Oxford Democrat., 1913-09-09
H E.
HIGHWAYMAN
How a Bracelet
Became a Keep
:: :: sake :: ::
Nv EDN L. WITT
By EDN A L. SWIFT

uCduS Va iduu Wa
much used and consequently In thu
worst condition possible. Two per
sons within the coach. gentleman and
bis daughter, were tossed about as Il
lurched In the ruts and mudholes which
the driver could hardly have avoided
even had there been something better
than an oil lamp on each side OF the
vehicle to light the way. Presently q
rear wheel went down to the axle. and
the coach. careening on that side, came
to a stop. For some ten minutes the
driver lashed the horses in vain ef
fort to force them to pull 1t out and
after q rest. was about to begin again
when by the dim side lights the trav
elers were able to discern the figure
of q masked man on the road beside
them.
That he was a highwayman was evi,
dent from the concealment OF his fea-
lures, but his first words were not in
the least terrifying. "Wait Bit" he
said to the coachman. It'll l bring q
lever with which to get the wheel on
to dry land" And with that he disap-
peared In the darkness. returning In q
few minutes with fencepost. one
end Of which he placed under the rear
axle and the other end on his shoulder.
Then, calling on the driver to again ap-
ply the lash. the coach was lifted on to
6rmer ground.
"Now," said the man who had secur,
ed this result to the gentleman In the
coach, 1.-The labOrer being worthy Of his
hire, shall have to trouble you for
your valuables 1t pains Inc to do this;
but. the war being over and the king no
longer able to pay his soldiers. l must
needs get a living the best way can"
ALAS" replied the gentleman In the
coach, that Is use OF one beggar
calling ON another for help. The Duke
of Hamilton In order TO pay the troops
that Cromwell had so ably defeated
has taken everything possessed ex-
cept my home. | am on my way to
Edinburgh to try to make loan on
that which will tide me over these
strenuous times"
"In that case" replied the highway
man. please accept my services
gratis"
While this brief dialogue was being
spoken the lady In the coach sat con-
cealed In corner 50 that the highway
man did not see her. But as he, hav-
ing mounted his horse. was about to
ride away she leaned forward and, TAX
ing a bracelet from her wrist, extended
It toward him. saying:
ut Is not meet that one Of the kings
defenders should 70 unrewarded for
a service Take this. and may the day
soon come when his majesty shall be
able to take care OF his own"
There was sufficient light from the
coach lamp for the man to see that she
was young girl and beautiful he
sat SO absorbed In the vision Of love
liness before him that for moment he
did not heed her words: then. taking
the bracelet. he said:
81 shall return 1t In person"
IF YOU do" said her father, "you
shall he hanged for what you area
robber My daughter and are not
agreed upon these troublous times. I
am with the parliament. understand
that many Of the kings hirelings. now
that their occupation has gone, have
taken to the road. Cromwell will soon
be our ruler. and he will then clear our
highways Of these gentlemen robbers" 7"
''Kindly tell me who you are" said
the other. "that may give Old Noll an
opportunity to stretch my neck. He
will doubtless bring his sovereign to
the block. and I would not deprive him
Of the pleasure Of bringing one Of his
majesty's loyal subjects to the halter
that Is. If you can turn me over to
him"
'T am Donald MacIvor, and my home
is on this road midway between Glas-
cow and Edinburgh. But warn you
to keep away. for I shall surely turn
you over to the hangman II you come
upon my grounds"
The highwayman made no reply to
this. but. lifting his hat to the lady.
disappeared In the darkness. This
was his irst attempt at robbery, and
It Ill accorded with his rank or his In.
clinations. He was younger son Of
Scotch laird who In order to save his
estate had taken neither the side Of
the king nor the parliament. he left
the travellers. but felt very respondent
for his flrst effort at highwayman's
career was not to his liking and he
knew Of no other occupation unless he
went to France and became hireling
soldier Of the French king. One thing
De was decided upon-that sooner or
later he would take the bracelet he
had received and clasp 1t with his own
hands upon the wrist from which It
had been removed.
King Charles l. was brought to trial
and beheaded at the beginning Of tho
following year The fortunes Of tho
royalists were at low ebb and were
not destined to improve till King
Chs rles II. was restored to the throne
moro than q decade later. Meanwhile
the young Scot who had made ont
attempt at a career on the highway
being prescribed by Cromwell's gov
ernment, went to France. where b.
found Prince Charles. who securet
him a commission In the French army
One evening there was q ball Il
progress In the manor house OF Don
aid Naclvor. He had pro6ted b!
Cromwelrs succes and was disposed
to win over as many Of bis neighbor'
to the new regime AZ possible. Th'
fete be gave on this occasion wa
with this end In view. Among tn
guests was a young man who was no
known and had not been invited Il
the ball. But amid % great thronl
the presence Of the stranger was no
noticed. Presently be approached tn
Oldest daughter Of the house and said
II must ask you to pardon my IN
trusion here. for ] have not been In
vited. l have returned to Scotland
after several years absence on beinl
advised of my older brothers death
Ny father. Sir Malcolm Douglas. VIII
lived beyond the Grampian mountains
] AioA run vaar. aoo and nv brothe