Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-24

behind the mounting shoulder of rock at
the turn of the road 1t was the figure of
a man, wearing the kilt, and singularly like
the gigantic form of Hamar MacFingon, ex-
cept that it was slighter, younger, and not
quite SO tall. Thankfully Daura recognized
it, and called in her clear voice:
"Conal Come quickly
1t was the son of the piper, a young fellow
of Daura's own age, and her foster brother;
for Lady Gorme had died a fortnight after
her second child's birth, and Hamar's hand
some, strong young wife had nursed the
baby. Daura thought that there was no
one whose help she would so gladly have as
Conals; for he was devoted to her, and ro-
mantically worshiped Annira, like the poet
and dreamer he was. At her call he came,
leaping with immense bounds of his long,
slender legs, and there was in his movements
the grace of a stag, if Daura had been in a
mood to observe. She ran to meet him; for
she meant to send him back to the castle
for help, since he alone could not carry
George up the hill. She had no thought
for his grace of motion; but she saw that
even before he could guess what had hap
pened his face wore a strange look of fear,
as if he expected to face trouble
CHAPTER III
L l.
has fainted' were Daura's breathless
first words to Conal MacFingon.
The young mans sensitive face, with its
wide-apart gray eyes, showed emotion easily.
Daura's warm relief at seeing him was
chilled; for his look changed from fear to
pleasure, and said, Il am glad!'
1t had amused her and Annira that Conal
should be little jealous, in his peasant
poets way, of George; but suddenly it was
no longer amusing to Daura. 1t struck her
as revolving that the fear or anxiety on
Conals face should become joy at hearing
of Conway's accident But there was no
time for accusations.
run back as fast as you can," she said,
1and get somebody. Oh, but there mustn't
be an alarm! My sister mustn't know yet,
Conal. I'll tell you what will be best Go
straight to Captain MacRimmon and tell
him what's happened. Don't speak to any,
one else. He'll be in his room STILL l think
Bring him with you. Hurry! Together you
can manage Mr.. Conway-and while you're
carrying him up I'll run ahead, and have
the gate and the courtyard door open. Per-
haps. you can get him to his room with
out being seen. Then you can go for the
doctor" :
@Very WE'LL" Conal answered, less in the
tone of the Highland retainer than that of
the foster brother and the poet, conscious
of equality-giv talents. "If find the
Captain, we'll be with you in fifteen min
utes." He spoke with little of the: island
accent; for he had spent years away from
Skye.
aGood!" said Daura 3But one instant.
Were you looking for me when you came
this way? Were you bringing bad news?'
Conal's face clouded. 4Nof, my Lady, 1
wasn't" ii
"You had nothing to tell me?"
@There was notfling-I meant to tell"
go then-quickly!'
Afterward she remembered! how. he had
changed her words about in answering them,
and wondered what the secret could be that
he was keeping. For there was secret of
some sort. Instinct and her knowledge of
Conal, told her that. But it might be only
a trifle, not worth troubling about.
A QUARTER Of an hour can be very long,
and it seemed to have passed four
times over before Daura saw Conal and her
cousin Alastair running together along the
road at soldierly double quick. At the end
Captain MacRimmon spurted ahead of the
piper's son; though Conal's long legs could
have brought him in easily first if he had
wished. He was taller and simmer than
Alastair.