20 THE OMAHA DAIJQY BJEEti SUNDAY , JUNE 23 , 1805.
m
( Cop > righted , If95. by S. It. Ciockett. )
CHAI'THR XXIV.
THE BOWER OF Till : STAR.
Vfo took our way Immediately toward the o
Rllds where we had been advised Auld
Anton Lennox was hidden. He was stricken
with great sickness and needed our ministra
tions. Hut In the wild country Into which
wo were going was no provision for the up-
putting of young and delicate maids , specially
Buch as were accustomed to the luxuries of
the great Tiouse of Halmaghle.
The" days were fine nnd dry and a fanning
wind , from the north blew In our faces as we
went. It was near to the road end of the
Duclirne , up which I had so often helped the
carijor ( . .sl'jd.ges.of ' wood with birch twigs for
wheels ) to drag the hay crop , that we met
Hodcrlcfc-MaUPherson , a Highland man servant
of , the laird of Halmaghle , riding n pony
nnd leading other two. We knew them at
once as those which for common were ridden
by Kate and Mnlsle Lennox.
"Ilty ! Svhercawny , Roderick ? " cried Wat ,
as soon as he set eyes on the cavalcade *
The fellow looked through his lowering
thatch of eyebrow and grunted , but vrfiether
with stupidity or cunning it had been hard
to say. - -
"Speak ! " said Wat , threateningly. "You
can understand well enough when they cry
that It Is porridge time. "
"Tho leddles was tak' a ride , " MacPherson
nnsjverejl , .with a cock In his eye that an
gered Wat , whose temper indeed in these
days was-not.ot the most enduring.
"Where did you leave them ? " cried Wat of
Lochlnvar.
"It was on a mulr no frae a burnslde ; I
was fair forget where ! " said Roderick , with
ft look of the most dense stupidity.
Then I raw that the fellow had been com
manded not to-tell , so I said to Wat :
"Como on , Wut. Kate has ordered him
not-to tell us , "
"This Is a bonny llko thing , " said Wat ,
angrily , "that I canna truss him up and
make" him tell , only because I am riding
with the hill folk. Oh , that I were a king's
man of any sort for half an hour ! "
For , Indeed , It Is the glory of the field folk ,
who have been blamed for many extremes
and wild opinions , that though tortured anJ
tormented themselves by the king's party ,
Uicy used not torture upon their enemies , as
In after times even the Whigs did , when ,
after tho. eighty-eight , It came to bo their
tlmo to govern.
So we permitted the Highland tyke to go
on his way. There Is no need to go Into the
place and manner of our journeylngs In such
n well kenned country as the strath of the
Kells , but after a time wo betook ourselves
to the broad of the moors and to held for
the fastness of the central hills , where the
poor hunted folk kept sanctuary.
Wo kept wUo of the rough and tumbled
country about the lochs ot Neldrlcker and
Enoch , because to our cost nnd detriment
wo knew that place was already much fre
quented by the Ill-contriving gypsy people
thereabout , that thought no more about
taking the life of a godly person than of
killing ono of the long-wooled , white-faced
mountain sheep which are the staple of those
parts. So there was no need to run Into
more danger. Wo were In plenty already
without that.
In a little while we found oursslves under
the front of the Dungeon Hill , which Is the
wildest and most precipitous In all that coun
try. They say that when it thunders all the
lightnings of heaven Join together to prey
upon the rocks of the Dungeon. And. Indeed ,
It looks llko It , for most ot the rocks there
arc rent and shattered , as though a giant
had broken them and thrown them about In
his play.
Beneath tlilc wild and rocky place we took
our way , till across the rounded head of the
Hill of the Star we caught a glimpse ot the
dim country of hag and heather that lay be
yond.
So we held up the prao that Is called the
Oadlach , where Is the only road over the burn
of I'alscalg and up Into the great wide valley
through which runs the Elgin lane.
Wat and I had our precise Information as
to the cave In which lay the covenanter ,
Anton Ivonnox , so that , guiding ourselves by
our marks , we held a straight course for the
corfier'of the Hlack Hill ot the Star , In which
the hiding place was.
I give no nearer directions to the famous
Cove Macaturlcks for the plainest reasons ,
for it Is there to this day , and the herds ken
It well. But Avho knows how soon the times
may be jroublous again , and the cove reassert
Its ancient safety. But all that I will say Is
tliat if you want to find Cove Macaterlck ,
William Howatson , the herd of the Merrlck ,
I hail a bcnuty out In a few minute * .
or John Macmlllan , that dwells at Bonglll litho
the Howe of Troot , can take you there I
your legs bo able to carry you , and you bi
neither outlaw nor king's soldier. And tht
word also , I say , that In the process of you
'long Journeying you will flnd out this , tlia
though any bairn may write a history , 1
takes a man to herd the Merrlck.
So In good time we came to the place. It I
half way up a cllnt of high rocks overlookln
Loch Macaterlck , and the place Is bosky a
about with bushes , both blrk and self-sow
mountain ash. The mouth of the cavern i
quite hidden In the summer by the leavei
and In the winter by the mat of Interlacin
branches and ferns. Above there Is a greu
diamond-shaped rock that ever threatens t
come down and block the entrance to th
cave. Which , Indeed , It will do some day.
Wat and I crawled within the black mout
of the cavern one ut a time till wo came to
wider place , for the whole place Is narroi
and constricted. And there , on a pallet d.ill
very pale and far through , we foun ill
Auld Anton , who , when ho eaw us , turned hi
head and raised his hand by the wrist 1
greeting. His lips moved , but what he sal
jvf could not tell. S < j I crept back , an.il mad
BhlflTo eel hint a draught of water from
spring upon the hillside , that flowed pat
the mouth of the cave. The spring \\ate
always revived htm , and he * at up , leanln
heavily against me as he d d so.
Nevertheless , it was some time before h
could speak. We looked at one another , an
as we saw the condition of things in th
cave It became very evident to us that th
Usses Kate and Malsle had cither waodere
from the road or been detained In some way
that was unknown to us. So Wat , being
ever for Instant action , proposed that he
should go off nnd seek the lasses , and that 1
Rhotild bide and succor Auld Anton In h s ex
tremity.
