R
jghi yfygi' ' ! - ! t1 ' *
l
( CopyrlRht. 1SD5. by B. n. Crockett. )
CHAPTER XXVII. CONCLUDED.
In Edinburgh they cast mo Into an Inner
den of the prlion , where In Irons were ten
* men already. Then , when my na'mc was
made known , through the darkness and the
fearsome stench ot the place , where no air
had come for years , what was my joy to
hear the voice of Anton Lennox bidding me
bo of good cheer , for that our Lord was a
strong Lord , and would see me win through
with credit from off the stage of life.
At this I took heart of grace at the kennel
voice anil face , and we fell to discoursing all
about Malsle Lennox and how she did. He
told mo that for the honor of the king's
service the soldiers had treated him kindly ,
* and had given him the repute of being an
honBrable man above most. Nevertheless ,
the wnrarnt tor his execution was dally ex
pected from London. He told me also that
my brother , Sandy , was In Blackness , but
that It wa < ! reportetd again that he was soon
to bo examined by torture. Indeed , there
was a talk among the guard that I was to
nhnre this with him , which made , them the
inoro careful ot me , as ono that the council
had an eye upon.
But It was not long before this matter was
brought to a probation. About three of the
clock on the following day there came olll-
cers to the Tolboolh Port and cried my name ,
to which I answered with a qunklng heart ,
not for death , but for torture. So they took
me out and delivered me to the guard , who
took me by back ways and closes to a little
door let Into the side ot a great hulk of
gray wall.
Along stone passages very many , all drip
ping with damp like a cellar , they dragged
me , till at three dcors hung with red cloth
they stopped , and , Instead of swearing and
jesting as they hnd done before , the olllccrs
talked In whispers.
A door swung open very silently to admit
me , oi\J \ I eel my feet upon a soft carpet.
Then , also without noise , the door swung to
again. I found myself alone In a cage , bar
riered llko the cage of a wild beast. H was
at one end of a great room , with black oaken
celling , carven and panclfd. Before mo there
was a strong breastwork of oak , and an Iron
bar across chin high. Reside me and on
either hand were ranged strange looking en
gines , some of which I knew to be the
"boots" for the torture of the legs , and the
. plrllcklns for the bruising ot the thumbs.
Also there stood at each side a man habited
In black and with a black mask over hla
face. These men stood with their arms
folded , and looked across the narrow space atone
ono another as though they had been statues.
The rest of the great room was occupied
by a great table , and at the table there sat
a large and dignified company. Then I un
derstood that I stood In the presence ot the
Privy Council of Scotland , which for twenty-
'flvo years had bent the land to the king's
will. At the head rat cruel Qucensbury ,
with a dark face louring with hate and
guile , or so It teemed , eeen through the bars
of oak and , , underneath gauds of Iron.
Still more black and forbidding was the
face of the "Bltildy Advocate , " Sir George
Mackenzie , who sat at the table foot , and
wrote Incessantly In his books. I knew none
other there , rave the fox face of Tarbet ,
called the Tlmescrver.
When I was brought In they were talking
over seme flight matter concerning a laird
who had been complaining that certain Ill-set
persons were carrying away sea tangle from
Then he wcuM take accedes of howling.
hla foreshore. And I was not pleased tha
they should have other thoughts In theL
minds when I was before them In peril o
my life.
At last Sir George Mackenzie turned hln
ibout , and said : "Olllccr , whom have wi
here ? "
The officer of the court made answer ver ;
thortly and formally : "Wlllam Gordon , sot
of utmiuhile William Gordqp of Earlstoun
In Galloway , and brother of the aforcmen
tloned Alexander Gordon , condemned tralto :
from the prison of Ulackness , presently to bi
examined. "
"Ah , " said Mackenzie , picking up his per
again , "the morsan ! We'll wait for tin
hound and take the lowsy tykes together ! '
Dut Quconsbury , as was his custom a
Council , ran counter to the advocate In hi :
desire , and desired presently to Interrogati
me.
me.The
The duke aiked me first If I had been a
the wounding of the Duke Wellwood.
I answered him plainly that I had , bu
that It was a fair fight , and that the duki
mil his men h made the first onslaught.
