Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-27

ever, not speaking plain, but in long law
yer's words and mostly with some other
meaning than that which appeared on the
surface.
You were about to play singlestick,"
said Saul Mark. II used to play myself.
Will you have bout with me. Anna?"
Agreed, said his daughter, rising quick
ly. and leading the way about the mill
house to the wool room. AS he entered
saw Saul Mark glance around, as II to veri-
fly description.
Master Umphray is perchance not at
home today?' he said
NO" said Anna IN answer. but there
are half hundred weavers all busy with
their LOOMS
room, where were a crowd of men and the
creaking clatter of many looms and shut
ties. Then Anna went and found the sim
glesticks and she and her father fell to.
Saul Mark had been the finest player on
Glasgow green the eve of St. John
(Which is their head night for these ploys
in the wesD. But now he had grown d
| little stiff, and it was not long, whether by
accident or intent, before Anna got within
his guard and cracked his crown so that q
thin thread of scarlet trickled down his
brow. He flung down the stick, smiling and
hopping his head
First blood" he said Il did not think
that the day would come when a girl could
crack the pate Of Saul Mark! Master John,
do you try her.
But my uncle declined, saying that he
was man Of peace, and that combats of
wit We're all that were allowed to gentle
men of the long robe. So Saul Mark babe
me take the stick, which. when | had DONE
| Anna ard played a very fast bout. as was
our won't, the sallow man with the rings in
his ears applauding every good and clever
| stroke We did not spare each other. she
and |, and when halt called we were
| both out of breath, but Anna manifestly
| the victor.
| Good schoolingr' said Saul Mark, nod
ding his head.
Scottish eourtship.' echoed Mr. John
| Stansfield. smiling, for which 1 did not
| thank him, and Anna cast the sticks on a
| shelf and turned haughtily away.
| The two men did not stay long at the
| Min house after this. being. as 1 think,
| apprehensve lest Umphray Spurway would
/ return. And SO Anna and l were left to
! ourselves. We watched them going slowly
| and in deep converse across the fields to-
! ward the great house of New Milns.
Anna looked long at them under her
| hand
! fathers. you and l. Philip" she said. with
| a strange look on her face. l thought she
| was going to add. "And nlothers!" But she
| did not Indeed, l know not whether she
| remembered her own mother. or whether
| any had ever spoken to her of Janet Mark.
the Carolina slave.
| Now, you will have bite of dinner. and
| be going your way" she said. with so
| many loving friends in the neighborhood.
you cannot be too soon within the Vennel
port of Ahercairn. I did wrong to bring
! you here!
| But with one thing and another it was
| after five-of-the-clock when l took my
| beast from Robin Green and cried a last
goodbye to my comrade. She stood by the
! white thorn tree at the gable end. and the
| westerly sun was rosy on her face. There
| was a light in her eyes which smiled upon
| me- though her mouth was grave. I did
| not offer even to take her hand, which was
| regret to me afterward.
\ So in this fashion l rode away from the
| door of the Min house, which loved SO
! well, and from Anna Mark. my dear COM
panion and playmate of many years.
| l had mastered the sleeps of the hill and
| was making my way quickly through the
| perilous bypaths of the hills when night
| fell. 1 will not admit that 1 was fright
| ened, but drew a long breath when at last
like gray sheet hung midway the sky. I'M
spotted and unwrinkled, the sea broke upon
my vision through a gap in the hills.
After this the night fell sharply, and the
dusk seemed almost to speed eastward like
swift-footed runner, as purple cloud,
edged with a rim of living gold, rose tow
set glow.
1 was passing a little darksome loanine
which leads to a lonely grange house called
the Hermitage. when I heard the sound of
horses feet behind me. I turned apprehen-
sively in my saddle, or rather in VIII Bow.
mans saddle. could see dusky shape
turn into the main road behind me
The shape seemed familiar, and a spasm of
fear took hold Of mo- put my finger into
my waistcoat pocket. whore "a foolish boy s
| tricky carried Z pinch or two Of powder
loose. as another might carry snuff. Then
took out the pistol Anna Mark had