12 OMAHA DAtLY BBKt THURSDAY. DBO.13MIU5U 5 , 1803.
The Loyalty of William Douglas
IIV CMrVTOX IIOSS. AuUior of "Tlie Countr * * IIHtinn , " Kta
. .TV..AV . .IV % JJTiv.J'l.Av v avr v./ . . ! . . . . / . - w-TiZiJizl/lv- .
( Copyrighted. IS93 , IJJT S. S. McClurc. Limited. )
When William Douglas , the dissenter , came
to Lochcven , In answer to his nunt , Lady
Douglas' summons , lie held the Lady o' the
Scots , the Homonlst , a wanton.
Yet for nil thnt the Queen of the' Scots had
forfeited her sovereignty 'and was the Instru
ment of Komanlsh Intrigue against the peace
of Scotland , ho felt n certain awe when ho
first accompanied Ferguson , the keeper , to
do his cousin , George Douglas' ofllco as page
before her.
Was not a princess different from other
folk ? And this one , an enticing witch ?
lint with family prldo strong In his heart
and with fhamo over his cousin's weakness ,
1 c was determined not to be bewitched.
The keys creaked In the great door while
Fcrgitaon whispered under his breath :
"llewarc , Master Douglas , and bo strong In
the Lord. If slio were queen once , she ever
was the wicked woman. The blood of those
her arts have slain calls out on her. "
She was by the window where , at her feet ,
her companion , Mistress Scion , was reading
In the French tongue. Her hands supported
her chin , and her eyes wcro toward the
free sky. Her face , thin and worn , was
framed by lightish brown hair , tint morning
braided carelessly In long folds over her
shoulders. The hazel eyes seemed to hold
ready hate or love or Indifference. Douglas
wng to fcco this charming face flushing with
excllcmont ; now exquisite fair , It was of
clear pallor and the eyes underlined with
a dark penciling. Her figure was daintily
modeled , mid showed Its slender proportions
through the folds of the gown , which was
of some gray stuff , plainly made. She wore
no Jewels , save a single ruby on a ribbon at
her throat. A pretty lady. Ilka any other ,
the young gentleman decided , and , ye > t , de
cisions sometimes changing so rapidly where
womun ore concerned , hu put that away , and
thought she was more.
When , rising with a yawn , she faced them
he BIW she was of medium height and looked
gracious and amlablo with n manner that
had exactly the right degree of unconscious
familiarity with inferiors , yet could 'iiot
forgot she was some great lady. If under
her oyea were bluish penciling , and on her
face the least suggestion of lines ; she still
had n certain glrllslmess which her voice
confirmed a 'woman's voice with a maiden's
quality. She looked the lady that might be
sad In the morning , with the old zest of
gaiety by noon. He felt oho was noting him
carefully , and under her lushes was seeing
him all , .body mid soul. Ho thought of what
the preacher' of Knox's following declared
her "Jezebel ; " "the heathenish creature ; "
"a siren ! "
Vet , nftcr his second visit In the duty of
page , he began to say to himself , "Surely she
Is .1 pleasant lady , who han been much
belled. "
Hut there were other moods , when she
paced the room's length no longer a charm
ing gentlewoman , with the courtesies of the
court , but more some caged tigress , ready ,
If the bars wcro but down , to rend and tear ,
looking cravlngly Into the open , out of her
window , where the birds and men scorned to
her to do as they lifted. Then , sometimes ,
keeper and page did not see her at all , only
heard from the next room , sobs , when Mis
tress Scton or Mistress Jane Kennedy would
very civilly dismiss them.
, ict pernaps nl breakfast tiio morning after
I .ihe queen would appear with a laughter-
fllled face , although her eyes might be hol
low , and her gayety suggested the effort to
force forgctfulness.
And In tills wise did Master William Doug
las conicto know and think differently of
this princess , never seeing her alone , scarce
noticed by her or her ladles , and always un
der the keeper's eye. Hut he carried thought
of her to his sport with the men at arms , or
to the hours he had In a skin" on the lake , or
to the castle chaplain who told his congre
gation again and again the tale or the com
plete wickedness o mankind , the dreariness
of this life , the flames mid the devils that
await us In the more painful future.
Now about this time the queen attempted
to escape by donning the garments of the
laundress who brought her linen from the
village.
w William Douglas , on the castle terrace
iiUiajt afternoon training a falcon , heard be
low' the keeper's gruff cry "A too neat
anklod laundress by half I" for though closely
v muracd , Mary Stuart's foot had betrayed her.
Yet , fur all her disappointment at failure ,
and the sarcastic gibes Lady Douglas cast
at her then , the dejected prisoner carried
herself with the simple dignity the Stuart
prlncet's always had In face of adversity. No
circumstances so much to change Wil
liam Douglas entirely to her cause as this
adventure. Hardly more than lad , the
queen may have read It In his eyes.
Did she , she appeared to b ? looking
beyond him , or to notion him no more than
the stone blocks of the flooring. Nor did
placing It on the board above the fireplace
With sudden Impute ? Douglas reached towan
It ; but turning ho slammed the door , Urn
mode clamorous echo.
"Eh , what's that , Master Douglas ? " sal
the keeper , the book of John Knox In hi
hand.
"Tho wind , Master Ferguson , the wind ,
declare. "
Leaping forward , ho grasped the pistol from
the board above the fireplace and faced th
other.
"If It plcaso you , Master Ferguson , th
castle keys ? "
There was no premeditation , He had no
dreamed of mtch an action. Its fcolhardlnes
would have dismayed him. The hoys , th
mad deslro to have them , possessed him Ilk
one of the devils Christ cast on' .
Never was man more dumbfounded.
"Are you mad ? " he gasped.
"The keys , sirrah ! " Mid Douglas.
At this Frgu on muttered , " 'TIs Jcreber
arts , " and so exclaimed. With a blow li
srrnt the pistol flying from Douglas' hand
caught him by the back , casting him wit !
one thrust Into the corner. The pistol , by
fortune's : power , was not discharged. Th
thick walls , the closed door , kept the scufll
unheard. Ferguson gazed at him In a lica
In the corner as he might be some worm.