"You have proof for that at your hand , ni
Soubt , " said he , and passed on as thougl
that had been a thing of little Import at
Indeed , In the light of my succeeding ad
mission , It was.
"You were at Sanquhar town on the da ;
it the Declaration ? " he nilJ. looking sharpl'
it me.
Now It scorned to me that I must to cer
talnly die that I cared not If I did It wltl
tome credit , for the whtner got even lei
mercy from these men than he that defiei
ind outfaced them ,
"I was at Sanquhar , and with this hand
raised the Banner of Blue , " I said.
"I note thst. Advocate. " Mid T rbat , smll
Ing foxlly. "Tho king hath a special Ifl
terest In all that took hla name In vali
at Sanquhar , "
Mackenzie looked with a black slde-cocklni
look of Interest on the hand I held up , as I
to lay. "I shall know It again when I see I
on the wether bow ! "
"You were at Alrsmocj , and won clearT1
was the next Interrogatory.
"I wni one of two that broke through bet !
tines of tuu troops when we came to th
ihargc ! " I snld , with perhaps more of thi
iraggard than I now care to" think on.
Then all the council looked up , and then
vns a stir of Interest.
"Blood of St. Crispin ! " said Queensbury
'but ye do not look like It ; yet I suppose I
must be so. "
"It Is so , " said Sir George the Advocati
shortly , flicking a parchment with thi
outlier of his quill pen. He had the recorc
icfore him.
"la there anything more that ye were In' '
Being as good as headed already , a llttli
nore will not matter. It will bo to you ;
credit when the Faints come to put up you ;
omb , and scribe your testimony on It. "
"I am no saint , " said I , "though I levi
lot Charles Stuart ; neither , saving your honorable
orablo presences , the way that this realm I
; ulded. But If It please you to ken , I hav
> een In all that has chanced since Bothwell
: was at Knterkln the day we reft the prls
oners from you. I was 'n ' the ranks of th
Seven Thousand when , at the Covcntlclc a
3halloch-on-Mlnnoch , the hlllmcn made Lai
and Strahan draw off. I was taken at th
Tolbooth of Wigtown trying to deliver i
prisoner , whom he had reprieved. And hai
ihore been at ythlng else I should have beei
The Council leaned back In their chair
almost to a man , and smilingly looked a
one another.
"Ye are o brisk lad and 111 to content , bu
your sheet Is well filled ; so that I think >
deserve heading Instead of hanging , whlc
Is certainly a great remission. I shall e'c :
take the liberty of shaking hands with yo
and wishing you a speedy passage. Odlcoi
the prisoner Is In your care till his warran
comes from London. "
And to my astonishment Qiiecnsbttry turtle
round and very ceremoniously held out hi
lund to me , which I took through the bars.
"I shall never deny again that Gordo
blood Is good blood. " he said.
Then they brodght In Sandy , looming u
like a tower between the warders. He ha
a strange dazed look about him , and hi
hair had grown till ho peered out of th
hassock llko an owl out of an Ivy bush , a
the proverb says' .
They asked a few questions of him , t
which ho but mumbled replies. If he sa'
me he never showed It. But I knew him <
old. and u sly ted was Sandy.
Then Sir George Mackenzie rose , and tun
Ing to him , read the king's mandate , th :
In spite of his underlying sentence of deal
ho was to be tortured , to make him declai
the truth In the matter of Pergusson , It
plotter , and the treason ancnt the king
life.
life.Then , tne black wrath of him sudden !
boiling over , Sandy took hold on the grei
Iron bars before him and bent his strengl
to It , which , when he was roused , was 111
the strength of Samson. With ono rive I
tore It from Its fastenings , roaring all tl
while with that terrible voice of his whl <
used to set the cattle wild with fear wh (
they heard It , and even frightened mi
grown and bearded. The two men In mas ]
sprang upon him , but he seized them one
each hand and cuffed and buffeted the
against the wall till I thought ho had spla
tercd their brains on the wall. Indeed ,
looked to see. But though there was bloi
enough , there wtire no brains.
