The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-02


 grisly wound in his head.
 Allan was about to pass his sword 1 through the body of his enemy when Dalgetty interposed, declaring that Ra- na1d was under his charge. Allan turned on the Ritt-Master, but Mon- trose came charging up and forced l them to cease.
 The clever Earl saw that serious trouble might follow and resolved at once to remove Allan from the camp for a day or two. He called the High lander aside and intrusted him with an important mission to General Sea forth, who lay not far away with an army. ostensibly ready to fight for l Parliament, but in reality irresolute and prepared to join either side &C., cording to policy.
 Before he departed Allan vasited Annot Lyle, who accompanied Angus and his retainers, since no man living on the border in those days dared to leave his household behind when he went to war. He told her that She | knew that Mentieth loved her and that she returned his love- hopeless though l IL was. MenIelIn uau SpDheH openlJ and honorably to Allan, telling him that had she been born lady he would offer her his name and rank, but as matters stood that was impossible.
 Beware, both of you,' said Allan sternly "When was 1t ever heard that an injury was offered to Allan Mo- Aulay for which he exacted not ten fold vengeance2"
 Scarcely had Allan left the camp be- fore the wounded Son of the Mist de- | manded to be brought facesto face with Sir Duncan Campbell of Ardenvohr. The two sorely injured men glared at each other with mutual hatred and Ra nald could not forbear those wild taunts which the Highlander loved to fling at his foe.
 All the more surprised were those who witnessed the meeting when Ranald told the knight that his fourth child was alive and that she was none other than Annot Lyle, who had been taken from them again by Allan McAulay. He offered proof that convinced the knight, Montrose and Mentieth of the truth of his story, and Annot was formally declared child and heiress of the Knight of Ardenvohr.
 The very next day Montrose visited Sir Duncan and asked for his daughters hand for his kinsman, the Earl of Men tieth. Sir Duncan admired the young nobleman, despite their political differ ences, and foreseeing that Argyle would try his best to prevent the match, de- cded that it would be wise to have the ceremony performed at once-a decision that was far from displeasing to the young lovers.
 As soon as the news reached Ranald he sent for retainer. Follow Allan of the Red Hand" said he. Pursue as the bloodhound pursues the deer-swim the lake-climb the mountain-thread the for est-and tell him that Annot Lyle is dis covered to be the daughter of Ardenvohr and that she is to marry Mentieth."
 The Highlander vanished like the mist , of which he called himself a son. When Dalgetty entered soon afterward Ranald was sinking fast. He reused himself just before the end and said: Saxon, hadst thou ever an enemy against whom weap- ons did not avail? To such a foe. who has the blood of mine dearest in his hands I have now bequeathed jealousy. despair, torment and sudden death. That shall be the lot of Allan of the Red
  Mentieth. l ask no more" He stretched himself and died
 Meantime his messenger had obeyed his orders all too we'll While Menteith was arraying himself for the ceremony, Allan was entering the camp He went straight to the room of his old friend and present rival and commanded him to draw his sword and defend himself
 
 here You know me well. Wait till to- morrow and you shall have fighting enough."
 'This hour-this instant-or neverp' an- swered McAulay. Menteith pushed him away violently and criedi "Begone. mad- manl"
 "Then be the vision accomplishedy' shouted Allan, drawing his dirk. He struck swiftly and hard. withdrew the dripping dagger and rushed out of the castle, never to be seen again by mortal man.
 The dark prophecy was accomplished, but, Menteith refused to die, much to the displeasure of the great seers of the Highlands. At last, however, they suf- fered themselves to be placated by the fact that the vision had been fulfilled : quite sufficiently by the wound inflicted by the hand and with the weapon fore told.
 MentietR was removed to Ardenvohr with Sir Duncan, where both recovered so well that the young earl was able to marry Annot within few weeks He was not able to take the field again, how ever. till the wars were ended, and he lived thereafter in happy and peaceful 3 privacy with his beautiful wife. . Dugald Dalgetty was made knight on l the field of battle and continued to fight and talk with equal and undiminished en- ergy till he was taken prisoner on the $ field of Philliphaugh. He was condemned to death, but some officers in the service t of the Covenanters interceded for him on l the ground that his skill would be useful 1 in their army.
 } But Sir Dugald Dalgetty proved unex- pectedly obstinate He had engaged with l the King for a certain term and till that I was expired his principles would not per 3 init him to change sides. l It looked very much as if Sir puGald uould hang The efbbet,s shadow fall