Gilpin observer., 1902-03-06

paced by his side up and down the long
hall. while he spoke of his home over
sea, and the old mother that wrote
in this far-off savage land He told
her of the wide moors, where the pur-
pie heather bloomed, of the grim old
castle that frowned across the smiling
land, from the days of Bluff HAL" and
all the goodly heritage that but waited
to claim her mistress. There was good
cheer in the kitchens of Gordon Hall,
ers. and the Tory songs rang loud
above the ale cups
Would the end never come? Verify.
she was becoming an arch traitor to
self, to all maidenhood, as we'll as her
king. And though the old clock kept
its secret well. it could not shut out
from the ears of the man hidden with
newest version of the very Oldest story
on earth. At last. when the voices
had sunk to an indistinct murmur, and
there had come little silence to be
translated as he would. jealousy got
the better of prudence. He scorned to
owe his life to her, this Tory Light-o-
love that but held him there to tor
ture the very heart from his bosom. So
little time, and the glorious head had
lain on his breast and now the darkness
hid what must be a repetition with
her Tory loves oh, the Jade. His
hand was lifted to make known his
presence. when again. the blare OF the
bugles sounded across the river. In
stantly there was a stir in the hall be-
low, while Lansing held his breath.
the mere force of habit rendering him
quiet. although the passion of rage
was shaking him from head to foot.
There was whispered farewell. and
then the Captains voice right beneath
him. THE clock has stopped"
Mistress Esther went white to the
roots OF her hair, and all the blood
rushed TO her heart leaving her faint
and sick. but the darkness hid her agi-
tation. and the gay laugh rippled light
ly as she replied: "Ah. Captain. You
are a sad fiatterer. | do protest. That
was very pretty compliment, but the
clock Is not to blame. 1t has given
good notice that it no longer guards
the hour. | am this day expecting the
smith. but he has failed me. and
'twere well. as that mischievous little
page OF mine must needs NEEDLE with
the pendulum, and to keep 1t from his
fingers | have locked 1t SO well that
have lost the key. You will Judge me
a careless housewife in very truth. but
there are many things in this vast
house to burden the mind of one poor
maid" and Mistress Esther sent
glance from under her long lashes that
rendered the Captain more fain than
ever to lift the burden of Gordon Hall
from the shoulders of its fair owner.
His men had formed in the avenue,
and there was no excuse for longer
delay. so the Captain backed linger-
ingly down the steps. his sword q
Jingle. and the handsome head barred
In the cleaning. With deliberate ease
he mounted. and away down the ave.
nue.. turning in the saddle as long as
the blue brocade trailed over the
stones. and Mistress Esther took care
to use no unseemly haste, but waited
until the red was blended gray. and
the last Tilt OF song had died away ere
she mounted the stairs and turned the
key. Lansing stepped forth from the
case, his eyes blazing with pent-up
wrath, but ere he could say the words
that must have been fatal to that loyal.
loving heart, two white arms were
flung about his neck. and the sweet
face nestled against his shoulder.
For you. for you l did 1t. and now
may my God forgive me the lies that