Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1892-08-27
THE SKENE- -DHU.


would not worry myself about her i
I were you. If she prefers the othel
fellow you can never make hel
transfer her affection by running
after her. Besides, such conduct OF
your part would be unmanly ant
utterly unmanly in Macgregor."
Who's going to run aftor herr
simply state that Intend to be present
at the ball tomorrow night, and yot
intimate that shall be running after
Helen Jamisonl / cannot help it il
she chooses to go. AT these public
charity balls anybody of average re
spectability, with the ability to pay
five dollars for admission, is wei
come. suppose, and have NJ
doubt that that valuable institution,
the Asylum for Office Seekers Wild
ows, or whatever it is, will be bene.
fited to the extent of five dollar;
from the pocketbook Of Jamison
pere for his daughters ticket.
well, Arthur, | am glad you are
not going to make a fool of yourself.
From what you say, | imagine Miss
Jamison does not look upon you
with such favor as we thought. Is
Sam Bangs going to take her to the
ball2'
How the deuce should | knowY'
responded Arthur, with sudden feroc-
ity, and | did not say any more.
Arthur Macgregor was my chum,
and ! knew his disposition so well
that could forgive his little ebulli-
ton of temper especially when /
knew that | had given him ample
provocation. My regard for him
was fully returned, know, but he
often used to say. when speaking of
me, that Ned Pierce could say aggra-
waiting things in cold blooded way
that would dangerously strain the
strongest ties Of friendship Per
haps Arthur was right, but I am
sure it was unintentional on my part
II shall go in costume" Arthur
announced after pause, during
which we had both smoked so vigor-
ously that my little den looked more
like the private room of a German
student than the business office of a
respectable rising young lawyer.
"As a Highlander, ] suppose, Ar
thur, said |, waving my hand to dis
pei the smoke, SO that I could look
at his face.
"Of course. have the dress, and
l feel more at home in plaidie and
kilt than in anything else, except an
ordinary coat and vest"
The ball, which was to bring to q
close the fair held for the benefit of
a deserving charity, was to be the
social event of the season. While
not absolutely q fancy dress gather
ing, it was left to the option of those
attending whether they appeared in
costume or in evening dress. Many
of the gentlemen had signifed their
intention of going in fancy cos
tunes, while it was understood that
most of the ladies would appear only
in the gorgeous productions of the
modern modiste.
Arthur Macgregor, though an
American, prided himself on his
blue blooded Scottish descent. The
Macgregors Of the olden time had
been terrible fellows, who took a
prominent part in the Border war,
with the Douglases and others Of
that ilk, and who, with claymore
and targe. led their neighbors a sad
life of it when they took it into their
heads to organize sheep stealing
expedition, or to avenge some real
or fancied affront offered to their
clan.
what do you think of my cos
tumea" asked Arthur, as he showed
himself to mo before we started for
the ball on the following evening.
do you think l should have passed
muster if l had lived in the Six
teenth century, when the Macgreg-
ors We're power in the bonny land
Of cakes2"
was Obliged to admit that he did
look well. A tall, handsome fellow,
with massive, sinewy frame, of
which his legs, bare at tho knee,
were somehow the most conspicuous
portion, the picturesque dress of a
Highlander suited him exactly. From
the tip of the long, raven black
feather in his bonnet 10 the heels of
his buckled shoes he looked every
nch Scotch warrior.
What is that in your stocking
Arthur ] asked
He stopped and dlew forth mar
'ow bladed dagger, fitted into a
back hilt. with a white butt. The
teel. though spotted here and there,
" II the rust of blood from foe
mans heart had not been thoroughly
was still bright and gleaIn-
ng. As Arthur hourished it in the
11aiiCbt IN lOoke1 N milrdaro,s vvaat, u