The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-02-28
ADf1lRAT1ON

castle of Falkland, where the Lady
 Marjory, the Douglass daughter and the Princes neglected wife, was dwelling alone. She would fling bailiff or King into the ditch if they came to arrest any one under her protection. said Charteris.
 simon Glover knew that there was no time to lose. Before another half hour, Catherine. cloaked beyond yrecog- milton. was riding out of fertk with Charteris, and Simon was on his way into the highlands. So hastily did they flee that he did not even send word to the smith. promising Catherine that he would do so at the first op- portunity.
 Since the Highlanders were in con- stant feud with the townspeople this was no easy matter, particularly as the doughty armorer could not read. Thefefore when & wild clapsrnan final ly brought him message 1t was not very intelligible. and Harry of the Wynd gained the belief that Glover had taken his daughter to the high lands to the abiding place of Coma char, whose father had died. leaving him to be chief of the powerful and proud clan of Quhele under his proper title of Eachin MacIan.
 The poor armorer recalled with groan the fact that Catherine always had been most gentle and courteous to the handsome apprentice. He learned now that the young Highlander had been sent to Glover's house only be- cause of a prophecy that threatened III for the tribe unless he should be re- moved from 1t for time; and that now the doom had been lifted and he was among the most powerful of all the rude but still semi-royal chiefs who defied even the King of Scot land when they chose.
 Within @ few days the name of Eachin MacIan affronted the Jealous armorer's ears wherever he went. for the town of Perth was excited by the preparation for an event that thrilled the minds of all event in those bloody days. The Clan Quhele and the Clan Chattan had agreed to fight out long standing feud by the battle of thirty champions on each side before the King
 Proclamation was made forbidding the burghers to go within half mile of the place where the champions were to be quartered. There w1re too many ancient quarrels to permit any approach between such natural enemies. Even Harry of the wynd, eager as he was to pick a quarrel with his rival. dared not violate the edict.
 A few nights before the combat Highlander came secretly to the armorers place to buy a coat of mail The smith saw that he wore the colors of the Clan Quhele, which he hated thoroughly by this time. He refused to sell him anything until he learned that the armor was for Eachin MacIan
 At once Harry of the Wynd brought out the finest mail shirt in his armory. The Highlander's eyes g1eamed and he cried: "A hundred cows and bullocks and a good drift of sheep would be cen over cheap an offer for such a piece as this. the best I ever beheld. But I will pay what you will.''
 Neither gold nor gear will buy it," said Harry. T will give you that armor for your chief if he will promise to face me after the combat and let me try my sword on him. He has in- jured me. and 1t is only on these terms that he can have It." 1
 'If he hath wronged you he must meet you" said the Highlander. "He is first in the Highlands. and so sure as he is Eachin. so surely will bring him to you If he is alive; for you must know. brother. that the Clan Chattan's claws pierce deep"
 The smith was foremost in the crowd that assembled to see the bat tie. When he saw Eachin. stripped of his mean slough of an apprentice and blazing forth as a chieftan with his quick eye and gallant demeanor. the noble shape of his brow and throat, he felt that the Fair Maid of Perth could hardly be blamed for choosing him for lover and husband. but though he was thus modest about his own at- fractions the thought did not in the least soothe his hot desire for one good. honest blow at his rival
 The lists were opened in level place washed on one side by the River Fay. A space 150 yards long and seven four yards wide was laid out, and at each end stood an aged war rior. holding the standard of his clan. The wild scream of the pipes proclaim ed the arrival of the champions. The Lord High Constable examined each man to see that he was properly arm cd with mail shirt. steel cap. two- handed sword and dagger. Suddenly he cried. Hold! There Is a champion missing in the Clan Chattan"
 It was so. One of the champions was absent-tempted. as 1t turned out afterward. by a girl who had promised to marry him if he would elope with her at once.
 Make proclamation" said tho Lord