The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-11-17

greatest fear was for her. He knew l that the two fierce Lords Soulis and De Valence had been unsuccessful suitors Tor Helen's hand; that they had quar- I roled bitterly over her, and that each had sworn to possess her by force or l fraud if not otherwise.
 through secret passage that led to the neighborhing monastery of St. Ffl- Hans he conducted the half conscious girl to place her in a sanctuary which even the Southron, he thought, would hardly dare to violate. His uncle had brought with him from E1lerslie the iron box that Wallace had received l from Monteith and had told him of It's hiding place. This mysterious coffer the young man took along with him to l the monastery.
 1 Murray hastily explained to the as- tonished prior of St. Fillian's the sit4 uation and present needs of his unex- l pected guest He also told him that the iron box had been sent to Scotland by the imprisoned Lord Douglas. with instructions that 1t should never be al- lowed to fall into the hands of the l English, and that curse had been I pronounced upon any one who should open 1t until Scotland was free and | her rightful king on his throne.
 1 Helen, recovered from her agitation, had regained her normal courage. 'T would" said she, that I might don ar- nor and strike blow for Scotland. But as that is denied me. will stay in this hallowed place and pray for the liberty of my country and the saf- l ety of her champions. But my poor 1 father-oh, tell me what is his fate?" Murray replied that as he was get- l ting the mysterious box from the chap 1 el where 1t had been concealed he had | heard Soulis and De Valence in high | Vrr0p 0pHa n a a Fd nd Fdf orders given that as the Lady Helen l Mar could not be found. the Earl and l his Countess were to be taken to Dum- l barton Castle. where they were to be kept in strict confinement. And now" | said Murray. Il must join those brave men who are in arms with Wallace for | Scotland, And. fair cousin. in thy | prayers forget not Andrew Murray" Disguised as a monk. Murray passed through the English lines and finally I reached Wallace. who had broken | through the Southron forces that sur rounded the Cartlane Craigs and marched north. where chiefs and their yassals from all parts of Scotland were now docking to his standard.
 Three days after young Murray had gone. two men. one of whom wore the armor of anSEnglish knight, while the other bore the plaid of Scot, came 1 to St. Fillian's. The English knight kept his visor closed and spoke not but | the Scot presenting to the Lady Helen a signet ring which she recognized as | one belonging to her step-mother, said | that her father had sent them to fetch | her to Dumbarton, where both Lord l and Lady Mar were anxiously awaiting her. Her fathers wounds, he said, had | opened afresh and he desired that his | daughter might be brought to receive l his last blessing. Carried away with grief and not suspecting any trap set 1 for her innocence. Helen set out with the two messengers. who had a litter and a small train of attendants in wait | ing. They conveyed her into the re- cesses of the mountains and at night | lodged her in a cave under the care of a woman who proved to be the wife of the Scot who had presented her the
 The troop departed. When she was quite alone, the English knight enter ed. Throwing up his visor, he disclos~ l ed the features of Lord Soulis.
 ,"You have scorned me-" said Souls, but now you are in my power. Know that it was necessary to practice lite tie art to bring you to these arms | which you shall leave never more" He seized the almost fainting girl and pressed her to his bosom. Helen shriek. ed. At the same instant the grasp ot | Soulis relaxed, she felt his blood on he1
 
 fiict was raging in the cave. In the glare of the torches set around. a stranger knight was combating with the strength of ten against the follow CTS of Soulis. His sword played with such dexterity that he was left the master of the situation. Then he stood leaning on his blade while gazing at the terrified girl with such sad but royal mien as she had never seen be- fore in mortal man. Tenderly he lift ed her up and conducted her to the cell of a. neighboring anchorite, where he left her in the keeping of the holy man with instructions that she be furnished with guide to the castle of her aunt. Lady Ruthven. near Forth.
 stranger made ready to depart.
 Not now" replied he. 'The sword is drawn in Scotland that must be victorious or broken. If 1t is victori- ous. fair lady, you shall know my name" [.
 In her aunt's castle Helen rested for a while, bearing with an interest at- tended with the most intense emotion the tldings that came In daily of the progress of the Scottish arms under the valiant Wallace. whose name was now on every lip and who was acclaimed the most virtuous, as he was the bravest of Scots.
 Wallace's first action. as soon as his force became powerful enough for the adventure, was to assault Dumbarton Castle and Iiberate the imprisoned Mar. Upon the tower of DSmbarton he hoisted the standard of Scotland. and, leaving there a sufficient garri- 1 son. gave orders for the army to march to Stirling and take that ancient seat of the Scottish kings.
 Lady Mar was carried away by the manly beauty, the royal bearing and the grave yet fascinating conversation l of her deIiVerer. Thoughts surged in her bosom that caused even this un- scrupulous woman to cast down her | eyes and something like a blush to mantle her cheeks. Her kinsman. Souls, had imprisoned her because she had let Helen escape him. And she had betrayed this mans interests for that ungrateful kinsmani Already she saw the future expanding before her. A fierce flame of love and ambition sprang up within her. She pictured herself seated on a throne-with Wal lace. The cold courtesy with which