I consented , and he Instantly took his way
with his sword and pistols and his gayly
set bonnet , walking with that carriage which
had been little else than a swagger In the
old days , but was now no more than the
air of well-set distinction which marked
the man of ancient family and training.
So I was left alone with the father of the
ass I loved. There Is no use of denying It
any longer. Indeed , the times were not such
as to encourage any playing with love's
misunderstandings. Hut I owned , as I sat
with her father's head on my lap , that It
was for MaUle Lennox's sake , and not for
the sake of human kindness , that I was left
here in the wilderness to nurse Anton Len
nox of the Duchrae.
As soon as he could speak Anton began to
tell me of his Illness.
"I fell , " he said , "from my pride of
strength In one hour. The spirit of the ,
Lord departed from me , and I became even
as the mown grass that today Is and to
morrow Is cast Into the oven. "
He lay back and breathed quickly for a
moment. I entreated him not to speak , but
he put my words aside Impatiently with his
hand.
"I was fleeing with a few of the people
from before the persecutors , nnd as we came
over the hip of the Meaull of Garryhorn , the
horsemen rode hotly behind us. Then sud
denly there came upon me a ihvnin nml a
turning In my head , so that I cried to them
to run on and leave mo to my pursuers. Hut
to this they would In no wise consent. 'We
will carry -you , ' they said , 'and ' put you in
.somo hole In the moss and cover you with
heather. ' So they designed , but the enemy
being very close , got me no further than a
little peat brow at the lane side down there.
They laid mo on a shelf and the bank came
over me. Then I heard our people scattering
and running in different directions , In order
that they might draw the enemy away from
me. So I Lay still and waited for them to
come and take me. And over me I heard
the horses of the soldiers plunging. And
ono beast , as It gathered way for the spring
over the burn , sent Its hoof down through
the black peat , and the stead of Its hoof was
on my bonnet's brim. Yet , according to the
mercies of the Lord , It harmed me not. Hut
the soldier fell off and hurt his head In the
steel cap upon the other side , whereat ho
swore which was a manifest Judgment on
him to tangle him yet deeper in the wrath
of God. "
So I abode in the cave with Anton , nnd we
spoke of many things , but specially of the las
sie that was near to my heart and the pearl
of his soul. He told me sweet , simple things
of her childhood that warmed me like w.ne.
As how that there came a day when , her
mother being alive , she came In and said :
"When I am a great girl and have bairns of
my own , I shall let them stay all day In the
gardens where the grosarts are , and never
say 'You must not touch ! ' "
This Anton thought to be a thing wondrously -
drously sound nnd orthodox , and he saw in
the child's word the stumbling stone of our
mother Eve.
Day by day I tended him as gently as I
could , till our provisions were spent. Tl'en I
took my pistol to go out on the hills de to
sco It I could shout aught to eat. Hut be
cause of my nervousness , or other cause , I
could do nothing. Indeed , not so much as a
whaup came near me on that great , wide
hill.
hill.I
I saw a hill fox rise and run. He was n
great beast and very red and held his tall
nobly behind him like a Hag. But , hardly
beset as we were , we could not have eaten
fox , even had I been able to shoot him , which
I was not.
The day passed slowly , the night came , and
It went sore to my heart that I was able to
do so llttlo for one I loved. I saw that lit
would have mended readily enough If he had
had the right nutriment , which it seemed
far out of my power to obtain. Yet In the
morning , when I went to the mouth of the
cave , lo ! there Immediately to the right ol
me , on a bare place , were two great whaup
eggs , broad and splashed with black. I never
was gladder to see food. It was , late for the
whaups to be breeding , and. Indeed , they had
mostly left the moorland by that time ; but
nevertheless , It was manifest that Providence
had hidden some bird , perhaps disappointed
of an earlier brood or late mated , to come
and lay the eggs before our door.
I bade Anton take the eggs by the anclenl
process of sucking , which he made shift tc
do , and was very greatly strengthened there
by. So every morning so long as I remained
there the wild bird laid an egg in the mornIng -
Ing , which made the Covenanter's breakfast
This Is but one of the dally marvels from the
Lord which attended our progress. For wher
those that have been through the perilous
time como together they recount these thing !
to one another , , and each has his tale o ]
preservation andprotection to tell.
But that minds me of a strange thing
Once during the little while when I com-
panled with the Compellers , It was my haj
to meet with roaring John Crlchton , thai
rank persecutor. And what was my sur
prise to licai that all his talk ran upon cer
tain providential dreams he had had In tin
night time , by which there was revealed t <
him the hiding place of many of the "fan
atlcs , " and even the very place pointed on
to him In the dream where It would b <
most non-convenient to compass their ends
And this In due time he brought about. 01
said he did. Hut , for all that , I do .not thlnl
that the company he was among set grea
store by his truthfulness , for after eacl
wondrous story of adventure and gecom
sight they would roar with laughter and say
"Well , done , Crlchton ! Tell us anothe
ono ! "
After a day or two ot lack of food. I
came suddenly to me what a dumbhead
was to bide with an empty belly where a
least there was plenty of fish near at hanil
So I rose early from off my bed of heathe
tops and betook me down to the rive/ edge
It is nothing but a burn that they call th
Elgin Lane , a long , bare water , slow an
peaty , but with some trout of size In II
Also from the broads of Loch Macatcrtc
there came another burn with clearer wate
and much sand In the pools. There wer
trout In both , as one might see by stealln
up to the edge of the brow and looking eve
quickly. But owing to the drouth ther
was water only In the pooh , and often th
smallest trickle of water beneath th
stores.
I had a beauty out In a few moments , fc
co. eager was I that I leaped Into the bur
just as I was , without so much as waltln
g to take off any garments. So In the po <
at there was a rushing and a chasing till
to had him out on the grass , his speckled side
lie showing bonny on the heather as he totse
himself briskly from side to side. I followe
th the burn down to the fork of the water the
tha flows from Loch Macaterlck , and fished a
IW the pools In this manner. By that time
IWd. had enough for three meals at ( east , or , pel
haps , considering the poor state of our o (
illIs pettles , more than that. So I put those n
In should not want that day Into a pretty llttl
Id fish pond , which made a kind of backwatc
Idt on one of the slue burns springing dow
ta from the side of the Illg of the Star. An
st this was the beginning of the fish pond nhlc
er continued to supply us all the time we abet
there.
