The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1893-03-24

"DGvtd~ he cried, "arc nc daft"
Alan and were put across Loeb Err
rocht under cloud of night, and went
down its eastern shore to another hiding
place near the head of Loeb Rannoch,
whittier we were led by one of the gill
lies from the Cage.
For long we said nothing, marching
alongside or one behind the other, each
with q set countenance, angry and
proud, and drawing what strength had
from these two violent and sinful feel
ings; Alan angry and ashamed-ashamed
that he had lost money, angry that l
should take it 80 i'll.
The thought of separation ran al.
) ways the stronger in my mind, and the
more I approved of it the more ashamed
lgrew of my approval. 1t would be a
fine, handsome, generous thing indeed
for Alan to turn round and say to Inc,
SEQ; l am in the most danger, and my
company only increases yours" But for
me to turn to the friend who certainly
loved me and say to him, "You are in
great danger, am in but little; your
risks and bear your hardships alone
no, that was impossible, and even to
think Of it privily to myself made my
cheeks to burn.
And yet Alan had behaved like
child, and (what is worse) a treacherous
child. Wheedling my money from me
while I lay half conscious was scarce
better than theft; and yet here he was
trudging by my side, without a penny
to his name, and by what I could see
quite blithe to sponge upon the money
he had driven me to beg. True, was
ready to share it with him, but it made
me rage to see him count upon my
readiness.
These were the two things uppermost
In my mind, and could open my mouth
upon neither without black ungenerosi-
ty. So did the next worst and said
nothing, nor SO much as looked once
at my companion save with the tail of
my eye.
At last upon the other side of Lcch
Errocht, going over smooth, rushy
place where the walking was easy, he
could bear It no longer ana came Close
to me.
"David," says he, "this is no way for
two friends to take small accident. I
have to say that I'm sorry, and so that's
said. And now if you have anything
ye'd better say it."
"Oh," says I, 81 have nothing"
He seemed disconnected, at which I
was meanly pleased.
"No," said he, with rather trembling
voice, "but when say was to blame?"
"Why, of course we were to blame,"
said coolly, land ye will bear me out
that have never reproached YOU"
"Never," says he; "but we ken very
well that ye've done worse. Are we to
partr Ye said so once before. Are ye
to say it again? There's hills and heather
enough between here and the two seas,
David, and I will own I'm no very keen
to stay where I'm nae wanted"
This pierced me like a sword and
seemed to lay bare my private disloy-
atty.
"Alap Breck!" cried, and then: "Do
you think am one to turn my back on
you in your chief need? You dursn't
say it to my face. My whole conducts
there to give the lie to it. It's true
fell asleep upon the muir, but that was
from WEAKNESS, and you do wrong to
cast it up to me-
(Which is what I never did," said
Alan.
"But aside from that" continued,
"what have done that you should even
me to dogs by such supposition? l
never yet failed friend, and it's not
likely I'll begin with you. There are
things between us that can never for
get, even If you can"
II will only say this to We, David"
said Alan, very quietly, "that I have
long been owing ye my life, and now 1
owe ye money. Ye should try to make
that burden light for me-"
"You ask me to speak," said I. "Well,
then, will. You own yourself that you
have done me disservice, have had to
swallow an affront; I have never re-
preached you; never named the thing
till you did. And now you blame me-"
cried I, because / cannae laugh and
sing as IL I was glad to be affronted.
The next thing will be that I'm to go
down upon my knees and thank you for
It. Ye should think more of others,
Alan Brock. If ye thought more of
others, ye would perhaps speak less
about yourself; and when a friend that
likes you very well has passed over an
offense without word, you would be
blithe to let it lie, instead Of making it
stick to break his back with. BY your
own way Of 1t, 1t was you that was to
blame; then it shouldnae be you to seek
the quarrel"
"Aweel," said Alan, "say nae mair."
And we fell back into our formersi-