The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-09

you will own that the valley is mine shall be honored by your using 1t. 1t is said that good foes make good friends and l am wishful to try; for there is none who honors your name more than l."
 Robert McAllister. being a wise old man, was minded to consent
 'It is a generous offer from a gallant enemy he said
 But his daughter pleaded with him in her dead brothers names, and prevailed. So he made answer thus:
 Robert McAllster sends all courteous greetings to Alan Macdonald. The for tunes of the moment changes. For those who come after, I hold to what l have held and my forefathers before me. If our numbers are lessened our courage is not"
 Then came another message from Alan Macdonald:
 "If you rely on courage. let one of your tribe meet me in single combat, the valley to belong to the victor's clan.
 ALAN MACDoNA-J."
 Many of the McAllisters volunteered for the fight but there was no great man of arms among them, and the elders would not consent.
 'It were giving Macdonald the land. " they declared. There is no man in Scot land who can stand before him" For he, was a large. powerful man, and withal quick as smaller men are; and he had a curious cunning of fence which he had learnt in France.
 So they sent no answer at all, and Mary McAllister locked herself in her room for two days, and brooded over the dishonor of her clan. Presently she made a deep plan, as women will, and rode out in the gray dawn to the castle on the Spur Mountains; and when Mac donalds outposts challenged her in the valley she answered:
 q am Mary McAllister, and I have come to answer the challenge of your chief" Then they sent a guide to con duct her the earliest way to the castle, and when the chief warder came to the gate and asked her pleasure. she made him the same answer as before.
 After he had stared at her once for her daring, and twice for her beauty, he conducted her to the great hall; and Alan Macdonald rose and came to meet her. and set a chair. and stood with his cap in hand marveling that any woman should be so fair; for she had pale blue eyes and red-gold hair. and her face was like wild spring flower.
 You honor me greatly" he told her. "Havs no fear" She laughed carelessly.
 'I had no fear she said, and he bowed.
 "Far lady. you honor me more"
 'It was not for your honor that l came, but for the honor of my clan, and my own" He bowed again.
 There is no dishonor in peace,' he said.
 "Neither have I come in peace" He caught a look in her eyes that he had seen in the face of a foe before, and he knew that she spoke no light word. Wherefore he became very grave.
 War is not for women, he told her.
 q had not come if any of my brothers had lived; but perchance"-she tossed back her hair that was like red-gold- you had not challenged us then?"
 He flushed hotly Think you so?"
 Their eyes met for a moment, and she smiled suddenly. There was years spring, it seemed to him, in her smile.
 Nay" she owned. 'I think not SO. Alan Macdonald, you fear no man. He laughed a soft laugh.
 T have feared no woman till now" She put her head back and looked up at him.
 Fear you me-"
 "As d man may fear
 Fear you my challenger He knitted his brows in thought before he spoke. Name what champion you will" he said at last T will meet him if he is not your lover. Believe me"-there was sudden depth in his voice-'T would not earn your hate" She laughed scornfully 'Ts it yet to earn? ?''
 said sternly. 'I will meet him." She laughed
 q have no lover The challenge is my own.''
 There was a quick murmur of laughter