Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (May 12, 1895)
JS&Z / CHAPTER IX CONCLUDED. WULLCAT WAT DAUBS HEAVEN AND HBL.L. It was nbout the end of October when clays arc beginning to creep quickly Into tliolr shortest , that my mint. Lady hochlnvar , came to town. I , who asked only meat nnd house room , comnanled not much \vltli the graver folk who sought the Eocltty of my cousin Lochlnvar. Kor Wat glanced here and there In new bravery every day. nnd I saw him but seldom. Hut my lady nunt came to EPO mo when ho had been but three days In town for she was punctilious about the claims Wood mil kinship , which. Indeed , women think much more of than do men. "A gooJ morning , couslti , " said she , "anJ how speeds the suit ? " Then I told her somewhat ol the law's de lay , and how I had an excellent lawyer , albeit choleric and stormy In demeanor , one of mine own name , Mr. William Gordon , though his pleas were drawn by James Stewart , presently In hiding. What Gordon said went down well with my lords of the council meeting In Holy- rood , for ho was a. great swearer and c ! yc. freely In hU . speech. Hut Hugh Wallace that was the king's cash keeper , clalmeJ the imo because that my father was a. heritor. In conformity to the nets of Parliament made against tlicso delinquencies and conventicles In 1G70 iind 1G72 , appointing the ( lues of heritors being transgressors to come Into the treasury. And Sir George Mackenzie said. "If this plea bo no James Stewart's drawing I have no skill of law. Tell me , Gordon , gin yo drew this yoursel , or Is James Stewart In Scotland ? " Then my lady of Lochlnvar asked of me when I thought my matters might bo brought to an end. "That " I know not , " said I ; "It seems slow enough. "All law Is slow , save that which my man nnd your father got. " I was astonished that she should mention her man , with that courage and countenance. nnd the story not six months old ; Indeed , his very head sticking on the Nethcrbow , not ilsa mile from us as ue talked. Hut she saw some part of this In my fac ? , and ( julckly began to say on : "You Gordons never think you die honest unless you die In arms against the king. But yet stand well Ig.ur together , though your hand Is against every mm. And that Is why ' I , that am but a tacked-on-Gordon , come tb help you , If so bo I can , though I and my ' boy stand for the king , and you and your rcbsl brother , Sandy , for the covenants. Weary fa' them that took my man from me for he was a god man to me , though we agreed " but 111 together on kings and poll- tics. II"I "Speik for my brother Sandy , " I said. "I am no utrdng sufferer , anJ so shall ' got me , , I fc'ar me , no golden garments. " So I spoka In my Ignorance , for the witty , Ibwn-w.irm air of Edinburgh In spiritual things had Infected me with opinions like those of the Laodlclnns. Now that was a Word of my mother's , that suffering was the Christian's golden garment. But to my aunt , to whom religion was mostly family tradition ( or so I thought ) , I might as well have spoken of fried fish. "Hut of Walter , " she went on , as one that comes to a real subject nftcr beating about the bush , "tell me of him. You have been hero with him In the city the best part enof three months. " Now , Indcol , I saw plainly enough what It was that had procured me tlio honor of Ita visit so early from my lady of Lochlnvar. "In this city I have Indeed been , my nunt , " I replied , "but not with Walter , for 1 am not lord of Lochlnvar , but only the toor suitor of the king's mercy. And I spend not that which I have not , nor yet can I afford to burden the estate which may never bo mine. " She waved her hand as at a Whig scruple , which good king's folk made light of. "Hut what of Walter you have seen la It well with the lad ? " She spoke eagerly , and laid her hand on jny arm. Hut .after nil , the business was not mine , nnd besides , a Gordon covenant or no cove nant Is no tnlo-plet , as my lady might well have known. "Wat Gordon , " tald I , "Is the gayest and Brightest young spark In town , like a Damas- cua blade for metal , and Micro tire none that love not his coming and grieve at his * ' "Ay , ladles , that I ken , " said my aunt. ( 'What of my Lady Wellwood ? " it.ny Now , I had a very clear opinion of my Lady Wellwood , though I know her not , for eho would not have waved the back of her Illy hand to me In the street. Hut she was a handsoma woman , and I admired her greatly for that as she went by. Hesldes , the , . ! WENT UP TliR NAIUIOW STURKT. business Jt Watt and my Lady Wellwood was none of mine. "My lady Is In truth a flnc woman , " I ald calmly , looking up as It I were saying what muat please my visitor. The Lady Lochlnvar struck one hand on the other hastily and rose. "Attend me home , " she uld ; "I gee after all that .you are a man , and to must defend ; . AH mea and admire all women. " "Tho last for your ladyship's cake I do. " I made aniwer. For in the ? . dayi we wire t wight to be courteous , to Uia elder l.vllea Md to make them becoming compliments , \flch 'U IB danger ofbeing a forgotten art la tbe * time ? . " ' a "What talw you to the Covyunt side ? " Mked L oY ISchlnvar. ' 3' m > tu iVJk- lnd domlne-Jw ! not injdo tkf iptcclu / "Tlio tam * ; -piat took year hutUinil , ' .LaiJy Lochlnvar , " 3Lreturned , saaiewhat l.jUIcJ. 