The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1901-10-04

a taper gieameu Irom-a low turreted
window that looked out upon the parapet.
"Who occupies yon chamber" asked
Alaster.
annie Of Lochiel," replied Malcolm.
"a winsome lassie," responded Alaster
warmly. II would could persuade her
to go with me into the land of Kintyre
and become the mistress of Castle Min
garry. 1t would glad the heart of Coll
of-the-left-hand to welcome SO fair q
daughter"
That can never be" returned Malcolm
quickly, with an angry flush. "Annie Is;
the ward Of Sir Donald Campbell Of Au-
chinbreck, my chief and kinsman. Seek
another bride, Alaster Macdonald, for
Annie is to be my wife"
Alaster's eyes were fixed upon the little
window as he listened to these words, and
he saw fair face appear there. An en-
ergetic shake Of the head said very plain
ly, "No, no" to Malcolm's assertion, and
the fair vision disappeared.
Il wish you joy" replied Alaster. with
quiet smile. Happy will be the man
who calls the lovely Annie his"
A white hand was waved for an mo-
ment from the easement and quickly
Withdrawn. Alaster was understood and
answered. Malcolm was totally uncon-
scious Of this novel courtship.
"A rare place this for an escalade,"
said Alaster. leaning over the parapet and
pointing to spur of Ben Nevis that
reared its craggy head almost on level
win the battiements:
For a goat, yes, answered Malcolm
dlsdainfully. No human being could
scale yon elm. LOOK at the distance 1t
is t"eive rect from the battlement. with
ya"nlng ABYSS between: An enemy Will
never enter inVeriochy from that quar-
'ee:
rover might scale yonder GIN TO
speak WIN MS s"eetheart' returned Al
aster careiessiy' and he would think
ngntiy OF the danger Tor the boon OF one
SWEEP sinlle. -,
anu preak ms hecK TOT MS pains'
answered Maicoin WIN laugn. Come
the nlgnt Is nearly spent, ana you are
"e ort " snare oI soioier coucn.
lney ieit tne pattiements without fur-
ther words ana descended TO Malcoims
cnamoer'
N Tue inorniis carry Aiaster departed
Aor ne mao no excuse 10 proiong MS stay,
ana Malcolm MacPhie drew long breath
OF satisfaction when ne saw the stalwart
form OF tne young highlander disappear
up tne eien.
nat hishI wren tine moon Veiied ner
s, 81, ace oeninu lne lowering nead OF
olu Den NEVIS annie OF Lochiei wandered
pensNeiy upon the oattlements or liver
lochE' gazing ever ana anon upon the
craggy piattorm tnat )utted out from the
mountain sac:
n tah Iorhl emerged from the SHADOWS
and advanced to the edge OF the cliff.
Alaster! whispered the maid in eau
uons tones. penaing over the parapet.
-, am not goat answered Alaster
"ilh sieesone isugn' Dut II Is even l.
AiaSter' iair Ahhie' -,
no" brave you are! cried the maid
ihVoiuntarliy' 1ou nave undergone this
danger 10 see me once again.
lou kno" rlgnt wen What brings me
nere' ANNIE l io'e you. snort as our
ac4uaih'ance has ueeh' you nave ensiaVeo
my neart. 1 nave scant time Tor Wooing.
MY presence mere may De discovered at
any moment. II you oide IN lnveriocny'
II ~ WIZ ce 10 1ecome the "ife OF Maicoim
Maei NE. ry WIN me 10 the lano OF
hintyre ana snare entertain nome.
haster. l would wiiiineiy ny with
lnee u esSape ,he ureaueo Iate thas
a"ai's me nere' oul ho" can escape!
naiCoiin Maci LIE nas "alcneo ME ciose-
~ all the day
aye and he watches thee now" cried
Malcolm suddenly emerging upon the
oatllenent; ~, flckie jade! Dldst think to
ou."It me
annie al uttered RANT snrek OF despair.
leap, annie reap! Srled AIaster In
snarp. ringing tones. Inc space Is mar
~! [u"Lspr,ns ooiuiy from tne parapet-
ny iore aruis await tnee!
neafIes conscious what she uiu-ih-
peiieu oy desperation ana tnat instructive
leenhS vi oceuience "nich true ioVe