The Washington times., 1912-07-08
CHAPTER XIX.
Three StIanReIs..

III Three Strangers.
N THE morning of the day be- |
II fore Christmas there were three
strangers in the ferryboat from
Greenock to the village OF
Morag. One was a soldier. But he was
not altogether a stranger after the boat
man had surveyed him keenly. The fer
ryman felt sure that this was Kilby,
the redcoat captain who used to be In
command at Fort James-the same who
was accused of having killed the DIG
faced gentlemen having foreign air
about his speech and his dress. The
ferryman was sure that he had never
clapped eyes on this man before. That
acquainted with the foreigner, the
shrewd ferryman also preceived- In
deed, he knew quite well that, when
the two gentlemen bowed to each other
as the ferry started from Greenock. 1t
was merely because they might be
passing acquaintances on short voy-
!. The third stranger was very unlike
the other two He was q miserable
specimen of humanity, or rather OF
what humanity can bring itself to.
man was half intoxicated. 1t may have
been habit, or 1t may have been that
the spirit of the season was running
and then he winked at the other two
passengers, and with silly, weak
smile. took pull at flask which he
drew from an inner pocket. Once-only
once--he offered a dram to his fellow
travellers. They declined with gentle
firmness that amounted almost to
"'Tis Christmas" pleaded the inc
.briate. Lets all be good frien's Ny
names Glen-Dick Glen"
Neither Of the other two volunteered
his name as a return courtesy: The
fnahrtata a uyfneAd TharA something
about him that suggested a gentleman
of other and better years.
hand slriiy. me- nm SnS Sa'S ns solderma plain
soldier--eoming him I'm the wars"
so am l." said Kilby. with sharp
impatfence.
The inebriate glanced fearfullv at the
man who, had spoken. In the strong
face and, the incisiye tongue he thought
ne perceived an 9fiGeri haotf OF naf aG
raised his hand to- the salute. kilby
was looking away, however.
of peace" s,.: We said % the foreigner. @ stepping
"WeY' said Kiiby. smiling. II should
have taken you for a-pardon me-a
'If 1 We're a Frenchman." replied the
foreigner, laughing. II should be likely
to resent the pardon No. am Ameri-
''Ahr' said Kilby. He gazed into the
others brown eyes. and laughed lightly
"A week ago L might nave DeSu teilptcu
to arrest you. but we are of the blood
Yes" said the American. To-day
this is the ata1the treaty OF dhen'
Indeed. this is news to me-" said
Kilby. ',ot course. treaty was in tbs
making, but" &c..
II know said the stranger 1T will
not be known officially in England fol
some days yet, butt have just come
from Paris; The treaty Is being sisnet
war, let US hope, between the United
States and England"
Then 1t does mean an ero OF peace
ed up in Elba. and there he will re-
Perhaps" said the stranger. dryly
AT least It means breathing spell
Il ride horse from Morag to littl
village called Inverlachie, on Loci
Fayne," said Captain Kilby. 1T Is NOR
comfortable going and shorter to. rid
through the gens across country"
fortunate. said the American. g
go to Interiachie also; May | presum
upon short mountaineering? w
might travel more cheerily together"
"Ver' thing!" exclaimed the inebriate
I'm for inverlachie. tee. All travel to
Eether. Have a race!'
my name is KIiby-Captain Kilby, o
His Majestys Tenth Fuslleers," sal,
the soldier ignoring the inebriate'
sudden enthusiasm.
II Hichmond-of the United States DIP
lomatic eerps. 4 new body" he adue
with a smile. but nations must begi
sometime, somewhere"
We will exchange pleasant hostilitie
On the way!" laughed kilby.
mo Whence, gen'lmen-no Whence!
pnt in the inebriate.
Captain Kilby and Mr.. Charles Ricf
mond, of Virginia, reached the villag
of Inverlachie in the dusk of Christina
eve. They turned their horses over I
DaIe Blue. the blacksmith, who ma
always a spare horsestall or two. The
also turned over to "Gangy" Beckett
the landlord of the only tavern,
inebriate person whom they had bee
assist over the road from Morag. Th
man was quite evidently by this tin
far gone in intoxication.
''Gangy" would have refused to TAX
him in but he feared to offend two sue
fine-appearing gentlemen as his pro!
pective guests. While he was sti
scratching his head apd muttering SOM
thing about the reputation of his hous
the inebriate suddenly collapsed on IL
"Poor fellow" said the America
Put him to bed and take care Of hin
You will not lose by 1t, mine host. r.
member, 1t Is Christmas. Be generou
with goodwill to the least OF men
The American was then shown to h
bowed to Captain Kilby, but said not
ing about meeting him again. Kid
himself, was glad OF this He, too, wei
10 the room which "Gangy" inform'
him was ready
An hour later, as Captain Ehpy can
mond at the front door. The Americ'
was leisurefy surveying the cobbl'
street and drawing on pair OF glove
Kilby stood beside him, wishing that
had not met him just at this parttcul
junction--for the captain had busine
on hand. But the American did not =
him, his attention being momentari
diverted by the sight OF two men carr
ing a third out of the public house do
of the tavern.
The man being carried was the In
briate, Mr. Richmond turned angr:N
as III he would return into .he tave
and ask the landlord why the man W
not being kept IN the house. He caG
face 10 face with the captain.
"Ah!" said he, smiling pleasant
1--WE meet again. Excuse me, wish
ask the host why my orders were