Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-14
|GRAHAM OF CLAVERHOUSE
BY IAN MACLAREN,
Auto Of Bonnie Bush"
BY IAN MACLAREN,
Author OF BESIDE the Bonnie Brier Bush."


how they all called her my lady. Il judge
that Ciaverhouse and any servants he
/ brings must be our guests, and. of course.
! Ross. But you Know more about what We
can Go than |. Do you think we could
| invite the other officers of his troop: There
will he Bruce of Earleshall and Then.
catching Lady Cochrane's eye. he brought
| his Numbering plans of hospitality to a
/ close. DOUBTLESS YOU VII send a letter
! and invite such as the castle may accom-
| rnodate. leave everything. Margaret, in
| your hands.
! Il invite John Graham of Claverhouse
| and his bloody crew. officers men 1t
matters not. to cross our threshold and
! break bread within our walis-I. a daugh-
/ ter of the house of CasS Ills and the widow
! OF your faithful son. May my hand be
| smtten helpless forever If | write such a
| word. and my tongue cleave to the roof of
/ my mouth II | welcome this slayer of the
saints to my hcme!' And Lady Cochrane
rose from her place and stood like lioness
at bay. Receive that servant of the EVIL
one INFO Paisley Castle? Yea, | would re
] Ceive him If l could If early word had
I been sent of his approach and il were in my
! power, l would call together every man in
! this region who is true unto God and the
Covenant, and | would close the gates of
! the castle and bid the pei secutor take 1t
! by force. | should count it an honor be-
fore the Lord to shed my own blood in its
defense. But l doubt that may not be.
What shall i do them in answer to a
| quavering question from the earl who was
open fireplace. Il would leave the castle II
! 1t were not too late. and seek some lodging
till Cleverhouse be gone. for fear TO dwell
beneath the ssame roof with this man OF
blood lest the Lord smite with com
mon destruction. See him or speak with
him | Will not; will to my own rooms. and
there | will Seclude myself. praying that
God may speedily judge this man. and cast
him from his place. Lord Dundonald. /
will leave il to you to play the host; very
likely We will not have much sorrow over
it. for ye have more than friendly heart
to the InalignantS.
1T seems to me ii be not too bold in
saying H. that We are taking a wise course.
my lady. for there might arise some slight
debate between you and ClaveThouse. and
that in the present circumstances would
not lie convenient. Not quite. as ] sid,
convenient. You are a brave woman. Mar
garet; and worthy Of your honorab BILE house,
but C!averhouse is the kings officer, and
forgct-ny memory Is not what IL was
the number of men in troop. but he has
two troops with lin. Apart from that.
rambled on the earl. we must remember
John. who is in danger. and We may not
give offense if we can speak canny
word which will get the right s dc of
Clarcihouse.
''Ye have learned your lesson well, my
lord. and ye VIII DO your part in this day of
eXpedienCy when men are more concerned
about their safety and that of their children
than that of the kirk of God and the
cause o. righteousness. MAKE sure that
. there Niii-Ee much Ia. talk between GU
and Your guests. but ! caiiFet breathe this
air. and 50 you VIII cXcusC ne from your
company. Jean. you VII come with Your
mother and stay " tn me ill THIS plague
has left the house. fer count a visit OF
CIavcrhousc worse than Ierrosy or the
black death
Craving your pardon, mother said
Jean. who lad been listening to this con-
vcrsgtion with intense sympathy. and en-
teriug k"cnly into the contrast between
Z 81, adv ,..llr M
go with you and hide myself till Colonel
Graham be gone. There should. ii seems
to me- be some woman b. the side of the
head of the house especially when he Is no
longer young. to receive ClaVerhouse. for
whether we hate or love him he Is our
guest while underneath this roof | am not
afraid of him. and | Will make free to con-
feSS that | desire To this man of whom
we have heard 50 much i'll. II may be.
after all. that he is not what those foolish
people think At any rate. by your leave,
| shall stand by the earls side If he will
| have me.
| I'VE speak boldly. girl. Though you have
| often debated with me more than was be-
| coming. | do not recall till this day that ye
| have disobeyed me. But b. il so. since this
| gives pleasure to his lordship'' twho had
! Crept over and was standing, as ii were.
| under the SHE'D of his bold granddaughter
| only. enc word of warning. If We be not
! too proud and h,gh-minded to take it. AL
] belt this man has the heart of Pontius Pr
| late and will be the curse of every one
! that has TO do with him. Yet the story goes
that the master whom he serves has given
| him fair face and besuiling words and l
| bid YOU beware. But from what l hear out
| side il is time | left. Your guest IS at your
gate: | pray you may have comfort in him,
and that he may not bring shadow to this
home" And Lady Cochrane swept her ma =
| jestic way out of the dining hall and re-
tired to her apartments in another wing.
AS she left. the earl. with Jean. went to
the public door of the lIall to meet Lord
Ross ard ClaverhOuse. who. without wait
ing for any invitation tn stay IN the castle,
had come to pay their respects t. the earl.