1'or iho ipak * If the mauy It ; Scotland were but dirt beneath the feet of the few. But that wai the xvny of her kind. "Kenned y ? ever a Gordon that would be the driven with whips of scorpions , or one that could be drawn with the light of ladles' eyes ? " She sighed and gathered up her skirts. "Aye , nil too readily , " she said , thlaJkttg , I doubt not. of Walter Gordon and my Lady ' of'Wellwood. of It was dusking when we stepped out. My aunt took my arm and desired wo shoulJ walk ut home , though I already had called a chair for her. So we went up the narrow , dirty street , and came slowly to her lodgings. Walter met us on the stair of the lodging. He was shin of ing In silk nnd velvet , as was his wont. Lace runies were at his wrists. He had a gold chain about his neck and a jeweled rapier Hashed and swung In a gold-brolJered velvet sheath at his side. Ho seemed no little dashed by our coming In together. I quickly understood that he had -It thought his mother safe out of the way , and wondered how I should keep the peace be tween them , for by the tremble of her hand upon my arm I felt that the storm was nigh the breaking. Yet for all that ho stopped and kissed her - dutifully , standing on the step , with his hat A In his hand , to ler her pass. The flickering , light of the cnilslc lump was on his head , and I thought ho had Iho noblest figure of a youth that ever my eyes had reiteJ upon. But his mother would not let him go. "Attend us to my chamber , Walter , " she said ; "I have that concerning which I would speak with you. " So wo went upward , turning and twisting . up the long stairs , till we came to the door where my lady lodged. Shu dried at the pin , : ho servant maid opcncJ , and we went In. The window stood wide to give a draught to , ho fire of wood that burnudlon the fire grate [ went close to It , and , as I did so , a broad lake of snow swirled down and lay melting on my wrist. It told me that It was to be \ wild night the Ilist EIIOW slorm of the year , belike. My lady came back from-her own bed chamber In a moment. Shs had merely laid aside her plaid , walling not to change her gown lest her son should bo gone. Walter Gordon stood discontentedly enough at the side of the fire grate , touching the lowing ember ] with his French shoe , care- ess of how bo burned It. "Walter , " said my aunl , "will you not give us your company lonlghl ? " "I cannot , my lady , " said Lochlnvar , with out looking up ; "I havu made an engagement elsewhere. " He spoke baldly and harshly , as ono thai Hits a strain on himself. His mother looked ut him with her eyes Ike coals , from Which the leaping name ha : ut died out. For a moment she said noth- ng , but her soul within her looked out of he windows of her house of clay , flcry and passionate , It bad conic to the close and cadly pinch with her , and It was on the Ice's throw whether she would loses or keep er son. "Walter Gordon , " she said at last"has our mother journeyed thus far to so little purpose , that , now she Is here , you will not do her the honor to spend a single night In her company ? Since when has she become so distasteful to you ? " "Mother , " said Wat , moved In spite of himself , "you do yourself not justice when you speak so. I would spend many nights with you , for nil my love and service are yours ; but tonight I cannot fall to go whither I have promised without-being mansworn and trystbreaker. And you have taught me that the Gordons are neither. " "Wot , " she said , hearing , but not heeding his words , "bide you tonight. There b ? sweet maids a-many that will give their lives for you. You are too young for such quest ing and companlonry. Go not to my Lady Wellwood tonight. 0 , do not my son ! 'TIs your mother that makes herself a bcgger to you ! " At the name of my Lady Wellwood Walter Gordon started from his place as though he ; had been stung , and glanced over at me with her a sudden nnd fiery anger. for "If " my cousin not But I kept my eyes clear upon htm , as full of fire mayhap as his own , and even In that so moment I saw the thought pass out of his mind In the uncertain firelight. the "Your cousin has told me nothing , though / I own that I asked him , " said my Udy the curtly. "Young men hang together like ad ders' eggs. But Wat , dear Wat , will you not put off your gay apparelling and take a girl. night at the cartes with ns at home ? See , so ( tie fire Is bright and the lamp ready. It will bo a wild night without presently. " on "Tomorrow , mother , tomorrow at e'en shall the bo the