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Bra pil * of Prueedlns ; Chapter * ,
'William , sixth earl of Douglas , the most
powerful man In all Scotland , falls In
love with the Lady Sybllla , the niece of the
French ambassador , Marshal de Htz ,
who ohanocs to bo crossing the Douglas
estates. On the day following tholr meet *
Ing and sudden separation by the Douglas'
friends , who fear the woman nn a witch ,
occurs the great review of 10,000 retain
ers and hundred * of knights and squires.
Bholto MncKIm , ion of the Douglas1
armorer , distinguishes himself In nrcnery
and Is mailo captain of the castle guard.
Ho falls In love with Maude Llndesay ,
maid of honor to the earl's sister.
On the third day of the tournament the
three Douglas cousins enter the lists , aa
also the French ambassador , who foully
cast * his spear at Karl William nnd
wound * him. In the combat Bholto shows
such bravery that ha Is knighted. Lady
Bybllla win * a promise from the young
Douglas to go to Edinburgh , where Is his
enemies' stronghold.
James , earl of Avondale , Blr Alexander
Livingston , guardian of the king's person :
Blr William Crlchton , chancellor of the
realm , and Marshal de Ret * began to plot
against the earl of Douglas ; Lady Sybllla
nireea to become their tool and to lure
William Into their power. In eplto of
warnings , Earl Douglas , with a small fol
lowing , including the faithful Sholto , visits
Castle Crlchton , where his enemies
nMrtaln him royally. The young earl falls
deeper Into love with Bybllla and nho , In
turn , overcome by his sincerity and com
plete confidence In her , confesses her love
for him and then urges him to return
home with all speed. Marshal de Retz
takes Sybllla to Edinburgh and William no
copts the invitation of the young king
of Scotland to visit the court In the hope
of meeting his lady love. The king and
the two Douglas brothers become great
friends , but even the king cannot ward
oft the calamity about to fall on the
Douglases. At a banquet a huge boar's
head Is brought In , a sign of treachery ,
and in spite of the brave attempts of
Bholto to protect his master , the carl and I
his brother , charged with treason , are
arrcsUd and Imoriaoned ,
Sholto accompanies his master. That
night th * Douglas archers shoot an arrow .
attached to a cord Into the window and
the prisoners draw up a stout rope. Wil
liam hears the Lady Sybllla. crying In the
castle'and ' refuses to cscupe. David , a true
Douglas , refuses to leave his brother , but
the two persuade Sholto to go and seek
help. Early the next morning the
Douglas * * are brought before the king's
court , charged with high treason and
sentenced to b executed at once ,
Sybllla declares her love bcforo the court
and the two brothers go forth to their
death , the death of a filthful brother and
of the truest lover In whom Qed ever put
heart of grac * to live courteously and die
CHAPTER XXXVI.
The nlilnc of the Douglases.
The aun shone fair on the battlements of
Douglas castle aa Sbolto rode up to the level
mead , whereon a little company of men was
exercising. He could hear the words of
command cried gruffly in the broad Oalloway
speech. Landless Jock was drilling his
spearmen , and as the shining triple line of
points dropped to the "ready to receive , " the
old knight and former captain of tbo earl's
guard came forward a little way to welcome
his successor with what little grace was at
his command.
"Eh , slrce , and what has brocht slo a braw
young knight and grand frequenter o' courts
eao far aa Douglas castle ? Could no even let
I'pulr auld Landless Jock bae the tilt yalrd
here to exercise his handfu * in , and keep his
auld banes a wee while frae the rust and the
green mowld ? "
But even aa the crusty old soldier spoke
theio words the white '
anxiety > ln Sholto's
face struck through bis haft-humorous com
plaint , and the words died en his lips in a
perturbed "What is 't what la 't ava' , lad
die ? "
Sholto told him in the fewest words.
"The yerl and Davvld In the power o' their
hooso'a enemies ! Blessed Sant Anthony , and
here was I fllghterln' and ragln' aboot my
naothlngsl Here , lads , blaw the horn and
cry the slogan ! Fetch the horse frao the
stall and stand ready In your war gear within
ten minutes by the knock. Aye , faith will
we raise Douglasdnle ! Gang your ways to
Oallowa' there shall not a man bide at
hame this day. Certea we wull that. Ca' '
In the by-gaun at Lanark aye , lad , and gin
the rascals are no willing or no ready , we
wlR bang the provost and magistrates at (
their aln doorcheeks to learn them to bide
hide frae the cried assembly o' their liege
lordI"
Sholto had done enough in Douglasdale.
