The Republican., 1899-04-06

tion, life % 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
knotted of figure, to whose cackle he
paid no attention. I've naught in my
purse to pay for this" he flung out
finally; nor in my saddle-bags, either"
The woman chuckled without glee.
''Yet there was a gentleman came part
way with YOU" she observed. Look!
he climbs the hill now"
And ne travels armed" said Fitzroy,
moodily. "My pistol dropped yester-
day from a broken holster while forded
stream. How do l know he carries
| aught worth killing a man for?"
BY his travelling armed" concisely.
Tut, Mr.. Fitzroy! do you conceive. sir,
| that because luck has hitherto been
with you in sending you towards and
unarmed travellers, who would willing
ly give up their purses to save their
| skins. it will be so always? Truly, sir,
you speak like"
"A coward, said Fitzroy. 81 am not
one, but'-his face clearing a little
"he who comes hither is a coward, and
| may get off without bloodshed. In
faith, | was born gentleman, and even
in battle, where a man may kill and not
| hang for it. there would always come an
| uneasy voice between me and my sword,
! that would sound like a cry of re-
proach from my mother or sister. Yet
have not seen either of them since | was
lad of twenty. How. now, sir!" start
ing up as the shadow of a man fell
across the doorway. You have
| changed your mind?"
81 come to crave your pardon, sir"
said Duncan McDougall. gravely. "And
to eat supper with you. if this good
woman hath aught to give us. Pardon
my suspicious. and give me your com
pany for the rest of the road, for, in
truth, l am afraid of its loneliness"
He stood up rigidly. while Fitzroy
opened his eyes in unfeigned surprise,
and loudly recited long Presbyterian
grace, before he would take the seat in
dicated for him.
"A man Of religion!" exclaimed Fitz-
roy. He had not intended to say it
aloud; but the performance of so dis
tinctly devotional an act in the pres
ence of stranger was as astounding to
him as it was unremarlla BILE to the
Scotsman, who complacently replied,
his mouth full of bread and cheese:
Officer of Ballantyne kirk, and a
man of peace toward all"
"Yet you travel armed" suggested
Fitzroy, doubtfully.
"A commendable means of securing
peace, is it not, sir? l hear over-much
of these so-called gentlemen of the
road who kill a man in haste and dis
cover his poverty at leisure. to have
mind to ride unprotected when I am
travelling alone"
Have you ever heard asked Fitz-
roy, carelessly, 'of one they call the
Irish Paddy who hath been making
himself somewhat officious in these
parts?' The Scotsman shook his head
The slow-creeping twilight hid the
slow-creeping red in Fitzroy's face, as
he said, lightly:
"Oh, well, these gentry practice for
gain, rather than fame. so It's not sur
prising you should not have heard of
him yet, Besides, he hath so far kept
his hands clean of blood, they say.
which saves a man a deal of notice
But may ask, sir why it's you appear
to grudge these poor fellows the name
of gentleman. to which many of them,
by birth at least, are entitled"
'Because"-the speakers utterance
was still rendered indistinct by vigor-
Gus mastication, while Fitzroy sat and
unhappily eyed his food" being, by
birth at least, personally disqualified
for that title. |, an honest man, be-
grudge it to set of cowardly thieves.
Twas long time since most of them
were born. and hold that their patent
of gentiity hath expired. After all, It's
but bit of Judas-work, betraying
their harmless fellows for few filthy
coins. Pah! l am a farmer ard work
in the dirt all day. but | would not
touch such money"
Hold. sir!" said Fitzroy. impetuous-
ly, while the old woman frowned in the
background. you are harsh. me-
thinks I, too, am honest, yet have the
poor mans sympathy for him who
feels the world owes him a living and
the right to collect it,
"And l." disputed McDougall. 'have
the poor mans sympathy for those
who, having by hard labor collected it.
desire to keep it. 'Tis natural is it
not?"
"You argue well, sir; yet there is
something to say for highwaymen
sometimes. Take the case of him |
just spoke of. the Irishman they call
Paddy of the Roads "Tis not a man I
admire, nor would l willingly stand in
his shoes; yet It's said that he was a
fine, gallant lad ten years since, ruined
at cards by cheating gamester colonel
whom he could not denounce-"
why" said the Scotsman, that l
call cowardice."
What mean you, sir! What dare
you?" Fitzroy's hand was where SOL
diers carry their swords. He had