The record-union., 1896-04-05

hjstory-haunted clocks, and what for
give me these letters to read? Could
you not let me alone in peace with my
trade? I'll make watches with him that
breathes; but what stuff would that be
to brag of in a maids ear? I'll think
my ain think. an be sure o't-pardon
me the Scots; will think my own
thoughts, and know them true against
any man; but in what cause shall any
one send me to whirl a sword? And
who will weep my setting out, that will
be safe home the same night by set O.
SUM"
The girl stood gazing at him, half
amazed, half admiring He replaced
the inner lid and the jewel tray. What
old ballad was that my mother used to
make me read to her about True
Thomas?" she asked gently.
Ballad me no ballads" he answered
fiercely; "this is not a ballad age, Miss
Dundas." Then in a softer tone he
continued: THAT lid is closed forever
to you. have told you true. Uncover
not dead love; it will fire your heart
Put back the ring there, and the hair
here, and let your mothers spirit rest
Spirits are bad companions for mortals.
Your own hands shall put down this
last cover. Well DONE When you and
this clock by any chance are like to
part, then open this and burn the con-
tents. Other virtue the clock has none
Cathro was handicraftsman; he but
made the she'll to hold a love-tale, and
for spirit to haunt. You may say now
the case is waxed. I'll wax no more of
it, and none can tell. Shortly, and I'm
off for Scotland. 'Tis long journey
there, as I shall make it. Say good-by
to me, Thomas Cathro, clockmaker, and
if you will, wish me WELL"
He half turned to go, and she looked
at him with a confused countenance
saying in a low tone: Yesterday you
spoke palmer; I knew your meaning
Did I tell you 1 am my own mistress,
and have portion of my own?"
Il am glad to hear it. Give it to no
man. Money makes them monkeys.
Good-by.'
"But-you have done me a service"
II am paid
"How?"
Miss Dundas, there is no blood in
ye but is pure Scots. Your eye has the
light of the loch and the shadow of the
mountain in it at once. For the glance
of it would do much more than mend a
clock"
You have been friend to me-"
'Trow me still, but let me co.
You must take something from me;
shall miss"
Il could choose something you alone
can give and would not MISS
''Then do
''You give it me? 1 dare not name
it."
''Yes; If may"
He put his hand on her shoulder and
turned to the window, she also obeying
the movement. 1t seemed to her that
her spirit at that moment was entirely
bent to willing obedience. The hand
that lay on her shoulder held her as in
charm. With the disengaged arm he
made a wide sweep to direct her eyes,
and in a deep stirred voice said: "You
see the lake, and the mountains, and
the blue sky, and all that is vast, NOV
ing, and wonderful, well then"-and he
suddenly folded her in his arms and
and went away ere she could speak.
Next day Thomas Cathro left Geneva
by the diligence in the early morning
and disappeared into the turmoil of
war that vexed Europe Where he
went, how existed, or what were his ad-
ventures, no one ever knew, for there
was none to care, save that young girls
heart he left behind SO little compre-
hended.
After two years spent in finding out
and corresponding with relatives in Scot
land, Esme Leblanc proceeded to Edin-
burgh with only her old maid servant for
companion. There she took up her abode
for a time, and ever in secret seemed to
burn on her lips the imprint of two en-
trancing kisses, and a world of passion
in her heart, while she prosecuted in
quiries with unwearying ingenuity
about one Thomas Cathro, watch and
clockmaker. She feigned reasons to the
Edinburgh shopkeepers, and even de-
scribed him. One old merchant told her
that Cathro was famous maker of
clocks in days long ago, and that as re-
Gently as fifty years one of the name
still followed the pursuit somewhere in
It
and she returned sadly to Geneva lest
perhaps he might go back there to see
her, for somehow she was persuaded
that he, no more than she, would ever
forget. She was sure that never since
the world began, or love had name,
had there been two such kisses as those
that Thomas Cathro took and left.
".
1t was three years later, about a
month after Waterloo, that Thomas
Cathro walked into Edinburgh High
street, erect, bronZed, travel-worn, with
a deep scar on his temple; and, entering
the Bank of England, Scotland, inquired
If the $500 he had sent three years pre-
viously were still on deposit in his name.
Finding the money secure and his title
clear, he retired to his native town,
where he took little house in the cen
trail street and set up business as a
clockmaker. In the years that ensued
he found he was in no wise dependent
upon the wants of the place for occupa-
tion Work came to him from all quar-
tiers, particularly from the great shops
of the larger towns.
So passed into age Thomas Cathro,
till one day the carriers van stopped
at his door, bringing for him long box
marked, "Clock; with great care" and
a letter which had evidently been re-
commended with special precautions,
for the carrier brought forth a form of
receipt to which he required the sigma
ture of Thomas Cathro, whose name il
bore. Judging it to be merely a COM
mission from Edinburgh, the old clock
maker laid 1T aside and went on with
the task he had then in hand. When
evening came, and his frugal supper