The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-02-22

E%&s% age % he sat firmly his throne
EX#gaN He was at peace with England friendly
WOA59 with France and pledged to take
%SSs>u wife from that country. His great
te53) grandfather James II, had crushed the
eza| Black Douglas and he himself had scattered
W the Red Douglas to exile No Scottish noble
powerful enough threaten the stability OF
the throne The country contented and prosper
Gus SO James might wei take his pleasure IRE, as best
unseen and unthought Of
The king ever first in the chase whether the
quarry ran on four legs or on two, found himself
alone the road leading northwest from Stirling.
having outstripped his comrades their hunt of the
deer. Evening was falling, and James, being some
miles from Stirring castle raised his Dugie 70 bis ups
70 call together his scattered followers but before
blast broke the stiffness his majesty accosted by
woman who<emerged suddenly and unnoticed from
NV lord the kingiS She said and her voice like
quiry:
ing down at his questioner, lowering his bugle and
reigning in his frightened horse, which startled
by the sudden apparition before him The dusk had
his interocutor was young and stTkingy beautiful.
Although dressed in the garb of the lower orders.
there was quiet and imposing dignity in her de-
liz as sue $1,000 mere oy Inc slIe Oh tne roaa;
1er hea9 was uncovered the shawl she wore over IL
having slipped down to her shoulders and her album
dant hair, unlnotted and unribboned rudy
spun gold. Her complexion dazzingly fair, her
eyes of the deepest blue and her features perfection
chin coTroborated and emnbasized Pg n i
connoisseur of womanly loneliness, almost held his
breath as he gazed down upon the comely face up
They told me at Stirling" she said that you
were hunting through this district, and have been
Good heavens girll' cried the king, have you
AYE. and much further. It is nothing for am
accustomed to it, And now I word with your
surely, sureyi" replied the king. with enthu-
siasm No thought of danger in this unconventional
encounter even occurred to him. The natural prti-
dence of James invariably deserted him where pretty
woman concerned Now. instead of surnnoning
his train looked anxiously up and down the road
listening for any sound Of his men, but the stiffness
silence was profound. not even the rustic of leaf
And who. my girl are your continued the king
Noticing that her eyes followed his glance up and
them and that she hesitated to speak !"
May it please your gracious majesty,
art, your honored mother"
MY Mother he eTeiS0 oe SnI 5a IN
nams Of heaven are you doing here and alone so
we came from Methven yesterday to her lady
ships castle of Doune."
Then her ladyship must have come to a very
sudden resolution to travel for the constable Of
Dogne is in my hunting party and IN swear he ex-
MY gracious lady did not wish Stuart. the con-
knowledge of her presence in the castle She com
manded me to ask your majesty 10 request the con-
he spends most OF his time She begs your majesty
TO come TO her with all speed and secrecy
Il wonder what is wrong now?y unused the king
i have not heard from her for nearly She
the Tudors are all daft where matrimony is
what does your majesty say?" asked the girl.
was speaking to myself rather than to you but
/
be my guide. Lend me your hand and sprinr M
here behind me. We win gallop to Doune at once"
NO no. she Hssd un he Lady M SeP or tT most
anxious that your visit should be unknown to any
but herself, so she begs to dismiss your followers
and lay your commands upon Constable Stuart of
But my followers are ali of them old enough to
look after themselves objected the king. "and
remained :a5 these many months
of continued absence, anxiety would ensue and
Do s1SEsn might De Undertaken that would extend to
How did my lady mother know was hunting
until you reached Stiring?' asked the king with a
giimmer of that caution which appeared to have de-
The girl seemed somewhat nonpIussed by the cues
ton but she answered presently with quiet dsl6sr
Her ladyship was much perturOed and feared
should not find you at the castle. She gave various
instructions which she trusted could accommodate
My girl said the king. leaning toward her. you
do not speak like a serving maid What is your
L have been a gentlewoman, sire she answered
simply; but women, alasl cannot control their for
tunes. My name is Catherine. viii now forward
10 Doune and wait for the further side of the
bridge the tailor has built the Teth If you
win secure your horse somewhere before cr,mne to
the river and meet there foot will conduct you
of a surety cried the king in tone that left
no doubt OF MS intentions I shall overtake you long
before you are at the bridge As he said this the
girl fled in the darkness and then raised his
bugle to his lips and blew blast that speedily
James unexplained absences were so frequent that
that night caused no surprise among his company so
bidding him good night, they cantered off toward
Stirling while he unaccompanied. his face to the
northwest and his to the horses tanks but his
steed was already tired out and could now keep
pace with his impatience. To his disappointment he
did not overtake the girl but her waiting for
him at the bridge. and together they walked the
short half mile to the castle. The young man was
inclined to be conversational but the girl
replies and finally besought his silence
The night had proved exceedingly dark and they
almost at the castle before its huge bulk doomed
blackiy before them. There something so sinister
its DIM grim contour that the first time since
he set out on this night adventure suspicion that
he was acting unwisely crossed the kings mind
Still. he meditated. II was his mothers own castle
the. constable Of which a warm friend of his
almost might say, a relative for Stuart was
Athe younger brother Of his mothers husband 50 what
could be amiss with this visit?
You not taking to the main entrance. he
whispered.
NO: the postern door,
But the postern door is situated in the wall high
above my reach; it is intended exit of a pos
stble messenger during siege, not for the en-
trance Of guest
Il acting in accordance with my Instructions
replied the girl. "A ladder descends from the
fern