The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1902-06-13
II heard o. it," / said.

i nearO o III, i SalQ.
did you?" said he. "And what think
you was that letter."
II never flashed myself aboot it,"
answered him. II had mair than the
blether O. an idiot to trouble me-"
well, Gillicuddy," cried he, chat
letter was the lady's letter to her hus-
band, the laird, and Tam Jameson got
II in the old chimney hole, and it was
from him that Tibbie got it."
And Is that bit O. speculation?' ]
asked.
look in his face as If he wondered to
hear me speak with so little respect
Of his speculations. After moments
space he took the bottle before him
and poured out n glass. ~ think, Gil
ncuddy, I'll drink a health to you,"
said he. $50 here's to you, and may
the Lord keep you ever in the ways Of
innocence and simplicity"
was angry with him at this, for /
counted 1t piece Of his sneering inso-
ience, SO arose and gave him bit
Of my mind.
"Sir Gilbert" said l, Il dinna think
- need max q fool o. me who hac
kept tho affairs O. this house as / hac
It Is true We hae brought news to me
that but for you l would perhaps new
o. hae kenned, but let me say that the
news ye bring doesna give ye warrant
TO TAX the lairds affairs in yer keep
Ing and judge either the laird or my
sell by what yc ca yer speculative
methods. II ye had mnr innocence
and simplicity yourself, Yer imagina-
ton wouldna carry ye so far into spec
ulations, but keep We stcadier to facts"
He never WINGED under the lash OF
my words, but took all with Il most
amiabe plcasantncss that was cXas-
perating and when he had heard me
through he said. with the faircst man
ner:
"Gillicuddy, l ne'cr meant to hurt
your feelings. / have too much re-
Spect for you as a man with Il good
: heart and loyal principle. but |
think you are Il bit too set in your
views and Jealous OF your interest in
the laird's affairs and like to be feared
of interference in the laird's matters.
/ have but one thing more to say. and
that Is touching this letter that Tam
Jameson found in the chimney hole
and which said was the letter old
T1bbe showed the laird You doubt
that that was the lady's letter, I'm
thinking"
Il think it Is but what You hae spec.
ulated.' l said, land puts me In mind
o the dagger Macbeth saw before
him."
"Well. Gillicuddy. as you are n man
fond OF facts" said Sir Gilbert, what
think you of material thing like
this" And as he spoke he took from
his side pocket bit OF paper, mere
fragment that had been crumpled and
torn from Il larger sheet, and handed
1t to me. took it and looked at it to
recognize, without doubt, the well
known handwriting Of my lady. Few
were the words indeed, but their mean
Ing was clear to me.
Read it, Gillicuddy," said Sir Gil
bert, bending eagerly toward me.
Read it, and tell me what you think
now Of bit Of material fact"
I was trembling with emotion as 1
read aloud, at his bidding, these words:
Il have told you ALL To hide from you
the shameful story OF that infamous
being who has risen frGm the grave
was the wrong did. Rctributi0n and
expiation are before me. Pity and for
give and pray for me-"
l bowed my head, and the paper
shook In my trembling fingers For Il
space no word passed between us. At
last turned to Sir Gilbert. who was
gravely watching me.
"And where got ye this papcr?" /
asked
'FrOm GeOrdie Gillespie" said he.
You see. had great friend in Geor.