night of my waiting upon you. To night , believe me , I cannot , though , because shall you ask me , with all my heart I would. " Then his mother rose up from her seat by resoi the fire and went up to him. She laid her bene hand on hi- ' arm and loked Into his eyes. " 0 Walter , my boy , go not forth tonight , " burg ( here I declare to God the proud wom.tn the knelt to her own son. ) "Sc , I have put off nor my pride , and pray you not to go for my stoop sake for your mother's sake , that never In denied * you anything. There Is evil boding in wind ' the air. " head She shuddered nlghl and threw an arm over Ms shoulder. as though shs had been his sweet curta heart and were ( leeching with him. hush For a moment I saw Wat Gordon vaver. off Then he took her hand gently and drew It of { down from his shoulder , raising her to her fllckc feet. natel "Mother , for you I woultf do all save let n stain upon my honor. Hut this thing I my cannot , for I have plighted my word deep was and fast , and I must go tonight. " than "Tell me , " said my aunt , "Is It a matter of treason to the king ? " swop Her eyes were , eager , expectant. And for clean very pity of her I hoped that Walter cruld by give her satisfaction on the point. But It froze was not ' as I thought , for who can tr.ick a housi woman's heart ? So "Gord forbid ! " said Wat Gordon , heartily , forge as one that Is moi.t mightily relieved. Hut his mother fell back , and her hands battl dropped to her side. 'Twa "Then , " she said , "It la my Lady Well- reme wood 1 I had rather a thousand times It and had boon treason and rebellion , though It am had set your head on high beside llko your ' father's. " Gord " "I dy Wellwood or another , " cried Wat , of "nor heaven nor hell shall gar me break went tryst this nlcht ! " brfa And without another word Walter Gordon looki went'down the stairs as one that stumbles agali defiantly to death , daring both God and of man and his mother. no stem CHAPTER X. St. ; THU THING THAT FELL FROM nn TOH'S GATE. ness The Lady , hat Lochlnvar. stood a moment still " by the flre , listening , her hand raised as If " . to command .11 , silence. Then she ran to the door like a joung lass , with a light foot and [ eln her hand on her heart. The steps came fainter up the stairs , and tn another iniol mo- rncnt wo heard the clang of the outer door , dark My lady turned to me. a gal "Have A gi you your pistols by you ? " she whispered In BUtt ; , a hoane and angry voice. "Go man ! Go , I COI , follow Mm ! He rushes to hli death. And ho la all howl , that I have. Go and save html" Artl She tliat bad flccclied with Tt her son , llko Irtet. dove succoring Its young , laid harshly her ilBtols commands upon me. " with "I am ao flghtcr , aunt. " said I. "What too protection can I bo to Walter Gordon , the utto but unorder tn Edinburgh town this ntght four from Holyrood to the castle ? " his Mr lady IcsUod about her as ono that sees one a stealthy enemy approach. Her hand trcmt > led as she tald It on my arm. "What avails Rood swordsmanship when one comes from behind and ono before , as In my dream I saw them do upon my Walter out of the house of my Lady Wellwood , They came upon him and left him lying on the snow. Ah , go , dear cousin William I" she laid , breaking Into n sharp cry of entreaty est I should fall her. " . "It Is you that can cave him. But let him not see you follower or It will make him more bitter against me. "or If you cannot play with the sword you can shoot with the pistol ; so I have heard , and they tell me that nn one can nhoot BO truly ns thou. They would not let thce shoot for the Rlller gun , though thou art a burgess , because It were no fair game. Is It not true ? " And so the stoked and cultletl me with flattery till I declare I purred like our Gib cat. I had bigun there and then to tell her of my prowess , but that she Interrupted me. me."He "He goes by the High street. Hasten up the South Wynd and you will overtake him yet ere he comes upon th * open road , " She thrust two pistols Into my belt , which t laid aside again , having mine own more carefully primed with me , to the firing of which my hand was more accustomed and that to a marksman Is moro than half the battle. When I reached the street the wild ness of the night justified my prophecy. The snow was falling athwart the town In broad , wet flakes , driven flat against the face with a splash before the gusty westerly wind that roared among the tall luins of the steep-gabled houses a most uncomfortable night to run the risk of getting a dirk In one's ribs. I saw my cousin before me , Unking1 on through the snow , with his cloak about his ears and his black-scabbard rapier swinging at his heals. I had to slink behind like a Holyrocd dyvour a bankrupt going back to the sanc tuary , jooklng nnd cowering craftily In the lee-side shadow of the houses. For , though so wild a night , It was not very dark. There was a moon up