Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-03

told aiready-Of my Uncle John, OF saul
Mark, of the bout at sngle-stick and Of
the tracking of her father across the hill,
finishing with her meeting with viii, and
how the two of them had lost their quarry
at the outer port of the town.
Umphray Spurway Went or Strokfng his
beard he listened. The masts of the
ships stood up black into the sky, star
greater or smaller sitting upon the top of
each. The surface of the harbor swayed
and dimped tremulous star dust sown
broadcast across it. Little Anna had never
seen the like, and even in the turmoil or
her spirit 1t came to her with 4 kind of
shock that she was in another world,
where her acquired cleverness of the
woods and hillsides was of no use to her.
The creaking of mast tackle the groaning
of mainbraces, boatswains piercing
whistle. the clear notes of a ships bell
stricken somewhere out in the dark over
the waterfall We're wonderful enough TO
the girl, and remained with her all her
life, as impressions and circumstances,
however trivial, are wont to Go which COIN
eide with some supreme momeat.
Now, it CHANGED that. even as these three,
Anna, viii and Mr.. Spurway, stood thus
on the quay of Abercairn, and while UNI
rhray rubbed his chin with his fingers.
couple of men strolled down the fair
way, if such the narrow path could be
called which led between the gables of the
seaward houses and the ranged barrels ana
coopers slaves upon the wharf.
One of these was large and portly of
body, with an outline in the region of the
stomach which obscured both the head and
the tail lights of ship anchored out in
the bay. He wore great hat tucked up
with a silver buckle at the side, while
wel-fed pursy face, twiukling eyes and
short thick legs that hardly passed each
other in walking Informed all concerned
that Provost Gregory Partan was seeing to
the safety and prosperity OF the town OF
which he was at once the ornament and
chief ruler.
His companion on the right was of an
other mold; 1.-THE dark man, wearing a
hat of foreign make pulled low over his
eyes. And as he went. large silver rings
as wide as crown pieces glinted in his
ears. At sight of him Anna Mark grasp
ed the arm of Umphray Spurway:
"Look-look." she whispered. there is
my father. Ask him where Philip Is.
The two men were walking arm in arm,
and presently, stumbling over cask, the
provost swerved a little to the left TO avoid
the piled confusion Of the quay, and, as ne
did so. he noted Umphray Spurway stand
ing by the corner of the street with his
companions a little behind him in the dusk
of the wall.
"A Draw and balmy nicht'' he said, MAX
ing his magisterial salutation, which was
always considered to be of super-eXceilent
dignity. "Ah! good Master SpurWay,
what gives US poor folk of Abercairn the
pleasure (and l may add honor of your
company? But l forgot-yes, yes, l have
heard there is an attraction at the foot of
the Vennel that robes US in a worthlness
not own. A dainty bit widow Master
Spurway, or. rather, when l thInk OF L,
SCdTttlS NluoN, Dul II oilc iS'S 81
without offense, SO much the more taking
on that account
Not even you. Provost Partan, can say
such things without offense. returned
Emphray, very-gravely, while Anna shrank
deeper into the dusk of doorway, and VIII
Bowman spread his masters coat,tails
abroad to shield the girl from her fathers
eyes.
No offense man; no offense a air. re-
piled the provost amicably; surely we have
kennel anither weel aneuch this score
o years that | may take the freedom o
jest wi you. Umphray, my friend.
NJ have been seeking lad of the name OF
Philip Stansfield." said Mr.. Spurway, with
out continuing the subject, he was last
seen in the company of your companion,
Mr. Saul Mark. Perhaps he can give US
some information as to the boys present
whereabo
My companion cried the provost. scan
dalized: nae, nae companion o mine. Saul
Mark is Just the supercargo o a bit boatie
that rims to Bordeaux wi DOR Abercairn
staples-thread. bath black. white and
whitey-broon, birk -pirns to wind it on, and
yaur ain manufacture O braidclaith-whilk,
gin l may say sac, has made US famous
| through a the land o France"
"Of what ship is Saul Mark the super
cargo?" asked Umphray.
The provost tilted his broad hat little
to the side he slowly and meditatively
scratched his head
The name O. the boat?" he answered.
"Dod-I Gamma juist bring it to mind at
this present moment" Here he glanced
cautiously over his shoulder3 I'VE see,
there's the trip back frae Bordeaux, and
PAWN stanes an gun f1ints, there's whites
odd things get slowed awa-sc as ankers o
brandy. wee barrels O. the fine clairy wine,
tobacco that will max the noblest shee-
shan in the worl (will We try boxie.
it's o the best? Ma, Wee than0, and may
bes warp or two O. ValenceeDs lace. A
harmless eneuch, but not to be spoken
ABBOTT as loud as Master Ebenezer breaches
in the muckie kirk. Ye TAX me! I. Greg
Dry Partan, am the chief magistrate O. this
ceety. and as such a law-abidin' man. But
thae ill-set customs duties are neither
house dues nor town dues. nor yet for the
common guild. They are nocht but a send
in ava o. guild siller DOT o the munich
pality. And dinna baud WI them AVA.
In this fashion, and at considerable length
the provost expounded his theory of the
several incidents of imperial and local tax
alton to which Umphray Spurway listened
impatiently enough.
But. provost he broke in as soon as
opportunity allowed, this lad was seen to
enter the town with Saul Mark and we
mean to find where he IS concealed. In
which we ask for your magisterial assist
ance. If he be on shipboard we must go
there and recover him. Philip Stansfield is
the heir to large and important property
and Is indeed; ward of the master of
Stair. the kings own advocate himself"
Forbye. said the provost coming over
and pinching Mr.. Spurway's arm loosely.
the only son o his mither-and her
The name of the mans ship, If YOU
please, provost said Umphray in a curt
/, tone He was getting angry, and began to
81 spect that the provost was merely putting
him OFF.
The provost shook his great head re-
moved his hat, and coolly wiped the brim
rcditauvely with. his cuff
Ma, Master Spurway, try as I wull. /
Gamma call it 10 mind. My memory is no
what II was. But l ken better way OF
The man shall tell ye himseY. Saul" the
put his hands to his mouth and made a
trumpet of tn em), Saul Mark! come hither
man. Umphray Spurway has lost ane O. his
harms and wants 10 ken gin ye haze him in
your tail poocn,'
But by this time Sanr Mark had disap-
peared among the tumbled casks and cord
! age piled upon the quay. They could see
| isothing but the masts standing thick
| against the sky. and even the light of the
| stars was dimmed by clouds which began
| to bear up on the land wind
| "Saul-Saul Mark,-come hither and sneak
\ with Master Spurway-
| The bass bulls thunder of the proyost's
| summons seemed to wake most of the sea
| front. Doors opened and shut. There en-
| sued noise of men moving cautiously in
| dark places Lanterns cleaned a moment
| and were gone. The sound of oars came IN