Then someof the council rose to their fete
to call the guard , but the door had bei
i locked during the meeting , and none for
moment could open. It was fearsome to s
Sandy. Ills form seemed to tower -to tl
celling. A yellow foam llko sea spun
dropped from his lips , he roared at the cou
ell with open mouth , and twirled the b
over his head. With one great leap 1
sprang aver the barrier , and at this all tl
councillors drew their gowns about the
and rutlied pell mell for the door , with Sam
thundering at their heels with his Iron ba
It was wonderfully flno to see. For Sand
with more sense than mlgnt have been e :
peeled of him. being so raise ! , lunden
ihem about the broadest of their gowns wit
the bar. till the building was filled with t )
cries of the mighty Privy Council of Sco
land. I laughed heartily , though under science
enco of dcatli , and felt that well as I thougl
[ had borne myself , Fandy the Bull had dot
a thousand times better. t
Then from several doors the soldiery cair
rushing In , and Immediately Sandy , afti
levelling a file with his gaud , was eve
powered by numbers. Nevertheless , he coi
tlnued to struggle till they twined him hel ]
less In cells of rope. In spite of all it teethe
the best part of a company to take him i
the castle , whither , "for a chnnge of air
and to relieve his madness , he was r
mantled , by order of the council when ne :
they meet. Yet there was no more heard i
examining Sandy by torture.
But It was a tale In the city for many
day how that Sandy Gordon cleared tl
chamber of the privy council. And for tl
first time In my life I was proud of rr
brother , and would have given all the pen
I had. which Is no little , for the power
have done likewise.
So , watting the arrival and the day of n
doom , I continued to abide In the Tolboot
Anton Lennox , also waiting , as he said , h
bridegroom day of marriage and coronutio
was with me. In the night alone we h :
some peace and quiet. For theyhad turni
In upon us , to our horror , that wind-fill
fool , John Gib , whom for bis follies Anti
Lennox had lundered with a stick upon tl
Klowe of the Dsershunk.
With him was Davlo Jamie , the Ecliol ;
now well nigh as mad as himself. Soni
times the Jailers played with them and sal
"John , this Is your Sunday's meal of meat
Whereupon , so filled with moon-madne
were they , that they would refuse gc
victual , because It had been given the
upon a day with a heathen name. Or , agal
the ill-eel of the prisoners made their gat
of them for they were not all of them It
suffered for their faith that were with
In the Canongate Tolbooth , but many cl
apprentices also that had been In braver
or had broken their Indentures. And , tru
to tell , we were somewhat glad of the blrklt
for when we were dull of heart they ma
sport with us , and we were numerous cnou
to keep them from Interfering with our we
ship.
So these wild loons would say ;
"Prophesy to us , John Gib. for we km
that thou bast the devil at thine elbow. I
us fee thy face shining as U did at the Spo
of Auchentalloch when ye danced and burn
the bible. "
And whether it was with our looking ,
whether the man really had devilry abc
htm , certain It Is that In the gloom of t
corner , where in his quiet spells.he aboc
there seemed to be oftlmes a horrible fa
near to his own , and a light thrown up
his hair and eyes. This was seen by mi
In the dungeon , though , for my part , I coi
see nothing.
Then he would take accesses of howllt
like to a dcg or a rutting hart on the mou
tains of heather. And sometimes , when t
fear of Anton Lennox wag upon him ,
would try to stop his roaring , thrusting I
own napkin Into his mouth ; but for all It
the devil within him would drive out t
napkin and some mcst fearful yells belli
It , as a pellet Is driven from a boy's t
gun.
gun.This
This ho did mostly during worship , whl
was held thrice a day In the Tolbooth , a
helped to pus the time. Then he became I
posesied , and neither to hold or bind ,
that for common they had to brine Ant
Lennox to him with a quarberitiff , wl
which he threatened ulm , and at sight
oU Anton , Gib , though a big , rtrcng m :
would run behind the dt > or and crouch tht
on Ms hunkers , howling like a dog.
He was ordered lee Irons , but his ravin
pleated the duke of York so much ( because
that he wintcd to tar us all with the tame
stick ) , that he had them taken off , and bade
give him and David Jamie as much paper' '
and Ink as ever they wanted , and to send
him copies of all that they wrote for his
entertainment. But In time ot worship after
thli Anton Lennox ordered four of the
ctrongert and biggest men to sit upon him ,
ctreeked out on the floor , as men sit together
upon a bench Iji the kirk at sermon hearing.