there somewhere among the smother , though she could not get so much as her nose through the wrack of binkftl snow cloud which was driven up from the west. Yet Wat could have seen me very ' had t como out at my lady's bidding to follow film secretly , I stepped up to him till I could look over his shoulder. "Walter ! " I said , putting my hand on his arm , But ho never minded me In the least , nor appeared surprised to find mo there. Only n black and bltTcrVhorror sat brooding on his soul. , $ lie contlnutfl to gaze , fascinated , at the dark thing In hlsAhand. "God God Oolir' he sobbed , the horror of It taking him short In the throat. "Will , do you see this ? " Such abject terror never have I heard be fore nor slnco In the utterance of any living man. man."Do "Do you see this ? " he asked. "See what fell at my feet ns I came through the arch of the Bow upon , mine errand ! The wind brought It down. " Above us the moon pushed her way upward , fighting hard , breasting the cloudrack like u laboring ship. Her beams'fell on the dark thing In Wat Gordon's hand. "Great God ! " he shouted again , his eyes starting from their sockets , "it Is mine own father's head ! " And overhead the fitful , flying winds nlch- ered like mocking ( lends. It was true. I that write It eaw It plain. I hold It In this very hand. It was the head of Sir John of Lochlnvar , against whom , In the last fray , his own son had donned the war gear. Gr'zzled , black , the snow cleaving ghastly nbout the empty eyeholes , the thin heard still straggling on the chin It was his own father's head that had fallen nt Walter Gordon's feet , nnd which he now held In his hand. Then I remembered , with a shudder of apprehension , his own words so lately spoken "Heaven nnd hell shall not cause me to break my tryst tonight. " Walter Gordon stood there , dazsd and dumbfounded , with th ? Thing In his hand His flue lace nifties touched It as the wind blew them. I plucked at him. "Come , " I said , "haste you ! Let us bury It In the Holyrood ere the moon goes down. " Thus he that boasted lilmsHf free of heaven and hell had liU tryst broken by the Thing that fell from the ghastly gate on "NO HEAVEN , NO HELL SHALL OAIt ME , " labtv Ull IIIC UtlllUV OillJ Ul CIIUW lldU lltj ever thought ot looking over his shoulder. But Wat the Wullcat of Lochlnvar was not the one to look behind him when he trode ! on to keep tryst. I minded his biter ter , reckless words to his mother , "Nor heav nor hell shall make me break my tryst tonight. " Heaven was shut out by the stern and Ihe tall , close-built houses , and Valter Gordon had an excellent chance of landing a bout with the other place. No doubt my Lady Wellwood bided at the lndow and looked out for htm to come to er through I the snow. And I , that had had jr common no thought of lass or lady , can- ot say that I was without my own cnvylngs that the love of woman was notfor , me. Or at least I thought , even as a I shielded my eyes under my bonnet and drave through He snow i with the pistols loose In my belt , /at ot Lochlnvar walked defiantly through ho black i storm with a saucy swing in his arrlage , light and careless , which I vouch drew my heart to him as I had been a young Irl. I had given ten years of my llfo If just IAs could have taken the eye , ] of women. As clear as If I had listened to the words , I could hear him saying over within himself last 1 sentence he had used In the contro- versj with his mother : "Heaven and hell lall not cause ire to brek my tryst tonight. " Alack ! poo- lad , llttlo understood he the sources of either. And he had yet to pass eneath ; Trailer's Gale. For once the narrow High street of E3ln- urgh ; was clean and white sheeted down In clinging i snow , that would neither melt freeze 1 , but only clung to every Joint , jut , .oop and step of the house fronts and cloggcl lumps on tlio crockets of the roof. The wrestled and roared In great gusts over- ead In the black , uncertain , tumultuous . Then a calm would come , sudden as a urlaln drop In the playhouse , and In the ush you could hear the snow slldderlng down the high-pitched roofs of tile. The light the moon also came In varying wafts and Ickers as the wind blew the clouds alter- ntely thicker and thinner acrosj her face. Now I felt both traitor and spy as I tracked cousin down the brae. Hardly a soul to be seen , for none loves comfort more an Edinburgh burgher. And none undcr- stanc his weather better. The snow had at wept Ill-doer and well-do'er otf the street , leaner than ever did the city guard , who , the way , wcro no doubt warming their rozen toes by the fireside In some convenient ouse of call. meditating , for a moment I had almost ff irgotten whither we were going. Before us , ere I was aware , loomed up the a attlements and turrets of the Nether Bow. with a sudden stound of the heart I . emembered what It was that twelve months more ago had been set up there. But I , , sure i