He turned north again on a yet more Impor
tant errand. It was forenoon , full and broad ,
when be halted before the little town of
Btrathaven , upon which the castle of Avon-
dare looks down. It seemed of the grcatesl
moment that the Avondale Douglases sboulc
know that which had befallen their cousin .
For no suspicion of treachery within the
house and name of Douglas touched with a
. shade of shadow the mind of Sbolto MacKIm
He thundered at the townward port of
the castle to which a steep accent led up -
where presently the outer guard soon
crowded about him , listening to his story
and already fingering bowstring and ex
amtnlng roue-matches , preparatory to thi
expected march upon Edinburgh.
"I have not time to waste , comrades. ' .
must see my lords , " said Sholto. "I mus
see them Instantly. "
And even as he spoke there on the stepi
appeared the dark handsome face and tal
hut slightly stooping figure of 'William
Douglas of Avondale. He stood with hi
hands clasped behind his back and ils
erlous thought-weighted face bent upon th
concourse about Sbolto.
With a push of his elbows this way am
that the young captain of the earl's guan
opened a way through tbo prces.
In short , emphatic sentences he told hi ,
tale and at the name of prlsonment an A
treachery the countenance of William Doug -
las grew stern and hard. His face twltchec
a * if the new * came very near to him
He did not answer for a moment , but stoo j
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8&a at all Oriwc 8tors >
biting bis lips and glooming upon Sholto , u
though the young man had been a prUoner
waiting sentence of pit or gallows for evil-
doing.
"I mu t Me James concerning this 111
news , " be suit ) , when Sholto finished telling
him of the black bull's head on the chancel
lor's banquet toble.
Ho turned to go within.
"My lord , " said Sholto , "will you give me
another horse and let Darnaway rest In
your stables ? I must ride south again to
raise Oalloway ! "
"Order out all the horses which are ready
caparisoned , " commanded William of Avondale -
dale , "and do you , Captain Sbolto , take your
choice of them. "
He went within forthwith and there ensued
a pause filled with the snorting and pranc
ing of steeds , as , filled with oats and hay ,
they Issued from their stalls , or , with the
grass yet dewy about their noses , they were
led In from tbs field. Darnaway took his
leave of Sholto with a backward neigh of
regret , as If to say that he was not yet tired
of riding on his master's service.
Then presently on the terrace above ap
peared lazy Lord James , busily buckling the
straps of his body armor and talking hotly
the while with William.
"I care not whether our father " he cried
loud , ere , with a restraining hand upon his
wrist , his elder brother could succeed in
topping him.
"Hush , James , " he said , "at least b
mindful of those that stand around. "
I care not , I tell you , William , " cried the
leadstrong youth , squaring bis shoulders a *
be was wont to do before a fight ; "I tell
you that you and I are no traitors to our
name and whoso meddles with our cox Will
of Thrleve hath us to reckon with. "
William of Avondale eatd nothing , but
held out his hand with a slow , determinate
gesture. Said he : "An * It were the father
, hat begat us ! " Whereat , with all the lm >
petuousness of his race and nature , James
dashed his palm into that of hi * 'brother.
"Whiles , William , " he cried , "ye appear
olerklsh and overcautious , and I break out
and miscall ye for no Douglas , when ye will
not spend your siller like a man and are
afraid of the honest pint stoup. But at the
jeart's heart ye are aye a Douglas and ,
though the silly gaping commons like ye
not so well as they like me , you are the
beet o' us a' , for all that ! "
So It came to pass that within the space
of half an hour the young Avondale Doug-
asea had sent men to the four alrts , young
Hugh Douglas himself riding west , while
James stirred the folk of Avondale and
Strathaven , and In all the courtyards and
streets of the little feudal town there began
the hum and buzz of war assembly.
Lord William went with Sholto to see
staunch Darnaway duly stabled , and to ap
prove the horse which was to bear the
messenger to the south without halt , now
that bis mission was accomplished In the
west. When they came out Sholto's riding
harness had been transferred to a noble gray
steed large enough to carry the burly James ,
let alone the slim captain of the guard of
Thrleve.
In the court , ranked and ready , bridle
to bridle , were ranged the knights and
uflulres In waiting about the castle ol
Avondale , while out on a level green spot
on the edge of the moor gathered the denser
array of the townsfolk with spears and
partlzans.
