The Washington times., 1913-01-20

II the Kyles of Butte. 1t was situa-
ted in a valley of the hills, on
the mainland TO the west of the great
isle of Butte, around which wound the
narrow straits. / wondered at the time
why the clan should have left such a
vantage ground as Butte between them
and the Campbells, but / have since
learned that the big island was held by
the priests of st. Blanc,s and by the
Brandanes, hereditary barons whose
acres We're granted by one Of our stuart
kings. In all our Highland warfare
save when a national issue was fought.
the clans avoided encroachment upon
that which was the kings or Of the
kings command.
Had i known this at the time 1 might
more easily have planned the escape OF
Mariposa and myself from the village of
the Macdonalds. and sought sanctuary
with the good monks in the chapel
which Malcolm Canmore caused to be
built But not knowing il. remained
for weeks in imprisoned liberty, whlch
was worse than death, foS every hour OF
1t was charged with a bitterness which
those who have tasted similar heart-
hell will understand
IEthink of IT still. when moments OF
ill-humor come with their train OF
gloomy reflections-the horrors OF what
might have been. But when / remem-
Der that the might-have-been Is only
nightmare. i drew a great breath OF re-
lief. In the understanding of women !
was a fool, even more SO tnan Hiost
men. and least of all had / learned TO
understand Mariposa. , But this
is the writing of one who, having fault
of his own to confess. first pleads ex-
tenuation / will go on with the history.
The first few days of our captivity IN
the Macdonald village passed eventfuliy
enough, but few of the happenings con-
cerned us. i was allowed my freedom;
hut such a freedom! Wherever went
/ was met with a sneer. i was a trait
or even to those 1 had sought to save.
The men passed me by in contemptuous
silence and the women, who were not
done weeping for their slain lovers, hus-
bands and sons, openly Jeered at me.
Ionged to fly anywhere, and the Mac
donalds fousd more to scorn IN my
helplessness to find frlendiy maven
Gladly would have taken to the frozen,
snow-crusted crags, but Marlposa was
the last charge upon the remnant oi
nv honor and self-respect.
With her / had little speech. tor
some reason she avoided me- ana tne
few words that passed between us con-
WINGED me that she was not ill-satlsned
Indeed, IL was not long before Jealousy
whispered to me that she found enjoy
ment in her situation. She lodged In the
cottage of an old woman VINO "as
donaId's visits to the place were dally'
and fast becoming hourly.
/ knew that from the moment the
cbieftain had set eyes on Marlposa-Dy
torchlight in the boat-ne mad adfnlred
her: and now that wars alarms were
past, he was becoming more and more
ensIayed to her rich, half-foreign
beauty. Not only was he constantly al
the cottage, but when Mariposa walked
abroad he was almost Immediately al
her side. behaving toward her in an un-
mistakable manner. Naturally, none
OF this escaped my notice, and IL hurt
me sore to see how Marlposa was per-
fectly at ease. She was. indeed, SEEM
ingly flattered by the attentions OF inns
picturesdue savage, as ! must relate
in detail / fear to curtail anv part OF
the business. for on the sore subject OF
II | have no judgment. I can only re-
late, faithfully, what happened.
ONLY one prisoner, besides ourselves,
had the MacdonaIds brought back from
the Kilellan battle. He was the man
Roderick Dow. The fight, / learned.
had been an even matter, as most OF
such conflicts were, the Campbells and
the Macdonalds joyfully sacrificing. one
might saw. an equal number Of men on
the altar of hatred.
No sooner was the last coronach
played in the village than the clansmen
took the plaids from their faces and as
sembIed to the hanging of Roderick
nov II was not until the hope had
been fastened to a rowan-tree and Rod
erick was led up to II, that ! realized
what was sfoot / stared in amazed
horror and my eyes met those OF the
doomed man Roderick never fllnched
before the Macdonalds' eXultant grim
ming: but when he saw me look OF
utter Ioathing and contempt crossed his
face That filled my cup.
Hardly knowing what | did, or why.
save that ] forgot Mariposa and the
sweet Iife-I stepped up to Roderick' s
side and said 10 the Macdonalds:
This man, Roderick Dow, is good
man. Hang me instead"
I had half expected that Roderick
would say something. but not he! The
scorn in his eyes did not diminish: but
/ fancied a light in his face that meant
he would take advantage of the bargain
with no more thought than IL dog
were to be hanged instead. The Macdon-
aids, on the other hand. laughed out
right, and one or two suggested that It
would be as well to hang both!
The chieftain OF the Kyles looked
keenly at Roderick, then at me. MARI
posa stood right behind him and her
face was stamped with the most unbe-
lieying look that ever was seen on a
human face. Ronald Macdonald pulled
at his beard, and, although he hesitated
with an answer. there was an evil
smile. which said as plainly as words
that he would be very thankful to get
rid of me II he could accomplish II
without stain to himself-in Mariposa's 8
eyes
AVE, aye" said he. "A bargains a
bargain-queer though II be. Does the
other Campbell take 10 't?'
.'I do that" said Roderick. promptly
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