Ellsworth American., 1910-02-23
HIS SHADOWER.


IN the lOWu Oh Selklfk uuFluS Lue
reign Of Henry Nv. Of Scotland shoe
maker sat working at his bench. From
the rear Of his shop came child's
cry. The man paused in his work and
listened. The child was hushed by its
mother, and the shoemaker went on
with his work. Presently q woman
entered the shop. She was young and
handsome.
II pray you, Alec" she said, give
MP this mad freak. We are not strong
enough to successfully invade Eng
land. Let the king lead an army over
the border II he likes and take the
consequences which will be sure de-
feat. But do you stay at home. II you
60 you may lose your life; II you re-
turn our people will revile You for
bringing misfortune upon Them"
II think you are wrong, Margaret
replied her husband. Our people are
turning out In great force. l alone
am to bring hundred men to the
army of invasion"
"And wreck q hundred families!'
Scotland will be the gamer"
Scotland will be the sufferer. be-
seech you desist."
81 have gone too far to retreat, Mar
garet l would be upbraided for a
turncoat."
Margaret Hume returned to the
dwelling portion of the cottage, but In
a moment returned with their baby
girl, FIVE months old. Holding the child
up to its father, she said:
"If you are killed, Alec. in this
war who will keep me and your child
from misery?"
The appeal brought tears to the
mans eyes. Gladly would he have
abandoned his intention, but pride held
him from doing so. He would not
desert his king and his country In their
hour Of need.
Alec" cried his wife, made desperate
by his firmness, twill not supply the
child whom you are bound to support
with bread OF clothing. Honor, for
sooth! Here is where honor lies for
you-dishonor in deserting your wife
and babyr'
The couple parted in anger, Hume to
join the force marching to battle.
In the fight that ensued Alexander
Hume was in the thick of the battle,
performing prodigies Of valor. The
men he had induced to join in the en-
terprise and whom he commanded, in
cited by his example, stood by him
nobly. One man in leathern doublet
and with small white feather in his
helmet, who had come on to the field
just as the battle began, took position
beside him and fought with equal cour-
age as himself. An English soldier
succeeded in getting very close to
Hume and was about to plunge his
spear between the clasps of his armor
when the man with the white feather
struck down the enemy.
"Your nameY cried Hume.
Never mind my name," replied the
man who had saved his life.
Wherever Hume went that day the
man with the white feather went, pro-
tecting him from the many perils that
beset him and on many an occasion
forestalling an enemy who was about
to crush him. At last the scattered
army gave way and fed in every di-
rection before the victorious English
men. Hume, with the others, escaped
from the field and for time lay con-
cealed to avoid capture. His first
thought after emerging from his hid
ing place was the soldier who had
hovered near him. OF every one he
met he inquired II he knew OF the
fate Of the man with the white feather.
Had he escaped or was his dead body
lying on the field Of battle? All he
could learn was that the shadower had
disappeared.
Hume's next thought was for his
wife and child. He hurried toward his
cottage his mind filled with her proph-
ecies as to the misfortunes the invad-
ers would bring upon Scotland by their
rash course and her pleadings for him
to take no part in it, reserving his life
for her and their child. He would ac-