Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-24

: neck. and when We came near we could see
that 1t was MIR. John Bell, the minister who
had been so high in favor with my graud-
father.
Umphray Spurway ordered his man to halt
behind some clumys OF willow and gorse
bushes that waved and nuttcrod along the
wateiside. Meantime the rout came clam
orously toward us. There was a great fir
tree a little way up the croft, perhaps Il
stones throw or thereby from the bushes
where we were hidden. The hivinG clutter
of men and women who surrounded Mr..
Bell halted beneath 1t, and We could see
that the poor minister still had the rope
drawn about his neck so tiEht that he was
hale strangled.
"Up With hint" cried the voice OF Philip
/ Stansfeld He has as good as confessed
his guilt. We may not be able at once TO
put an end to his partner, the Englishman.
but we will execute vengeance upon this
paltering rogue, who Cas 1t were) was taken
rcdhandod, Up the tree with you, deils
tailor. and throw the rope over a branch. l
am a magistrate, and l order you to do itl'
The poor minister stood silent. his lips
moving, but not a sensible word coming
from them. He seemed turned to stone,
only his wild and CLASSY eyes turning this
way and that. Then Philip Stansield read
from a paper u sort Of warrandice for the
execution" OF which | could only make ont
the words. art and part in the crime OF
cruelty staying Sir James Stansneld, depriv-
ing him of his life and even of his pocket
book, with sundry papers and moneys
therein"
And ever as he read he continually inter-
rupted to tug at the Moose which was about
the neck of the poor dumb victim, crying out
at each pull. ~ will have his life, the black
hearted rogue!' Or, again, How like you
that, murderer OF my father?' And anon.
80 will l serve Umphray Spurway, the
Englishman. and all that have crossed and
harassed met
And all the tail that followed the young
man cried out fawningly, aye, serve him
so, Sir Philip"
At this Humphrey Spurway smiled grimly.
but did not offer to move hand or foot TO
save the minister till the man called the
deil's tailor had descended to the ground
with the end of the rope in his hand.
MAX ready cried Philip Stansheld 10
his company, who at his word set their
hands to the rope like so many kinds play
ing pranks at a hiring fair, laughing and
testing with drunken jollity about the poor,
trembling, white-gillod minister and with
what a plump he would find himself In an
other world.
Now pray your best, Mister Minister
said Philip Stansfiold to Mr.. Bell, FOR by
my faith as a gentleman in five minutes you
will be in Abraham's bosom-and right sorry
l am for the patriarch
Then he counted lone, two, TIL"
But Umphray Spurway was before him,
stepping coolly into tho midst of them.
surround them, mem" he cried at the
pitch OF his great voice. And at his words
the thirty weavers came forth from their
hiding places with cooked pistols and drawn
swords, to the great confusion Of the bold,
drunken sots who had been so light-heart-
eddy hauling the minister to his death. Only
Philip Stansfield himself stood his ground.
for with all his half-maniacal fury no one
denied him a sort OF brute courage. He was
indeed even resolutely and even insolently
ready to accept the consequences Of his acts.
The rope that had been in the hands of his
followers swung to and fro over the branch
of the fir tree. And presently, as Mr.. Bell
sank on his knees to give thanks for his
deliverance from his prosecutors, it slipped
and fell to the ground with the sound OF a
| whip cracking.
And now, sir, what means this farce"
said Umphray Spurway, looking sternly at
the young man, whose face, usually bloated
with drink and passion, was now of an I'M
pleasantly melted pallor, like freshly cooled
potted meat.
NAY" returned Philip Stansfeld, Drawing
II out Win MS nhnu on dis MP ana MS
feathered bonnet cooked on his head, were
it not for your weavers l had served you the
same. And | will yet see you swing each
beside the other in the Grassmarket II not
here. You two We're last seen with my
father. You were drinking with him both
in the changehouseS and in his own chamber.
You were forth of your house all night
and there is evidence to prove that you
were seen casting his body into the river
at past II of the clock y~estreen, nigh to the
old bridge of Esk."
The mans arrogant effrontery amazed and
dazed me, and / think that I was about 10
cry out in denial, but Umphrey Spurway
CURLY babe me be silent.
well" he said, for that which l have
done l am ready and willing to answer. AS
you must also answer for your lawless deed
in putting this minister in fear of his life
without trial or color of law"
Il am not answerable to a bodybuilding
wabster!" said Sir Philip Stansield, waving
his hand contemptuously.
Mo-" replied Spurway, dryly. "Then it
were better for you to go and prepare the
replies you will make to those to whom you
are answerable. For doubtless a question or
two will be asked about this nights work OF
more than one
The young man did not deign to make any
rejoinder, but turned on his heel and strobe
away up the green croft toward the great
house of New Minis, of which he had taken
complete possession, ordering all things
within it from the first moment Of his
| fathers death, as If he were its undisputed
MASTER"
Umphray Spurway watched him go with
the same grim smile on his face which it
had worn ever since ! told him my tale.
And ! somehow knew as well as IL he had
said it that he was thinking how far Robin
Green had ridden on his way to the house Of
Mr.. George Hume, merchant in the Edin-
burgh Grass market, and particular intimate
Of my lord advocate, Sir James Dalrymple OF
Stair.
ITO Be COntinued.)