that , sharp set on his love matter , Y a beast that hunts on a hot trail , Wat a lordon had no memory for the decorations me the Nether Bow. For he whistled as he kemj , and stuck his hand deeper Into the mj reast : of his coat. The moon came out -as I Ea 3oked , and for a moment , dark and grizzly el gainst the upper brightness I saw that row on traitors' heads which the city folk regarded more In their coming and going than the gargoyles set In the roof niches of Giles. Hut as soon as Wat went under the black- for . of the arch there came so fierce n gust It fairly lifted me off my feet and lashed me against the wall. ' Overhead yelled the mocking fiends of hell , riding slack- . to a rew perdition. The snow swirled onnented , and wrapped us both In Its gray mother , Handi pulled at me out of the larkness , lifted mo up and flung me down me on my face In the 8moor of the snow. great access of fear fell on me. As the t overpassed I rose , choked and gasping. could hear the mighty blast go roaring and lowllng among the rocks and crags of Vrlhur's Seat. Then I arose , shook the snow from my . glanced at the barrels and cocks of my to see that they were not stopped snow , and stepped out of the angle of Bow to look after my cousin. To my astonishment he was standing within run Xeot of me. He held some dark thing la hand and ( tared open-mouthed at It , as demented. Without remembering that I his which the traitors' heads are set In a row. CHAPTER XI. THE BICKEH OF SWOKDS IN THE SNOW. Then , seeing him both agitated and un- crtaln which way to turn , I took out of his shaking hands the poor mishandled head wrapping It In my plaid , and so led the way down the Canongato loward the ktrkyard cl the Chapel of Holyrood house , where II as seemed to me most safe to bury the Thing that had falhn In such marvelous fashion at our feet that night. The place I know well enough. I had often meditated there. It was half ruinous. and I looked ! to meet with no man within the precincts on such a night. But short , deceiving and ostrich-blind nr ? all our hopes , of for by going that way I brought us Into the greatest danger we could possibly be In. a For , as we csme by the side port of Holy- rood house and took the left wynd which leads to the klrkyard , it seemed to mo thai der I hoard the sounds of footsteps coming after me. It was still a night of snow , but the blast of flakes was wearing thinner and less gusty. The moon was wading among1 great white-edged wreaths , as though Uu snows had been driven right up to heaven and were clogging to the skies. It was I who led , for my cousin , Wat Gordon , being stopped dead In his heart's Its desire , llko R dog quivering for the leap , and thai suddenly gets his dealh wound , now went forward as one blind and staggered oven In the plain places. Also , it was well fear that I must guide him , for thus I was kept the from thinking of the burden I carried. Wo were nt the angle of the- wall , and , ever going slowly down among the cumbering lieais of rubbish by the dykeslde , when I cer In by tainly heard , through the soughing of the wind nnd the soft swirl of the enow-flakes , the quick trampling of footsteps behind us. It contl seemed to me that they came from the di thou rection of the queen's bath house , by which , them as I now minded , my Lord Wellwood had built his new house. dead I turned , and saw half a dozen of fellows each running toward us wltli their swords drawn ; the anil one who seemed short of stature and III BllOU the running following after them. Then I pullel quickly at Walter's sleeve and said so "Get you to afFOOl ( posture ot defense , or " we are bolh dead men. Sec behind you ! " At this he turned a/id looked , and the sight a ' seemed wonderfully , to steady him. He of seemed to come/to himself with a kind of joy. I heard him. slpli as ono that casts off Privy heavy back burden , for blows were ever went mightily refreshljys IP Wat Gordon's spirits , clear even ' as water of cologne Is to a mlin- been moutheJ , spoiledybeayly of the court. the .j A.I for mo. I had fit ] joy In blows , and little It skill : tn them , so ( hat , my joy was small. In- him dee ] , I felt a lump rife In my throat , and my and mouth dried wilt ) feaj ; so that I could hardly Incoi keep < the tears frqrn running , being sorry for "I mycelf because ,1 , , should never see bonny said Earlstoun and IPX ovpther again , or any one like else In the pleasant south country and all So a business that , , , , had no concern with , the being ' only Eomefftlght , troklngs of Wat Gor calle don's. . , outs But even as hjij.glaoced about him , Lochln King's var saw where-we iCQUld beat engage them ; away in such things ho had the captain's eye , Bi swift and Inevitable. It was at the angle ol see the wall , In which , Is a wide archway thai the leads Into the enclosure of the palace. The was snow had drifted round this arch a greal iweep of rounded wreaths , and