The Irish standard., 1899-03-04
Thirty Pieces Of Silver
The Night Adventure in the Highway
BY louise Belts Edwards


touch of desolation; for the dripping,
gray-green sedges. intersected with
sulky little streams, and bitches,
which looked like faded grogram rib
bons with frayed edges, the sodden
road with its deep ruts forming brown
ish-gray pools, and the leaden-gray
sky, against which the leatless branch
es Of the one pollard willow were exc
tenaed-as though imploring respite
from further rainfall blended them
selves into somber background that
was wholly harmonious.
Only as the two horses. heavy with
mud, laboriously climbed the steep, slip
perry hill, did the entrance of human
beings bring the element of unrest into
the scene.
"You climb cautiously, SIR" observed
the younger to the elder man, with a
slight smile. Their difference in age
could be but that of year or two.
The older traveller, clean-shaven,
firm-jawed man. of Enthusiastically
Scotch physiognomy, replied calmly:
II am afraid"
- The other-his name was Fitzroy-
panion answered the amazed question
in his eyes.
'tOf falling-have a care, sir. or you
will do it yourself. The mud isslippery;
my horse carries q heavy load, and
have no mind for riding into town with
torn cloak or despatched person."
you are wise, sir,'' said Fitzroy.
'cThe merciful man is merciful to his
beast, his person and his garments.
1t hath been long years since l valued
any Of these, and, therefore. as you per-
ceive," noticing the other mans scru-
thy, II have had many fall in the
mire."
"Tut! AS to that. we are both miry.
It's these pestiferous roads after the
rains. The stable1boys at the Golden
Goblet shall scrape off some of it. when
we have dined."
Again Fitzroy's horse reared back
sharply, and again amazement stared
from his eyes. 1.-The Golden Goblet?
You are bound to dine there? Then
our ways part. sir; though I am 10th to
leave pleasant company"
"But how now?' in astonishment
.
dine. save at the inn? Pardon me. sir;
but your behavior is certainly most
strange"
A dull red had risen in Fitzroy's
cheeks. He gazed at the ground with
out answer.
."If tits a matter of money" began
the ether. in an altered tone.
"Ay, sir; you have touched the point.
Poverty is not vice, is it or it could
not SO readily shame us. My pockets
are empty, and have counted on the
! for q cup of milk and some bread and
cheese"
"Pray be my guest at the inn." said
the other man, with formal civility. He
was apparently as cautious of over
demonstration toward chance ac-
quaintance as of climbing slippery hills.
but waxed more insistent at Fitzroy's
violent demur: But wherefore not?
"Sir. you are most kind. But would
60 with an empty stomach rather than
dine at the Golden Goblet. have an
ancient grudge-"
but I thought" cried his fellow
traveller. you were strange in these
parts? You said as much when we fell
in with each other this morning, and
you prayed me to point you the road to
J, Durham"
"But doth road run one way only?"
Ftzroy asked, a sudden sparkle Of
mirth in his eyes. as quickly extin-
guished. GAS remember the Golden
Goblet, it. stands al crossing, and some
approach it from the east. some from
the west. Nay. sir-I have not yet.
learned your name. I cannot and will
not enter that inn. and 1t is spending
breath to ask me.wherefore. Percbance
the landlord hath cheated me-or have
cheated the landlord; perchance I hap
pened to kiss the barmaid. Sir. am
+ sorry, but will not go. see a cottage
in the distance; am confident the good
dame there will give us food, and even
nights lodging
.. "Why. how know You that there
Is q. DAME and that her hospitality isso
free?"
II do not know" said Fitzroy, with
slight contraction of the brows. II can
clearly see, however, you fear to trust
yourself in the company Of a man who
acknowledges himself penniless, even
though"-with family contemptu-
GUS glance at the other mans holsters
you carry arms and he does not.
You are right, sir; the country is lone
~. there are rumors of bighwaymen.
and you never saw me before this
morning. Let US part ways-you to
your inn. and to my good dame, or
master, or whomever may find Good
day, SIR
Good Duncan McDougall, kirk officer
of Ballantyne Parish. and canniest Of
Scots. thoughtfnlly watched him spur
his horse up another of the steep,
muddy little hills. with the stumbling
!, haste of an angry schoolboy. Society
on the road was pleasant-bnt per-
- chance dangerous pleasure. when you
Fsknow not with whom yon were riding.
and when your saddle-bags held forty
pounds Scots. in good gold. to buy
set OF communion silver for the Ballan-
tyne kirk. He had trust. reputa-
ton, a life TO guard. Yet-"Tush! could
the fellow blush like Kitty herself. and
yet harbor evil designs?"
At a rude table in the little hovel up
the road Fitzroy sat glowering over the
extremely frugal fare brought him by
an old woman, gnarled OF face and