While I wai In the river > bottom
he chanced that I looked up the great smoot
nd slopes ot the opposite hill , which Is one <
he the range of a , K lls.
be There was a little ahagmy clump ot tret
ed on tht bard tide of It , and I could hai
sworn that among the trees I could ice
people stirring.
I could only think that the people there
were wanderers like ourselves , or else ple
ent out to keep an eye on the great valley
uetwcn the Garryhorn hill and the Spnr ot
the Merrlck.
Ho I came back to the cave a little dashed
In spirits , In spite of my great success with
the trout. I said nothing about what I had
Been to Auld Anton , for he was both weak
and feverish , and , though certainly mending ,
not yet able to move out Into the sunshine
and He among the bracken , a thing which
would have done him much good on these
ftlll warm days.
Hut I made a fire with heather and the
roots of ancient trees , which , In the strange
wild detert , stick out ot the peat at every
step. There I roasted the trout , of which
Anton Lennox ate heartily. I think they
had more relish to a sick man's palate than
whaup eggs , even though these came to him
as It were In a miraculous manner , while I
had guddled the trout with my boots and
breeks on.
When the meal was over I bethought me
that I should make an excuse and steal away
over to the side of the meaull to see what
It might be that was stirring on that great
lonely braeface. For save the scraggy scrunt
of rowan trees and birks that surrounds the
cave , there was not n tree within sight till
the woods at the upper end of Loch Dooh
began to take the sun.
I carefully charged my pistols and told
Anton that I proposed to go out to shod
mountain hares or other victual that I could
see.
see.He
He did not say a word to bid me stay , but
only advised me to keep very cloe to the
cave , for that once off the boscky face of the
cliff there was no saying what hidden eyes
might spy me out. For Lag , he said , was
certainly lylns In the hold at Garyhorn a
that time , and Claverhouso himself was also
in the country. Concerning this last I knew
better than he , and was ; much desirous tha
we could get him well enough to move hln
further out of the reach of his formidable
foes.
foes.Hut
Hut I started when the heated haze of th
afternoon was clearing with the first chill o
even. The hills were casting shadows upoi
each other toward the Dungeon and Loci
Enoor , where In the wildest and most rugged
country many of the folk of the wilderness
were In hiding.
I heard the gray crow croak and th <
f It iho started as though < he had been
tun . At the second pwp and whinny he
amo a llt.lo way on tiptoe. For I had
whittled with a curloui turn at the end , as
iVnt , my cousin , was wont to do. So he
: amo a llttlo further , ami I could tee her
yes looking about cagtrly.
Then I stood up and came down the sldo of
: he galry till she saw mo. She gave a llttlo
cry and put her handi to her heart , for I
think she had not expected to sco me , but
eome other Wat of Lochlnvar , as I guess.
) ut for all that she held out her hands as If
she were glad to ECO me.
"Yo canna send us bacfc nool" she cried
out before even I came near to her.
"Yo deserve to get eoundly payoJ for this
misdemeanor , " 1 answered. "Did yo ever
think of the sere hearts yo left behind ye ? "
"Oh , my father , " isald Kate lightly ; "he
wad read his book , bless King Charlie , an'
walk the avenue , and say 'Kate , Kato dell's
In the lassie ! The daft hlzzle has tacn to
the hill again. "
"Hut will not he be angry ? "
" \Vha , Hoger Mcdhle ? Na , na ; I bade
Mally Llntwhlto make him pottle-head , and
glo him ileuks" aft the pond to his supper ,
stuffed wl' mushrooms , and atwcen that and
his claret wine he will thrive brawly. "
Then Kate McGhle seemed to remember
something , and wo went down the hillside
among the stones.
"Hide yo there ! " she commanded , halting
me with her hand as John Graham halts a
squadron. And I did as I was bidden , for
Kate had most Imperious ways with her.
She stole down quietly , stooped her head to
raise the llap which made a curtain door for
the bower , and went within. I watched with
all my eyes , for I was eager to see Malsle
Lennox , my dear comrade nnd gossip. In a
little ehe came forth , but what a leap gave
my heart when I saw how pile she looked
Her hand and arm were bandaged , and she
leaned lightly on Kate's shoulder.
Do you wonder that my heart went out to
her greatly , and that In a moment ? 'I sprang
down the nlrlclc of stones as If they had been
on a made road.
"Malsle , Malnle , wha has done this to ye ,
my lassie ? " I cried , or something like that
( for I do not mind the words very well ) . And
with that she fell to the greeting ; the law
that never grat whatever was wrong , so that
I was beside myself to see her. And Kate
McQhlc pushed mo forward by the shoulder ,
and made signs frownlngly , which I could
IMMEDIATELY ABOUT ME THERE BEGAN THE MOST AFFRIGHTING TURMOIL.
mnckle corbie cry , "Glonk , " somewhere over
by the Slock1 of the Hooden. They had got
a lamb to themselves or a dead sheep belike ,
but to me it sounded like the gloating of
he dragoons over the some taken company
of the poor wandering Presbyters. It seemed
a strange thing for me , when I came to think
of It now , that I , the son of the laird of
Earlstoun , my mother that had been the
ady thereof , and my brother Sandy that was
now Earlftoun himself , should all be skipping
and hiding , with the dragoons at our tall.
Now this thought came not often to us who
were born during the low estate of the Scot-
Ish kirk. But when It did como , the thought
was bitter to us who had no sustaining mem
ories of her former high estate , as God's kirk
, had been in Scotland from the year 1C38
down to the weary coming of Charles Stu
art and the down sitting of the drunken Par
liament In the black year sixty.
But for all that I thought on these things
as I went. I right carefully kept the cover of
every heather bush , peat hag , great gray
granite stone , and clump of bracken. So that
-ii no long space , by making a wide circuit ,
I came to look down upon the little clump
, of trees where I had seen the figures moving
as I guddled the trout for our dinner in
the reaches of the Eglln lane.
Now there seemed to be a great quietness
all about the place , and the scanty trees
did not so much as wave a branch In the
still air of the afternoon.
Yet I saw as It were the waft of a Jay-
piet's wing among them as I came over the
steep rocks of the Hoodcn's Slock , and went
to ford the Gala Lane , which , like the other ,
was by the action of the long , dry year ,
sunken to no more than a chain of pools.