And. we wre glad wh n wo ( ell on this
plan , for this discouraged the devil niotO
than anything , so thit he acknowledged the
power of the Gospel and quit roaring.
Yet I think all this rough play kept up our
learls , and stayed us from thinking all the
Imo of that day ot our bitter , final testifying
which was coming so soon. To make on end
now ot Muckle John Gib , I heard that he was
sent by ship to the colonies , and' that In
America he calncd much honor among the
heathen for his converse with the devil. Nor
did the godly men that are there ever dis
cover Anton Lennox's method of exorcism
than which I ween there is none better , for
the devil needs breath as well as another.
But for all this , there was never an hour
that passed but I would wake and remember
that at the sound of a trumpet the port might
be opened and I summoned forth , to meet my
doom. And Anton Lennox dealt with me
for my soul's peuce , and that very faithfully ;
for there were not wanting that among the
prisoners those that made no scruple to call
sword-and-buckler covenanter because
jne a - - ,
I would not follow them In their protests
and remonstrances. But Anton Lennox
warred with them with the weapons of
speech for the both of , us , and told them how
that I had witnessed a good confession , and
that before many witnesses. He said also
that there would not be wanting one when
I went my next stage to make confession of
William Gordon before the angels of heaven.
Which saying made them to cavil no more.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Now that which follows concerns not my
self , but Malsle Lennox and others that were
at this lime forth of the Tolbooth. Yet be
cause the story properly comes In here , I
pray the reader to suffer It gladly , for with
out It I cannot come to my tale's ending , as
I must speedily do. How I came to know It
Is no matter now , but shall without doubt
afterward appear.
While Anton Lennox and I lay In the Tel
booth , those that loved us were not ldli > . Wat
moved Kato and Kate moved Roger McQlite
of Balmaghle , so that he set off to London to
see the king to get remission for me , and II
need be to pay my fine , because there was
nothing he would not do to pleasure his
daughter. But , though his Intercession did
, t
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good In delaying the warrant , yet my owning
of the raising of the flag at Sanquhar was
too much for the king , and In due course my
warrant sped. Ot which the bruit came
north too of Balmaghles tht ! rode like the
wings of the wind. But , Indeed , I was n'ot
greatly disappointed , for I never expected
any other end.
As soon as the news came to the house of
Balmaghle , Maisle Lennox betook herself tr j
the woodslde to think. There she stayed
for th'e better part of an hour , pacing up and
down more like an aged man than a young
maiden , and , as my Informant tells me , cama
In again with a face wonderfully cleared.
'Glvo me a horse and a suit of lad's
clothes , " she said to her who kept the
drapery closets and wardrobes at the great
house of Balmaghle.
"Preserve us , lass , for what wad ye hao-
lad's claes ? " said the ancient houskeeper ,
but without waiting for a reply Malsle Len
nox went and got them.
"The lassie's gane mad ! There's nao rea
son In her , " she cried out In amazement.
Indeed , It was a time when men and
women were not Inclined to stand upon rea
sons , for each being supposed to have his
neck deep In the tow , he had no doubt his
own good logic for whatever he proposed.
So Mistress Cromble , housekeeper to the
Laird of Balmaghle , without further question ,
fitted Malsle Lennox with a suit of lad's
clothes , which , having taken off and again
suitably attired herself , she strapped In a roll
on her saddle bow and covered with a plaid.
Then , dressed as a maid that goes to her
first place and rides a borrowed horse , she
took her way eastward. Now at that time , so
Important were the proclamations and privy
council matters , -that every week there rode
a post that carried naught but fcprleves and
sentences.
It had been the custom of late , ever ctnce
the numerous affrays near the border of Ber
wick , that he should ride by Carlisle and
Mortal to Edlnburg.