" 'TIs you , master , following Ocorge Doug
las' way. Hut you'ro a madman. "
He spoke sense. Douglas had yielded hi
secret. Ills plight could not be worse. A
frenzy of unreasoned rage possessed him
And Ferguson's contempt gave a chance.
He knew not how suddenly he was on 111
feet , how he had rprung on the man , bearing
him to the floor , and choking him. Th
fellow could not cry out ; his eyes- , staring
Douglas In the face , seemed to start fron
their sockets , while his face blackened In th
lantern light. Had he choked him to death
He did not pause to query , but , relaxing his
grasp , loosed the bunch of keys. As they
fell , rattling on the floor , Ferguson groaned
moving convulsively. Quickly Douglas undli
his girdle , pissed It through his mouth , am
gagged him beyond sound. Seizing a deer
skin from Ul bed , he cut It Into thongs will
the bunting knife. With one thong he bound
his hands behind his back ; with the othe
tied lila feet. At the moment his eyes opened
He had not choked his breath entirely ou
of him. "Thank the God of th ? pope , and o
Knox alike , " Douglas muttered.
"I've the keys , old psalm-singer , " said he
"Don't stare at me or struggle. My pllgb
Is desperate ; I must free the queen , or die
for it. Farewell , Master Ferguson. "
Ferguson's cye glowed desperation
Douglas wondered for a moment how his
frenzy had the sense to choke him. Uy no
other way could he have kept him from out
cry , or , Indeed , mastered him. If ho liai
waited for a plan he never should Imvo done
what he did , Fergusjn rolled about the floor
making the moan of pain bearing despair.
Taking up the keys , Master Douglas picket
up the lantern with the other band , oponti
the door , closed and locked It , and , dropping
the keys In his pocket , strode down the cor
rldor Into the great hall. Instead of turning
to his chamber he opened the door
of the corridor of the North Tower
Something like the frenzy pools
tell of oeemed to guide. He closec
tills door behind , locked It und followed the
narrow passage to the farther entrance" , where
the sentinel , who'd been sleeping on the floor
fpraiif ; up , with staring eyes and gasplnt ,
voice.
"Sleeping , honest Jock ?
"Not I , master. You saw not aright. "
"I'm not blind. "
"A man may grow weary , master. "
"He may get a dozen lashes. "
"Ay , master , but you'll not tell. "
"It's my duty. Uut I'll try to forget. "
"I came from Master Ferguson , by my
Lady Douglas' order , to carry a drug to the
queen , who Is 111. The apothecary but now
7 I
' > J
IIR fc'l'JUNO AT THE MAN.
tier ItiJIfj. wlo ( before , having no one else ,
had- thought him worth an ocislonul smile ,
nfcw Keem jo'bo aware or hln presence , .Finally
he found thflr conduct , and particularly ( hut
of the < iuen , nlmost unendurable , ullhouih It
was natural enoiiRli. He was decided to drop
a note In tlio queen's lap as he puse : : < l , hut
that was tco rleky and might only lead to his
bolUK removed from hlu post. Thinking over
the riddle , at last one object came to hnve a
fascination , Its posrcsslon dearer than ambi
tion or love or fortune , that the key ring
Master Fergtifon had at his girdle , and then
our young gentleman of the Douglas' began
almost unconsciously to curry favor with the
Uceptrj tried the art nf a player ; maligned
the queen , to the keeper's delight , whllo In
wardly curcliiK him ; used the ranting phrases
Scat dissenters affected , end silly discussed
theology , which wa ? u common topic.
Hut nlxvaya thote key * were In the-lr place
at the keeper's girdle , unless he thonlJ knife
him behind.
l'llo > > vlnK out this wUh to he near the keys ,
lie sat talking one night until near 10 o'clock
with this IrUli-Bcot keeper , who was expound
ing some theological point , Douglas agreeing
with him , the tlmo devouring with his eyes
the bunch of l.eyu. A. . windy night It was of
Hcurrylng clouds , through which the moon
wculd break , sending an occasional shine
across the guard room floor.
At lst the keeper became drowpy , declar
ing ho would go to bed.
"Out I could show this more clearly to
you , Master Douglas , If I had my copy of
KIIOX'H icrmons. "
"If you'll buffer me , I will go to your cham
ber with you , Master Ferguton , and bring the
book that I may con the point. "
. "That ' you may , Master Douglas. "
'So he followed him out of the guard raom
to ( he door of his clumber , that the kctpar
threw open , putting the lantern he carried on
the floor , whllo he fumbled for the book.
Tuo gleam from the candle was shot l > ac ! < to
The platol In rerguipon'g belt caught him un-
tlio youth's eyes by the flaming key ring.
l' ' P J.f'l ) ' ) t 9HU
brought it from tlio village.
In evidence of authority he displayed the
k3ya , at which .lock guzcd In doltish amaze
ment. Pushing him aside , Douglas unlocked
the door.
"Now , do yon remain here by the open
door while I ascend the tower to the queen's
apartment. No on ? can pass you. "
"Not , a soul , master ? " said lie , as it re
assured.
Lantern In hand he went up the stairs to
the door of the apartment , which he un
locked , closing the outer and knocking at the
Inner dcor. Again ho knocked. At last ,
after a space was Seton's voice :
" \Vlio may bo there at this hour ? "
"I mistress Will Dcuglns. "
"You. master ? What want you ? "
"Word with the queen. "
"Her majesty ban retired. "
"I must see her. "
"What mean youji
"Go.l help us ! Ask not my meaning , but
wake her ! "
"Master , what trca'chery Is this ? I'll not
open. "
"Then.mistress you waste my life. "
He heard the queen Interrupting.
"What's this , Seton ? "
"I don't comprehend , your majesty , what
treachery I hey now are nt. "
Douglas whispered through the keyhole :
"Oh , your grace , I'm here to free you. I've
gaggfd and ' bound the. keeper and stolen his
keys. We'havo but n'moment to try for the
open. If wo arc cauglit , I shall be killed , and
you ! I beg , your grace , hasten ! "
" \Vult ! "
Hu counted the moments until the door
opened and the tjuc n and her lady were In
the outer room. Her gown was hastily
thrown on.