But as I circled about and came behind
the trees , theru was as I say n great quiet.
My heart went up and down like a man's
hand at the flail In a barn. Yet for my un
quiet there was no great apparent reason. It
might be , Indeed , that the enemies had lain
a snare for me , and that I was already as
good as setting out for the Grass Market ,
with the ladder and the rope before me , and
the lad with the pyotcd coat at my tall.
And this was a tore thought to me , for we
Gordons are not of a race that take hanging
lightly. Wo never had more religion than
we could carry with comfort , yet we al
ways got our palks for what little we had ,
on which side soever we might be. It is a
strange thing that we always managed to
como out undermost , whichever party was
on top , and of this I cannot tell the reason.
On the other hand , the Kennedies trimmed
their sails to the breeze as It blew , and
were ever on the wave's crest. But tlien
they were Ayrshlremen. And Ayr , It Is well
kenned , aye beats Galloway till It comes
to the deadly bellyful of fighting.
Thus I communed with myself , ever drawIng -
Ing nearer to the little clump of trees on the
side of the Meaull , and murmuring good
Protestant prayers as If they had been no
more than Mary's beads all the time.
As I came to the little galry above the
trees I looked down , and from the verge ol
It saw the strangest contrivance. It was a
hut beside a little runlet of water a kind of
bower wlih the sides of bog-oak stobs taken
from the edges of the strands. The roof was
daintily theckid with green rushes and
withes bound about with heather. Hither
also was mingled with the thatching rushes ,
so tbat from a little distance the structure
seemed to be part of the heath. I lay and
watched to see what curious birds had made
such a bower In the Dark Days , for uch
carefulness wao not the wont of us chlels of
the covenant , and I could not think that any
of the rough-riders after us would no have
spent their time. An Inn yard , a pint stoup ,
well cockered doxle were more to tbelr
than platting the bonnlo heather Intc
a puppet's house upon the hillside.
Even as I watched and watted , I saw one
como out and go about the bower. It was a
figure In woman's garments. I knew the
form at the tlrst sight. It was Kate Me-
Ghte of the Balmaghle. I had found our
lost maids. So I gave & whistle that she
knew with my bird call , euch ai every lad o
the heather carried , from old Sandy Pedor
to young James Renwlck. At the first sound
not understand , I thought I was to go away
until Malsle had yomcwhat recovered herself.
Very obediently I made to do so , and was
for stealing away when Kate stamped her
foot and said suddenly , "If yo daur ! " So
I abode where I was till it seemed to me
that Malsle was about to fall , so I went to
hold her up , and as soon as I did so Kate
McGhle slipped out of sight. Now , I think
she did this of Intention , for when she con
veyed me a little down the hill , where'I I
went In the evening , ehe rallied me very
sorely.
"Mau , William Gordon , " she said , "I e'en
thocht I wad hao to pit your arms about t
her and tell yo what to say. Yo must be a
queer make o' men up al > oot the Glenklns.
I thank a merciful Providence that we hae
anlther kind o' them aboot the head end o'
Balmaghle ! "
But when she left us I needed no Instruc-
: lon , and with the best will In the world 1
Jell to comforting Malslo ; and though I put
lot down the matter of our discourse , which
concerned only ourselves , I can vouch that
speedily wo were at one , and I sat on the
gray bowdcr stones of the galry and made
much of her In another fashion than that of
comrade.
Then she told me how that Koto and she
had come away to seek for her father , be
cause of the report that had como of his
Jangcr and Illness , but that an accident had
jefallcn them upon the way , and they had
failed of their errand. What the accident
was she would not tell me , saying that Kate
McGhle would be fond enough to give me
the story. Then they had built this bower
by the burnslde , where ever elnco they had
remained safe and unmolested ,
I asked how they got their provender.
" 0. " she said , "Hughlo Kerr brings II
over the hill from the howe of the Kells
Wo have had no want of gooJ meal. "
Then , when we had talked , and I had toh
her of her father and h s welfare , I be
thought mo to urge her to bide where slu
was for that night at all events , and perhapi
In the morning she might come over to set
him. For I described , seeing that the plac <
was no longer safe ( If , Indeed , the perse
cutors did not know where he was hid , whlcl
I believed not ) to bavo him shifted as sooi
as he could bear the Journey. But yet I wai
loath to do It , for there was no hold In al
the high hill lands so safe as Cove Mac
Katcr ck above the loch of that name.
When Kate McGhio came again to us sh
looked moro approvingly at me than before
but Indulgently , as one that passes an In
different piece of work , which yet she hersel
could better have performed.
As soon as she came near I began to asl
her of Mnlslo'H accident and the cause of II
"Has she nit told you herself ? I am no
going to heat cauld porridge for you twa t
sup , " she said. In the merry way whlc
never deserted her , for she was ever the mos
splrlty wench in the world.
But when I had advertised her that sh
had not said a word about the matter , bu
on the contrary had referred me to herscl
she made a pretty mouth and gave a llttl
whistle.
"After all , " she saiJ , "wo are not 'roun
the corner yet. "
Then she began to tell me of their Joui
neying In the night , after Pherson , the sen
Ingman , had left them.
"We cam' over the heather llcht foot a
hares , " said Kato McGhle. "The stars wer
bonny above and a late moon was rising eve
the taps by Balmaclellan , and the tbocht tin
I was oot on the heather hills set a cant
fire In my breast. * *
"A * gaed richt till we cam' to the ne <
brig across tlje Water o' Dee , that was blgql
a year or two * syne wl' the collections I
the kirks. When we cam' to It we wer
llltln' careless on a sang , when oot o' th
dark o' the far side steps a mucklo cankei
some lookln' man In a big cloak , an' stan' '
right In the mid o' the road.
" 'Wlmur gang ye sae late at nlcht ( hi
roai wlthoot the leave o' MardrochatT1 eay
he.
" 'Sane , ' > ays I , 'Wha's midden's this , an
who's Mardrocbat that hli barn door coc
crows sae croote on til't ? '
" 'For , ' said Kate McGhle , looking at mi
'I rmdnn been learned at the Dnlmnghle to
thole enash fra onybody. ' "
At which I imlled , for well I knew Kate's
reputation with her tongue.