Now this young maid , contrary to the wont
of women folk , had all her life said little and
done much. So when she came to the side
of the little Queensberry Hill , having ridden
all the way sedately as a sober maiden ought ,
she went Into a thicket and changed her
woman's appearance to that of a smart blrkle
who rides to college. It was about the time
when the regents call these up to the begin
ning of their classes. So it was a most face-
able like thing , and Indeed there were a good
many such upon the roads. But Malsle Len
nox kept out of their road , for these wandey-
ing students are ever Inclined to be goatish
and full of Impish pranks , whether as I saw
them at Gronlngen or In Kdlnbun ; town. .
le , came reeling Into the town of Moffat , just
ce when the London state
messenger was ex
onst pected. There she entered the hostlery ot
> st the White Hart , which was kept by a decent
ild woman named Catherine Cranstoun. Ai a
ruming young gallant , she strode In with her
ig. chest well out and one hand on the hilt of
ig.he the rapier which sh9 modlshly thrust forward.
he But Malsle. when she found herself within ,
he was a little daunted to sco a gre'at pair of
its pistols , a sword , and other furniture ot a
at king's rider lie upon the table , while from
within a little chamber , the door ot which
he
stood ajar , she heard the sound as of one
ndW that deeps and snores sonorously In blt >
) W sleep.
"A good day to ye , Mistress Cranstoun , "
ch said Malsle boldly , and like a creklsh student.
nd "Will ye get me a drink of good caller
ar water ? "
"That , " tald the good wife shrewlshly ,
on turning her eyes scornfully acrots her nose.
thof "Is not good asking at a change bouse. 1
of warrant we do not live and pay our winter's
in , bills by tellln' caller water to student blr-
re klei ! "
"So , good madam/ ' ( aid our Malsle again ;
"but It you will set me a drink froai y
famous spring -a goad quart-most KlaMy
I will pay for It , aye , M It it had been claret
wine of the best bin IK your cellar , '
At hearing of wlilch-tnt landlady pricked
up her cats.
"I will e'en gae brntg Jt myscl1. " she said
In a changed voice , tor tilth orders came not
every day. "Itt \ for 'n wager , " she thought.
"The loons are ever alter some daft play. "
As she went to the fl6pr she had a thought.
"Mind ye , " she calil , "meddle not wl' the
pistols , for they arc on tn6 king's service. "
So she ict out ' 9 . ' ft the water In a
wooden cogle with a handle. * *
(
As soon as she was fairly gone Malsle stole
on tiptoe to the door of thp room from whence
the snoring proceeded. iSjne peeped circum
spectly within , and there on a rough bed ,
with the neck of his buff riding coat thrown
open , lay the King's rider , a great , clean
shaven fellow , with a cropped head , and car-
rings In his ears. The edge of the mall bag
peeped from under the pillow , and the ribbons
bens of teals showed beneath the flaps.
Malsle laid her hand on her heart to still
Its painful beating. There was no chance
of drawing the bag from under the rider's
head , for his hand was twisted firmly In
the strap. H was with mighty grief In her
heart that Malsle Lennox stepped back. But
at sight of the pistols on the table , a thought
and a hope sprang up together within her.
She hasted to take them up and draw the
charges , leaving on a sprinkling of powder
In the pan of each.
And as she rode off she bore with her the
landlady's benediction , for the good wife
had never been so paid for caller spring
water before.
At the entrance to the wild place known
as the Devil's Beef Tub , near the last wooden
on the upward way of the hills , Malsle
waited for the king's rider. There were no
doubt.many thoughts In her heart , but she
did not dwell upon them save It might be
upon this one , that If the rider discovered
thai the charges had been drawn , It would
certainly go III with her , and worse with
those whom she had come out to save.
What wonder , then , If her maid's heart
flew faster than ever Gay Garland had done
when ho fled before the gypsy clan.
Then she heard afar off the clatler of a
horse's feet on the road , and her courage
returned lo her. As Iho king's messenger
came Iroltlng easily down an Incline , she
rode as quietly oul of a byway Into the
road and let him range alongside.
With a polite toss of the icins , as was then
the modish fashion , she bade him goodday.
"Ye are n bonnle blrkle. Hae ye ony sis
ters ? " said the man , In the Lothian tongue.
HE CUFFED AND BUFFETED THEM UNTIL I THOUGHT HE HAD SPATTERED
THEIR BliAINS OUT.
Malsle answered him no an only bairn
and riding to the college at Edinburgh.
"Ye'll be a braw studenl , no doubl. "
She told him so-so.
"I'se warrant ye ! " ' said he , for he was
Jovial by nature , and warmed with Mistress
Cranstoun's wine.
So they rode along In frtendly enough
talk till they were nearlug the wood , when
Malsle , knowing that the time had come ,
wheeled about and bade him "Stand ! " Al
the same time she pointed a pistol at lilt
head.