The Avondale Douglases were ready
enough to ride to the assistance of their
cousins. Alas , that Earl William would
take no advice , for had these and others
gone In with him to tbo fatal town there
would have been no black bull's bead on
the chancellor's dinner table In the banquetIng -
Ing hall of Edinburgh castle.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
A Strange Meeting.
It was approaching the evening of the
third day after riding forth upon bis mis
sion when Sholto , sleepless , yet quite un
conscious of weariness , approached the loon
of Carllnwark and the cottage of Brawny
rKim. . West and south he had raised the
Douglas country as It had never been raised
before. And now behind htm every armlgei
and squire , every spearman and llgbtfoo
arrher was hastening Edlnburghward , cage ;
to be first to succor the young and head
strong chief of this great bouse ,
Sholto had ridden and cried the slogan
SB waj his duty , without allowing his mind
to dwell too much upon whether all mlgh
not come too late. And ever as he rode ou
Pof village or across the desolate moors from
castle or fortified farmhouse It seemed tha
not he but aome other was upon this quest
Something sterner nnd harder stirred in
his breast. Light-heart Sholto MacKIm , th
careless lad of the Jousting day , the proui
young captain of the earl's guard , was deai
with alf hla vanity , and In his place a man
rode southward grim and determined , with
vengeful angers a-emoulder In his bosom
hunger , thirst , love , the Joy of living and th
fear of death all being swallowed up b ;
deadly hatred of those who bad betrayed hi
master.
(
Maud Llndesay was doubtless within a few
miles of Shofto , yet he scarcely gave even hi
sweetheart a thought as be urged his wear
gray over the purple Parton moors towar
the loch of Carllnwark and the little bamle
nestling along Its western side under th
great ancient thorn trees of the Carlln' '
nln-
Ho rode down over the green Crossmlcbae
braes , on which the broom pod * were crack
ling In the afternoon sunshine , through hoi
lows where the corn lingered as though un
willing to have done with such a scene o
beauty and Hand itself mewed in dust
barns , ground In mills , or close-pressed I
thatched rick. He breasted the long smoot
rlso and entered the woods which encircled
the bright fake of Carllnwark , the pearl o
all the southland Scottish lochs.
With a itrange sense of detachment h
looked down upon the greensward between him
and his mother's gable end , upon which as
child be had wandered. Then it was nearl
as large as the world , and the grass wa
most comfortable to smalf bare feet. Ther
were children playing upon It now , even a
there had been of old among them his ow
little sister , Magdalen , whose hair was spu
gold , and whose eyes blue a * the forget-me
not In the marshes of the Isle Wood. Th
children were dressed In white , five Mttl
girls In all , a * for a festal day , and tbel
voices came upward to Sholto's ear througl
the arches of the great beeches whlcl
studded th * turf , even as bf had done t
that of William Dougla * In ths sprtagtlme o
the year.
The minor note , the dying fall of the In
nocent voices , tugged at his heart strings
He could bear little Magdalen leading th
chorus :
Margaret Doug-las , fresh and fair ,
A bunch of roate sbo shall wear ;
Qold and ilKer by her side ,
I know who's .her bride ,
It was at "Fair Maid" they were playing
the mystic dance of southland maidenhood
at whose vestal rites no male of any ag
was ever permitted to be present. Tb
words broke in upon the gloom which op
pressed holte's heart. MomtnUritr for
got lil" master , and saw Maud Ltndenr * lt&
the little Margaret Douglas , ef whom th *
children sang , again gathering th gowans
on the braosldes of Thrlove , or perilously
reaching for the purpU Irises athwart ths
ditches of tht Isl .
Tak uer by tha lily-white hand ,
Le d her o' r th watif
Give her klssts , on * , two. thr * .
For she's a lady's daughter.
Aa Sholto MacKIm listened to the quaint
and moving lullaby suddenly there earns
Into the field of his vision that which
stiffened him Into a statue of breathing
marble.
For without clatter or accoutermsnt or
tramp of hoof , without companion or attend
ant , o , white palfrey had appeared through
the green arches of the woodlands. A girl
was seated upon the saddle , swaying with
gentle movement to the motion of her steed.
At the sight of her face as she came nearer
a low cry of horror and amazement fcrok *
from Sholto's lips.
U was the Lady Sybllla.