" 'This In Mardrochat'a road , and by the
king's command his business Is to question
oil comers , but It's not 111 gl'en words that
ho wad use wl' twa sic bonny lassos ! ' raid
the loon In cloak ,
" 'Dear sirs,1 said I , 'fifty puddln's on a
plate. Mardrochat maun be a braw lad , Is
he the king's hangman ? It's an honorable
oince nowadays , they tell me , '
" 'Tell me whar yo or gaun sac late , ' says
the Ill-contriving chlel , 'an' maybes I'll con
voy ye a bit o' the road. It shall never bo
paid that Mardrochat left twa wcel-faured
lasses them-lane In the howe o' the nlchtl *
- " 'Helghty-tclghty , ' I telled the man , 'oor
coo's come Imine , an' her tail's ahlnt her !
Stand oot o' the road and let decent folks to
their beds ! '
" 'There's nae beds bona the heather that
gate ! ' cald the man. And faith , there he
was In the right. There were no beds except
the wanderers' beds In the moss-hags that
road for twenty lang Scot's miles.
"And all this time we were standing on tlio
brig close to one another.
" 'Let us by , ' ald I again.
" 'Na , ' falil the long loon that had called
himself Madrochat , and that I kenned for an
Ill-set Informer that made his siller by car
rylng tales to Cluvcrs and Lag , 'ye pass nn
this road. Yo maun e'en turn an' came wl'
me ! '
"And I think ho would have come forwaril
to put his hand upon us. Hut I made to get
past him at one side , crying to Malale to try
the other , for I thought that the two of us
were surely lit for any black thief of the kind
to be found In the Glenkcns.
"But as I was running by ho grlpplt mo
with one hand and drew his bit wlndlestune
of a sword wl' the other drew It on a pair o1
lassies , mind ye. Then what think ye ! Your
lit lass thfre , Mlssle Mini , she Hew on him
llko n wullcat and catchcd the blade atweor
her fingers till she drew it oot o1 his hand.
Then she took It across her knee and garrci
It play snap like a rotten branch. Syne ewer
It gaud Intll the water. And that was the
way she got the cut on her hand , poor thing. "
Then I gave n great shout and clahped
Malsle In my arms , yet not harshly , lest she
should be weak. I was so glad to hear testi
mony to her bravery.
"That Is a better fashion. " said Kato , llko
ono that has a store of experience. Then
she went on with her story , for she had more
to tell. "But the loon was dour for a' the
want o' his sword , and v.e mlcht no hae
mastered him , but that ho tried to trip us ,
and bo got trapped himself. Ho fell so that
the held o' him took the wa' and fair dang
him stuplt. So we e'en gled him a bit holse
an * owe he gacd until the water "
"Mercy on us ! " I cried , "ye dldna droon
he man ? "
"Droon him ? " said Kate , "dc'll n fear.
You chlel Is made for the tow. He'll droon
nane. He was sitting on nls hurdles in the
shallows , up to his neck In the water , trying
what banes war hale after his stramash.
"So , " continued Kate , "we gacd oor roads
In peace , and the chief sat still In the water ,
thrawln' his held aboot and aboot llko a turn
spit as lang PS we could see him. "
Even so Kate McGhle told her tale , making
my lass dearer to me with every word. Of
Mardrochat the Informer , who had made bald
to meddle with them , I had heard many
times' . Ho had been a Covenanter of zeal
and forwardness till , at a meeting of the
societies , his real Inner heart of evil was
laid bare. Ever since which day In the wilds
of Frlarmlnlon he had been a cunning , spyIng -
Ing fox uron the track of the hill folk. But
I knew how dangerous the man was , anil
liked it 111 enough that the maids should
have crossed him so early on their pilgrim
age. I doubted not that It was from him
that the original information had como which ,
being carried by Hlrsay and ovcrhearJ in the
house of Halmaghle , had sent us all hiving to
the mountains.
Having bidden good e'en to the maids , as
was severally due to them , I crossed over
the Nick ot the Gadlach and went whistling
over the moor. I took a new road over the
heather , and was just at the turning of the
Eglln Lane and deep In the howe of the
glen when I came on the strangest kind of
cothpuee. It was piled together of the
rough bowder stones of the country , their
edges undressed and gaping , the spaces
between them tilled with faggots of heather
and plastered with stiff clay from the burn-
sides. The roof was of long branches of the
fir trees burled In the moss and was thatched I
with heather. There was an opening In the
miildlo from which a smoke arose. I heard I
a sound llko singing from within a sound I
that made my fleeh creep.
I went to the door and with my knuckles
knocked gcn'ly , as Is our fashion In that
part of the country , crying : "Aro ye with
in , good wife ? "
The strangest unearthly voice answered to
me , as It were some one reading In * the bible
and laughing at the same time a horrid '
thing to hear In that still place and so near
the defenceless young lasses In the Bower of
the Star.
"The waters of the Merlbah the waters of
the Merlbah for they were bitter ! " It cried
In a kind of wall. "Come Ben , and hae some
brose , " and then the thing laughed.
I took courage to look within , and because
It was dark I saw nothing. The whole In-
terlor was full of the smoor of reek , and
strange things sped round and round , crossing
each other and passing the door continually ,
llko the staves and buckets of a water mill
running around.
"Come awa' , Hen , " again commanded the
voice , "Doon , Uadrona. Peace , Grimalkin ! "
The command was addressed to a number of
monstrous black cats , which had been speed
ing round the walls of the cot llko mad
things to the music of the unearthly crooning
song which I had heard from within.
I stepped within and found a red peat fire
upon the hearth and a black pot hanging over
It. I looked about for the person who had
addressed me. At first I could see him no
where , but as my eyes grew accustomed to
the light I saw the queerest being , the sight
of whom made my heart grow cold and my
hand steal to the llttlo pocket bible , bound
In two halves , that was In my pocket.
A small , square object was sat huddled up
at the far side of the fire. Upon his head
there was a turban , like thoto the travelers
Into the lands of the false prophet tell us of.
Hut this turban was of black bull hide , and
the beast's dull eyes looked out with a hellish
suggestion. The figure was squat llko a toad ,
and sitting thus sunk down upon Itself. It
seemed to bo wholly destitute of feet and
legs. Hut a great pair of hairy arms lay
sometime out upon the hearth and some
times clawed together the fiery red peats , as
though they had been cabten and were being
fitted upon the moss.