"Deliver mo your malls , " she said , " 01
I shall take your life ! " ,
The man laughed , as at a pleasant Jest.
"Gi wa' wl' ye , blrkle. Nane o' youi
college tricks wl' me' or ye may albllns gel
hurt. I am no a man to tak * offense , bul
this passes a merrymaking ! "
But when -Malsle pulled the other pistol
and levelled it also at his head the rUci
hesitated no longer , but pulled out his owr
and tcok aim at her heart.
"Your blood be on your own head , then ! "
he cried. "I never missed yet ! " and he
pulled the trigger.
But the powder only flashed in the pan
With an oath he pulled the other anl did like
wise with It , but quite as fruitlessly.
Then he leaped down and tried to grlf
Malsle's horse by the bridle , for he was c
stark carle and no coward.
But her horse obeyed the guiding hand
With a swing she swept out of his reach , st
as to catch the bridle of the horse which car
rlcd the malls , and which , fresh from thi
stable , was Inclined to crop the herbage
Then she rode away , leaving the man stand
Ing mazed and speechless In the middle o
the road. He started to run after his assail
ant , but Malsle sent a bullet back , whlcl
halted him. For It struck a stone amoni
the red dust at his feet , and went througl
between his legs buzzing like a bumble bee
And this Is indeed a thing which would havi
halted most folk.
It was with a trembling hand that Malsli
Lennox , In the deepest shades of the wood
ripped open the bags , 'Almost the first thlni
she came upon was her father's death war
rant. With trembling hand she turned eve
the papers to find If"there was mine also
But there were only Privy Council letter
and documents Im cipher. Over and eve
she turned them , J her heart , I doubt not
hammering loudly. Ilut there was not an
other warrant. It-murt have been sent for
ward by another liand. U might even b
In Edinburgh already , she thought. Almos
she had returned the letters to the bag am
set them at the tree foot , when she noted i
little bulge In the \hicknecs \ of the leathe
near the clasp. In u > moment she had he
knife within , and there , In a cipher letter t
the president ot , the council , was a fre
pardon , signed ami. .sealed , wanting only th
name inserted. Without doubt It was in
tended for some of , ( he friends of Duk
Queensberry. But ; Masle's | heart gave a stll
greater stound , and without a moment to
consideration she galloped off toward Ed in
burgh upon the fresh horse of his majesty'
post rider. When she came to the fin
woods over the crown of the dreary hill roa
che put off the lad's apparel and dressc
again as the quiet maid upon her traveli
whom none would suspect of bold robber
of his majesty's dispatches upon his ow
highway.
Then as she took the road to Edlnburg !
consider what a turmoil and battle there wa
In her heart. She says that the taw not th
reid all the way for thinking , and I doubt I
not. "My father or my lad " she argue
with herself. "Which name shall I put In
It may not serve them long , but It will tav
them at least this day from death. "
And in the clatter of her horse's feet tber
was no answer to her question ?
Then she told over to herself all that he
father had done for her since the remem
bered the afternoon when It was the Sab-
b tn , on the pleasant green bank at the
Duchrae loaning end , the words of wise coun
sel spoken there , the sturgllc at the cave
when the cruel Mnrdrochat wag sent to his
account. She did not forget one" . Qth'r
things , also , the thought of. "Whatever *
may happen to mo I must I shall save my
father ! " she said.
She was on a lonely place on the moors ,
with deep mosshags and holes In the turf
where men hail cut peat. These were now
filled with black water. She stopped , took
out the warrant for her father's execution ,
tore It Into a thousand pieces and sunk It
In the deep hag. The white horse of the
king's rider meanwhile stood patiently by
till she mounted again , I warrant as kwlttly
as the used to do In the old days at the
Duchrae.
But the tearing of the warrant would only
delay and not prevent her father's death. She
saw that clearly. Then there came to her
the thought of the free pardon. To write a
name In the blank space meant a release from
prison and the chance of escape. She re
solved to write it when she came to the next
changehouse.
But as she rode she fell to thinking , and
the question that surged to and fro In her
heart , like the tide In a sea cave , was
which name would be found written on that
pardon when she rode to the Tolbooth ot
Edinburgh to deliver It Into the hands of the
captain of the guard ?
