The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1901-12-31

"A rare place this for an escalade,"
said Easter, leaning over the parapet and
! pointing to a spur of Ben Nevis that
reared its craggy head almost on a level
with the battlements.
"For a goat, yes" answered Malcolm
disdainfully. ''No human being could
scale yon cliff. Look at the distance 1t
is twelve feet from the battlement, with
a yawning abyss between. An enemy will
never enter Inverlochy from that quar-
! ter"
"a lover might scale yonder cliff to
speak with his sweetheart" returned AL
aster carelessly, "and he would think
lightly of the danger for the boon of one
sweet SMILE"
"And break his neck for his palms."
answered Malcolm with laugh. "Come,
the night is nearly spent, and you are
| welcome to share of a soldiers couch"
They left the battements without fur
Their words and descended to Malcolm's
chamber
In the morning early Alaster departed,
for he had no excuse to prolong his stay,
and Malcolm MacPhie drew a long breath
Of satisfaction when he saw the stalwart
form of the young highlander disappear
up the glen.
That night when the moon yelled her
silvery face behind the towering head of
old Ben Nevis Annie of Lochiel wandered
pensively upon the battlements Of Inver-
lochy, gazing ever and anon upon the
craggy platform that jutted out from the
mountains side.
A tall form emerged from the shadows
and advanced to the edge of the cliff.
'AlasterW whispered the maid in eau
tious tones, bending over the parapet.
Il am not a goat" answered Alaster
with a gleesome laugh, "but it is even 1,
Alaster, fair Annie
How brave you are!" cried the maid
Involuntary "You have undergone this
danger to see me once again?"
''You know right well what brings me
here. Annie, / love you. Short as our
acquaintance has been, you have enslaved
my heart. have scant time for wooing.
My presence here may be discovered at
any moment. If you bide in Inverlochy,
it will be to become the wife of Malcolm
MacPhie Fly with me to the land of
Kintyre and share chieftain's home"
"Alaster, / would willingly fly with
thee to escape the dreaded fate that
awaits me here, but how can l escape2
Malcolm MacPhie has watched me close
ly all the day
"Aye, and he watches thee nowp' cried
Malcolm, suddenly emerging upon the
battlement. Tickle jade! Didst think to
outwit me?"
Annie uttered faint shrek of despair.
Leap, Annie, leap" cried Alaster in
sharp, ringing tones. "The space is mar
row-spring boldly from the parapet-
thy lovers arms await thee!"
Scarcely conscious what she did--im-
PEELED by desperation and that instructive
feeling Of obedience which true love
prompts-Annie avoided the grasp Of the
exasperated Malcolm, ran a few steps
upon the parapet and leaped boldly
across the yawning void Malcolm paus-
ed aghast. He expected to hear her death
shrek and the dull sound of her form rs
it struck the rocks beneath. But he heard
My cry of joy and saw Annie twining
her arms around Alaster's neck, while
his clasped her in safety to his breast
To this day the curious traveller who
visits the old gray ruins Of Inyerlochy is
shown the spot from which Annie sprang,
and that part of the battlement still bears
the name of the "Maiden's Leap"
Alaster and Annie disappeared in the
gloom, and Malcolm FASTENED to alarm
the castle and urge hot pursuit BIT
who could follow the bold highlander as
he leaped lightly from crag to crag, bear
ing his precioug burden in his arms?
Pursuit was unavailing the fugitives
could not be found. and Malcolm Mac
Phie returned sullenly to Inverlochy.
swearing a deep and bloody vengeance
There was high feastings in the land of
Kintyre. and Castle Mingarry opened its
hospitable gates so that all of the Clan
Donald might witness the nuptials of
Annie of Lochiel and Alaster, their young
chief.