Evening star., 1902-03-29

to speak with him, but to so little purpose
that one occasion he lashed me across
the face with his riding whip, SO that
carried the mark with me to the pulpit for
three several Sabbath days.
'Maister Rupert" cried Duncan Grierson,
growing instantly violently agitated, ma,
there is nae quarrel betwiXt Master Rupert
and the laird. 1 would to God there were
aye. even if it were to the shedding of
blood"
"Sit down, Grierson, and tell me what
you mean." bade him.
Il cannot sit, SIR said the old man,
standing before all trembling, 'and
that's Gods truth muckle as what ye
preached to this day frae the pulpit.
But 1 couldna bide to see things gaun on
as they are doin' without speakin'. And
the Lord, Wha sees the heart, pardon me
gin I hae dune wrong.
ITO be plain, then, think that there is
conspiracy between my master, Gregory
Glendonwyn, and his son. And. auld as 1
am and great sinner as l hae been, I Gamma
stand still and see the innocent suffer for
the guilty.
1.-The innocent suffering?" I cried. "a
conspiracy to do them wrong? What do
you mean, Grierson? Surely you are not
speaking of your master?'
"'Deed am I that, sir-even Of Gregory
Glendonwyn whom have served for fifty
five year and never kenned to do the thing
that was dishonorable. Hard he has aye
been, hard with men, hard with the mthe-
that brought ye into the world, and spe-
cially hard WI you, his son, that might
have been to him for pride and a glorify-
ing"
"Ah. Grierson." said I, clapping him on
the shoulder you were ever over-partial
to me. Do not be afraid. In the long run
my father will not do me an injustice"
But the old man held up his hands to
''No, no." he cried, chat know also, or
at least something Of it. But if all the
money in the world We're at stake 1t would
To iS oh he laSS to fr, %In
matter of the disappearance of the lasses
Kate and Fairlie Glendinning that I have
come to your
1 do not disguise that 1 had to lay my
hand on the window sill to steady myself
before could take in his words.
.'Well-what of them?" I said at last.
Speak out, man, make haste!'
''Maister john" said Duncan Grierson
bending down his white head like a man
ashamed and overcome, Il can bear it no
longer. That's the fact The NIGHT that
they were lost 1t was my hand that yoked
the horses. 1t was me that gied the letter
Until the lassie's hand at the schule. 1t was
me. Duncan Grierson, that trysted wi
Kate Glendinning ahint her fathers wood
yaird-"
And where are the girls?" I cried,
eagerly.
NAY, that I ken no more than you
though hae guess" he answered, in
finitely to my disappointment. my work
was dune when I gaed the reins up into
the hands O. him that was to drive at the
Cross Roads of Bennangower'
And who drove? Was it my brother?'
l cried. Il never believed greatly in his
lameness."
The old butler shook his head
into whose hands, then? Tell me quick
ly." 1 almost shouted
Into the hands of Gregory Glendonwyn,
your father!" groaned the old butler, and
dropped into the chair which had set for
him at his first entering.
It was thus I became aware of the
strange domestic event which shapes all
my history, which has caused me to write
man who, at my request and that of others
of my family, has spent so much time in
putting together the materials which nv
self and others have intrusted to him.
But to return to Duncan Grierson.
The old man sat and sobbed because of
the breaking of his faith In the man who
all his life long had been as an idol to him.
God forg1e me!' he moaned. II kenned
no more than the dead that go down to
silence what was doing. Saunders Greg,
the coachman, had been sent to Drumfern
on some message for young Master Ru-
pert, and when the carriage was wanted
in hurry I bethought me that 1t was
some matter Of doctors or medicine that
was wanted sac prompt. For va maun ken
doctor, Is never oot o the place He Is
hand-fast WI Master Rupert and I hae
heard some gye queer talks atween him
and the laird, too
Then. on the next day, began the dirgie
over a the paroch-'Maister John-him
that was to be the minister-has wiled
away David Glendennin's lass. and her
cam the auld man himself to Castle Cover.
ready to break doom the AID waa,s MT