glistened with smoothly white Inthe moonbeams , but tha out. paved gateway Itself was clear. Wat thrusl out.I behind him , and , throwing down his play cloak , cleared hit sword arm with a long tainly eohblng Intake of breath , which , having i found certain great content In It , wai strange to return hear. I was behind him In the dark cf the arch plan way , and there I first laid down my ghastly " burden In the corner , wrapping It In my tilde cloak , I made my plslo/li ready , and also loorened In my blt a broad Italian dagger , cf shaped like a leaf , nh'rewltli I meant to come. stick and thrust If any should attempt to So In whila I wa : stanJinir en guard. Be tween me and tne light I coulJ see Walter Gordon , crm d In tl ticri.an ahlon. will but rapier in on itiii'l ' ard his dagger In the blah BOSTON STORE Furniture and Carpet Dept. GASOLINE THE RELIABLE is , as the name indicates , STOVES the Best and most reliable mode , We bought a carload at hali manufacturers' price , and offer them this week at from one-third to one-half other dealers'prices. . Cabinet ' Stove like cut , price. . . . $18.00 Tr11'1 ! : $16.00 lU'KNKll SI.NGLi : GKXKRATOR , Prlw 12.00 OM3 ItntNUR , LOW , Prlw 2.45 TWO IJIMUNHH , LOW , PrU-o 3.45 TJI11KK LOW , Price 4.45 Prices on other Patterns Equally as Low. Till * OllVr Is ( luiil tor tills ttculc Only. Revrigeraiors and'ce Glnsfs. A GOOD ICK 110X , Solid oak , worth ? 5.00 , prlw , A ( SCOD ) nKPUUlUltATOU , Solid oak , worth $10.00 , price , 4.98 Carpets and failings , KKST HODY lllU'SSHLS CAUl'KT , 1'rlce 75c GOOD CHINA M'ATTINIJS , 7c GOOD .IAPAXKSK MATTINGS , 1'rleo 15c CAR PUT HASSOCKS , 48c OARPKT 1JKAT13RS , lOc WINDOW SIIADKS , ALL COLORS , Prlcu 20c other. Suddenly , through the hush of waitIng Ing , came running footsteps , and men's fig ures darkened the moonlight on the snow be fore the arch. "Clash ! " went the rapiers , and I could catch the glitter of the fire as It flew from their first onset. Walter poised himself on his feet with a quick alternate balancing movement , keeping his head low between his shoulders , and his rapier point far out. He was In the dark , and those nbout the mouth of the arch could not well see at what they were srlklng , whereas he had them clear against the gray of the moonlit sky. Steel had not stricken on steel three times when , swift as the ( lash of the lightning when It shines from east to west , I saw Wat's long rapier dart out , and n man fell forward toward him , clinking on the ttones with the jingle of concealed armor. Yet , armor or tee Wat spurned the fellow with his foot , lest In falling he should grip to pull him down which was a common trick of the time , and , sometimes resorted to without a wound ; but the dark , wet stain his body left on the cob blestones told us that he was sped surely enough. yd In n moment the others had come tip. and the whole archway seemed full cf the flicker of ( lashing swords. Wat's long arm wavered hero and there , keeping them all at bay. 1 could have cried the slogan. He was the In i- comparable sworder Indeed , and John Varlet it t that misbegotten rogue , had not taught him In vain. "Let off ! " he cried to me , never taking his. eyes from his foes. "Ease me a little to the right. They are over heavy for my Iron 10r that hand. " So with that , oven as I was bidden , and because there was nothing else I could do , 1 struck with my broad Italian dagger at 1n surly visage that came between me and the sky , nnd tumbled n tall follow out of n nich' on the top of the flrst , kicking like a rabbit t The rest were a llttlo dashed by the fall of these two. Still there were four of them ifi and one great loon determinedly set his head down , and wrapping his cloak on his arm rushed at my cousin , almost overbearing him for the moment. He broke within Wat's ' guard , and the swords of the rogue's com I- panions had been In his heart but that then Lochlnvar gave them another taste of his quality. Lightly leaping to the side just out of the measure of his thrust , and reaching sideways , he struck the man heavily on the shoulder , with his dagger In his left hand 1 , panting with the force of the blow , so that lie fell down like the dead. At the same moment he leaned far forward , engaging all the points of the other swords. They gave back at the quick , unexpected attacks , nr.il the points of their swords , rose , It seemed , for no more than a second Hut | n that pulse beat Wat's rapier shot out straight and low , and yet another clapped his hand upon his body nnd cried an oath ore he , too , fell forward upon his companions. Then the little man , who had stood all the while In the background , took heart of grace and ( came forward , and I could see the hilt the steel pistol In his hand. He crouched upon his hams , try.ng to get a shot at us. But I had him clear In the moonbeam , like pullet on a dyke , and just when I saw his forefinger twitch to the hammer