Yet he knew that ho had left her behind
him In Edinburgh , the siren temptress of
Earl Douglas , she who had led hU mas
ter Into the power of the enemy , she for
whose sake he had refused the certainty
f freedom and life. Anger against this
railing enchantress suddenly surged up In
holto's heart
"Halt there on your life ! " he cried , and
rged his wearied steed forward. Like a
Then afaln th * low even voles Wpllsd * ut
of the * xprMilenl s * face.
"Ar , your rtastsr is well ! "
"Ah , thank Od , " burst forth Sholto , "be
Is allvl"
Tb * Lady Sybllla ovd her hand this
way and that with the gesture of * blind
man groping.
"Hush , " she said. "I only said that be
was well. And he Is well. As I am already
In ths plac * of torment I know that there
Is a heaven for those who dlo as William
Douglas died ! "
"Dead dead Earl 'William dead my
master dead I"
He dropped the palfrey's rein , which till
now he had herd. His sword fell unheeded
j on the turf and he flung himself down In an
agony of boyish grief. But from her white
palfrey , sitting still where she was , the
maldsn watched the paroxysms of his ser
row. She was dry-eyed now and her face
was like * mask cut In snow.
Then as suddenly recalling himself Sholto
leaped from ground , snatched up hl § sword
and again passlonattly advanced upon the
Lady Sybltta.
"You It was who betrayed him , " ho cried ,
pointing the blade at her breast , "answer If
It was not ? "
"U Is true I betrayed him ! " she answered
calmly.
"You whom he loved God knows how un
worthily "
Think no more of your master. L t the dead
tlury their dend. Rldo to Thrleve And lose
not sight of her whom you call your sweet
heart , nor yet of her charge , Margaret
Douglas , the maid of Galloway , till the snows
fall and winter comes upon the land. "
CHAPTKIl XXXVIII ,
The MncKIm * Come to ThrleT * .
Sholto MacKIm stood watching awhile ss
the white paMrey disappeared with Its rider
Into the purple twilight of the woods which
barred the way to the sea. Then , with a
violent effort of will , ho recalled himself and
looked about for hla horso. The tired ani
mal was gently cropping the lush dewy
herbage on the green slope which led down
ward to his native cottage. Sholto took the
gray by the bridle and walked toward his
mother's door , pondering on the last words
of the Lady Bybllla. A voice at once stren
uous and familiar broke upon his car.
"Shoo wl' you , Impldent randies that
ye are , shoo ! Saw I over the like aboot
ony decent hoose ? Jhoe hens will drlvo me
oot o' my mind ! Sholto , lad , what's wrang ?
Is't your falther ? Dlnna tell me It's your
falther. "
"H Is worse than that , mlther mine. "
"No the earl surely no the early him
self the laddie that I hao nursed , the laddie
that was to Barbara Halliburton as bar aln
son ! "
"Mother , It is the earl and David too.
They are dead , betrayed Into the hands of
vnn wTOTBAVBn H tit TO HIH DRATH. WHV THBN SHOULD i NOT KII > T , vntr ? "
winter wind among dried leav * * the children
were dispersed every way by the gust of
his angry shout. But the maiden on the
palfrey either heeded not or did not hear.
Whereupon Shoito rod * furiously to inter
cept tier. H * would learn what had be
fallen his master. At lea t he would avenge
him upon one the chlefest and subtlest of
his enemies. But not till he had come
within ten pace * did the Lady Sybllla turn
upon him her regard. Th n he saw her
fac * . It broke upon htm sudden as the im
minent sight of hell to one sure of salva
tion. H * had expected to find there grati
fied ambition , * ai d lust , exultant pride ,
cruel vngeane * . He saw Instead as it had
been th * faoe of aa angel cast out of heaven ,
of a martyr who had passed through the
torture chamber on her way to the place of
bmrnlng.
The sight stopped Sholto , stricken and
wavering. His anger fell from him like a
garment.
The Lady Sybllla'a face showed of no
earthly paleness. Marble white It was , the
eyes heavy wltlh weeping , purple rings be
neath accentuating the horror that dwelt in
them. The lips that had been a * the bow
of Apollo were parted u though they had
been singing the dirge of one beloved , and
even as she rode the tears ran down her
cheeks and fell on her white robe , and upon
her palfey's mane.
She looked at Sbolto when he came near ,
but not a * one who sees or recognizes.
