The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-02-28

VI CT DIuIliSEu that lie MOulu De 1t 3dln-
crimes lattice window at dawn that he
might have the privilege of being her
valentine for the year; that being the Gus
tom then on the morning of Saint Valen-
tines day
Tt was long before dawn could be ex-
pected when the lover set out for his post,
keen to forestall rival claimants for the
honor of greeting the Fair Maid of Perth
first. In order to explain properly to them
that they were out of place he wore coat
of chain mail under his Flemish doublet
of light blue broadc1oth slashed with
black satin and laced with black silk. His
black velvet'bonnet was lined with proof
steel, and under his cloak he carried
whinger, weapon somewhat shorter than
a sword, but powerful enough to answer
In any ordinary quarrel.
It was well that he was prepared. As
he came within sight of Simon Glover's
house two men started from the shadows
and intercepted his passage. He pushed
forward, using his cloak as a buckler. One
thrust at him. He caught the blow in the
cloak tripped the fellow and threw him
so hard that he fell stunned. Almost be-
fore his form touched the ground the
armorers whinger came down on the Sec
ond man and laid him PROSTATE
Harry of the Wynd now pushed forward
quickly to the house. He heard a sup
pressed whisper and hustle under Cath
crimes window. Then he saw a ladder be-
ing erected against the house.
This was to Saint Valentines jest. He
rushed forward One of the party opposed
him. VILLAIN, you shall die the death!''
shouted Harry of the Wynd and drove
his whinger furiously at the mans head.
The latter threw up his sword arm to
parry and Harry felt his weapon go
through flesh and bone. Scarcely waiting
for his foe to drop the armorer snatched
at the ladder, jerked 1t to the ground and
drove his foot down upon the fellow who
had been on It, pinning him fast
The rest now struck at him fiercely, but
his armour held. and his roar of 'Helpl
Help Bows and blades, citizensl Help
for St Johnston together with the clat-
tering of his whinger as he laid about him
Justify, brought men from all the houses
around, Ever ready as the citizens We're
for fray. they came armed and quick for
fight. The assailants fed, carrying off
their wounded men, all except the man
whom Harry of the Wynd had thrown
from the ladder and whom he now had
by thethroat
Let me go and what is past shall be
forgiven said his prisoner. Thou hast
Il shall do something in giving thee a
cloven head presently said Harry of
the Wynd. IF thou standest not still"
Hear me, Simon Glover" said the pris-
oner to Simon, who stood peering at him
through the darkness.
4 know that voice." said Simon.
though I cannot see the face. Son Henry
let this young man speak with me-"
So saying the old man pulled the pris-
oner in and shut the door. I'VE have
caught none of them," cried the burgh-
ers, who now returned from the chase
of the fugtives. I'VE We're hard on the
heels of two who helped a wounded one
between them, but they reached sanctu-
airy before we could catch them"
Look here!" cried citizen, who had
arrived with a torch. Whose gay hand
Is this?" He lifted up a bloody hand
which had been cut off with a clean cut
at the wrist. Harry Smith had better
show a pair of heels for 1t. This is no
common persons hand but that of a fine
gentleman. See the ring!''
File upon you'll" shouted the rest.
Would you have us yield up our rights
and houses tamely2 Away and collect
our friends on this same spot after sun
rise, when we will consult on what to
do"
As soon as they were gone the gloyer's
door opened and Simon pulled Harry in.
THE prisoner has escaped" said he.
The smith suspected that the escape
had been with Simon's connivance; and
the suspicion was strengthened later
when the glover showed himself reluctant
to press an inquiry into the outrage. The
citizens, however, insisted. and called on
Sir Patrick Charters, Provost of Perth,
to take up their quarrel, which he did
right speedily and doughtily.
With such effect did he push the charges
before the King that the people of Perth
soon learned that Prince David had been
forced by his royal father to dismiss his
master of horse, Sir John Ramorney, and
all Perth, that hated the vicious noble
man intensely. justly blaming him as the
evil spirit of the Prince, whispered the
gossip that Robert III, mild and unroyal
though he was, had sworn that he would
have Ramorney's head if law could give
1t.
doubted any longer that the man on the
ladder, whom the smith had mis-used so.
was David. Duke of Rothsay and heir
to the throne.
The burghers were appeased by the in
Fiction of a heavy fine on Ramorney.
That he had been engaged In the ARRAY
was proved by the hand that had been
hewed off by the smith; for on it was
his own signet ring.
Not content with this disgrace the luck
less Prince was reckless enough to insult
no less a person than his father-in-law.
Lord Douglas, feared throughout the isles
as the Black Douglas, whom few men
of Albany into marriage with the
daughter of Douglass when his own choice
was the daughter of the Lord of March.
the Prince had already f1outed the Black
Douglass by neglecting his wife and being
openly faithless to her. Now, on the very
day of his trouble over the attempt to
kidnap Catherine he had the temerity to
ct,, n.u