As she thought she urged her horse the
faster , so that the sooner she might come to
the changehouse and settle the question.
"Ho Is my father , " she said over und over ,
dwelling on all that her father had been to
her. "I cannot I will not think of others
before him. U Is my father's name I will
write In the pardon I must , yes , I must ! "
And the name ot another did she not men
tion at all , as I have been Informed. At last
she came to the door of the changehouse , and
throwing her reins over the hitching post at
the gate she went In boldly.
"Bring me an Inkhorn and a goose quill ! "
she cried to the dame of the Inn , forgetting
that she had donned her maid's clothes
again , and speaking In the hectoring voice
of the blrkle student. She threw a stiver
coin on the table with a princely air that
suited Indifferently with the sober air ot her
maiden's dress. Among the mutchklns on
the ribbed and rimmed deal table she
squared herself to write In the name upon
her free pardon.
She set her pen to the parchment bravely.
Then she slopped , took a long breath , and
held It as though It were the dying breath
of another which she had In her keeping.
With sudden access of resolve , she began a
bold InlHal , changed It , then wrote hastily
with a set face , but holding her hand over
the writing , as though to shield the words
from sight. Which being done , she looked at
what she had written with a blanched and
terror-stricken countenance.
No sooner was the Ink dry than , bending
again to the paper , she began eagerly to
pcrapo at It with her finger nail , as though
she would even yet change her first thought.
But as she rubbed the parchment , which
was very fine and soft , part of It curled up
at the edge Into a tiny roll , ' like a shaving
cf bark when one cuts a birch. Instantly
Malsle taw that there were two parchments
Instead of one.
With a light and cunning hand she sep
arated them carefully. They had been se
cretly atlached so as to look like one.
Casllng her eyes rapidly over the second
parchment , her heart leaped within her to
find that It was another pardon , the duplicate
of the first , and. like It , duly signed and
sealed. H was a moment's work to write
In the other name upon this great discovery.
So , throwing In her Joy a gold piece upon
the table beside the shilling , she mounted
at the stance and rode away in the direction
of the capital.
"My word ! " said the good man of tha
changehouse , gazing after her , "but ' that
madam doesna want confidence. I doot she
will be afler no good ! "
"She doesna want sillier , " quoth his wife ,
gathering up the money , "and that's a deal
more to the point in a chnngehouse ! "
But Malsle Lennox bus never told to any
not even to me ! that have some right to
know her secrets that name which she
ivrote when she had to choose her father's
fe and her lover's.
She only says : "Let every maid answer" In
er own heart which name she would have
written , being In my place , that day In the
hangehouse ! "
And even so ma.y I leave It to all the
maidens that may read my history to let their
'learts answer which. For they also will not
ell.
( To be Continued. )
KIRK'S
GREAT SUCCESS.
RAIN WATER MAKER.
the Pooiili- With KH Grniiil
Work In nil I.ainiilrli-H mid IM Not
Out of 1'lacc In ( lie Toilet.
HAIX WATKU MAKEK , the ju'nml
compound , Is not supcrscdi'il by any-
on tlio inurkut today. The skep
tical people that were backward about
tills tfreat compound are today its
host friends. This grand preparation
will not only soften the hardest water ,
but It will prevent colors from riming In
printed noods. It Is also i-xtra flue for
cleaning tinware.1 , etc. AH a bath ruqnf-
site It Is unsurpassed.
All grocers kt-ep Kaln Water Maker ;
ask them for It and be convinced.
" THE TRIUMPH OF .LOVE
18 HAPPY , FHUITKUI , MARRIAGE. "
Evcrr Mnn Who Would Know tlio
*
lira nil TruttiH , lhc Plain 1'ncts , the
Now DUcovcrlvn of Medical Science
us Applied to Married l.Ile , Who
Would Atouu fur Pint Errant ami
Avoid Future Pitfall * , Should Secure
the Wonderful Lltllo Itook Called
"C'aiuplelo Mauhood , und How to At *
tala It. "
"Hero at last Is Information from a hlnU
rnccllcnl source that must work wonders with
tbts generation of men "
The book fully describes n mctlitxl by which
to at lulu full vigor und niauly power.
