The Washington times., 1913-01-09

(rTIHEN," said my father, looking
at Aundra and his men, u
cannot force my lad to give
up an innocent man. There's
my answer, Aundra.''
The ominous silence that followed was
broken by a faint bur swelling clatter
OF horse-hoofs. 1t grew louder and
nearer, and in a minute or two a great
roam numbered into the farmyard, bear
ing Mistress Mary. She was pale. but
her mouth was set in anger.
Campbells!' she cried. go back!
At whose command do We seek Don
John of Murcia? He is innocent. James
Black. my father, was murdered at the
stroke Of Il by Macdonald of the
Mistress Nary gasped big Aundra.
DO We mind what We say?''
Aye, well ! mind said Mistress
Mary. Late in the night the Mac
traitor who let him IN. But the Mac
donald slew my father in quarrel
There!' and she pointed a trembling
niger over the Isle OF Butte. Take
your vengeance there. Campbells CT
She remained upright on the great
roam, her arm outstretched like some
priestess commanding war. Not a man
moved for a moment. Then great sob
burst from the breast or Aundra. He
turned on his heel and strobe toward
the castle, His men followed. with their
hairy fists cienched and sobs of rage
shaking theiE erect heads. NV father
gave a great convulsive sigh AMI said:
Now. God help the Macdonalds. A
hundred years will not see the end of
this His eye fell on me. and he placed
hand on my head. Bring in the
cows. lad" he said, quietly.
As i turned to go, Mistress Mary be-
came aware Of my presence. Instantly
flush spread over her face.
"Rorie," she whispered. rs he safe?
Where is he? What is to do? Help me
down"
AYE, Mistress Mary,"I said, proudly.
as she slipped from the saddle to the
ground. He is well and safe"
Where is he?-whisperI'
She put her bonny face close to mine;
and when 1 told her that Don John was
in her arms and kissed me many times.
i struggled to get away from the cause
OF much confusion, but she held me
tight and said:
I"oh, ,Rorie, will you see him? Tell
him"
She suddenly stopped. and / mind how
the blood suffused her face and bosom.
But she only added coldly:
Tell him what has happened, Rorie. ~
That was all. / waited, for she FUN
bled with the bit of heather that nestled
between her breasts. But she turned
away and walked to the garden gate,
followed obediently by the great roam.
That day the pibroch was blown
around the castle and in the clachan
The pipes walled a mournful coronach
100: but there was something menacing
in those sounds of Highland grief. When
Campbell weeps, there is war;
i think Don John must have been for
gotten quite; but my father drew me
aside and warned me to be cautious.
1T Is his coming that has wrought
all this" he said; land they will syne
mind it when their first rage is past"
So that i did not dare carry Don
Johns porridge that morning; but 1
chased one of the cows in the direction
OF the hollow tree, and when quite sure
that he knew I was somewhere about.
sang some words to a tune / made up:
THE Laird's been kilt by Macdonald;
They quarreled over you and Mary.
Stay where We are, and I'll tell We
And bring We some parritch at dark"
/ sang this-or to this effect-several
times. then chased the cow back over
the burn; AS I ran along thought I
heard him calling me; but, thinking
there might be spies abroad, did not
turn back. AS soon as ii was dark,
however. i pushed my way through the
bra:nbles and entered the cave.
Don John did not rise to meet me-
Beside bit fire he lay on the heather
bed. His face was flushed, I thought.
He might have been asleep; but pres
emily he moved, opened his eyes ana
stretched out a very arm.
"Rorie." he said; and when ] remem-
Der the tiredness of his voice the tears
come to my eyes.
He was i'll. He had to confess il. On
his right side was cruel stab which
he had received in his battle with the
Macdonald. I knew then why he had
seemed so exhausted when he ran with
me, and why he stumbled and fell in
the burn.
] sat and talked with him for long
time, telling him of all that had passed.
He seemed to understand, better than