"Forglvo mo , Master Douglas , ' I thought
you but a silly boy. Seton , a cloak ! "
"Uut I remain ! " said Mistress Seton.
"I'll not leave you ! "
"Vou must , your grace. They cannot hurt
me. If I Btay I can pretend when they
search that you are In the Inner room , "
"They'll believe It. I like your wit , mls-
tress , " said Douglas.
"That she has wit , Master Ouuglas , I know ,
That you had such readiness I never sus
pected , Forglvo mo ! I thall reward you If
1 escapt. God forbid that an Interest In my
fortune may curse you , too. I hate to leave
you , Selon , "
"It's better so , " said the other.
For a moment the queNi bent her head on
her companion's shoulder , and , suddenly
raising her face , she kissed her lightly.
"On , Master Douglas , " said the queen's
lady then. "You're no boy , but a man after
my heart. "
"I have one to settle be
low , mistress , " said he , noting
hr In the candle glare.
Closing the outer door , the queen came
after. Half way on the stair ho Hopped her
while \\alklng down , as If with great hold-
ness , he threw back the door below.
"Jock , " to the guard.
He closd the door lest Jock should see
tha quen and put the key In the lock.
"I hive delivered the drug. "
"Yes , master. Jlut la it not strange that
Matter Ferguson came not himself ? "
"Strangu it Is , " said Douglav , fumbling t
Jhs Jockv "Thi , key ffjJ | np | t\jrp. \ \\l\\ \ \ .
you try It , Jock ? The Jamb Is rusted , 1
detm. "
"Yes , master. "
An ho turned to the > lock Douglas put the
lantern on the floor , nnd whipping out hi *
knlfo from the scabbard , thrurt him through
the back. With a groan the fellow fell over ,
whllo n stream of blood burnt over Douglai'
hand. The man's distorted face carrie before
him afterward o' night ? . Hut he had no
othtT way , nnd It was the queen's cause.
The door was pushed back , and she stood
there , the cloak on her arm.
"Are you hurt ? "
Douglas thought she would faint.
"The blood ! the fearful blood ! Not the
first that'n been Bhcd for me ! "
"Your "
grnce.
"I'm cold. "
Poor Jock lay In n heap on the floor , his
life blood still spurting. Douglas took the
mantle from the queen and wrapt It around
her.
her."Mind
"Mind him not. "
He tried to support her , for now he was
resolved they should get away.
"No , Douglas , I can walk as easily ns you
for freedom's sake. Hut the poor wretch.
Ho brings BO many memories. "
She seemed to sob , and to control herself ,
for her voice became dry and hard.
"We'll go , Master , lead on. "
He knew the way. Had he not studied
every turn dtirlnfj-the weeks , when , seeking a
means of aiding her ? Every nook and cranny ?
So he led ns easily as It were day , down
the passage to the great hnll , where , he
opened the door , which creaked on Us binges.
He dared not close It behind , but went on ,
the narrow slits of the walls guiding. The
dcor to the corridor of the postern-Kate ho
which not only had given the means of es
cape , but which now could hold the pursuit.
They would bo forced to hatter down a door
before they could he after them. No wonder
hat It had been , his desire so long ; nor
strange that he held It up before the queen's
eyes gleefully , and then flung It far out Inlo
he lake , where It splashed and where
doubtless It lies to this day , rusted In the
crvlco of loyalty. What cared ho now for
he firing of the- gun of Loch Levon , or the
pent balls splashing over their bow. They
could not see them In the welcome gloom ,
ior could they be out under an hour , The
; ates of that fortress were as well madeas
my In all Scotland.
Pulling on , Douglas found all at once his
rm hurting much. For , In some way like
n the struggle with the keeper It had been
vronched. Rvery stroke made It twinge.
'Inally he began to have a certain Joy In ro
uting the pain , which was the pleasure of
ndurance , The firing continued. Uut they
ould only conjecture the position of the boat
n that welcome gloom , and they began tend
nd they were wasting powder. Douglas
ould Imagine his aunt , her gown hastily
lirown on , spending her rage. She had
rusted him , and he had been untrustworthy ,
ut for the queen.
"To the Edlnboro roadt Do you know th )
andlng there ? "
"Well , your grace. "
"And the sign of the Deerhound ? "
"A half mile In. "
"A good Scot mile , master. Our friend !
re there. I had the word In the laundress'
nen. "
By this time hard pulling had brought
liem close In shore , where ho trusted to tbo
edges to shadow them. Ho thought to fol-
ow the shore to a spot near the Kdlnboro
oad , The obscuring cloud was pasting ,
ushes brushed the skin's tides. He
bought he knew ( he waters , but found the
loat scraping ; It grounded. When , iprlng-
tig over and pushing out again , ha took the
ars the moon reached out , casting a < h cn
ver the waves , that danced In a little wind.
Loch Leven showed out darkly across water ,
.was not A boat. The only , danger was
from the noise of the guns having attracted
a passing troop of the regent. Kqtmlly
would It warn the queen's friends that some
thing was happening In the castlcx.
Douglas thought ho should have to skirt
the lake under the bushes. It would have
been the height of folly to have ventured
Into that open spaces to Invite the marks
men ot Loch Leven , or to exclto the Interest
of those In the village , or chance passers on
tht > highways.
Ho had been pulling the skiff with
out a .word with his companion , only
noting In Iho moonshine the outlines
of her figure , her disordered hair , from which
the cloak had fallen ,
' 'Douglas ? " . .
