Bridgeton pioneer., 1907-08-01

1t is not so very long since Holyrood
abbey precincts were deprived of their
ancient privilege of sanctuary. In the
twentieth century people yet live who
have themselves sought refuge from
creditors within the magic circle sur
rounding the grim old Scottish pal
ace.
Also, people yet remember the fuss
caused by the death of the childless
Earl of Glen Luce. No less than five
claimants contested the succession;
public interest ran high.
More than one of the litigants was
ruined. There was Sir John Ruther-
ford who claimed through the marri-
age of the first earl; Major Grifiths,
who descended from the Lady Margar-
cts ill-advised match-both these were
reduced to their last penny.
1t was Sir John Rutherford whose
chance seemed to be gaining as time
passed on. An old Indian K C. B.,
he was too we'll used to the buffetings
of fortune to talk much about the mat
ter; but his daughter, Marcia, saw that
he snapped her up less viciously when
he overheard her discussing the Glen
Luce claim with her brother He had
played the game pluckily. Could he
last out to the end?
''It is either Glen Luce or Holyrood,"
his son Ned remarked, in a jocular
tone. Marcia, whose sporting instinct
was undeveloped, looked grayely at
him, and then turned to his friend,
Capt Christopher Haig, who was
spending short leave in their home
in Edinburgh.
Il wish" said she, ''that the old earl
had never died at all. We were quite
happy before this terrible fuss burst
over us!"
"Nonsense!" her brother cried. "You
will be as proud as punch when the
pater takes his place among the big
wigs, and you go sweeping to the top
OF a room in the wake of the Countess
or Glen Luce!"
Capt. Haig, with a folly he himself
condemned, fingered long in Edinburgh
-singeing his wings, until he was ac-
tually losing the power to fly away.
He thought Marcia adorable. Had it
not been for that hideous earldom
business he would have proposed to her
weeks ago.
He had pretty fair prospects-a de-
cent little place of his own in Ber-
wickshire, an ancient name, Ad a
clean record to lay at her feet.
Enough, perhaps, for Sir John Ruther-
ford, but ridiculous to mention to the
Earl of Glen Luce! Christopher Haig
grew more and more downhearted as
the legal horizon seemed gradually
to clezr
Long before August came it seemed
pretty certain who would have the
right of shooting the Glen Luce moors.
You will be back with us for the
twelfth, old MANI" Edward Rutherford
said to his friend some time in June.
I think not-no!" Haig answered
gloomily.
THE fact is, Ned, I've stayed here
too long!"
'Marcia?"
Haig shrank from the rough touch
on the raw wound Say rather my
own laziness,' he said, lightly. "Ive
not had much of home, as you know,
New; and I've stayed in yours till it
IS wrench to be off and away. Sure
sign I've been here too long. | must
go on Monday"
20 he did. But when he saw in the
papers the conclusion of the Glen Luce
affair it startled him strangely. The
Morning Post" announced that the
Earl and Countess of Glen Luce and
Lady Marcia Rutherford had left Edin-
purg for their house in Hill street. The
1lmes' had a leading article on the
ereat case, in which it recalled the
lacts OF many other causes cele-
society rang with the story
capt. Haig's congratulations went
by the next post. And once more he
said how sorry he was that he was
prevented from running down to Scot
land
Edward was piqued. Il can't think
What has happened to the fellow!" he
SAID to his sister IF he thinks the
Title and the few acres of country are
going to change us all-rot, l call it,"
Marcia made no answer But her
brother had quick eyes.
Marcia! You don't mean to tell me
ne has said anything to your"
No no! What nonsense, Ned! Oh,
Ned, he never will say anything
now!''
The cry came from her heart And
Edward, though young and inexperi-
enceo as to the ways Of women, could
not put recognize the pain in it.
Tell me, dear"
Ihere is nothing to tell. Nothing.
Inere never will be anything, it seems.
Ned, his name is in ihe Gazette to-
oay. He has exchanged to the Rifles,
and is off to the front!'
Yes, here it was in Black and white.
Haig had exchanged ino a regiment