"Come awa , Hen. Ye are welcome , honesl
strangers , " again said the thing of the un
canny look. "I am none bonny , truth tt
tell , but I'm nocht to my mlther. It's i
braw thing that ye are no to meet wl' her thi
nlcht. She has gane ewer by to gather tin
Black Herb by the llcht o' the aval mune
When the mune faas ewer on his back llki
a sheep that canna rise , then Is the tlmi
to gather the bonny wolf's bane , the dell'
bit wl' the berries by the waterside tha
nane kens whaur to seek , an' the mandraki
that cries llko a murdered bairn when yi
pu' It frae the moss. See ye here , there'
three dead bairns aneath that hcarthstane
I hao seen the banes. She dldna pit m
there , for the dell's wife has aye a warn
side to the dell's bairn. Sit ye doon an
bldo a wee. It's braw an' heartsomo to se
a face at Willie's Shlel In the howe o' th
Eglln. "
After the first horrid surprise of comln
In upon such a place I saw that the thin
was human an Idiot , or natural as I Judgei
with a monstrous twisted body and strong
voice like the crying of a night wind In
keyhole. But I thought it best to sit dow
on a seat as ho bade mo , ' and so I drew
creeplo stool nearer to mo carelessly wit
ono hand.
"Na , dlnna sit on that that's a stool the
naebody can sit on but my mlther. "
And when I looked at the thing In th
red firelight , for It felt strange to my ham
lo ! It was formed of three skulls set cloe
together , and the legs of It were of men' '
leg bones.
Then I knew that I had chanced on th
house of Corp-llcht Kate , the witch wife t
the Star , that for many years dwelt alone o
the Howe of the Eglln , with only her Idle
son with her.
"Na , " said the object , "none can sit o
that crecple but the mlnnle o' me Cor {
llcht Kate o' the Star. H'n weel for in
an * It's weel for you that my mlnnle's n
here the nlcht. But sit ye down and tal
your reit. "
I rose to flee , but the monstrous figure b
the red fire waved me down. And I bcllev
that as I looked at him he seemed to awe
and glow with a kind of brlghtnets like th
moon through mlit. He waved his arini
and Immediately about me thera began th
most affrighting turmoil. Black forma tha
had been crouching In the corners cams ou
and began to circle round us , as It were ,
skimming round the house breast high , with
out ever touching the floor or the wallo.
They seemed like a black and monstrous
army of cats , all flying In md-alr | , screech
ing nnd caterwauling as at a witch' * festival ,
I began to wonder It the foul Uumau-hcadcJ ,
toad-like thing that iquattcd by the fire
were the black matter of witches himself , to
whom , for my sins , I had been delivered In
the flesh before my time.
But with a wave of his hand , the Idiot
stilled the turmoil , and the flitting demons
came to the ground as a dozen or so of cats ,
black and horrid , with arched tails and fiery
oycs as wild to look at as though they had
wandered In from the moor. They retreated
Into the dark corners of the room , whence
wo could hear them purring and spitting , and
tea their fiery eyes tct on us In a circle
out of the gloom , which was black as night
everywhere , save Immediately about the lire.
"I am nae dell , though ye think It , anJ
the folk says It , " said the idiot , fixing hit
eyes on me. "Somo says the daddle o' me Is
the dell , and omo says Mardrochat , I kciina
Yo can ask my mlther gin flic like. I never
speered her inyrcl' . Ye'll hao a sup o' my
parrltch. I wad advise ye to hao nocht to
do wl' my mlther's parrltch. Heard ye ever
o' the heftcr o' the Star ? "
I told him nn , and sat down to see what
might happen In this strange abode so near
to the two places where dwelled those whom
I loved the Bower of the Star and the Cave
of Macaterlck. But I lee cned my sword and
felt that the grip of my pistols came easy to
my hand.
"Ho nao feared o' pulr Gash Jamie o' the
Star Shelling ; he's as honest as he Is ugly.
But keep wide a' the mlther o' him , gin yo
wnd escape the chiding of the chaniu'rlng
worm. "
The natural seemed to read the fears of my
heart before I know them myself.
"Na , ye'll no dee like the heftcr o' the
Star. Ho was an 111 loon , him ; he wadna let
my mlther be when lie cam to heft hogs In
the mid of the year. He sat on a hill tap
to watch that his sheep dllna break dykes
But ken ye what my mlther did ? She gaed
oot to him wl' a wee drop kale broo Tnk
yo nano o' my mlther's kale broo. They ure
no canny. But the hefter , silly body , took
malr o' them than he was the better o' . He
took them down In a bit hollow to be oot
o' the wind , and he manned It to crawl back
to his watcher's hill tap. But there the
silly feckless loon died llko a troot on 'he
bank. He didna llko my mlther's broo. Na ,
they dldna grce well wl' him ! "
And Gush Jamie went on yawning and
grumbling , while I sat and stared at him , and
the ugly grimalkins In the dark corner stnred
at me with shining eyes , and 1 wished my
self well out of It all.
"An" ken ye what my mlther said when
the next heftcr cam to sec after his sheep on
the hill ? "
I shook my head.
"She said , ' \Vatna sprco It wad be gin this
yin were to die as weel I1 That was what my
mlther said. "
"And did he die ? " I asked.
Gash Jamie moved his shoulders and made
a kind of nlchcrlng laugh to himself , llko a
young horse neighing for Its corn.
"Na , ho was ewer cunning for my mlnnle ,
him. He wadna bide here , and when my mln-
nlo gaed to him with the guld kale broo and
the braxy rooming amang It , Bays the second
end hefter , 'I'm no that hungry the day ,
mistress ; I'll gli > the hookies craws a drop
drink o't ! '
"And so he did , and as fast as the craws
got twa fills o' their nebs , they keeled ewer
on their backs , drew In their taes three
times , cried kralgh nnd tumbled heels up , as
stiff as Mctlnisala' ! Curious , was It na ? She
Is a wonnerfu' woman , my mlther ! "
The thunder which had been forming all
through the heat of the afternoon began to
roar far away by Loch Doon. and as the
place and the talk did not conduce to pleas
ant thoughts , I rose to go.
