River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-04-18

5 THE SCARLET SCARF s
BY F. n. MELVILLE
BY r. n. MELVILLE
Copyright, by Joseph B. Bowles.)

Copyright, by Jo
At seven o'clock in the evening all
Falkland was astir; the streets were
full of unfamiliar dazzling figures NOV
ing with one accord toward the palace
where Douglas, the earl of Angus,
would entertain for his royal prisoner,
James Stuart
The ports stood open while troops
OF gay hOrsemen and horsewOmen
cantered through, lords and ladies
from the length and breadth of the
Kingdom of Fife. Their trains fol-
lowed them in bright disorder of
color and glitter. Each guest destined
for the palace wore small mask and
many and various were the costumes
donned by the masqueraders.
At the entrance to the park stood
the young king, James Stuart. King
in name only, for his stern step
father, Douglas, the earl of Angus,
virtually held him prisoner, nor could
he even ride within the limits Of Falk-
land park unescorted.
A little way behind him stood Doug
las, earl Of Angus, an unmistakable
figure, though masked and in the dress
Of an ancient Thane, his eyes ever on
his royal prisoner.
Among the gay company Of mas
queraders there appeared presently,
lean man, wallet on side, and a woman
with long dark locks, in the short
striped skirt of the peasant; and a
crooked staff in her hand. The king
bowed carelessly.
con the word Of a Douglas" whis-
pered the earl of Angus. tits the
Spaewife of Creich to the life, and
Leslie himself. Could we but see her
eyes"
Spaewife" exclaimed James. "Then
shall she read us our riddles. Let us
now to the company and afterward to
the play"
from the crowd when a voice broke in
gently:
MAY it please his majesty to hear
what the fates have written?"
"Of surety, good madam" replied
the king, at once extending his hand;
SAY on" She bent over the palm
eagerly, mumbling some indistinct
words James inclined his head to
listen intently.
Broken bonds by the aid of a
friend"-the voice fell to whisper so
that he alone heard, and she no long
er read from the hand. Horses at
midnight outside the West Port. Even
now the means Of liberty lie in the
royal chamber The guard at the
royal postern will be silent. Follow
the Spaewlfe standing at the gate
house on the stroke of II. Lose all,
or gain eVerything!"
Then she stopped again and peered
closely into the palm as if seeking
there what she had said, and her brow
became clouded.
"'Tis written, It's written" she
said. as if to reassufe herself "But
beware OF woman, Woman ever
worked i'll to the Stuart race" Then
suddenly dropping the hand she
turned to find the Douglas and his
young daughter Margaret who stood
behind her. Attracted by the scene,
other guests flocking in their wake,
came towards the king.
"a soothsayer!" cried one, lightly.
"Read me my fate friend"
The Spaewife turned instead to
Angus.
Would the Douglas know his fate,
and what the future holds for him."
she demanded, drawing down her dark
brows, and fixing her eyes on Angus
face.
Nay" he answered shortly. Doug
las heeds not old wives tales"
IF the Douglas will not, then read
me the weird of his daughter" broke
in the fair Margaret Douglas, stretch
ing out her hand The soothsayer
glanced at it. then at the pretty face
with it's frame of golden hair, and
hesitated, her aspect softening some
what
Speak" cried Margaret, imperious-
ly, flushing as she read the express
sion. Can it be that the Spaewife
pities Margaret Douglass"
ITO betray a half-brother, to wander
with never a home, to love and be
IONSU, JuSu 10 lduSuISu III vain WlCUlu
prison walls"
"Betray a half-brother-that is
Jamie! Languish in a dungeon!
Where will it be, Jamie? 'Tis not too
kind But l shall love and be loved!
All, well-a-day!" And she skipped off,
dragging the king with her, to see the
dancers on the bowling green, while
the Spaewife disappeared in the
crowd, followed by her kinsman
Leslie.
But no music of lutes and viols. nor
nimble footing of the dancers-Egyp-
tians from the south in fantastic gala
array-seemed to hold the attention
of James Stuart. In the quick throb-
bling of the strings he heard again the
Spaewife'ss words, and freedom rose
before him in one great pulse of ex-
hilaration. Less than an hour to lib
erty, a few short hours till he might
pay back in full to Douglas the miser-
able farce of thraldom in mimic king
ship; when morning dawned he would
be king indeed-make an end of the
stormy past and begin fairer future.
In another moment James was 60
ing towards the door of the palace
that led to the royal apartments.
There, the woman had said, he should
find the means of liberty. Breathless,