6ge even TO himself that Jessie was the
magnet that attracted him thither-that he
wished TO have one last look at her sweet
| face before he dared the uncertain chances
| Of war.
They met in the garden quite accident
ally, of course, and sat down together in a
sylvan bower, screened by thickly twining
vines of sweet-scented honeysuckIes.
You are going TO the war, Geordie," be-
gan Jessie.
"Yes. l have never yet marched with the
clan; it is time l have proved myself to be
| man."
You are so, Geordie," responded Jessie,
| warmly, "a noble hearted, unSeltiSh, brave,
| true man, with mind and bearing far
above your present station. L know and
| feel that you Will distinguish yourself in
| this strife, and yet, when the thought that
| you may never return occurs TO me"
Jessie's voice grew hoarse, she paused
| abuptly and turned away her head.
"Well. If ! fall" said Geordie. in voice
tremulous with an emotion which he sought
| in vain to overcome. what then? L am
| alone In the world-there will be none to
mourn for me-"
You are ungenerous, Geodie, returned
Jessie. "Strowan and L both love you
| Str0wan as dearly as brother. and p
''As dearly as a sister" suggested GeOrdie,
seeing that she hesltated.
A faint blush tinged her cheek, she
averted her eyes, and replied. softly:
Ion, yes!"
"Do you know that you are very beauti-
! full, Jessie?" said Geordie, abruptly.
Jessie opened her eyes in wonder. here
was matter for twofold Armament twas
| the first time that he had ever called her
| Jessie, and he had never paid her a compli-
ment before.
when / return" continued Geordie.
| evidently pursuing train of thought, " |
| shall find you married to some young laird,
attracted hitler by the beauty of our noun
/ tain rose"
NO. GeordIe. 1 shall not be welded
when you return"
And If should never return?"
81 shall not wed at all"
Their eyes met-Jessie's face was very
| pale-Geordie's crimson.
You would not marry tinker?" he
stammered.
IF he was noble, good and brave, and l
loved him, as quickly as | would lord.''
lie grasped her hand fervcntly, but he
could not see the bright blue eyes that
smiled such hope upon him. for tears were
in his own, and so he turned his head away,
| for he thought it shame TO his manhood
| that she should see them.
| JESSIE" ne said, after pause, "a year
ago. when / saved Strowan from the black
waters of Shadow Lake, you kissed me-
| That kiss changed my whole being. Kiss
me again to-day at parting. and send NE
| forth hero"
She bent toward him-their lips met-he
strained her 10 his breast in passionat
embrace, and then released her.
Farewell. jessie" he cried, ''you have
| nerved my heart and given strength to nv
arm. The men of AthoIe shall yet be proud
| of their tiDkerv
He was gone. Jessie returned sadly t.
the castle.
| The red field Of Inverlochy was over. The
winters midday sun glnted upon the vic.
torious banners Of the Royalsts, and
showed the scattered remnants of the Gov.
enant army seeking safety In headlong
| flight
A group gathered In the center of the
! battle-plain. where the strife had been the
fiercest and the dead and dying lay thu
thckest. This group consisted Of the prin-
cipal leaders of the Royal army, Montrose
Alaster MeColl, Lord Airy, Patrick Nc.
| Gregor and the tutor of Strowan Tney
were gathered around young soldier
breathless and barebeaded, his tartan cut Il
| rags, his face smeared with blood, and ye
apparently unwounded himself, leaning
upon his claymore.
| This is my preserver," said the tutor oil
| Sirnwan al had navar liuad IN toll III