'Your Grace ? " ' I i
How have you dnrcd this ? " '
'You are queen. "
nut , mastsr , there > ! a WttR. my > n ? "
'Your Grace , whyl should I side with this
lord , or that , or With Lord James Stuart
when you ore Mary Stuart , the que n In
need ? "
"You were taught ; ! Douglas , I was a crim
inal who hnd forfeited my right. "
"I saw your graco'ln distress. "
"I never once suspected you would go to
thla extreme. I thought you qnly a page of
the Douglas' . I confess , master , and ask par
don. "
"Your grac ? , It does'not become you to suy
such things to me. a Jhave only done as oth
ers. "
"But they never have. Your cousin tried ,
but failed. "
"I may. "
"We will not consider failure yol. But
lest I may never have chance again , master ,
IN THE PASSAGEWAY WAS THE GLEAM OF THE LANTERN AND THE DEAD
MAN IN HIS BLOOD.
opened more carefully. It did not creak ns
the other. He took the queenls .hand lest
she should , stumble.
The place was as still as the death he had
wrought In the pi-psage to the north tower.
But at the gate he was made to pause , hav
ing left the keys In the door to the tower.
Under his breath , he cursed. And hero the
queen , In that moment of psrllous waiting ,
showed the Stuart spirit.
"Uut no blood , Douglas , even though they
tnke us , " she lidded as she bade him take
.hs dangerous walk back. In the pas&fge was
: he gleam of the lantern , and the dead man
n his blood. How grisly ho seemed. How
IB mocked him ! he with whom he oft had
aughed. And naw never another stupid jest
'rom the doltish brain. And he'd killed him !
But ho had the keys at last. He must get
avay from that thing , the Jeering , bloody
fnec. Back he stirred.
At the door to the hall were steps. The
ivntch was passing. , Ho could hear voices , a
scurrilous jest. Yet they did not guess his
presence In the gloom , and the clangor of
.heir boots on the paving was gone with n
closing door , and their laughter over the
good story. In a moment he was after thcin
n the great hall , turning away Into the
lasaage to ths postern gate.
The key creaked In the gate , and they
were. , out In the mist , the gate closed and
ocked behind. The glare of the moonshine
over the terrace and the water troubled Doug
las. Any one who listened could pick them
out with a musket. Uut he laughed since he
lad the keeper's keys , which held Lock Leven
ocked. But no time could be lost. They
must go down to the bank to the skiff ,
which he saw was exactly where he had left
t. A ladder at this point led to the landing.
And while he would Imvo helped her , the
queen climbed down as easily as she were a
girl. She knew full well to her capture
neant a captivity more odious than before ,
while to him , death ,
When he pushed the boat the pebbles rat-
led enough to have aroused the costle. He
gave the queen his hand nnd she leaped In
without aid. As the boat glided Into the
cpen loch the moon was hid by a scurrying
cloud , and loch and castle held fast In inlet
and night. Douglas settled to the oars. Then
at last the' queen's voice came to him softly :
"The sweet air ! The freedom ! "
"I would wish the oars were muflled. "
As If to prove how noisy they were , a chal-
enge rang out from Loch Leven. Lights
passed against the windows. The alarm
ihangcd.
"They have heard , or Master Ferguson has
oosed his bonds , " paid he. "But ah , they're
ocked In ! "
Every key to every outer gate at Loch
Leven was on that key ring which had fas-
r > inni , i him. Dear kev rinir was It indeed.
I wish tc explain to you these charges. I
cannot tUlnlc you would .believe them entirely.
To you ? Douglas' , -would' * i > eakv although It
Is not the queen's pjrt to explain. "
"For a moment sho.paused , while the bushes
bent under the wind , the- oars dipped , a wild
fowl called from the marsh.
"A young girl , my Douglas , came from the
French court , where pleasure Is almost duty ,
to austere Scotland , ! where of late pome have
held It pin. Manyt.asplrcd to this princsss'
favor , nnd love. If I this girl queen was
thoughtless , I nt flra : intended no evil. When
I found my mis'ake-II hated those I had
tricked with fancied. Darnley , whom I
thought a hero , afterjnll was Imbecile , Illz-
zlo but a sentimentalist , nnd Castelar ? "
"And Dothwell ? " asked he In his Interest ,
forgetting he had no right to ask.
"I lear him. "
But Phe added :
"I fear no man ! I am the qusen ! I will
have blood for blood , eye for eye ! "
He Imd known thiu mood in the castle ,
when she would not we the keeper.
"Those who have helped me , " she went on
moro gently , "shall liavo reward. I will
have my own again. Yet , oh , Douglas , I am
the iinhapplest lady uho cvor wns born. So
many who have served me have suffered
bitterly , "
"The queen shall have her own again ! "
"She shall , for she will. And I am free ,
and In this bonnlo land thousands arc ready
to die for us. Life IP sweet as this brave
air. Men will love me , and I may have
some wit left. "
The queen talked thus to William Douglas ,
because of her excitement more than from
any Intention to make of him a confidant.
Ho reached a place where ho thought a
landing prudent ,
Taking M hand , she stepped to shore ,
where , pushing a way through the thick
bushes , they came out on the expanse of the
moor reaching then up to the enclosure of
the Dccrhonml.
Ths queen trudged on with her bundle
light-heartedly to nppsaranco as a servant
I.-IFB who may may be out , wlth her lad for the
harvest dance.
"I sea you take the way across the'moor
because wo there arc loss likely to meet
any one , "
"Yes , I hnve no weapon , your grace. "
"Your knife " she began.
"I left It. " said he , "hum , hum , In Jock ,
the guard. "
Hu spoke thoughtlessly , and , ns < hatheon
the case with ux all a thousand times , would
have given anything to have had the words
unsaid , For his companion lost her gaiety
with the word , Her voice had a sob ,
"My friend , don't bring to me the pirt and
Its dead. "
He felt the lout , and tried to murmur pome
poor apologetic explanation , until : io inter
rupted with laughter.
"No , you cannot make mo sadJish. Across
the moor \\c go , master. "
And she led the way , humming a little
French air.
"That's n gay song. Master Douglas , out of
keeping with Scotch austerity. "
"The dell's sometimes behind' their gravity ,
your grace , " said he , trying to affect n light
ish manner.