Rather as if dumb , drunken , besotted with
grl f looked forth the soul of the Lady
Sybllla upon the captain of the Douglas
guard. She heeded not his angry shout , for
another voice rang ever la her ear * , speak
Ing the knlghtllest words ever uttered by a
man about to die. Sholto's sword was
threateningly in his hand , but Sybllla saw
only another sword gleam bright In the
morning sun ere it fell to rl e again dim
med and red. Therefore she checked nether
her steed , nor turned aside , till Sholto laid
hU hand upon her bridle rein and leaped
qulokly to the ground with his sword in
hi * hand , leaving his own beast to wander
where It would.
"What do you here ? " he cried. "Where
It my master ? What have they done to
HroT I bid you tell me on your lif * . "
Sholto' * voice had no chivalrous courtesy
in it now. The time for that bad gone by.
He lowered bis aword point , and there was
Iron In the muscles of bis arm. He was
ready to kill the temptrtss as be would a
beautiful viper.
The Lady Sybllla looked upon him and In
a dazed fashion , like ono who rest * between
the turns of the rack. In a little while she
appeared to recognize him. She noted the
sword In his hand , the death in his eye
andi for the first1 time since the scene In the
courtyard of Edinburgh caitle she smiled.
Then the fury In Sholto's heart broke sud
denlforth. .
"Woman , " he cried , "show me caui * why
I should not slay you. For by Ood. I will ,
If aught of barm hath overtaken my master ,
Speak , I bid you , if you have any wish to
live ! "
But the Lady Sybllla continued to smile
the same dreadful , mocking smile , and some
how Sholto , with his weapon bare and his
arm nrved to the thrust , frit himself grow
weak and helpless under the stillness and
utter pltlfulnea * of her look.
"You would kill me kill me , you * ay "
the words came low and thrilling forth from
tips which were as those of the dead whose
chin has not yet been bound about with
napkin , "ah , would that you could. But you
cannot. Steel will not slay , poison will not
destroy , cor water drown Bybllla de Tbouar *
till her work is done ! "
Sholto escaped from the power of her eye.
"My master " be gasped , "my master ,
Is he well ? I pray you tell me ? "
Was H a laugh that be heard In answer ?
Rather a sound not of human mirth , but of
a condemned spirit laughing underground.
'Ood knows , " * be said , simply and
calmly.
"You betrayed him to his death. Why
then should not I kill you ? "
Again she emlled upon him that disarm
ing , hopeless , dreadful smile.
"Because you cannot kill me. Because It
were too crowning a mercy to kill me. Be
cause for three Inches of that blade In my
heart I would bless you through the eterni
ties. Because I must do the work that re
mains "
"And that work Is ? "
"VENGEANCE ! "
Sbolto was silent , trying to think. He
found It hard to think. He was but a boy ,
and experience eo strange as that of the
Lady Sybllla was outside him. Yet vaguely
he felt that her emotion was rear more
real , perhaps , than his own instinct of crude
slaying the Instinct of the wasp , whoso
nest has been harried to sting the first comer.
This woman's hatred was something dead
lier , surer , more persistent
"Vengeance " he said at last , scarce
knowing what he said , " \ fiy should you
who betrayed him speak * of avenging
him ? "
"Because. " said the Lady SyblUa. "I loved
him as I never thought to love man born
of woman. Because when the fiends of the
pit tie me limb to limb , lip to lip with
Judas , who sold his master with a kiss-
when they burn me In the seventh hell , I
shall remember and rejoice because to the
last he loved me , believed in me. gloried
in his love for me. And Oed , who has bocn
cruel to me in all else , will yet do this
thing for me. He will not let William
Douglas know that I deceived him or that
he trusted me in vain. "
"But the vengeance that you spoke of
what of that ? " said Sholto , dwelling upon
that which was uppermost In his own
thought.
"Aye , " said the Lady Sybllla , , "that alone
can be compassed by me. For I am bound
by a chain , the snapping of which Is my
death. To him who , In a fair land , devised
all these things , to the man who plotted
the fall of the Douglas house , to Gllles de
Retz , marshal of France , I am bound. But
I shall not die even you cannot kill me.
till I have brought the bead that Is so high
to the hempen cord , and delivered the foul
fiend's body to the fires of earth and hell. "
"And the Chancellor Crichton and the
tutor Livingstone what of them ? " urged
Sholto , thinking like a Scot of hla native
traitors.
