Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-27

entered the pass his scouts made sure that
he would not be ambuscaded, for it might
be that his approach was known, and that
Livingstone, taking him at a disadvantage
in the narrow way, by one happy stroke
would complete his triumph. AS he came
near Dundee, he sent out party to re-
connoiter. while he remained with his troop
to watch events. When the sound Of firing
was heard he knew that tho garrison was
on the alert, ana that the town could only
be taken by assault. The soldiers came
galloping back with several wounded men.
having left one dead. Livingstone was for
the moment safe in his fastness. and 1t
was evident that the Dragons were not
in a mind to desert their colors. By this
time 1t would be known at Dudhope that he
was near. and the sooner he arrived the
more chance of finding his wife 1t was
possible that Livingstone had garrisoned
Dudhope. and that If he rode forward alone
he might be shared. But this risk he would
take in the heat of his mind, and summon
ing Grimond with a stern gesture to his
side and ordering @the soldiers to follow
at a slight interval and to surround the
castle. he Ealloped forward to the door
The place appeared to be deserted, but at
last. in answer to his knocking, as he beat
on the door with the hilt of his sword,
it opened by an old woman who seemed
the only servant left and who was driven
speeches. by her masters unexpected ap-
pearance and his wild expression. For,
although John Graham had been a stern
as we'll just and kind master, and al
though he had often been angry, and was
never to be tri1ed with, no one had ever
seen him before other than cool and calm,
smooth-spoken and master of himself.
What means it. Janet, or whatever be
your name, that the door was barred and
kept standing outside my own house? What
were we doing and who Is within the
walls? Speak out. and quickly, or l will
make you do 1t at your pain. Have the
dragons been here. and are there any hid
In this place? Is my Lady Dundee In the
,Ia~a Jc nc And hay
when the panic-stricken woman could not
find Ineligible words before the unwonted
fury of her master, he pushed her aside
and rushing up the stair, tore open the
door of the familiar room where Jean and
lie usually sat-to find that she was not
there nor anywhere else in the castle, that
his wife and the child were gone With
this confirmation of his worst fears. his
fever left him suddenly. and he came to
himself, so far the action of his mind
and the passion of his manner We're con-
cerned. Sending for Janet. he expressed
his regret with more than his usual cour-
tesy, that he had spoken roughly to her
and for the moment had frghtened> her.
Something he said had vexed him, but now
she must not be afraid but must tell him
some things that he wished to know. Had
everything been going well at Dudhope
since he left, and had her ladyship and my
little lord been in good health? That was
excellent. He hoped that the dragons had
not been troublesome or come about the
castle? They had not? Well. that was
satisfactory Their commander. Col. Liv-
ingstone. perhaps, had called to pay his re-
spects to Lady Dundee and render any
kindness he could? No, never been seen at
the castle? That was strange. Her lady
ship-where had she gone. for she did not
appear to be in the castle. nor her maid
nor the other servants? Where were they
all? Had her ladyship taken refuge In
Dundee for safety in those troubled times?
And as his master asked this question with
studied calmness and the gentlest of &C
cents, Grimond shuddered for this was the
heart Of the matter and there was murder
In the answer. Not to Dundee - where
then? To Glenogilvie. only last night in
great haste. as if afraid of some one or
something happening, OF whom, of what?
But Janet did not know. and could only
say that Lady Dundee and the household
had formed a sudden plan and departed
at nightfall for the old home Of the
Grahams. Whereat Dundee smiled, and
crossing to a window and looking down
upon the town. said to himself: "A cum
ming trap. I was to be taken at Dundee
when in my hot haste and thinking / had
an easy capture, 1 rushed the town with
out precautions, l might have done.
While in quiet Glenogilvie my lady waited
for his triumphant coming. victor and
lover. 1t was a saving mercy, as her peo-
pie would say, that our scouts drew their