pull I dropped him with a bullet fair In the shoul , which spoilt his aim and tumbled him beside the others. Then the remaining two threw down their tools and ran , whatever they were fit. In the direction of the town. Walter Gordon with much philosophy striked < Ills sword on the lapel of one of the dead men's coats , bent Us point to the pave ment to try Its soundness , and returned It to velvet sheath. Then ho solemnly turned and"V took me by the hand. "You are a man. Cousin William , " he said. By ! ! this time I was shaking like a leaf for and the thought of what I had clone In taking of l.fc and the sending of my fellow creatures to their account. Also the lean came hupping down my cheek , which Is the effect that fighting has on mo. Yet spite [ of this weakness he shook mo again the hand , nnd said only : "You are a man ! " Notwithstanding , I was not cheered , but continued to greet llko n bairn , only quietly , though ; I was grateful for his words and took not 111. Then Walter Gordon went forward to the men and turned them over , looking at , but saying no word. J/iitly he went to little- I stout man whom I had shot In the shoulder. As ho looked In hU face , from which the mask had fallen aside , ho started greatly that he almost leaped In the nlr "William , William , " ho cried , "by the king head wo must run for It. Thin b net 'horning' but a hanging job. 'TIs the duke Wellwood himself ! " Greatly startled at the- name of the great ; Councillor and favorlto of the king , I and looked. The man's face had fallen of the velvet mask with which It had hidden nnd looked livid nnd gray against enow i In the moon's uncertain light. Hut was Indeed the duko. for I had often seen going to the Parliament In great state dignity , but there In the snow he looked Inconceivably mean , dlity and small. "It's a by wl' the estate , nee , Walter , " I , "You and mo maun tak * the heather the lave. " saying I snatched up the head wrapped In of plaid ! , which I had almost forgotten , uud hint to ccnie on. Kor we weru on the outskirts ! of the waste ground called the ' hunting parks , and could get directly ; without passing a houxc. But Walter was determined to return and his mother , lest otherwise the horrur of news might take her unawares , Walter ever his mother's boy , and I think his undutlful conduct that night now went hard In him , seeing how the affair had turned argued with him that It wai the maddest thus to go back. Ills lodgings ojld cer be searched as Boon as the duke was , and the two who had escaped should to asslit the watch. Hut I could not an overcome hU determination. Ho hod miother no to set against mine. an "There Is a vault hereabout that I ured to va In as a boy , Silly folk * say that It I * ' ic haunted. Uut Indeed there be few that know wj It. " You rnn bide there and olt tIJI J { agi . I ' we went thither , an'l found the place U > commodious enough , Indeed , but damp mid pen unkindly. It was situate by the chapel vail , an of late years | t tm been filled with rubIn ilnca the pulling down of the Ctiapel m ( - Idn Idn Furniture and Draperies ig Is v le h ir ig s We carry the 'largest ' and 'sd d , best stock inthe west at , Lowest Prices. DEWEY & STONE FURNITURE CO. Established 1801. 1115-1117 FARNAM STREET. > < . . _ - ? jeff' } " 456" " 456" " 456" To Retail Dealers of Cigars : J : , To introduce our new brand " 45C- " without cxponbO of of traveling : , wo will send you the Omaha Dolly Bco for a months Gratis With each thousand cigars purchased. Those ciyara are without deut > t the finest 833 00 cigars in the market. UUAItANTHKD TO BIJ FIIJST CLASS. A trial order will convince yon. Terms 30 days 2 par cent for cash. DUFFY & CO. , Omaha , Neb. * - A Hoyal by the mob In the riots of the revolu tion year. Yet. even at that lime , It was not a place I had any stomach for. I had liefer have been going decently to my bed In my Icdg- Ings In the West Bow as , Indeed , at that moment I should , but for that daft heathercal of a cousin of mine , with whose gallantries , for my sins , I found myself saddled. So ho went upon his errand , leaving me alone ( , and I hardly looked to &ec him again , for I made sure that the guard would arrest him cr ever he had gone a hundred yards. It was little that I could do In that sorrow ful place. But I unwrapped the poor head I had brought with me and put It with rever ence in the farthest corner of the dismal pen. Then I retired to an angle to wait , wrapping my plaid nbout me for warmth , for the night had fallen colder , as It ever dos.s after the ceasing of a storm. I had tlniq to bparo for thinking upon my folly and how I had damaged the cause I had so nearly gained by my unlucky Interference In Walter's vanities. It came to mo tliat now of a certainty both Earlstoun and Lochlnvar would pass wholly away from the Gordons and we become attained and landless like the red Gregors , and indeed Kenimilr's case was not