The Lady Bybllla waved A contemptuous
hand.
"These are but lesser rascals they had
been nothing without him. You of the
Douglas house must settle with them. "
"And why have you returned to this coun
try of Galloway ? " said Sholto ; "and why
are you thus alone ? "
"I am alone , " said the Lady Sybllla , "be
cause none can harm me with my work un
done. I travel alone because It suits my
mood to be alone ; because my master bade
me join him at ypur town of Kirkcudbright ,
whence he takes ship for his own country of
Brittany. "
"And why do you , If as you say you bate
him so , continue to follow him ? "
"Ah , you are simple , " she cald. "I follow
him because It Is my fate , and who can es
cape his doom ? Also because , as I have said ,
my work Is not yet done ! "
She relapsed Into her former listless , forth-
looking , unconscious regard fooklng through
him as If the young man had no existence.
He dropped the rein and the point of his
sword with one movement. The white pal
frey started forward with the reins loose on
bis neck. And as she went the eyes of the
Lady Sybllla were fixed on the low hills
which hid the sea.
Bo leaving Sholto standing by the lake-
tide with bowed bead and abased sword the
trange woman went her way to work out
her appointed work.
But ere the Lady Sybllla disappeared
among the tret * she turned and spoke.
'I have hut one- counter , sir knight.
their enemies ; cruelly and treacherously
slain ! "
Then the keening cry smote the air as
Barbara MacKIm sank on her knees and
lifted up her hands to heaven.
" 0 , the bonny laddies the two bonny ,
bonny laddies ! M lr than my aln bairns I
loved them. When their aln mother wasna
able for mortal weakness to rear him , Wil
liam Douglas drew his life frae me. What
for , Sbolto , are yo standln * there to tell the
tale ? What for couldna ye bae died wl'
htm ? Ao mlther's milk slockened ye balth.
The same arms credled ye. I bade ye keep
your lord safe wl' your body and your soul.
And there ye daur to stand , skin-hale and
bane unbroken before your mlther. Get
hence ye are nne 6on o' Barbara MacKIm.
Let me never look on your face again , gin
ye brlngna back the pride o' the warld , thi
gladness o' the auld withered heart o' her
ye ca' your mither ! "
"Mother , " said Sholto , "my lord was not
dead when I left him he sent me to raise
the country to his rescue. "
"And what for are ye standln' there
claverlng , and your lord In danger among
his foes ? " cried bis mother , angrily.
"Dear mother , I have something more to
tell ye "
"Aye , I ken , ye needna break the news.
It Is that Ballse my man Is dead that
Laurence wha ran frae the Abbey to gang
wl' him to the wars Is nae malr. Aweel ,
they are worthily spent , since they died for
their chief ! Ye say that ye were cent to
ralso the clan then what seek ye at tbe ,
Carllnwark ? To Thrleve , man , to Thrleve ,
as hard as ye can ride ! "
"Mother , " said Shorto , still more gently ,
"hearken but a moment. Thirty thousand
men are on their way to Edinburgh. Three
days and nights have I ridden without sleep.
Douglasdalo Is awake. The Upper Ward Is
already at the gates of the city. To a man ,
Galloway IB on the march. The border la
all aflame. But U is air too late , I have had
DOWB of the end. Before ever a man could
reach within miles the fatal ax had fallen ,
and my lords , for whom each one of ua
wouM gladly have died with smiles upon our
facee , lay headless In the courtyard of Edin
burgh castle. "
"And if the laddies
were alive when ye
rode awa' , wha brocht the new * afore my
Sholto could rld toll mo that ? "
"I came not dtr ctry to Galloway , mothsr.
First I raised the west from Strathaven to
Ayr. Then I carried the news to Dumfries
and the borderslde. But today I have seen
the Lady Sybllla on her way to take ship for
France. From her I beard the news tha * alt
I had done was too late. "
"That forelgneerln' randy I Wad ye be-
Ilevo the like o' her ? Yon woman that they
named queen o' beauty at th * tournay by
the Fords o' Lachar Certes , I wadnn be
lieve her on oath , no If she swore on the
blessed banes o' Sanct Andre blmsel' . To
the caetle , man , or I'll kilt my coats and be
there afore ye to shame ye ! "
"I go , mother , " said Sbolto , trying vainly
to stem the torrent of denunciation which
poured upon him. "I came only to eco that
air was well with you. "
"And what for ihould a * be weel wl' me ?
