Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-03-22


y must ask you to pardon my in
trnsion here. for | have 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 to
her question before she had finished:
Because am q 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 a
bracelet about her wrist
go away from here" she said I'M
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 your
raShneSS."
My life is worth little to me, nor
has it been OF value to me aimee the
night | saw your face lighted by
coach lamp. for I have been an exile.
But recently l have inherited the es-
tate which my father saved by re-
manning neutral in our troubles Yet,
besides my loyalty to our rightful SOW
ereign, there is but one act in my life
TO keep me from enjoying my heritage,
an act of highway robbery. l 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 a chance. He may not
recognize me as the highwayman.
Should he not there is no reason why
/ 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, l un-
derstand, to he no more prosecutions
for loyalty TO the king"
But in the event of my father rec
ognizing you as the highwayman |
would not give a 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
ms Hannah. Keep it," she added, TAX
ing it of. 81 would not dare wear it
AS a keepsake?'
Yes"
81 am resolved" said the young maa
after a pause. ITO take the one chance
that deprives me of being openly your
guest | am going to make myself
known TO your father. If he does not
recognize my voice my troubles may
be at an end, and may be with
you"
She pleaded with him not to take the
risk. but in vain. When she found II
, impossible to dissuade him she put her
! arm within his and led him to her ia
! Their and said
/ Father. this is Sir Walter Douglas
! of northern Scotland. He has recent
/ ~ 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.
! Iy. Despite his siding with Round.
heads he had a Briton's respect for
rank.
You are welcome, Sir Walter" he
! said. Il trust you are one Of us"
meaning a supporter of the parliament.
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
7 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 MacIvor turned away to his du-
ties as host. His daughter gave a 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 a 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 n second appear
ance at MacIvor's home to ask for the
hand Of the old mans daughter. Il
was gladly bestowed upon him, anC
after a wedding ceremony during
which the father gave his dsughte
away to the man who had robbed hin
Sir Walter had the keepsake in hi
pocket when being married-the knigh
took his bride to his remote home
When Charles II. was restored to tn
throne the pair were prominent a
court, and Lady Douglas often told tn
story of the bracelet wearing IL open
ly on her wrist. to the merry monarch
It is needless 10 add that his ma Jest.
!, greatly enjoyed it.
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