Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-14


gloom only partially relieved by the fire.
light from the wide, open hearth. While
CiaVeTfGuse was coming up the stairs to
the sound OF his spurs and the striking of
his sword against the wall, the sun came
OFT from behind a cloud. and ray OF light
streaming from an opposite window fell
upon tie doorway as he entered 1t I'm
gered but Tor a moment, and after touch
ing his picturesque figure with caress,
disappeared. ana the eyes of joan Ora nam
and Jean CoChrane met.
They were the opposite of each other; he
slight and graceful she tall and strong; he
dark and rich oil complexion. with hazel
eye, she fair and golden. with eyes of
gray blue he a born and convinced Cava-
lier, and she a born and prOfeSSed Cove
nanter: he kinsman of th,. great marquis
whom the Covenante-s beheaded. ami she
on her mothers side the daughter of
house which hated MontroSe and all his
works. There was nothing common be-
tween them; they stood distant as the east
from the west, and yet in that instant their
hearts were drawn together. They m ght
meyer confess their love-there would be a
thousand hndrances to give 1t enect-it
was in the last degree unlikely that they
could ever marry. but it had come to pass
with them. as with innumerable lovers, that
love was born in an instant.
Il thank you, my lord said Claverhouse.
bowling low to the earl for this friendly
greeting. and for the Invitation you now
give to be your guest during my short stay
in the district. 1t Is strange that through
some ordering of circumstances. to me very
disappointing, 1 have never had the honor
of offering to you an assurance of my re-
spect good subject of the king. and
one whom the king has greatly honored
AS you know. my lord / come and go
hastily on the kings business. 1 only wish
and / judge his majesty would join in the
wish, that my visits to those parts were
fewer One is tempted preachers tell US,
to think we'll of himself-overmuch. indeed.
maybe-but l have been wonderfully deliv
rod fl1p ~ poi IN, n q Y
a beloved person in the west of Scotland
AS he SPOKE. sudden and almost roguish
look of humor sprans from his eyes and
played across his face. And he smiled
pleasantly to Lady Jean. to whom he was
introduced. and whose hand he kissed.
You VII give your Indulgence to a poor
soldier who must appear in this foolish
trapping Of war. and whose time in these
parts is spent in the saddle rather than in
Il lady's rooms. | trust that it is we'll
with the Lady Crchrane. OF whom I have
often heard. and whom I dared to hope
might have the privilege of meeting. And
a second time the same smile fiickercd over
Claverhouse' face. and he seemed to chal-
lenge Jean for an answer.
My mother. Colonel Graham" responded
Jean with careful choice of words, does
not find herself able to receive you Today
as We would have wished. and | fear she
may be confined to her room during your
visit. II will. l fear be the greater loss
to YOU that You have to accept ME in her
tention We can and my good cousin hsre
knows the castle as If it We're his own
home.
Yes and he has often spoken of our far
hostess of today''-and ClaVerhouse lei
Lady. Jean to the table. where meal was
sprcad-''and every one has heard how
wide is the hospitality of Paisley Castle.
Am | too bold in asking whether Lord Ross
and | the only guests, or whether We
may not expect to have blessing on this
generous board from some minister of the
kirk, even perhaps from the worthy Mr..
Henry Pollock? | think my lord. he ia
vors you sometimes with his company.
Again the smile returned. but this time
more searching and ironical.
Pollock? Henry? That name sounds
familiar. One of the leaders of the hill
men. isn't he. who were giving such trouble
to the government? l am not sure but he
was in this district not long ago, maybe a
month since. Last Monday, was it? Well.
you will know better than l do. colonel.
My Lady Cochrane and l don't perhaps
quite agree in this. but | can't approve of
any traffcking with persons disaffected to
the government. Gone! what, did any man
say that Pollock was here?" And the earl
shuff1ed in his chair beneath CiaverhouSe's
hooking eyes.
IF you desire to know the truth" Jean
Cocnrane said, with severe dignity. 1t We're
better not to ask my lord. because many
come and go. and he sometimes forsets
their names. Mr.. Henry Pollock was
guest three days ago. as you are ours to-
day. but next day he left. and We know
not where he is. If. as l Judge, you have
surrounded the castle | think you might
let your troopers go to their dinner.
1T is good advice, laughed Clavcrhouse,
concealing his disappointment and nodding
to Lord Ross. who rose and left the table,
to send off the soldiers. For one thing.
at any rate. | have come a day behind
the fair, and | shall not have the pleasure
this time of hearing some gracious words
from that eminent saint and introducing
my unworthy self to his notice We have
met once or twice before, but at a distance,
and he had no leisure to speak with me-.
Some day | hope to be more fortunate
When YOU do meet. Col. Graham re-
tOrted Jean, stung by this mockery. for she
knew now that one of the ends of Claver-
houses visit was the arrest of Pollock. and
If il had not been the accident of her re-
fusal. Pollock would have been ClaVer-
houses prisoner, you will be in the com
panY of a good man and a brave, who may
not be of your way, but who. | will say in
any presence. is a gentleman of Christ"
Whatever else befall him. Pollock is
fortunate in his advocate. Claverhouse
looked curiously at Jean. God knows |
do not desire to say aught against him.
Had found him in Paisley Castle I should
have done my duty and he would have done
his. We were together in the old days al
St. Andrews. and he was good cavalier
then: he is a man of family and of honor
Pardon me If | think he has chosen the
wrong side. and is doing vast evil in stir
ring up ignorant people against the gov
eminent and breeding lawlessness. But
there, / desire not to debate, and none
grieves more over the divisions of the day
than an unhappy soldier who is sent to set
tie them by the rough medicine of the
sword. Henry Pollock has chosen his side
and taken his risk; | have chosen mine and
taken my risk. too. If 1t be his lot when
the time comes he will die as brave man
should, for there is no cowardice in Pol
lock and when my time comes. may heaven
give me the same grace. But | fear Lady
JEAN 1t is struggle unto life death"
Claverhouse's face grew stern and sad and
he repeated. Unto life or DEATH
Then suddenly his face relaxed into the
old polite hooking smile as he turned to
Lord Dundonald. The Lady Jean and /
have fallen upon much too serious talk,
and I take blame, my lord that 1 have
not been inquiring for the welfare of your
family. / congratulate you my Lord
Cochrane. who we'll sustains the fame of
your house on all its sides for turning
out strong and fair women Some
day l hope Cochrane will ask for a COM
mission in his majestys regiment of horse
and join his kinsman Ross under my COM
mand But what news have you from Sir
John? 1t came to my ears somehow that
he travelling abroad: is that So my
lord? Some one told me also that you had
letter from him q week ago"
John! We have not seen him for a
year. He was In London. but he is not
there now. Yes, 1 seem to remember that