"Ye ? , horns and all. I've eaen him behind
one of these ( Undenting ministers again and
again. Even John Knox acknowledged
'there's not EO much harm In a bonnlo time
as In a bad heart , but,1 ho added , 'your danc
ing will blacken your heart. ' Eh , Douglas ,
mayhap he was right. How silent you arc , "
"I was wishing for sword , "
"How strange It Is that you who have been
brave should tremble. Come , my master , n
Ilttlo farther , and we shall bo at the Deer-
hound. "
Ho did not answer , for he had fancied he
saw shadowD like thoa of men ; fearful lest
lomo one might spring out of the bushes , and
maddened to think how powerless he should
be against tome pat $ r who certainly would
1)3 armed to the teeth , He , who In Queen
.Mary's time , carrleiV life In an open way ,
was likely to haveihls right to breath chal
lenged at any moment by highwaymen , or his
clan's enemy. Thei.queen , to give him heart ,
again laughed.-
"Havo you not done that which the otheru
failed In ? Are we net a I moot with friends ? "
"Ay , but who knuws who their bell and
cinnon may not hare stirred up ? And you
know , your gracei a bare hand hia small
tavor with bare steel.- '
"It's a Scot's hand , Master Douglasl A
Scot brain. We'll have no more French
tunes this night , I ( know a better of your
own people. "
I fancy you who read may know that
ancient song of the Douglas' ; a catching tune
: hat renders a Doughv proud of his own.
Through it all runs tha claili of steel , and
the cry that rendered the race warm for the
fray. Now U came In a low tone from a
lady's lips , ami It gnvo thl Douglas heart ,
lie hnd been shuddering at whnt ho had
done , but now ngnln , with her voice , he
cared not nt nil who ho should face. So
curiously Is bravery A mutter of how the
brain or Is It how the heart ? works. On
that lonely moor U was as If they two ,
queen and subject , had the world to them *
selves. The moonshlno makes the earth so
different a place. A mnn makes love under
the moon , to hntc her under the urn.
A stone wall marked the enclosure of the
Deerhound , and revealed the hazard.
"You can trust those you expect to bo at
the Decrhound ? "
"As much as you. Go to the rear door ,
Knock thrice. To him asking your errand ,
say 'Does the day please ? ' "
"Yet , something may have gone against
us. "
"The fortune of war , " assented the queen ,
"And do you. your grace , remain here In
, the shadow of the wall until I may find how
our fortune may bo nt the Inn. "
"Walt , master ! "
She tock from her bosom a Ilttlo gold cru
cifix.
"I must pray. Master Douglas. For sin
ners was Christ , the priests tell us. I would
pray to him , for he la greater than the
Virgin , although likely she understands1 us
womeiii"
Ho hnd bowed his head , If ho had been
taught hr faith was Idolatrous.
"Father , " said the queen , holding the Im
ago high , "I pray Thee , > remember us. He-
member James , my son. Remember William
Douglas , my knight. Oh , God of Scotland
and of Mary Stuart , do Thou hear the prayer
of us who without Thee are but babes In a
wood. "
Whnt matters a man's faun so mucn as
his honesty ? A long tlmo yet has the world
to learn that theology Is naught moro than n
trickery of phrases. Her < yes wcro on Him.
Her belief In the power of Him the little
Imago symbolized to help her , for all her
faults , Impressed him with a sort of ardor
of entreaty to Him. Ho had been man , had
suffered , been perplexed. He could under-
stiiad all , even the murder of Jock , the guard.
Tha words of th > ministers of the New
church rang In William Douglas' memory :
"Oh , God , we arc poor sinners. Indeed ! "
"I believe you are one of the Dissenters' ,
master ? They'd make light of our ances
tors' faith. Are. we , poor , concjltcd fools ,
so much wiser ? "
She pressed the crucifix to her lips nnd
thrust It again Into her bosom. She held
out her hand- , which ho pressed to his lip ? ,
and turned to wale the wall without another
plnncn back , yet haling to leave her so , fear
ful of all that might happen.
Dropping down on the farther side of the
wall , ho found himself In the stable yard of
the Dicrhouml. No one nppared to bo stir
ring , although lights wore In the uppir win
dows. About the corner of the house n train
of light fell across the highway beyond , as
If th ? front tloors were wide.
Finding the rear door without difficulty ,
he knocked once , twlo ? , thrice. When was
no answer , although he fancied he heard
voices , ho again raised the knocker , which
fell into Its metal place with a fnr-reachlng
res-onance. Again he lifted It , nnd again.
Five minutes passed , and then a stumbling
Inside. Somebody fumbled with the bolts
and opened the door , keeping the chain on.
A withered , wrinkled face looled out.
"What want you ? " questioned a husky
voice.
"Good dame , does the day please ? " albeit
a night of the full moon.
The candle near dropped from her palsied
hand.
"Walt , " she said , like oneof the Fates.
The door closed. So long a time passed
that Doughs wns about to turn back , or to
try the oilier door. Should- bs greeted by
the earl of Moray's followers ? Ho could hear
his heart ho fancied. And what might
1 > D happening1 behind the Ptono wall ? Was
she In peril frc.m he knew not whom ? How
easily all his effort up to this might bo made
nauglft. Nor were Lord Moray's men alone
to befeared. . There were hundreds of others
during tha't Uncattled period who might be
at tho'Dserhouud , Inimical to the ciuso. You
may believe It was almost in fright he heard
again a rattling of the bolts.
This tlmo the chain was loosed , when the
door opened , showing the dame , and the two
others with travel-stained boots , but so closely
municd that ho could not make them out , nor
their style of dress. One stepped up to him
when he saw the eyes peering from the cloak.
"Your question ? "
"I pray you , master , does the day pleasa ? "
The other thrust back his covering.
"Will ? Will Douglas ! Wo heard the can
non Loch Leven. And now you are hero ? with
that question.
Muffled as the speaker was , William Douglas
could not bo mistaken in the voice.
"Ah cousin , " said he , "we are of the same
political complexion. I , as you , serve the
queen , no'l Moray "
The other now was holding a lantern high ,
peering Into lilt , face.
"Blood on your cuff ? "
The presence of ono's relatives may lead
to the assumption of any bravado one may
own. Before our Iiln , most of all , we like
to show our best prowess , our cleverness ,
our bravery , or all. So William Douglas.
