Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-23

CHAPTER l..
Grim, gray, dour, fell the early Deem
Der twilight upon the seaboard parish OF
Cover. the outward and visible sign, a
stranger might we'll suppose, Of a similar
grim humor among its inhabitants. But up
on the side OF Bennangour Anton Macmillan,
the herd, drew his checked plaid more
closely about him and hummed q cheerful
psalm.
Now Israel
May say, and that truly,
If that the Lord
Had not our cause maintained;
Had not our right sustained
At this point Anton stopped abruptly and,
shading his eyes as II the summer sun had
been shining In them, made an impromptu
night-glass Of his palms and exclaimed,
"Daverti"
Now, when a west-country herd, born In
the purple Of the Kirk Of the Covenants,
valiant In defense of Headshlp and joyously
confident Of total depravity and the eternity
Of punishment, stops on his hillside and
says "Davert," II may be taken for granted
Athat he secs more than a eve fallen laval"
IN a hollow or a slap IN the dyke through
which his flock hath streamed away to the
promised land Of another mans pastures.
But again the same minced oath" broke
from Anton's lips, so vigorously that Tyke
and Tod, his ministrant %collies. skunk aside
in fear. casting anxiously back in their ca
nine consciences for what Of transgression
undiscovered or duty undone might be about
to bring their masters hazel "clickie"
whirling about their ears.
But IL was to a spot far down the slope
Of Bennangour that the keen gray eyes OF
their lord were directed. Beyond the vii
lage, beyond the kirk and manse, Anton
\ Macmillan saw the dark and solemn towers
of Castle Cover, and strung across them.
like a fairy necklace. certain bright points
which told OF lighted hambe and festal
cheer.
That might we'll be, for II was Christmas
night, but Anton Macmillan had never heard
Of the festival save as one Of the whims of
that Scarlet Woman who, on her Seven
Hills, continued to observe times and sea-
sons and 80 delude the unwary and uncove-
nanted. 49,.
There maun be great doings doom by
muttered the herd, as he resumed his
lorg, swinging, heather stride. the dogs cow
ering at his heel In uncertainty as to his
mood. Forty year hae / herded Ben
nangour, clear day and mirk NIGHT, but
never hae I seen the great hoose Of Castle
o shining as II aud Gregory Glen
dcnwyn had herded the stars o. heaven into
his windows. as Tyke and Tod there micht
herd q wheen silly sheep into a buchtI"
And, indeed, II was something far out OF
the common which had set the great, gauni
house OF Castle Cover alight from turret
to porter lodge, brought out Gregory Glen
donwyn's laced coat, with the gold stir on
the collar and sleeve. the same in which he
had bowed the knee to the king In EdIn
burgh at the never-to-b be -forgotten royal
visit, and sent every gray domestic and
elderly stable boy TO door and window In
a tremuious agony Of anticipation. p
The two sons Of the houaa uora coufnu
I home. the elder. Rupert Glendonwyn, from
the ends OF the earth; the younger, John
only from the college Of Edinburgh. But
as was natural, 1t was for Rupert. the heir
that the preparation was made. Jock, pooI
lad ESQ the servants averred), might have
come and gone a score Of times and found
no more slaughter Of fatted calves in Castl,
Cover than a slice or two Of cold meat
from the buffers pantry and no more iIlu
mination than was involved in lighting All
W solitary bedroom candle at the tabI,
In the back hall. But Rupert-ah, for hh
FIRST born this old Gregory must order ~
the best bottle Of port. busted and cob
webbed, from the cellar. The boy woulC
be cold. He would be tired. II was
pity that he had refused the family carriag,
and begged that a horse might be sent hin
at the Cross Keys in Drumfern, sixteel
long Scots miles away.
~ iotfd VI NONcI sal IN III great Cual
first born-after years Of absence. Grier
son. come and go. From his chimney
corner he cast an occasional glance Of ap
prevail at the clean-cut sparkle Of the glas
and silver on the white cloth.
1T Is well-behttlng." he unused, that
should rejoice to welcome my son-Agneta'
hrst born-after years Of absence. Gier
son, why on earth do you trot in and on
like a elder at his first sacra
WUgp h Avaraa- - -
Rupertf"
Duncan Grierson. the ancient butler o
Castle Cover. lifted his hand to his brov
In a semlmilitary salute. He and Gregor,
Glendonwyn had served in the Borde
Fencibles together.
"Na, Castle Cover" he said with slo,
emphasis, "this Is no a time when we ar
likely to forget aught that can max tn
return O. the young master less memorable
There Is never a servant that shelters unde
the roof o. the Glendonwyns but will do hi
duty this nieht. Aye. even thrawh aul
Sarah Dumplin doom at the village-her tina
was the ladies foster-mdher, and reare
him frae a week auld-has brought up
muekle pot o. the crab jeely he was sa
fell fond O. when he was a ladder
Gregory Glendonwyn nodded. well please,
"Yes. yes" he said. ''all is indeed in read
ness. and I'm sure that you will not An
N~fNAN NAaAahSAui nc was ever ESuSTOl
and high-spirited from his youth up, and
cannot believe that these qualities shoul
have forsaken him during the years he hl
spent abroad"
ma. na." muttered the old butler, busy
Ing himAelf at the sidebosrd. MASTER RI
pert will be Master Rupert to the end
the chapter. And we viii a lie down an
max oursel's door scrapers and hall ma
Tor him to dicht his feet opl"
Very properly So" said Gregory GleI
donwyn. who had caught the spirit but NJ
exact letter OF the old mans speech. 'Tf
grandson OF a peer OF Ireland, the heir to 6
ancient name and to the estates which n
son inheritsn from me will never. I trus
lack due respect In his native countr
Though, indeed. there is a reckless and al
loyal spirit abroad. which seeks to Overtul
both church and state In common dsstrn
uon Have you noticed any symptoms