The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-26

dent that brought the three letters the
| same day, and that gave them into my
hand in the same room with James More;
| and of all the events that flowed from that
accident. and which 1 might have pre-
| vented if had held my tongue. the truth
| is that they were preordained before Agric-
| ola came into Scotland or Abraham set
| out upon his travels.
| The first that I opened was naturally
| Alan's; and what more natural that that
| l should comment on his design to visit
met But observed James to sit up with
| an air of immediate attention.
lis that not Alan Breck that was sus-
pected of the Appin accident?" he in
| Quired.
told him. AYE" it was the same, and
| he withheld me some time from my other
letters, asking of our acquaintance, of
| Alan's manner of life in France, of which
l knew very little and further OF his visit
| as now proposed.
"All we forfeited folk hang . little to-
| gether," he explained, land besides
| know the gentlemen; and though his de-
scent is not the thing. and indeed he has
| no true right to use the name of Stewart,
| he was very much admired in the day OF
| Drummassie. He did there like a soldier;
| if some that need not be named had done
| as we'll, the upshot need not have been SO
melancholy to remember. There were two
that did their best that day. and it makes
. bond between The two of US, says he.
Icould scarce refrain from shooting out
| my tongue at him, and could almost have
| wished that Alan had been there to have
| inquired a little further into that mention
| of his birth. Though, they tell me, the
same was indeed not wholly regular.
Meanwhile had opened Miss Grants
and could not withhold an exclamation.
II p,,1 <k,nE 80
time since her father was arrived, to adj
dress her by a handle, II am come into
my kingdom fairly; 1 am the Laird of
Shaws indeed-my uncle is dead at last"
She clapped her hands together, leaping
from her seat. The next moment it must
have come over both Of Us at once what
little cause OF Joy was left to either, and
sadly.
But James showed himself q ready
hypocrite. my daughter" says he, lis
this how your cousin learned you to be-
havef Mr.. David has lost a near friend,
and We should first condole with him on
his bereavement"
''Troth, sir" said l, turning on him in
kind of anger, Il can make no such
faces. His death is as blithe news as ever
got"
"It's good soldiers philosophy" says
James. "'Tis the way of flesh We must
all go, all 60. And if the gentleman was
50 tar from your favor, why. very WE'LL
But we may at least congratulate you ON
your accession to your estates"
Nor can say that either" I replied,
with the same heat. at is a good estate;
what matters that to a lone man that
has enough already? had good revenue
before in my frugality; and but for the
mans death-which gratifies me. shame to
me that must confess i'll see not how
any one is to be bettered by this change"
"Come, come" said he, you are more
affected than you let on, or you would
never make yourself out so lonely. Here
are three letters; that means three that
wish you we'll; and I could name two
more, here in this very chamber. l have
known you not so very long. but CatriOna,
| when We are alone, is never done with the
| singing of your praises"
| She looked up at him . little wild at
| that; and he slid of at once into another
matter, tho extent Of my estate. which
| during the most of the dinner time) he
! continued to dwell upon with interest.
| But it was to no purpose he dissembled; he
had touched the matter with too gross .
| hand, and knew what to expect. Dinner
| was scarce ate when he plainly discovered
his designs. He reminded Catriona of an
| GRAND and bid her attend to it. ~ do not
see you should be gone beyond the hour"
| he added, land friend David will be good
enough to bear me company till you re-
turn" She made haste to obey him with
| out words. do not know it she under
stood. believe not; but / was completely
satisfied, and sat strengthening my mind
| for what should follow.
The door had scarce closed behind her
departure when the man leaned back in
his chair and addressed mo with Q good
affectation of easiness. Only the one thing
betrayed him, and that was his face;
which suddenly shone all over with tine
points of sweat
II am rather glad to have word alone
with you" says he, because in our last in
terview there were some expressions you
| misapprehended, and / have long meant
to set you right upon. My daughter
! stands beyond doubt. So do you, and
would make that good with my sword
against all gainsayers. But. my dear
David. this world is q censorious place-as
| who should know it better than myself,
who have lived in it ever since the days of
| my late departed father, God sain him in q
perfect spate of calumnies? We have to face
| to that; you and me have to consider of
that; we have to consider Of that" And
he wagged his head like . minister in q
pulpit.
ITO what effect, Mr.. Drummond :" said
/. II would be obliged to you if you
would approach your point.
| LAY, ay." says he, laughing, 'like your
character indeedl and what most adj
| hlIc All Dut tH0 pOluts my WOEtny
fellow, is sometimes in kittle Bit" He
filled glass of wine. Though between
you and me, that are such fast friends, it
need not bother us long. The point,
need scarcely tell you, Is my daughter.
! And the first thing is that l have no
thought in my mind of blaming you. In
the unfortunate circumstances, what
could you do else? Deed, and cannot
tell"
81 thank you for that" said I, pretty
close upon my guard.
| II have besides studied your character"
seem to have a moderate competence,
another. | am very happy to have to an
| latter of the two ways over"
| II am afraid am dull" said I. "What
ways are there of it?'
and uncrossed his legs. "Why. SIR" says
he. 81 think need scarce describe them
| to q gentleman of your condition; either
that should cut your throat or that you
| should marry my daughter"
last" l said.
| And | believe have been plain from
| the begnning!" cries he, robustiously. II
am careful parent. Mr.. Balfour; but, l
| thank God. patient and deliberate man.
| There is many father, sir, that would
| have hirsled you at once either to the
altar or the held. Ny esteem for your
/ character
| "Mr. Drummond." l interrupted, 'if
| you have any esteem for me at All l will
h.O N Al