"I killed a fellow who stood In my way. "
"And you are from me queen-
"I came with the queen. "
"Eh , boy ! What's turned your sense ? "
"Cousin. " said ho to George Douglas , "get
me a ladder , with which to scale the wall ,
and you will understand I am no liar. Hurry ,
fools ! The ladder , I tell you. "
"You're In your cups , will Douglas. "
"I have done that you failed In , " he
boasted.
"Your grac ? , " he cried.
"Master Douglas ? "
"Tlio queen's voice , " said he.
George Douglas' Incredulity vanished , nnd
he was over the wall , where they found him
kneeling before the Lady o' the Scots.
"Kne-el not to me who owe much yes ,
almost all for freedom Is all to the Doug
lases. "
"We were your goalers. "
"Who have freed the prisoner. "
"Not I. but my cousin. "
"But , Douglas , you tried , If the other suc
ceeded. Come , your hand , over the wall , "
Ho did this gallantly , with all his grace.
But William Douglas had heard the queen's
words. He hnd succeeded wliero hla cousin
failed. The cannon of Loch Leven had excited
the Inn , keeping the watchers for the queen
awake. How many others , unfriendly to the
restoration , might have been aroused , the
queen's gentlemen then could only conjecture.
If William Douglas' thought to leave the castle
tloylthout the keys to unlock Its doors had
delayed the chase , yet now It wcro Imprudent
to tarry at the Deerhound.
Nor was It half an hour before the company
was In the saddle , shouting under Us breath :
"God , and tht > queen ! "
With the steady swing of cantering horses
the lighting of the sky In the rnst , the stir
ring of men and women along the way for
their morning tasks they saw tlio tower of u
queen's fortress.
But In the heart of William Douglas was
' no gladness ; and ho wondered , for had ho
not succeeded ?
Yet the fate that makes hearts said. "There
shall be no success without a regret. "
And he who was the envy of the
court that rallied quickly under the queen's
banner knew this , although men envied nnd
the queen favored and knighted him , as the
Douglas whos ? loallty atoned In degree for
hla relatives.
Queen o' the Scots was she again , the
color In her cheeks , gracious * to all to uln
back that she had lost.
But this Stuart princess had small time to
think of minor matters when her realm was
disjointed and all her wit nscdful.
And William Douglas saw her rarely , and
thPJi In the court formality. And again he
was vexed and only grow happier when In
tin fight , and there were many fights In
those days , when Scotland was divided
against Itsslf and some were for the queen
and othtrs for the regent.
And Sir William , as he was then , because
of the servlco he had done , found further dis
tinction which was not to his heart. Yet a
man cannot live with memories , although bo
may wish to dl ; because of them ,
And since he would forget , he tried to
make love as well as to light. In the Ilttlo
court was a Mistress Agnes Frazer who did
not disdain him ; and the queen , hearing of
this , sent for him ,
"Ah , Douglas. " said she , smiling prettily ,
as die could , "I have heard of you and my
maid , Ague * , "
But Douglas wat silent.
"Are you embarrassed , Douglas ? " said she
then , "that I should question ? "
"Yes , your grace. " said he ,
"And why ? "
"
" "Because , your grace , I have but tried to
make love to Mistress Agnes , that I might
forget. "
"And why1 aeked the , for they say she
never wan dlspleared at seeing the light that
then was In his eyes.
"Your grace , " tald he , "I mutt forget I'm
unhappy , became no longer can I stand be
tween you and danger , "
Then she twitted lilm op practicing a cour- ,
tier's speeches.but noting him , nho HAW thnt
same look , causing her to turn away. Yet
she was not dlRpleMtcd ,
Hut niter this she avoided him to that he ,
thinking ho had dlsplensed her , was the
more downcant and wondered At himself why
he should be o.
But ho found that Mistress Frazer could
not lighten the heart , nay , oven the battle
field failed.
Then ngnln , William Douglas took the
chances others held foolishly desperate , yet ,
ns Is the way when men wish him , Death
did not seek him. Death , seeking us nil ,
seldom conies when he Is called , for he , too ,
seems to he ruled by mockery.
But there came a tlmo when Death wns
piqued nt William Douglas always daring
him. For after many days , when the loyal
cause- roomed again hopeless , William Douglas
was sore wounded In the thigh , and was
borne away among others to the castle where
the queen chanced to b ? lodged.
And ono of her ladles came to the queen ,
telling her among the wounded In the battle
was Sir Wllllnm Douglas.
And the queen remembered nnd went Into
the room where ho lay breathing hard.
Being told he must die , she kneeled down
by him nnd said softly , with tears In her
eyes , that she wns losing nil her leal sub
jects , who were moro than the crown of
Scotland , when Douglas opened his eyes ou
her.
her.Ho
Ho appeared comellly boyish , ns If he were
still lu bis promise , yet the queen knew ho
had done her a strong man's Pcrvlce.
"Live , Douglas , for me , your quson. Hap
piness shall be yours. You shall marry the
prettiest lady of my suite and shall have all
tlln tnnrl nf n Unnt nmitilx M
Hut ho sighed , as with his hurt.
"Your Rraco , you're fairer than all the
ladles of your suite , and the memory of that
night with you In moro than nil the lands
of a Scot county. "
And those who were there saw the queen
blush and say very softly , "No loyalty IB
Ilko your loyally , " and bending forward she
pressed her lips to his and said again , "Yes ,
no loyalty Is like yours , " and , rising , went
away.
Hut when she hoard that against all the
predictions of the surgeons ho had rocov-
crcd , she was piqued and held his loyalty
not BO great. And Douglas was oven sorry
that he hnd not died then , for ho had wished
to die. Nor did the queen remember that
she had promised him all the lands of a ,
Scot county , nor did he remind her , nor see
her often.
Hut , poor queen , all of the Scot counties
passed away from her , and sha was a pris
oner at the hands of Queen Elizabeth , against
nil the rules of hospitality.
