White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1922-12-22

THE MASTER OF
BALLANTRAE
A Winters Tale By ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

INSTALLMENT %.

Always old; and | am now, l thank
God. better known and more re-
specLed. 1t is not every one that can
say that, MIR. Bally! The lines IL
your brow are calamities; your lite
begins to close i'll upon you like /,
Prison; death will soon be rapping
the door; and l see not from what
source you are to draw your conclu
sions."
Here the master addressed himself
to Secundra Dass in Hindoostance
from which | gathered Il freely con
Tess, with a high degree of pleasure
that my remarks annoyed him. All
this while you may be sure my mino
had been busy upon other matter
even while l rallied my enemy; and
chiefly as to how | should communi.
cate secretly and quickly with my
lord. To this, in the breathing-space
now given me, turned all the forces
of my mind; when, suddenly shifting
nv eyes, was aware of the man him
self standing in the doorway, and to
all appearance quite composed. He
had no sooner met my looks than he
stepped across the threshold. The
master heard him coming, and adj
vanced upon the other side; about
four feet apart these brothers came
to full pause and stood exchanging
steady looks, and then my lord smiled
bowed a little forward, and turned
briskly away.
"Mackellar," says he, 1--WE must see
to breakfast for these travellers"
It was plain the master was a trifle
Disconnected; but he assumed the
more impudence of speech and man
ner. II am as hungry as hawk"
says he LET 1t be something good,
Henry"
"Lord Durrlsdeer," Says He.
My lord turned to him with the
same hard smile. Lord Durrisdeer,"
says he.
"Oh, never in the family" returned
the master.
Every one in this house renders me
my proper title" says my lord. "If
1t please you to make an exception, |
will leave you to consider what ap-
pearance it will bear to strangers, and
whether it may not be translated as
an effect of impotent jealousy"
could have clapped my hands to-
gether with delight; the more so as
my lord left no time for an answer,
but, bidding me with sign to fol
low him, went straight out of the
hall.
Come quick" says he, 1--WE have
to sweep vermin from the house.
And he sped through the passages
with so swift a step that could scarce
keep up with him, straight to the dool
of John Paul, the which he opened
without summons and walked in. Johr
was to all appearance sound asleep
but my lord made no pretense o.
waking him.
John Paul." said he, speaking as
quietly as ever l heard him, "yor
served my father long, or woult
pack you from the house like a dog
II in half an hours time I find you
gone, you shall continue to receive
your wages in Edinburgh. If 20,
linger here or in st. Bride's-the ole
man, old servant, and altogether
shall find some very astonishing wa,
to make you smart for your disloy
atty. Up, and begone. The door 70,
let them in by will serve for YOU
departure. l do not choose my Sol
shall see your face again"
Il am rejoiced to find you bea1
the thing so quietly" said l, VIXEN we
were forth again by ourselves.
Quietly" cries he, and put my
hand suddenly against his heart
which struck up his bosom like 6
sledge.
At this revelation / was filled with
wonder and fear. There was no con
stitution could bear so violent 6
strain-his least of all, that was un
hinged already; and decided in my
mind that we must bring this mon
strous situation to an end.
1T would be well, I think, if l tool
word to my lady," said l. Indeed, he
should have gone himself, but l count
ed (not in vain) on his indifference
"Ay," says he, do. will hurry
breakfast; we must all appear at the
table. even Alexander; it must appear
we are untroubled."
ran to my lady's room, and, with
no preparatory cruelty, disclosed my
news.
my mind was long ago made up
said she. I'VE must make our pack
cts secretly today, and leave secretly
tonight. Thank heaven, we have an
other house! The first ship that sails
shall bear us to New York"
And what of him?" l asked.
I'VE leave him Durrisdeer," she
cried. Let him work his pleasure
upon that"
mot SO, by your leave" said l,
There shall be dog at his heels that
can hold fast. Bed he shall have, and
board, and horse to ride upon, ii