A method by wlilcU to cud nil unnatural
drains ou tbenyeteiu.
To euro nervousness , lack of belf-control , dc.
epondeney , &c.
To exchange a jnded and worn nnturo for
one of bright nc&v , buoyancy and POWIT.
To cure forever effects of ciccsscs.ovenvork ,
worry , ifto.
To elvofull strength , development nml tone
to every portion mid orcnu of the body.
Ago no barrier. Kalluro iniporstule. Two
thousand references.
The book Is purt'ly metllral and fclcntlflc ,
useless to curiosity tecWtia , iiivaluable lo men
only who neeil It ,
Adexpalrlng man , who had applied to us ,
loon after wrote ;
"Well , I tell yon that flrft clay H ono I'll
never forget. I jufct bubbled with joy. I
wanteil to hup everybody and tell thtmmx
old t elf had illnl yetterduy , and my newnell
was Lorn to-tlay. Why ilidn't you tell me
whn I tlrst wrote that 1 would tlud It tbll
wayj"
And another tlius ;
"if you diirapfl a cart load of gold nt mf
feet It would not bring ouch plnclntts Into uiy
life an your method lius done. "
Write to the KHIK MEDICAL COMPANY ,
Buffalo , N. Y. , auil aik for the little bool <
culled ' 'COMPLETE MANHOOD. " Jlefcrto
tuU paper , ami the company proiuUrs to tend
the book , in eealnl tuvelupe , without any
marks , uud entirely f rev , until It is well Intro-
duectl.
Reasons Why
Reasons Why
A MAN SHOULD LOCATE IN
D
Because There Is There
An abundant and regular rainfall for crops , cool breezes from
the Kulf durliix the summer , a climate tlmt will penult raising all
kinds of fruit and veRctablep , a very rich soil , n good dairy-farm
ing country , the boat climate , on abundance of lumber , houses
built at a very low cost , f rco fuel , a very hospital and kindly pop.
illation , good public schools. A section In which suvcro frost
and long winters are locking- Summer nights are always cool.
Winter nights rarely cold. A thorough , invigorating , healthy
and pleasant climate : The great markets are within n few hours
distance of you. The temperature ranges from 30 to 00 degrees.
No extremes. The water Is good. The people arc friendly and
prosperous. Garden farming and fruit growing pay and pay you
well. Common sense will tell every man to Investigate this. The
Immigration Is to the South. It Is Inevitable. You cannot afford
to let this chance pass. It Is a duty you owe yourself and your
family to look over this fertile region and see what It will do for
you. The tide Is turned that way. Nothing will stop It. Mature
nlds your efforts. Success Is sure to follow honest labor and no
risk of failure of crop , hot winds or drouth are staring you la
the face. Organize Into clubs of three to five families. Select
your home and you will never regret' It. Come und see what the
country Is. Address or sec us at any time. All information
cheerfully given. It is time now.
CEO. i.
. i.1G17
1G17 Farnam St. , Omaha , Neb.
"
For a 4-foot Solid Oak Roll
Curtain Office Desk , We have
all sizes equally low in price.
Dewey & Stone
Furniture Co.
1115-1117 Farnam St.
Not Sick Enough for
the Doctor ,
but a little out of sorts. Ripans
Tabules would serve in your case.
It is well to have them on hand for
just such occasions.
nipnn's Tnbules : Sold by drugplits. or t > r matl
If the price ( M centi a box ) IP rent to The ni-
pans Chemical Company , No. 10 Bprucc t. , N. V.
PARROTS ! PARROTS !
The Parrot Season Just Commencing.
Young Cuban and Mexican Parrots
$5.00 and $6.00 Each.
Send In Your Order Now and Secure a Good Selection.
w
Geisler's Bird Store
, 101 M6thSt.,0mahS.
AT THR.
LADIES'BATH AND TOILET PARLORS
109-110 Bee Building ,
A FULL LIKE OF
MME. YALE'S COSMETICS.
T RYA
XACTSIZE PERFECT
TUB MERCANNLE IS THE FAVORITE TEN CENT CIGAR.
For sale by all first Clasm Dualum. Manufactured , by tlio
f. R. RICE MERCANTILE CIGAR CO. ,
Factory No. iiOi , tit. Lould , Mo >