The Washington times., 1912-07-02
CHAPTER XIV (continued.)


hand. There was silence for a few
moments. When she spoke again, her
voice was low and tense with scorn.
But what am /? What is my
father7 We are nothing. We would
be willing sacrifices if-of you had been
what YOU pretended to be. rode hard
all night, not to save the man 1 loved,
but for the sake of the King of Scot
land. My father has staked his life, HE
liberty, for the King of Scotland. Scot
land has laid down its peace for its
King. It's chieftains have defied the
King OF England for the King of Scot
land.
And what now? They will be driven
from their homes into exile. They will
starve among foreigners, as they did
again, and the voice of the pibroch will
be crime against the peace Of the Eng
lish King. All Scotland will weep for
years. and walk In the shadow of dis
came. traded upon what is most sacrcd
in the heart Of the land and the heart of
its people, and fled when his own skin
was to be saved! Oh! you despicable
worm!"
Again there was silence. She scould
not see his face, but his whole attitude
was one of such unutterable misery
that, while her heart did not soften,
she felt that she had administered as
much humiliation as human being
could suffer and survive. Resides, a.
she, still did not wish him TO die. She
wished him to live and suffer the retr-
button of his own conscience.
Margaret advanced. took the plaid
from the table, and wrapped it around
her shoulders. Then she drew up a
stool by the fireside and seated herself.
There was not sound in the room
save that of the mans deep breathing.
ha hJ1n nf hal
own overwrought heart. There came a
scratching at the door. which was pres
emily pushed open. The collie came in.
room, as If puzzled al the silence where
two human beings inhabited. The dog
shifted Margaret's plaid, and seeming to
find no sympathy there. turned to the
man. One of Cesimir's hands hung list
lessly at his side. The dog seemed to
divine the need of comfort here. The
collie whtned and licked the mans
hand.
Margaret. turning to glance at Casi-
mir, saw the picture. All at once she
realized the mans friendless condition.
The dog had curled itself under Cast
umbrage with great, reproachful eyes.
Something Jumped in her throat. The
white heat cooled, and her heart beat
slower. and with a thicker motion. Her
sob. She succeeded in keeping silence,
but she drew thep lad up over her head
to hide the sudden hot tears that
swelled into her eyes.
When Casimir slowly raised his head
he found her thus-a huddled figure by
the fire, with bowed head hidden un-
der a plaid.
Margaret" said he in a choked voice
II have heard, and have submitted. ]
deserve all you have said. No man
gould deserve lessor more. But-may
I tell my story?'
She moved slightly, but did not an
swer.
1T Is not in defense of myself. or OF
my actions. From your standpoint-and
indefensible.. But I know how I have
hurt you whom never meant to hurt
whom would not hurt II my life
were at stake. 1t may help you-it may
sslve your own hurt in the days that
are to come If tell you my story"
She shuddered. The days that were tc
come!
ansrinan ~ am not a Scotsman. am ar
He paused: He wondered If she were
listening. She was still hidden undel
the plaid, and she had not moved from
her huodled attitude. But he knew tha
not a word would escape her ears. H,
went on:
,.iLL ~ was born in Virginia. My grand
She suddenly flung the plaid aside
and blazed out at MIN:
What has this 20 do with rne? I an
not interested in your ancestry
Their ewes met for a moment. He wa
again master OF himself. In his looI
We're determination to proceed with hi
stony. and patience with her unwilling
ness to hear it, She tossed her head
and again buried her face n the plaid
tirninG her head to the fire. But IN he>
action he saw momentary victory, ant
she realized a momentary defeat.
MY grandfather was a Pole" he re
tlocd OF John sobieski. King of Poland
Your King jamie married a daughter o
John Sobieski. Their child was Charlie
Edward Philip Casimir Stuart He Wa
land does not flow in my veins. at leas
my blood ,fowed in Prince Charles.
She was tapping n foot impatiently.
That. Of course, does no: help me,
you may understand some other things
my likeness to YOUR prince. for instance
The distant relationship may have ha
something t. do with mothers whir
in adding Edward to nv name at chris
tnning. My fathers name vas Charlc
CaEimir" i"
In the pauses OF his speech the stlenc
was broken only by the impatient tar
"As habv they called me "Bonnl
Prince Charlie As l grew up the nan,
became mine almost. In time 1t becam
common talk that the name vas hal
VI one king and a relation of tha
Kings grandsor-your prince. had n
right 10 1t, OF course, but the Worl
would not have 1t SO. The women, VIII
seem to be partial to princes an
princes blood. would hear OF no denia
And I am man, with a mans vanity
my mother dressed me on certain or
casons in the costume of Scotland, an
kissed me and called me her 'Ronni
Prince Charlie The negroes on m
fathers plantation called me Prime
Charlie DO you blame q lad for likin
it? Do you blame 4 lad that the nam
became almost his Manner
The tapping had ceased. but she sti
sat mysterious and unapproachable.
when l became a man-thev say
was not cursed with i'll looks. tn
women still called me Bonnie Primo
Charlie tell you this in all humilis
Ntion. Once there was to be ball in oil
capital, Washington-a masquerade bal
I allowed my beard to grow to suit II
part which I played. I wore the royt
tartan of Scotland, and was presents
TO John Quincy Adams-our Presidel
then-with all mock ceremony.
Through that incident I became
favorite Of the President. Presently
was sent to Paris on a diplomatic mi
sion. The story travelled before m
When came to Paris I found that
had gathered moss on the way. No lonl
er was It a Jest, whispered rumor.
.