'What's your hurry ? " cried Gash Jamie ,
swinging himself 'round to my side of the
fire , lifting himself on his hands like a man
that has no feet. "My mimile will no be
here till the mornln' , and then we'll hae
company belike. For she's gnne to warn
.Mardrochat to send the sodgers to ; he twa
runaway lasses up nt the bit bouroch on the
Maeull o' Garryhorn. "
"To bring the Eoldlers , " I said , for the
words made me'Suddenly afraid.
"Aye , " said the natural , looking cunningly
at mo , " an' Gash Jamie wad hae telled the
bits o' lassies to , butt he's ewer gruesome a
tyke to be welcome guest Inlady's bower.
But Jamie wishes the lassies no harm. They
are clever , well busked hlzilesl"
"I wonder if there are any more wanderers
In hiding hereabouts , " said I , thinking In my
transparent guile to flnd out whether the
Cove Macaterlck were also known.
"Na , na , nano nearer than the Coitions In
the Howe o' Trool. There's some o' I'eden's
folk there that my mlther has put her spite
on , but nane nearer. "
The thunder and lightning was Just coming
on as I passed the ring of cats In the outer
darkness of the hut , and I looked out. "Gooi
night to ye , Jamie , " said I , "and thank ye
kindly for your crack and the warming I
hae gotten afore the fire ! "
"Guld e'en to yoursel' , bonnie laddie , an' a
guld Journey to ye. It's gaun to be a coort\j
nlcht , and Jamie maun gang awa ewer the
heather to see gin his mlther can win the
road hame ! "
I went out and the- whole night was
empty. The great basin of the hollow palms
of the hills was filled with an eery Isme o
fiame , flickering up , as it seemed , from the
ground.
I took my way with as great strides as I
could compass to the bower under the trees
The thunder rolled continuously about anu
about. At times It seemed far away , but a
different places as though many peals were
running races one with the other. Then the
lightning flickered , and keen little arrows
tped till the whole sky twanged like a. harp
It seemed a hunlicd mllcx to the shieling
on the hill , and when I came near I was
astonlsheJ and greatly affrighted to hear the
sound of voices , and ono at least of them the.
voice of a man. A strange fear came eve
me ; hardly , I think , the fear of the king's
men.
"I hae brocht my silver spune , " said a
voice that went to my heart. "I brocht m )
silver spune. Gin I hae to gang to the
heather for the Covenant , at least I slial
gang as a lady1" !
It was my mother's voice , and I ran down
to her , falling Into her arms and bidding he
to be quiet In the same breath.
A8TINO DISEASES WEAKEN WONDKll-
T
fully because they weaken you slowly , grudu
ally. Do not allow this wusto of boily to muke
you n poor , dubby , Immature man.Health , btrcngtl
nnd vigor Is for you whether you bu rich or poor
ThoUreat Hudyan Is to be had only from tlio Hud
son Medical Institute. This wonderful discover )
wus made by the specialists of the old famous Hud
son Medical Institute. It Is the stronccit and mem
powerful vltullzer mado. It l so pov.'urlul that 1
Uelmply wonderful bow harmlccilt I ? . You cat
get It from nowhere but from the Hudson Medlcn
Institute. Write for circulars nnd testimonials.
This extraordinary Itejuvenator la the moe
wonderful discovery of the ngr It has been eri
dorsed by the leading scientific men of Europe am
at America.
IIUDYAX H purely vcffetnhle.
1II 'J > YA\ stops premnturcnoFs of the ( Us
charge in twenty da } * . Cures LOST .M.V.V-
JIOOI ) , constipation , dizzinessfalling reactions
nervous tw Itching of the eym and other parts.
Strengthens , Invlgorntcs mid tones tha entire
system. It h as chtup 115 any other remedy ,
JIUDV.W cures debility , nervousness , rmls
elons , and develops and restores weak organs.
Taint In tlio back , lows by day or night stopped
quickly. Over ! , coo private Indorsements.
1'rcmatureness means linpoteney In the flrs
n stage. It Is a symptom of seminal wealcners nm
barrenness It can be stopped In twenty days by
thouteof Iludyun. Hudyan costs jomorethun
any other remedy.
Bend for circulars and testimonials.
TAI.\TJil : mxiOII-Impuro blond due to
serious private disorders entries myriads of sore
producing germs. Then conies orc throat , pimples
copper colored spotiulccrs In mouth , old tares um
falling hulr. You can lave n trip to lint Pprlpg * by
writing foi'Blood Boole'to the old physicians of tb
HUDSON nir.mcAL , INSTITUTE ,
Btookton , Uurket and K1IU tit * . ,
Atf 7HANCUCO , CAL.
I
THE MILD POWER CURES , * * ii i i
nn. m'MPiinr.YS' IIOMOKPATHIC BPECI-
Fit's AttU BCinNTIl--ICAM.Y AND CA I >
rui.t.Y pmiPAHun iux\ut > iis : , UBD roii
NKAHI.Y llAIiP A CCNTUIIY 11Y TUB PBO.
rui WITH KNTIIIB succim
NO. SPKCill'IU 1'Olt
1 revert , CongoUlons , Infliimmiitlons. . . , . , ,
8Vornm , Worm 1'cvcr , Worm Cello . . . ,
3 TcclliiiiK , Colic. Crying. WnUofiilnoss . . . .
4 IMnrrhm , ot Clilldroti or Adults
7 UuuBtin , Colds , llroncliltls
H Nmir.ilclii , Toothiicho , 1'aCPnclio
0 llcaditrhv , Sick llt-ndnchcs Vertigo
o l'y'l"1 ! " ' " ) llllllousuu'.s. Conitlpatlon. . . . <
11-Suppromcil or I'ulnfiil Prrlodi
lU-U'liltcn , Too Profuse Periods
it ; Croup , I.uryiicltl , llonrsoiii"s
J4 Suit Kliditm , Erysipelas , Kruptlons . . . . . . .
15 lllicuiiuitiDin , Kheiinmttc Pulus
10 Aluliirlii , Chills , IVvornml ARUO . . ' .
II Unlnrrli , InlluuiirH , Cold In tlio llc d
JO WhoopltiK ( Jou li , .
