The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1902-06-06
THE UNION TIMES UNIONS O., JUNE 6, 1902,

| aye, Salu j, put there was n pur-
| pose to them"
WELL" said he, "for all their pur.
pose the poor old philosopher was fore
Ell to drink the poisonous hemlock: but.
GilIicuddy,, listen to me and to p,rdi.
ton with Socrates. I am ready 10 an
swer hard question YOU puzzled me
with not five minutes sync. If | am of
fair memory, your words were What
have you to say of the letter the lady
wrote to the laird explaining her sto-
ryT Were not these your words?"
"They WERE" said l shortly.
"Then," said he, 'I'll answer them
for you, but in my own way Now
mark me. 1 think heard you speak Of
bit repair you made to the west tow
err"
aye" said I, .but in the name O.
sense what has n hit stone masonry to
do wi the laird's troubles? Yc're Off at
your speculations again. Ah, Sir Gil
bert, ye hae fine Imagination, but l
like facts mair than spcculations."
"Speculations," cried he, "specula-
tions! And what other thing is there to
do but specufate2 Let me appeal to
your reason. Gillicuddy, with bit
more Of speculation, and We'll get to
the bottom Of the matter, never fear,
but If you shut your mind against it
you may cen grope and gang to your
grave cropping. How other than by
speculation know you that it was the
lady Of Glenhaugh that got her death
at Versailles? 1t is true saw the wo-
man pierced through the body with n
mortal thrust, but indeed as l never in
my life had seen the lady before
could not swear it was She can
swear to all the rest, though-to Cour-
trays story Of the Scotch laird to the
meeting of Courtray and the woman
and to the reality Of the laird with the
bloody deed upon his head. Is it not
speculation that gives that woman q
name and calls her the wife of the
laird? All, Gillicuddy. with all your
astuteness, think you are but doure
man when you scorn n bit speculation.
But to my answer to your question.
Now as to the work OH the west tow
er."
"Dcil talk the west towerw cried,
for l was grown impatient with him.
"Pm mair bent on sticking to the mat
ter o the lady's letter to the laird"
Sir Gilbert laughed till he was red
In the face, and after he had got his
breath again he asked:
"What man went down into tho
chimney hole you found in the tower?"
'What recks it what man went doons
But If you will be answered, the stone
mason Sawney Mcbride Ye ask but
foolish questions" said 1.
"Gillicuddy," said he, you're man
Of gifts, but you have n great fault"
"And what may that be?" asked, n
bit nettled.
"You are far too apt to despise the
value of trifes," said hc
1 was sorely puzzled at his words
| and was just about to give him n re-
proof for what thought was his i'm
pudent levity when he asked me:
did any other man so down into
| the chimney holc!"
"Ayc," said 1, "orc Tammy Jamie
| son, Il worthless half wit"
and what found he thereY' he
asked
THE smell q SCOT" said I. "and
nacthng mair."
what brought he back with him:"
said lie.
"NauSht that | could see" answer.
ed, 'but IL dirty face and hands"
well. GillicuLdy. | have one more
question 10 ask. Who went Gown first,
Sawncy or Tammy?'
"Tammy." said ]. "and found naeth-
ing
"And that's where YOU arc far mis-
taken" lie answered, "for Tammy
found more than the smell OF SCOT and
brought back more than Il dirty face
and hands He found the letter the
lady left for the laird"
"Is that q bit Of spcculation?" |
asked.
"Just bide q bit" said he. "Now
mark me, Gillicuddy. The writing was
left by the lady on the oak cabinet I've
heard you tell about, and what with
your decking Of the cabinet with vines
and wreaths for the lady's homecom-
ing and what with your haste and anx.
ious confusion at her loss it was push.
ed into the crack you tell about and
lost in the chimney hole"
was surprised at his reasoning, you
may well believe, but ! was far from
being satisfied with 1t, so said:
"Td like q bit fact to mix WI that
speculation"
"You shall have It," said he. "Heark-
en-. You see, Gillicuddy, l have not
been idle since got back from France,
and as there was little to get from the
stewards confidence / had to take up
with the best I could, and have to
thank your friend with the long nose
and the watery eyes for some valuable
ipfOrmotiono