Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1913-07-25

buCSAo =" do yOhhS bah " hO wac AO
known and had not been invited t.
the ball But amid SO great thronl
the presence Of the stranger was moi
noticed. Presently he approached the
oldest daughter OF the house and said
II must ask you to pardon my in
trusion here, for l hare not been In
vited. have returned to Scotland
after several years absence on being
advised OF my older brothers death
My father, Sir Malcolm Douglas, who
lived beyond the Grampian mountains
died two years ago, and my brother
died recently. | am therefore Sir Wal
ter Douglas"
"And why" asked the lady, whose
cheek paled at the sound OF his voice
and whose bosom was heaving, "did
you not obtain an invitation, which
am sure my father would have She
paused. and the young man replied tC
her question before she had finished:
Because am prescribed royalist
Placing her hand on his arm, she led
him to a window seat where they
would not be noticed. They were
scarcely seated before he clasped q
bracelet about her wrist.
$50 away from here" she said un
der her breath "My father may no
tice that you are stranger and in
quire who you are. Should he recog'
nize you by your voice, as have done
your life will pay the penalty of yOuI
rashness."
MY life is worth little to me, MOI
has 1t been Of value to me since the
night saw your face lighted by a
coach lamp, for | have been an exile.
But recently l have inherited the es'
tate which my father saved by re
naming neutral I'm our troubles, Yet
besides my loyalty to our rightlul SOW
ereign, there Is but one act In my life
to keep me from enjoying my heritage,
an act OF highway robbery. ! have re
turned the booty taken on that occa-
sion, and | crave your forgiveness
at is granted But my father-he
will never forgive you"
There is chance. He may not
recognize me as the highwayman.
Should he not there is no reason why
l should not make myself known as
Scotch laird recently come into an es-
tate, for the war has for some time
past been over, and there are, I'M
derstand, to be no more prosecutions
for loyalty to the king"
but in the event of my father rec
ognizing you as the highwayman l
would not give farthing for your
life. He has often spoken Of that
episode and vowed that should you
make good your words to return my
bracelet he would see you hanged high
as Hannah. Keep It," she added, TAX
ing 1t off 81 would not dare wear it."
"As keepsake|
yes"
81 am resolved" said the young man
after n pause, Ito take the one chance
that deprlves me of being openly your
guest am going to make myself
known to your father. II he does not
recognize my voice my troubles may
be Mt an end, and-I may be with
you"
She pleaded with him not to take the
risk, but In vain. When she found 1t
impossible to dissuade him she put her
arm within his and led him to her fa-
Their and said:
Father, this is Sir Walter Douglas
of northern Scotland. He has recent
ly returned from abroad and, finding
himself near us tonight, has made bold
to come unbidden to join our festivi-
ties"
The host looked at Douglas inquiring-
ly. Despite his siding with Round
heads he had Briton's respect for
rank.
lyon are welcome, Sir Walter" he
said. Il trust you are one Of us,
meaning a supporter of the parliament
MY father" said the young man.
clearing his throat while speaking to
disguise his voice, took neither side
Now there is but one side to take
The speaker glanced at the girl
fearing that she would betray him by
her emotion rather than that he would
be recognized by his voice Fortu-
nately her father was looking at Doug
las and did not see her efforts to re
press II. But at this noncommittal re-
ply MaclvOr turned away to his du
ties as host. His daughter gave long
drawn sigh OF relief and led her guest
to another part OF the house After
another interview behind window cur.
tains he left her with her assurance
that he would be always welcome.
That part of Scotland lying beyond
the Grampian mountains was In those
days wild country. Sir Walter
Douglas went to his estate and, taking
no part In the later futile attempts of
the Stuarts to regain the throne OF
England and Scotland. was not dis
turbed by the parliamentary govern
ment. Later he made second appear
ance at Maclvors home to ask for the
hand Of the old mans daughter. II
was gladly bestowed upon him, and
after wedding ceremony during
which the father gave his daughter
away to the man who had robbed him
Sir Walter had the keepsake In his
pocket when being married the knight
took his bride to his remote home
When Charles II. was restored to the
throne the pair were prominent at
court, and Lady Douglas often told the
story OF the bracelet. wearing Il open
ly ON her wrist 10 the merry monarch.
II is needless To add that his ma icslv
greatly rninycd il.