87 Klilnt-y nUrmc
H Nervous nt-blllty " . '
no Urlnnry WorUnrs , . . ' ( . . . , . . . .
31 inroTliranttQulnvy , Dlphlhurln
77 , ROSE COLD , HAY FEVER.
Sold by druggists or pent prepaid on receipt of
price , ! oc , or 5 frr Jl ( limy IIP nssorted ) cicept
M $1 size only. Iill. HUMPIIUCVH' MANUAU
Kiiliu-gcil nnd KuvUud ) MAILED KKKE.
.ilMtlrilltivv : .Mii : . ; o. , ill unit tt. %
U'lllliim St. , Nuv
A SPECIALTYK % %
.tlarybyplillls permanently cured In 16 to
135 darn. You can bo trcntod nt homo tot
the Bams price undcrrnmo Kimrnnty. It
'you ' prefer to coma hero wo wlH contract
to pny rnllroni ! f nro and hotel bills , and no
cbarirc.lf no fall to euro. If you Imvo taken mer
cury , Indlilo pntnHh , and etlll have ni-hfs an < J
tmlns , Mucousl'nt dies In moutli.SornThroat ,
I'linplcs , Cupper Colored KpntH , UlccrB on
\nypiutoftlio body , Mulr or Kyolmiwrt fulling
out. It Istlils Kyphilltlo Itf.OOU POISON thnl
vro cunrnntco to euro. Wo solicit , tlio most oliitl-
finto fuses nnd ciiullonco tlio world for a
cn o wnniinnntcuro. MhlH dl cn o lias nlw T9
unlilou thoBlilll of tlioniont eminentphYftl *
cluiiH. BrtOO.OOO cnpltnl behind our uncondi
tional guaranty. Absolute proofKentoeitled on
application. Address COOK UIIMKUY CO *
807 JUiioH < t Xciiliilc. C1HCAUO , ILL ,
PATRONIZE
By purchasing nooda made nt the following
Nebraska factorles.If | you cannot find what
you want , communicate with the manufac
turers as to liat dealers handle their goods.
Jl.Hlfi , IWKI..II' AMI Tin SO.
BEMIS OMAHA BAG CO.
Manufacturers of nil Kinds of eotton and bur *
lap tings , cotton ( Tour packs and twlnt a spec
ialty. GU-C1C-G18 H. lllh-St.
OMAHA BREWING ASSOCIATION.
Ca. * load FlilpmontB made In our own rcfrlRQ *
ratnr cms. Hlue Hlbbon , Kllte Export , Vienna
Export , nnd Family Export , delivered to all
parts of city.
cowMK.V
CONSOLIDATED COFFEE CO. ,
Coffee Itoantcre , Spice Grinders. Manufactur
ers Oerman Ilaklng Ponder and On man Dry
Hop Yeast , Hit and 1416 Ilarney-st. , Omaha , Neb
c.utm.mr.s , ITC.
DROMMOKD CARRIAGE CO.
put rubber tires and lull beuilnK axlei on their
own make vehicles , nnd sell a top bujgy for
JM.OO besides. Virile them. Utli and Harney ,
S. F. GIUIAN.
Manufacturer of Gold Medal Flour.
. Black , Manager , Omaha.
1'vnsiTVKE PAvnntius.
OMAHA UPHOLSTERIE CO.
Manufacturers of I'arlor Furniture , Loungei.
Dining Tables and raiding lleds. Sth five. .
Hojcl to Bhalcr fits.
ica , ixi > CO.IL.
SOUTH OMAHA ICE AND COALCO.
Domestic nnd Steam Coal. We ha\e the best.
Olllctj 1CO1 Kamam-at , Telephone : Olllce S7J ,
yard , 176C. J. A. Doe , General MaiuiKer. .
=
utoff
INDUSTRIAL IRON WORKS.
Mnnufneturlng nnd Repairing of all kinds ot
machinery , ermines , pumps , elevators , printing
prcpes , hangers , shafting and couplings 1408
and HOS Houard-et. , Omaha.
1'HOENIX ' FOUNDRY CO.
Fire Hydrants , Water nml Gas Pipesspecial * .
Holler Kionts nnd Fittings , Street r'y. car
vshecls. AiLhlteetural Iron \vorksv OfUqe,307 S.
iGth-st. , Omaha.
PAXTOX & VIEHLIHG IRON WORKS.
Miinufactmeis of Architectural Iron Work.
Oeneiul Foundry , Machine and UlncktmlUi
Work. nniclneeis nml Contractors for Hr
1'raof DulldlnKB Olllce and norksi It , P. lly.
and Ho. 17th street , Omaha ,
viiiirisr.t.
THE MERCER CHEMICAL COMPANY.
Manufacturers of Fluid Kxlfarlp , * ra.
fiyrups and Wines , compressed trlturutea hypo *
deuiilu tablets , pills and scientific medical nov
elties. Omuha.
r.s , curt , victim.
L. G DOUP.
Manufacturer Mattresses , Spring Ueds ; Jobber
Feathers and I'lllows. N. llth and Nicholas
Kt . , Omaha.
MISKKAI. iitni.
KEDESSA MINERAL WATER CO. ,
ya Bo. llth ft. . Tel. 211. Medcsra Mineral
Water Carbonated , unequalled. 1'luln ( or table
use unsurpa ied. ;
tiKUlT H-ATOII , mil ! KKItriOE.
AMERICAN DISTRICT TELEGRAPH ,
The only perfect protection to property , Exam *
Ine It. lies ! thing on earth. | Heducei Insur *
unco rates. 1301 Dougliis-st.
O I'I ; IIA L I , I'A VTOlltKS.
KATZbiiiV
Manufacturers of Men's nnd Hoys' Clothing ,
1'ants , Hhlrts nnd Ovcralls.202-212 | B. 12th it.
I'.ll'Ult J/O.VK.S
THE OMAHA PAPER BOX CO.
Mnnufaclurers of all kinds of Taper Doxts1
Klielf Iloxe-s , Kainplo CHICS , Mailing Tables , to.
Wedding cuke and fancy randy boxes , druggist
and jewelry boxes. 1208.11) ) Jones-it. , Omaha.
HIIIHT F.WTOIUK3.
Exclusive custom shirt tailors.
liU i"aroawst..Telti > hoa K4.