The herald., 1897-12-12
XxxIv.
AS THE SPIRIT OF x LITTLE
CHILD.

CHILD.
The smoke Of the gun slowly and
lastly curled out Of the narrow win
dows. and through the garret opening
I heard hurried rush Of feet beneath
me on the stairs. light and quick, a
woman's footsteps when she Is young.
My head span around and had 1t not
been for Mary Gordon. whose arm
caught and steadied me, I should
doubtless have fallen from top to
bottom.
"Quintin, Quintin." she cried passion
ately, ARE you hurt?-O, my father
has slain him! Wherefore did let him
go?"
held by the wall and steadied my
self on her shoulder, scarce knowing
what did.
Suddenly she cried aloud. a little
frightened cry. and drawing a kerchief
from her bosom she reached up and
wiped my brow down which red drops
were trickling.
You are hurt! You are sore hurt!'
she cried. "and 1t is all my FAULT"
Then said: Nay, Mary. I am not
hurt. It was but a faintish turn that
came and went"
20. come away" she cried. che will
surely slay you If you bide here and
your blood will be upon my hands!"
May. Mary" answered.: 1.-The
demon and not your father did this
thing, and such can do nothing with
out permission. I will yet meet and
expel the devil in the name of the
Lord!"
She put her netted fingers about my
arm to draw me away; nevertheless l
withstood her.
Alexander Gordon" I cried aloud,
"the evil spirit hath done its worst,
He will now depart. am coming up
the ladder"
l drew my arm free and mounted.
AS my head rose through the trap
door, own that my heart quaked
But there had come with the danger
and the excitement a sort Of angry ex-
altation which carried me onward.
Also knew within me that II, as I
Judged. God had other work for me to
do in Scotland, he would clothe me in
secret armor Of proof against all as
sault.
upon me. 1 had passed my word to
ACAp COulQ AOt ~ UdChs
AS looked about the garret between
the cobwebs, the strings OF onions, and
the punches Of dried herbs, could see
Sandy Gordon crouching at the far
end all drawn together, like a tailor
sitting cross-legged on his bench. He
had his musket across his knees, and
his great sword was cooked threaten
ingly over his shoulder.
What, Corbie, are ye there again?"
cried he, fleeringly. Then We are
neither dead nor feared?"
NO" said I, "the devil that possess
es you has been restrained from doing
me serious hurt. I will call on the
Lord to expel what he hath already
rendered powerless."
MAN Quintin," he cried, I'VE should
have fetched Telfair and the Presby-
terry with you. Ye are not At for it
yourself. This is no hotchin' wee dell,
sitting cross-legged on the hearth in
the cleaning, like Andrew Mackie's in
Ringcroft. It takes the black Father
OF Spirits himself to grip the Bull Of
Earlstoun and set him to roaring like
this in the blank middle of the day!"
But" said I, ''there is one
stronger than any devil. or devilkin-
your fathers and your mothers God!
You are but great BARN, Sandy. Do
ye mind where We first learned the
Lords Prayer and the Twenty-third
psalm at your mothers knee?"
At my words the great mountain Of a
man threw his head back and droppd
his sword.
AYE, mind!" he said sullenly.
"Where was IT." said I.
ut was in the turret chamber that
looks to the woods, II ye want to
KEN"
what did your mother when ye had
ended the lesson?"
Whats that to you, Quintin Mac
Clellan; he thundered hercely; u
tell you, torment me mott"
He snarled this out at me suddenly
like the roar Of beast In q cage.
thrusting forth his head 1t me and