Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-14

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of the Canongate. Yet my heart was
blithe enough, for was l not back in my
ng-dreamed- native land; and ! my
own master for the first time in twenty
years.
In ST. Germans and Versailles. as you
may guess a lad in the Gendarmes
Ecossais. with his mothers brother keep
ing guardians watch over him the while
sips of liberty SO little that he scarce
knows the taste of it upon his tongue.
And further, if all / had heard of him
were true my noble father was little like
TO give me doucely the run of my youth
once l got beneath those smoky rafters OF
Craigmalloch dmly recollected from the
hours of childhood.
So this week which l allowed myself in
Auld Reekie was stolen, as it were, from
rightful authority: all by the good for
tune of a marvellous favorable wind that
ran us into Leith harbor SO many days
before our computation.
Now. says to myself. shall l break my
fast in some merry tavern? and after that
why, I'll go with the wind, says I. just
as a gust caught me.
Even as I paused youth swung by
me- He was followed at a little distance
by couple of serving men.
The arrogant glance the tilt Of the head,
- thA 70 S1,i In
which the youth eyed me passing. as If
it were my duty to make way for him.
spoke eloquently enough. ] turned and
stared after the three a moment or two.
and started in pursuit, down the High
street once more.
My lad of the rowan-sprig made a
straight course of it for a while. Just
before reaching the Neither Bow he sud
denly veered down a wynd on the right,
with his retainers In full tramp behind.
drew up close and thought myself for
tunate indeed when saw that the cellar
entrance into which they presently plung-
ed was that Of a tavern; the sign was
painted over the door. THE Fox and
Grapes
clattered down in my turn and
staggered into the house with as good
an imitation of my guides conquering
grace as / could muster in the uncer-
tainty of my passage through unaccus-
toned gloom. lusty wench, that
brought back memories of childhood
and my Highland nurse. received me.
She motioned me to solitary table.
and then requested my will.
With the tail of my eye on Master
Rowan-sprig, / ordered at hazard the
messes she suggested in her pretty, in
sinuating way. Meanwhile he who was
evidently master of the establishment,
a burly. elderly man. attended to the
wants of his more important patron.
But I, intent in watching. was quick
to apprehend that they conversed earn
estly together. and that in the Gaelic,
in which tongue l was not as proficient
as my uncle Craigmalloch would have
wished Thus, the drift of their speech
escaped me; yet could not be mistak
en- that both looked toward me ever
and anon. sharply, and as though ex-
pectantly. Finally, loudly. and in Eng
lisn. the host said, And 1 have not for
gotten your honors liking" and caught
up from a cupboard fagon. darkly in
crusted and cobwebbed.
"A man cannot have too good wine for
good toast" cried Master Rowan-sprig.
His voice lad bright. imperious ring
that echoed gratefully in my ear Again
he flung look at me. which returned
as bravely and as invitingly as
might, was burning to have my knees
under the same board, and clink a
glass with one who had taken nv
youthful fancy as freshly as the spring
wind.
And what wine will your honor
wish said the soft voice Of the girl
in my ear.
III have" said l. starting round TO
her, "a bottle from the same bin as
yonder gentleman"
Her pale eyes grew round. She hesi-
tated. looked almost frightened.
The old clary?"
Why not my love?' and with the
corner of my glance upon my hero. who
sat, his hand encircling a trimming
glass, fixing me now very steadily.
why not, if wine be measured here
by toasts. shall not my glass be of the
best?"
Il believe" said he, the old clary is
growing scarce. And. indeed, when
heads should be clear. tbs better to
share bottle than to drain it alone
however good-the toast"
My answer need scarce be recorded.
/ made him my best French bow. In. a
twinkling my desire was accomplished
/ was stretching my legs under the
same table as those arrogant limbs that
had swung his coat skirts as If they
had been the free kilt; 1 was clinking
my glass-my hand trembied-with
that held by his steady fingers.
Take my lads to the kitchen, Dun
can said the young chieftain, land