What can be 111 wl' mo If It be not to gang
on leevln' when the noblest young men In
the warld he lads that was suckred at my
bosom lies cauld in the clay. Awa' wl' yo
Sholto MacKIm , and come na back till ye
hao rowed every traitor In the eame bloody
wlndin * sheet ! "
The foster mother of the Douelases sank
on the ground In tbo dusk , leaning against
the wall of her bouse. She held her face
In her hands and sobbed aloud. " 0 , Willie ,
Willie Douglas , malr than ony o' my aln I
loed ye. Bonny were ye as a bairn. Bonnie
were ye as a laddie. Bonny abune a' as a
noble young man and tbo desire o' maiden's
o'en. But none o' them a * lood ye like poor
auld Barbara , that wad bae glen her life to
pleasure ye. And nee she canna even steek
thae black black e'en , nor wind the corps-
clalth aboot you comely limbs sao straight
and bonny ap they were. I hae stratklt and
Bankers' Union of the World.
Dr. B. C. Snlnncy of this city , supreme prrsldont of the Bnnkx rs'
Union of tlio World , 1ms received u clutrtur from the state of Ne
braska , nud Is writing n Inrgo volume of business for Ills new
company , Olio deputy wrote 1U3 iippllcntlons In olio week , nnd th
business nt the Supreme olllce 1ms become so Inrjje already tliot
three extra clerks have been called for to write out the policies.
Dr. Spinney hns nrratiKcd for nn liicreaso In his Omnhti foivt' , nml
buslnofw will go on with a bound. He hns u most excellent plan
nnd we expect In due time to pee him have one of the largnpt frn-
teriwl associations In our commonwealth. HeIs the most Indom
itable worker In life Insurance ranks In the middle wust , and a
luaiiitgGr of unexcelled ability.
The officers of the Hankers' Union nro as follows : Supreme
President- , E. O. Spinney , formerly manager of the United
States Llfo Insurance Company of New York for Nebraska and
lown , who Is also secretary nud manager of the Home Harlnjjs aud
Trust Company , with n , capital stock of $10,000,000 ; Supreme N'lce
President , N. B. Kalrdcn ; Supreme Secretary , M. S. W. Ilrtmk : Supreme
premo Banker , H. II. Harder , soorotary of the Kldullty Trust Com
pany of Omaha ; Supreme Physician , Dr. llobort S. Ancltn ; Su
preme Attorney , Thomas Hyau of Lincoln ; Superlntemlcnt of Depu
ties , Judfion W. Harris ; Supreme Director , J. B. Flynn. director nnd
treasurer of the Home Savings nud Trust Company. The deposi
tory of the Union Is the First National Bank of Omaha.
The Bankers' Union will operate on the lodge system , and col
lects a sufficient premium to set aside n proper reserve for futurn
emorgonclei. It will be operated on the broad principles of fra
ternal government The states of our commonwealth will bo en
tered for business as rapidly as may be consistent with conserva
tive management. In future Issues we will have more to say about
this new organization. . . . . ; - ,
* + + + + + ) ) ) *
4444444444444444444444444444 * \
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kissed sae oft and Oft. O , waes me wacs
met What will I do wlthoot my bonny
adtles ! "
It was with the sound of his mother's
ament still in his ears that Sholto rode
adly away over the hill to Thrleve. The
way is short and easy and it was not long
before the oaptaln of the guard looked down
upon the lights , of the castle gleaming
hrougb the gathering gloom.
He was pausing at tha bridge head to
wait the lowering of the draw chain when
out of the covert above him there dashed a
desperate horseman , who stayed neither for
bridge nor ford , but dashed straight at the
eastern castle pool , where it wa * deepest.
To the stirrup clung another figure strange
and terrible , seen in the uncertain light
from the gate house and the beams of the
rising moon.
The drawbridge clattersd down , and , BendIng -
Ing his spurs home into the flanks of his
tired steed , In a moment more Sholto was
bard upon the track of the first headlong
horseman. Scarce a length separated them
as they reached the outer guard of the
castle. Abreast they reined their horses In
the quadrangle and in a moment Sholto had
recognized in the rider his brother Lau
rence , pale aa death , and in the figure that
had clung to the stirrup as the horse took
the water his father , Malls * MacKIm.
Thus in one moment came the three Mao-
Kims to the doorstep of Thrleve.