Then she would mutter , they say , "Thero
Is no loyalty like that of William Douglas. "
And William Douglas came to her by per
mission of Lord Shrowsberry and was added
to her suite.
Hut Queen Elizabeth , having heard of the
cplsodo. at Loch Leven , ordered that ho be
dismissed.
Hut ho swore thnt he would frco her , as
many another Scot gentlcnnn did for that
matter , and English and French lords , and
the king of Poland.
Now , one day In her prison , Mletress Jane
Kennedy , the queen's lady , told her that Wil
liam Douglas ? had been killed In the last at
tempt to reach her and free her ; which was
fortunate , as If captured he certainly would
have been executed with the English and
Scotch gentlemen who were In that plot. Hut
flip nnnnn nf Rpnfn wntllil nnt. hnllnvn thnt hn
was dsad , and up to the last expected to see
him again , a proof , say the historians , that
she was a bit maddened by that long Im
prisonment , when she became faded and hope-
loss' , with only memory left of all her posses
sions and all her lovers.
Hut whether It were a mad or wls'o saying ,
It was ever a favorlto one of hers that "no
loyalty was like that of William Douglas , "
and that ho again would prove It. And she
was a princess who attracted men's loyalty
to madder extremes than any , whether by
her majesty or her wantonness her biog
raphers disagree. _ _
Hood's IN AVoiuliTflll.
No less than wonderful are tlio cures ac
complished by Hood's Sarsaparilla. even after
other preparations and physicians' prescrip
tions have failed. The reason , however , Is
sllmple. When the blood Is enriched and
purified , disease disappears and good health
rclurns , and Hood's ' Sarsaparilla Is the one
true "blood purifier.
Hood's Pills arc prompt and efficient and
do not purge , pain or gripe. 25c.
Wlu'ii nnllronilN Wor
The Plttsburg Post tells a good story about
the Chicago & Alton at the tlmo when the
company was so poor that It could pay
Its men only once lu five or six months.
The men stuck to the road , however , because
they had nothing better In tlio way of a
vocation In sight. Governor Mathews was
then president of the road , and one day a
big strapping follow who had been tnmpln'g
tics for four months went down to Uloom-
Ington and , hunting up Matluws , showed him
a nlmnu whlr.h wnrt * rnninlntplv worn nut.
and addressed him as follows :
"Governor , I must have some money , as
I can't work without thoes. I need other
things , but would try to get along If I had
a pilr of boots. "
The governor looked at the man's half-
naked feet and then spoke grullly :
"How long have you been working on the
road ? "
"Sevenmonths , altogether , and on the sec
tion five months , " was the answer.
"Well , sir , said tlio president , "you will
have to glvo up your Job. We have no money
and I am about to Issue orders that here
after no man must be hired who docs not
possess a now pair of boots. "
The big fellow left In despilr and went
back to work again "and oftor that no one
went to the govarnor after money with the
excuse that ho needed new boots.
Klculric Hitter * .
Electric Hitters Is a medicine suited for any
season , hut perhaps more generally needed In
the fprlng , when the languid exhausted feel
ing prevails , when the liver is torpid and
sluggish and the need of a tnnlc and altera
tive Is felt. A prompt use of this mcdlclno
has often averted long and perhaps fatal
bilious fevers. No medicine will act more
surely In counteracting and freeing the
system from the malarial poison. Headache.
Indigestion , constipation , dizziness .yield to
Electric Hitters. Only fifty cents per bottle
at Kuhn ii Co.'s drug store.
THE SURGEON'S ' KNIFE
OXCR 111:1ir.vnn TO ins TIIIJ oxiv
FOIl I'lI.KS AMI 11HCTAI.
IHSUAKKS.
A llcttor AV > - Aon-
\Vlilcli CiiiTN Uvpry Form of
\Vllliou ( I'll 111 or Iiir.oiiVPiiliMiui' .
Many people suffer the pain , annoyanci-
and often serious results from plica for years ,
and after trying the many lotions , salves ,
ointments and eo-caled curus ullhout euro or
relief , glvo up the hope of a final euro rather
than Kiihmlt to thp Intense pain and. danger
to life which a surgical operation Involves
Happily all lliU Buffering Is no longer nec
essary slnco the discovery of the Pyramid
Pile Cure , a remedy which Is approved by
the mtxllcal profession aw being absolutely
tafe , free from any trace of opiates , narcot
ics or mineral poisons and which may be de
pended upon as a certain cure ( not merely
relief ) in uny form of piles , whether Itching ,
blind , bleeding or protruding. Some of the
hundreds of cures recently made are little
short of marvelous , as u perusal of the fol
lowing will demoiiHliato ,
Major Dean of Columbus , Ohio , nays : I
wish to add to the number of certificates as
to the benefits derived from the Pyramid
Pile Curo. I suffrred from piles for forty
yeurs , and from Itching piles for twenty
years , and two boxes of the Pyramid Pile
Cure libs effectually cured mo.
Dr. J. W. Megan , Leonardvlllb , Kan. ,
writes : I have used a box of Pyramid Pile
Cure nnd received rnoro benefit and relief
than from uny rnnedy I had uoJ In the
past twenty-two years.
Jumes Jemerson , Dubuque , Iowa , fays : I
buttered from plies for six yearn ; have Jiut
used the Pyramid Pllo Cure and am a well
man ,
Mrs. M. C , Hlnkly , C01 Mississippi street ,
Indianapolis , Ind. , tays : Have ben a suf
ferer from the pain and anoyance of piles
for fifteen year * . Thp Pyramid Pile Cure
and Pyramid Pills gave me Immediate re
lief and In a short time a complete cure ,
The Pyramid Pile Cure maye be found nt
drugglits at 50 cents and { 1.00 per packag' .
A book on cause and cure of piles will ho
sent by mall by addrtiulng the PjramlJ
Drug Co. , Albion , Mich ,
MUNYON.
Mr . .Tnup Flsli , Who SnlTcreil Anrnnj )
With Ilhciinmt lum for Xrnrly
! )0 Vonrn , TiroT > Awny Her
CrntolioN nmt State * _ ,
Slio IN inllr : > -
CurtMl. . .