much better. So I wore tli weary night away , black , dismal thoughts eating like canker worms nt my heart. How I repented nnd prayed no man Knows. Tor that Is the young man's repentance after he has eaten the fcour fruit , to pray that ho may not have the btomacli ache. Yet being Galloway born , I had also In me the fear of the unseen , which folks call superstition , and It Irked mo more than all other fears to bldo all the night ( and I knew not how much longer ) In that horrible vault. It seems llttlo only to bldo nit night In n place where there Is nothing but quiet bones of dead men. But , I warrant you , It Is the burgher folk , who have never lain any where but bleu and'coty In their own beds nt home , ' that are the boldest In saying this. So the night sped slowly in that horrid tomb. I watched the white moonbeams spray over the floor and fade out , as the clouds , swept clear or covered the moon's face. I listened to every sough of the wind with a fear lost the clanking halbcrts of the witch should he In It. The sound of a man walking far nway made me hear the grounding of their axa shaft * as they surrounded my place concealment. ' It Is bad enough to have ono's conscience against one , but when con science Is reinforced by the well grounded fear of the hangman's rope , then the cake grows uncouth Indeed. . Yet , In aplto of nil , I think I Mept a little , for once the moon , being red und nejr the It setting , was ahmlng through a great round hole | n the end of the vault , nnd that so brightly that I seemed to see motes dancing Ils light ns In a hayloft In th summer se-uon. But this wai not the worst of It. In my dream my eyes followo ] the direction of the broai beam , and lo ! they fell directly on the poor , blackened head of him that had once of been John Gordon of Lochlnvar. The .inns ) rains had not dealt kindly with him , uml ' j now Ilio fncc looked llko , nothing eartl.lyl , , I aw It In the moonllKht of the ugtonie | > vault. I could bavo screamed aloud , for there corned la liv a frown tl on the brow am ) abut grin on Iho mould that boded Irk- agme jovJls in ccwe. Now ; , half a do/en times I have resolved to leave : out of my tale that which I MW hap In my droani of tlio night. For what I about toelate may not mc t wl'h ' belief ( r tliojo times , wli en the power of Satan U o restrained ; and when he can no | v SEARLES &SEARLE3 Chronic , Hcrvous , PriviU DIS61S53 , TIIATMJNT : : nv MAIU i Wo euro Catarrh , all diseases of tha Nosu , Throat , Chest , Stomach , Liver , Blood , Skin and Kidney Diseases , To- mnlo Weaknesses , Lost Manhood , and ALL PIlLVATE DISEASES OP MEN. \VIJAK MEN AIUJ VICTIMS TO NUUVOUd Debility or Lxlmustlon , WnillnKVeukn , In. \oluntary La ica , with Uurly uixuy m young tml middle aged : lace ot vim. vltor und weak * tnoil prematurely In approachlnn old ug . All yield rpadlly to our ntw treatment ( or loai at \ltnl power. Call or addrei wltb clamp ( or < lrcular . frc book and ircclptt. lf ) , SairlP4 , / aU4 I SPirllJ , 1410 Omaha I'siruim ' Neb tno nil ! llloiuifbn.ln 100 p. book ( o , ' a etnup. I Inl.ii II.Vu < > < ! lury , mW,42dHt.N.V. , invfnlur of WouUUurjr'a Paclul Sjoup. longer cast his glanourlo over whom ho will , hut only over thosu who , like wltchM and others J , yield themselves up to him us hli willing ) ! subjects. But I shall toll plainly what , as the moonlight teemed to me to befall - fall In my dream-bleep. It Eceuiul then to mo that I was staring at the blackened head , with something rising und falling In my throat llko water In a cob bing well , when the ground stirred In the corner whcrH the hrad lay , and oven as I looked a beast came forth a gray bt-ust , with four feel , lull blind of eye like d yny tnoudle- wort , which took thi > lioail between Ita fore- pawn un.l rocked It to and fro at a lotlior rocks a fretful bairn , Borrowing over It and pitying It. It was a prodigy to ceo the uye ) looking upon the head. Then the brail left us.iln lying by Hi lone ami went and dlKRod In the corner. As the moonlight iwept acrois , broad mid slow , through the loud beating of my heart , I heard , tlio great gray mondlo- woit dig the Iiolo deeper and yet deeper , Now the thin ; ? that made mo full of terror waa not the digging of tl ) beast , but the manner of Its throwing the earth , which wa not bdhlnd It ni a dog do" , but In front , out tlio pit , at a sexton that digs u grave. Then , c-re the moonbeams fjulto left It und begin to cllr.ib the wall , I ncumed to see the baat , roll the Mark Tiling to the edge an < l covur U up. drawing the earth over It silently. After that It seemed to look at mo , I heard the patter of | ts feel , " 'd ' wltl' a cry ° { fear I itttrteJ up to ( leo , lc t tha bcait ulioulil uonni toward mo and with that I knew n iTp Ho Continued. ) Milwaukee hau the tougbcat man In Amor- 3 H Ml clx HtorlcH through a two-Inch oak ; pbiiklng and nttrldo an engine , but < ! ked/tg an ambulance ,