The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-10

with confident precision.
The girl was at first equally charming
to each. The serious Highlander, not less
maryland handsome than his competitor,
was gifted with an Unreasonable advant-
age in his familiarity with every phase
and infection of his native vernacular.
In his despair the King struck up a close
friendship with Donald, the second son
of the Macleod and His Majesty made a
frantic effort to learn the only speech with
which his new comrade was equipped.
But this race against time gave Mac
Donald long and uninterrupted confer
ences with his inamorata, and the King
saw, too late, the futility of his endeavor.
He had come to the conclusion that MS
unintercsting rambles with Donald were
not likely to further his quest and was
sitting in his roof cogitatng upon some
new method of attack when Macdonald
burst into the apartment with radiant
face The King looked up at his visitor
with no great good nature, and said
sharply:
"Wel!. what is it?'
your Majesty" cried Macdonald, jub-
lantly, Il think l have found method
of escape, and that without in any way
breaking our pledges"
ooh, is that ALL" said the King, with
the air of snubbing too enthusiastic
courtier. II thought the house was on
fire"
And I thought, Your Majesty r"
turned Macdonald, that TVS subject was
ever uppermost in your mind
The King rested his closed fist On his
hip, leaned mis- head a little to one side
and examined his rival critically.
Why have you returned so urexpect.
edly to the phrase, Your Majesty?"
Because, Your Majesty" answered
Macdonald, laughing, 1.-The phrase, Guild
man of Ballengeich, no longer matters"
Il do not understand you.
st is to make myself understood that
have come so hurr!edly. l beg then 20
inform Your Majesty that Miss Macleod
has consented to become my wife.
have spoken to her father, who has
somewhat grudgingly and con1itionally
given his consent. 1t occurred to me that
If l welded the daughter of your jailer
may have enough influence with the
family to secure Your Majestys release"
Il have no doubt" said the King. that
this was your object from the beginning
And so you have exchanged temporary
life
The Highlander knit his brow and com
pressed his lips, as if to hold back some
retort which later he might regret.
There was moments constrained 81.
lence then the King flung off his i'll humor
as if it were a cloak.
Forgive me. jamie" he cried, spring
ing to his feet. Forgive the wounded
vanity of the vanquished."
He extended his hand impetuously.
which the other grasped with eager cor
dality.
Jamie, my lad, you were right. The
crown weighs heavy when it is thrown
into the scale, but with this lassie / well
believe it would not have made an ounce
Of difference. Let the best man win, say
I, and you're the victor, so you have my
warmest congratulations. Still, jamie,
you must admit that the Gaelic Is the
cursedest lingo ever a poor loWland-br
man tried to get his tongue round. So
now you see, Jamie, we are even again
You think the crown defeated you at
Stirling, and 1 hold the language d.,
feated me in Skye; thus we are both able
to retain a good opinion of ourselves
which is the splendid privilege Of every
Scotchman to hold Your bravery de-
serves success, for it requires some cour-
age to face your future father in-law
What did the old curmudgeon saw"
''He gave little indication of pleasre or
the reverse. He offered me my liberty
now that I had pledged it III another
direction, but he refused to release you
so I declined to accept his clemency."
"Then my proposed rescue must await
the marriage ceremony"
mot so. I have a more immediate
and practical remedy. You have not for
gotten the twenty-six cared barge which
the Macleod was to keep for the King
and which Malcolm Macleod built for
him.
at is not very likely, when issued n
proclamation commencing Malcolm as the
greatest shipbuilder in the world"
well, Malcolm has arrived at Dunve-
gan to receive into his own hands once
more hat same proclamation. 1 asked
him in MacLeod's presence, if the fleet
still fingered in Torridon bay, and he
answered that it did. Macleod pricked
up his ears at this, and thinking that
he was to get some information, now that
proposed myself as a member of his
family, inquired if l knew why it remained
so long. l said l had a suspicion OF the
cause. If Malcolm had not replied to
the Kings proclamation it was natural
that the fleet would wait until he did,
Old Alexander and Malcolm seemed sur
prised that response was expected, Nal
colin being but a simple yeoman How
ever, we wrote out a courteous reply 20
the King, in Gaelic and Malcolm is to
send it to the fleet as soon as he re-
turns to the Northern coast"
Il don't see how that is to help u.s." de-
INJURED His Majesty.
''Ierc is my proposal If you will now
write out an order to the admiral COM
handing the fleet to appear before Dun
vegan Castle, I will ride part of the way
home with Malcolm, and suggest to him
at parting, that perhaps none of the Off
GERS of the fleet understand Gaelic, O, at
least that none can read 1t, so I will
fasten your letter to the other document.
and tell Malcolm it is a translation of his
Gaelic effusion. Neither Malcolm nor INV
OF his friends at the port can read Eng
lsh, and as he is supplemented man
| it is not likely that he will return and
allow the laird a perusal So IN thai