The Washington times., 1913-02-06
CHAPTER XVII.
The Struggle By the Elms.

Ut was past II OF the CLOCK tnat nignt
when 1 returned to the Sign Of the
Thistle. The Macdonald was there,
res,iessiy pacing up and down. AT
tie sight of me, he approached ana
whispered fiercely:
For the hour. CAMEL, y'are my
friend in a common cause. But ! ma
Deen thinking, and ] warn you. sirrah
that you and ! will settle our quarrei
when the common foe is no more. VIII
you drink with me-"
No I said, stolidiy.
AS you will" he sneered: out your
bravery may need tickling, whstever
1T may" ! returned. Seems 10 me
yours is already tickled to the point OF
courage"
! sat down al the hearth and awaited
his next move. But he continued Eak
ing 10 the nervous distress OF the host,
VINO, I have no doubt, expected us 10
fly at each others throat any moment.
I fancied the Macdonald was awaiting
some development. and in this ! was
right. for he cheered up readily when
bordeaux afame with excitement, en-
tered upon us
'.Ha!' he said, drawinug us together.
AIS we'll, friends. The post-ooy ls
mine, and hath his instructions top
the laird's. Away with you to the ems;
and be surprised at nothing. VINO VIII
challenge him?" he asked, looking from
me to the laird with ill-conceaied
amusement in his eyes
Hes mine. tell you said the laird.
glaring at me. .o
you will see fair play by your kinsmah.
Now, be of with you"
He himself accompanied us part o.
the way. His manner was strange, ann
several times I caught him looklns
riously almost-nockingly-a me. AZ
the iron gate he left US. wishing all
honor 10 the best man.
Crossing the Green. nv heart began
to warm TO the adventure. ana Tor n.Ite
reasons than one. | was tired OF tnis
plunking from the hea,en Of love to the
torture OF jealousy. She had played
with me often enough, Heaven knows.
Whether or no had oeen deceived oy
her protestations and acts or seeming
faith. the time was come Wnen m!
doubts would be set al rest and my IL
ture ordered accordingly.
I fear now that my inclinations were
to the wrong side. for ! had alreany de
cided that she was false. The thouent
that she might not be N the chaise WIN
Young Jamie gave me pang o. dlsap-
nointment Her prescUoe with hlm On
ihe ROAD To Edinburgh would be sure
~ of her intentions, while her posSiole
absence would leave me ia DOUBT as 10
what her intention had been:
Rnt there vas this consolation tha:
70 the chaise came az all. young jamie
would not be in il II the coJec; OF ms
far travel was not with MIN, so tnd'
the coming Of the venice user pres
entity became fraught with much hnpoG
II Vas drcsry waiting under the bare
oI,ns tnsf night There had been
Frrsh faIl of snow. followed by bitins
f,r ST. The coid was intense and; Ehle
tho Macdonald WAS well fortified hv
u VAS chilled to the marrow w1n
,bc air and hus usrt-sickness.
sT,,c road across the Green WAS barrel,
DerceutibIe. save for the plowed lines
Of vehicle wheels In the snow: At tunes
We could hear the cries "t Ire "atch,
but no other sound came. save Tor the
Swapping o. snGw-isdeu; IroZSh t"iGS
overhead. and the sough OF the wind
i'm the elms.
The midnight had not long passed
when my heart lesped and stood stil.
4 cLaGse had suddenly dashed out from
he shadow OF the iron gate. II had
four horses in i. and / could see. by
the motions OF the rider. that they were
travelling fast
NJ band closed firmly over the han
die OF my staf, my only weapon be-
sides the dirk with which | had armed
myself. | could hear the hard breath!ne
OF the Macdonald, and see the white
apor shooting from his nostrils ever
harder as the chaise came on. He had
4 naked sword In his right hand.
DO you leap for the leaders he
whispered, while | drag the thief from
the chaise.''
Without caring much about the up
shot. | prepared 10 do as he command
ed. { was greatly surprised when the
post boy brought the leaders to a stand
still In front OF our hiding place.
Come on, Mscdufft'' shouted the
po-t boy. in whom I at once recognized
that ar,azing fellow. Bordeaux.
What means thls?' cried the voice