The clatter and cry of their arrival
brought a pour of torches from every sldr
of the Isle and out from within the castle
keep.
"Have found them where "
you ar * they ?
came from every aldo. But Laurence
seemed neither to hear nor see.
"Whero la my lady ? ' he cried , in a hoarse
man' * volco , and again , "I must se my
lady. "
Sholto stood aside , for he knew well that
thos * two brought later news than be.
Pr B ntly he went over to his father , who
leaned , panting , upon a stone post , and
asked him what was the news. But Mallse
thrust him aside , apparently without
recognizing him.
"My lady , " he gasped , "I would see my
lady ! "
Then through the torches clustered upon
the steps of the castle earn * the tall , erect
figure of the earl's mother , the countess ol
Douglas. She stood , with her head erect ,
looking down upon th * M&oKIms and the
heaving shouldr * of their horses. Abova
and around tile torches flared , and their
r ek blew thwartwhe across the strange
scene.
"I am here , " * h Mid , apeaklng clearly
and naturally. "What would ye with the
lady of Douglas ? "
Thrice Laurence essayed to speak , but
his tongue availed him not. He caught at
his horse's bridle to steady him , and turned
weakly to his father.
'Do you speak to my lady I cinnotl" he
gasped.
A terrible figure wai Mallse MaoKIm , the
strong man of Oalloway , aa be came for
ward. Stained with th * black peat of the
morasses , his armor east off that be might
run easier , his under apparel torn almost
from bis great body , his hair matted with
the blood which still oozed from an un
washed wound above his brow.
"My lady , " he said hoarsely , his words
whistling la his throat , "I have strange
things to Mil. Can you bear to bear them ? "
"It you have found my daughter d ad or
dying , speak and fear not ! "
"I have things more terrible than , the
death of many daughters to tell you ! "
"Speak and fear not aa' it touch the
lives of my sous , the mother of the Doug-
Uses has learned tbo Douglas lesson. "
"Then , " said Malice , linking his head
upon his breast , "Qod help you , lady your
iwo sons are dead ! "
"Is David dead , also ? " said the lady * f
Douglas.
"He la dead , " replied Mtllse.
The lady itottered a llttlo as she stood on
the topmost step of the accent to Thrleve.
One or two of Ihe torch bearers ran to sup
port hor. But she commanded herself and
waved them aside ,
"God bo la the God ! " she said. "In
ono day ho bath made me a woman solitary
and without children. Sons and daughter
"
H"a"has taken from me. But be shall not
briak my heart. No , not even he. Stand
up , Mallso MacKIm , and tell me bow these
things came to pass. "
And there in the blown reek of torches
and the hush of the courtyard of Tbrlevo
Maltso told all the tale of Iho black dinner
and the fatal morning , of the short shrift
and the matchless death , while around him
strong men sobbed and llft d up right
ianda to swear the vengeance.
But atone and erect as a banner stag stood
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the mother of the dead. Her eyes were dry
her lips compressed , her noutrlls a little dli-
tended like those of a warhorao that sniff
the battle from afar. Outside the wall th
news spread swiftly , and somewhuro In thai
darkness a. volco set up the Certlo keen.
"Bid that woman hold her peace. I will
hear the ncns and then wo will cry the slo.
gan. Say on , Mallse ! "
Then the smith told how his horse had
broken down time and again , bow bo had
pressed on , running and resting , stripped alt
most naked that he might keep up with hi *
won , because that no ordinary charger couM
carry bin great weight.
Then when ho had finished the lady of
Thrlove turned to Sholto : "And you , cap.
tain of tlio guard , what have you done , and
wherefore left your master In his hour ot
need ? "
Then , succinctly and to the point , Sholto
spoke , hU father and Laurence assenting
and confirming as ho told of the carl's com *
mission and of how ho had nccotnpllabool
tlioao things that were laid upon him ,
"It In weir , " cald the lady calmly. "No *
I also -will tell you something that you do
not kno'.v. My llttlo daughter , whom ye call
the Fair Maid of Galtoway , with her com-
panlon , Mlstrctm Maud Llndeaaywent moro
than twevo hours agono to the holt by the
ford to gather hazel nuts , and no eye oi
man or woman hath seen them sin erf
And as film spoke there paused1 a quick *
strange- pang through the heart of Slioltb ,
Ho remembered the warning of the Lady
Bybllla , Had ho once more come too latet
i ( To bf Continued. )
J