The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-02-25
CHAPTER XIV.
A MIRACLE.

When Mcleod had established his Of
| fee in Halnbright he made special ef-
forts 10 allay the suspicious against hls
name. His indignant denials Of the re-
| port Of his treachery convinced many
that he had been wronged. Two men
alone maintained toward him an atti-
tude OF contempt, Maj. Cameron and
the preacher.
He called on Mrs. Durham and with
his smooth tongue convinced her that
he had been foully slandered. She urged
him 10 win the doctor. Accordingly Nc
called to talk the question over with the
preacher and ask him for n fair chance
to build his character untarnished in
the community.
The preacher heard him through pa
tiently but in silence. Allan was per
spring before he reached the end OF
his plausible explanation. 1t was a
tougher task than he thought, this de-
liberate lying under the gaze Of those
glowing black Eyes that looked out
from their shaggy bTows and pierced
through his inulost soul.
You've got an oily tongue. 1t Will
carry you a long; way in TINS world. /
cant help admiring the skill with which
vod are fast learning to use it. You've
FOOLED Mrs. Durham with 1t. but you
ant fool me- said the preacher.
Doctor, ] solemnly swear to you |
am not guilty Of such a crime"
It's nc use to add perjury to plain
lying. l know you did it ! know it as
Well as if ! were present in that jail
n heard you basely betray the men,
name by name, whom you had lored TO
their ruin"
Doctor. ! swear you are mistaken
Bah! Don't talk about it. You nau-
seate me-"
The preacher sprang to his feet.
paced across the floor, sat down on the
edge Of his table and glared at Mcleod
for a moment And then with his voice
low and quiveTing with a storm OF emo
ton he said:
The curse Of God upon you-the Cod
OF your fathers! Your fathers in far
Off Scotland's hills, who would have
suffered their tongues torn from their
heads and their skin stripped inch by
inch from their flesh sooner than betray
one of their clan in distress. You
have betrayed a thousand of you own
men and you. their sworn chiefta.n.
He'll was made to consume such leper
trash"
Mcleod was dazed at first by this
outburst. At length he sprang TO his
feet iivid with rage.
IN not forget this. sir!" he Kissed.
Don't forget it," cried the preacher
with passion as he opened the
Go on and live your lje,"
Mrs. Durham, the doctor wants you.'
said Charlie, when McLeod's football,
had died away.
Aa
Charlie dear, why don't you call me-
'niama'-surely you love me a little wee
bit. don't you?' she asked, taking the
Boys hand tenderly in hers.
"fesm," he replied. hanging his
head.
Then do say mama. You don't know
sweet 1t would be in my ears"
l Try TO but it chokes me-" he half
whispered. CHANGING timidly I'D at her
Let me call you Aunt Margaret. n
ways wanted an aunt and / think your
nam Margaret's so sweet" be shv,v
added.
She kissed him and said. "Au r;oht
Il mats all You Will give me. Saw n
once and let me hear how it Will sound " |
Aunt Margaret"
\ es, that sounds Very sweettv IN
your boy lips! III kiss yp, again for
T." She passed On into the ,ihrar,
"nere the preacher awaited her.
My dear, I've just given yo,,np M
f-eod a piece Of my mind wantoa ~ |