PimUlrrly SnrornKfiil Cnrc for Ij- *
Itciiftln , ItliPiiiniitlNtiii Cntiirrti , Kill-
< } mill Alt Illonit mill Xorvc Din *
I-IIN * * * At All ItniKKlHtNt. - . " Contn It
lloltlc.
, . _ _ ITi
Mrs. Jnno Fish , COS East Second street.
Kansas City , Mo. , says : "My rheumatic.
trouble began In 1SC7 with such an acute
atlack that I was'cntlrely helpless and hail
to ba fed. Since then I have had similar
attacks each spring and fall , growing grad
ually worse until I wns a complete crlpplo
all the time , having to walk with crutches.
In April I bought my first bottle of Mun-
yon's Ulicnmntlc Cure and found It fa much
help that I continued until I Imd taken four
bottles of the pills. I am now completely
rnrril nnil Rlnrn tnklnir ttiD Focoild bottla
last Juno I have not had a symptom of rheu
matism. I walk as well ns ever and feel
as spry as a young girl. I wy most heartily.
Rod bless Munyoa and his remedies. "
Munyon's Hheumatlsm Cure seldom falls
to relieve In one to three hours , and cures
In a few days. I'rlce 25c.
Munyon's Dyspepsia Cure Is guaranteed to
euro all forms of Indigestion and stomach
troubles. I'rlco 2Gc.
Munyon's Kidney Cure speedily curea
pains In the back , loins or groins and all
forms of kidney disease. I'rlce Hue.
Munyon's Vltallzcr restores lost powers
to weak men. I'rlco ? 1.00.
A separate specific for each disease. Sold
by all druggists , mostly at 25 cents a bottle.
Pernonnl letters to Professor Munyon , 1G05
Arch street , Philadelphia , Pa. , answered
with frco medical advice for any disease ,
the man In the moon Is looklngt at mo rati
WTTASTINO DISEASES WRAKKNVONDK (
' fully tjc'cnuso they wcalcpn you tilowly , crndu
ally. Io not nllotv ihh wr.stc of body to iniilj
you c poor , flabby , Immntnra in tin.Health , t > trcngt |
anil vl or l for you whether you bo ilch or pooj
Tlio ( irc.at ItU'lynu Is to l > r liml only from IlioIIui
son McHllcnt Institute. This wonderful discovert
wns m.idoby ( ho specialists of the old fuuicuq Una
sou Mcdlctil Institute. It la tlio xtrniiccat mid mo4
powerful vltallzer mmle. Jt Is so ] iuvc ifut that I
Is simply wonderful bow li.irmk'sslt Is. You on |
get It from nowhere but from tlio Hudson 3fcdlci {
Institute.Vrlt6 for circulars nnd testimonial * ,
Thh extraordinary Itojiivcnntor Is the mo.4
wonderful discovery of the nsrc. It lias been en.
Jorscil by the landing scientific men of iuropo'a'i > 4
America.
IIVUVAX Is purely vcRctnble.
IT HI ) VAX ptora i > rcmuturencR3 of the dla
< lmrso In twenty days. Ciiren I.OST MA\
IIOOII , constipation , dizziness , falling senf-nllou *
ucrvous twitching of the eyes and other parts.
Eitrcngthens , Invigorates nnd tones the cnthf
jyctcm. Jt Is tut cheap ns nny other remeily.
HVOI'AST cures debility , nervousness , eml
jlons , nnd develops mid restorer wenlc orgnn
Tains In the back , losses by day or nlcht stopped
quickly. Over 2,000 privnto Indorsements.
I'lomaturcness means Impatcncy In the Dr4
stage. It is n symptom of scmlnnl weakness an |
barrenness. It can bo stopped hi twenty days bf
the use of Iludyan. Jludymi cosCs no luoro thn (
nny other remedy.
Bend for circulars and testimonials.
TAl.\Tr.I > IIIOniIminirc blood duo If
serious privntodlforders carries myriads of ears
prod uclnBgorr.18. Then comeseoro throat , plm'picl
sopjicr colored spots , ulcera In mouth , old sores hi4
"oiling hair. You can BUVO n trip to Hot fiprlnfts l/f
frltltiGfor'Illooaiook'tothooldphysIciauaofti ! :
HUDSON ] > IIDICAIj INSTITUTE ,
Stockton , aiiirkct unil I'.lll" OU. ,
MAX rilAXClSCO , CAL.
on all social
accessions.
| Ybu cannot go-
to Hie opero.
Svifhouf gainin
whiff of
( &owM
THE FASHIONABLE PERFUME.
Flowery , refreshing. dclicD.f0'
For so.le by dru grief's only.
IMPERIAL CROWN PERFUMERY CO ,
SAIMT UOUIO. --f
MEYER DROTHERS DRUG CO.AGEHTi
ALSOTBVWEDDING BEUSVTwo new'
\PEACHBLOW.j \
TRADED MARK
"I'se In Town , Honey ! " ,
! /S /
Pancake
Flour
Plate nftcr plate of ikic'Va ! ! ! ,
pancakes There's a plciurA
for 1
you / (
Aunt Jemima's U the lei niwikTi
Made of Wheat , Com / HHce thtf
three great staffs of life , He ware of i
lions. Sold only ir. ictl ] > > ictugca
HERE'S OUR CUAPAN7C ? .
JJur ttpackaireof ( lonuliv Au.il . 'C'iiiloi9' S
UUiiiii runcikku Flour fnMfiOn aa btt
It make * the bcii cakvi lourvrr i : o. icteip Ib
fimiljr Uo lu oururorur , li'Aru > our n > u.f , null tti
Ifto IT trill rcfuiidtlJO inoiirr anil clinifvUtou
rientlfl ! lly l'rcurG | < J anil Slur.ufac'.Jrcdonl/ i
R , T , DAVIS MILL CO , , St , Joseph , Hlj
Kndu ! tonitaiuiforM/nJJUIoryor ! | Audi/ /
Jemima awl a tut ol hit j'lcKkulacjr AoJju/ ,
_ _ _ I