Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-07

No doubt you have little time. ana no
| doubt you will soon be busy with the same
| work. You were born of good house.
| though It has taken an evil road in these
days; you know the rules by which man
! of blood should guide his life, and the
| things it were a shame for him to do. even
| to the man he may have to meet on the
| battle ground. Is it fitting. Scourie, to
| SANDER a fellow-officer to his commander
and so to Doilute his fountain of influence
that he shall not receive his just place?
You have asked what 1 have against you;
now 1 tell you. and am ashamed to bring
so foul an accusation against Scots gen.
tleman."
lis that the cause of your black looks
and secret ill-will?" And MacKay was as
cold ever and gave no sign that he had
been stirred by this sudden attack. In
that case l can remove your suspicion and
| prevent any breach between two Scots Of
ficers who may not be on the same side IN
their own country. but who serve the same
prince in this land. Never have l once,
save in some careless and passing reference.
| spoken about you with the prince and
never have 1. and 1 say it on the honor OF
a Highland gentleman. said one word
against you as man or as solaier You
spoke of evidence. What Is your evidence?
| Who has told you this thing, which Is not
true? Who has tried to set you on fire
against me?"
TT is not necessary, Col. MacKay, to
produce any witness or to quote any say
ing of yours. The facts are known to all
the army: they have seen how it has Jared
with you and with me. ! will not say Eheth-
er 1 had not some claim to succeed Ballan-
tine as lieutenant colonel In the Scots Bril-
gade, and 1 will not cirque whether you or
had done most for his highness. l have Ut
heard that you saved his life, or that he
promised to show his gratitude. / will not
touch further on that point, but how is 1t.
/ ask you, that since that day. though
had my share of fighting at the Siege of
grave and elsewhere as we know, there Is
no word Of advance for me? II you can
read this riddle to me and keep yourself
out of 1t. why then l shall be willing to
take your hand and count you. Presby-
terrain though you be, an honest man."
why ask those questions of me, es-
pecially We seem to doubt my word. Capt.
Graham?" And for the first time Mac
Kay seemed stung by the insinuation of
dishonorable conduct. If you will pardon
my advice, would it not be better that
you go yourself to the prince and ask
him II any man has injured you with him,
and how 1t is you have not received what
you consider your just reward?
THAT Is cheap counsel, Hugh Mackay,
and mayhap you gave 1t because you knew
1t would not be taken Never will hum
BILE myself before that wooden image, never
will l ask as favor what should be given
as my right 1t were fine telling in Scot
land that John Graham of Claverhouse was
waiting like beggar upon Dutch prince.
1 would rather that the liars and the plot
tiers whom he makes his friends should
have the will of me-
MacKay's face fushes for an instant to
fiery red and then turns CHASTITY pale. and
without a word he is going on his way, but
Claverhouse will not let him..
Twill nothing rouse your blood and touch
your honor? Must | do this also?" And
lifting his cane he struck Mackay lightly
upon the breast. THAT, | take it. will
give a reason for settling things between
u.s. Mr.. Collier will make doubt,
ceive any officer you are pleased to send
within an hour, and will give you the sat
isfaction one gentleman desires OF another
before the sun sets
You have done me bitter wrong. Capt.
Graham And MacKay was trembling
with passion, and putting the severest re-
straint upon his temper. which had now
been fairly reused. But l shall not do
l took up the honorable service of arms. I
made a VOW unto myself. and sealed 1t in
covenant with God that | would accept
no challenge nor fight any duel. 1t is
enough that the blood of our enemies be on
our souls. l will not have the guilt of
fellow Officers death. risk my own life
in a private quarrel l pray you let me
pass.
1T is your own life you are concerned
about, Col. MacKay," answered Clayer-
house, with an evil smile full of contempt
and in the quietest of accents, for he had
resumed his characteristic composure
your own precious life. which you desire
a graceful gesture to some officers who had
been passing and been arrested by the al
tercation, Claverhouse said with an air of
careless languor: May have the strange
privilege never given me before, and per-
haps never to be mine again, of introduce
ing you, by his leave or without it, to a
Scot whom no can deny is by birth
a gentleman. and whom no one can deny
now is also coward-Lieut. Col. MacKay
of the Princes Scots Brigade"