The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-05

LOVE OR DUTY.
nassed by the little Clachan OF st.
Johns Town Of Dairy. leaving it stretch
ing away mp the braeface on my right
hand A little way beyond the kirk l
struck into the fringing woods OF Harls-
toun which like an army OF trainbands
beset the gray tower.
Suddenly something gray glanced
through the waverng sunsprays and the
green scatter Of the shadows. A white
summer gown. dainty hat white-plumed,
but beneath the bright feather bowed
head with tears I'm the eyes-and lol Mary
Gordon standing alone and in sorrow by
the wator-pools Of the Deuch
/ had never learned TO do such things,
and even now / cannot tell what 1t was
that came over me. For without mo-
ment's hesitation / kneeled on one knee
and taking her hand l kissed It with in
finite love and respect
She turned quickly from me. dashing
the tears from her face with her hand.
"Ouintin" she cried-I think before she
thought.
Mary said. for the first time In my
life 10 my lady's face.
why are you here?" she asked anx-
iously. you have heard what they say Of
my father"
II have heard. and come to know"
] said quietly
She clasped her hands in front Of her
breast and then let them fan loosely
down in a sort OF slack despair.
II will tell you" she said; 1T is partly
trueY
She was silent for a while as II she
was mastering herself 10 speak
Then she burst out suddenly: But
what right have you or any other 10 de-
mand such things Of me? Is not my
of
and who has name or fame like him in all
Scotland? They that accuse him are but
Jealous Of hm-even you like the others
would be glad 20 see him Inundated
brought low"
You do me wrong" said I quietly.
you know IL. Mary I came because I
have no friends on earth like you. And
the thing troubled me"
IT know know" she said. 81 think
81 hath well-nght driven me mad as 1t
hath my poor father"
She put her hand 10 her forehead and
pressed H.. as If II had been fun of a
great throbbing pain.
7 wished / could have held II for her.
Then we rnoved side by side a little
along the path, both being silent. My
thoughts were with hers. | saw her pain.
felt her pride, her reluctance 10 speak.
Presently we came 10 a retired place
cliff. re-entrant. filed with all GOODNESS
and the stir of leaves.
Hitler. as If moved by one instinct, we
repaired. Mary sat her down upon the
stone seat / stood before her.
There was a long waiting without Il
word spoken. so that a magpie came
and fickod his tail on a branch near
by without seeing us Then cooking his
eve downward. he fled with LOUD screams
. tot
81 will tell you ALI" she said. sud
denly.
But all the same II seemed as n she
could not find II In her heart to begin.
you know my father-root and branch
you know him. Or else | could not tell
you. He "a a man. lie has so great a
repute so fun a record OF bravery that
none dares TO point the finger. Through
all Scotland and the low countries il is
sufficient for my father TO say. l am
Alexander Gordon OF Earlstounl
But as need not tell you a very strong
man Is a very weak one. And so they
trapped him. William Boyd being the
traitor. For my father had known him
in Holland and aided him with money
and providing when he studied as one
OF the lads Of tho Hil-Folk at the Uni
versity Of Groningen.
This a man like William Boyd could
not forgive-neither repay. But he hated
and bode his time. For. though l am but
young. ! see that nothing breeds hate
and malice moro readily than a helping
hand extended 10 bad man.
so hating my father in secret. he met
MIN AT the Clachan OF St John as he
came nome from the market at kirkcud-
bright where he had been dining with
Kenmure and my Lord Maxwell. You
know how 1t is with my father when he
comes home from market He Is kind. he
,s generous. The world Is not large
enough TO hold his heart. Wine may be
IN. but wit Is not out
$50 BOYD and TWO or three OF his crea-
lures met him I'm the highway. My rather
had ofttimes thwarted ana opposed BOYD.
But now his stomach was warm and gen
erous with him. so he cried TO them.
A fair good cen TO ye, gentlemen
"sVhereat they glanced at one an
other. hearing the thick stammer IN my
fathers voice.
And good cen TO you. EarlstoIfn"
they answered. taking of their hats to
him.
THE courtesy touched my father. II
seemed that they wished 10 be friends.
and nothing touches big. careless gem
tleman like Alexander Gordon more than
the shought that others desire TO make up
n quArrel and he VIZ not.
so with that he 0ied. Let us bury
bygones and be friends
.. Agreed answered Boyd, waving his
hand. jovially let us go 10 the change
house and toast the reconciliation I'm a
TOSS OF brandy This he said knowing
that my father was on his way from
market"
For this" said i. not thinking OF my
place and dignity, will reckon with
William Boyd"
Mary Gordon went on without NOTICING
my interruption.
SO, Though my father told them that