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OCTOBER, 1894.
evidently absorbing his mind.
After the evening banquet was over and they had all gathered around
the fire which Loch Katrine’s keen air rendered necessary even at this
season, the Chief took no part in the conversation, but sat with his eyes
fixed on the floor and his hands playing idly with his dagger’s hilt.
His whole demeanor was that of a man seeking fit words to tell un
pleasant news. At last, he haughtily raised his head, and including
the whole company in one sweeping glance, said: “My blunt tongue
cannot frame a flattering speech. What I have to say must be short
and to the point. Honored kinsman, the tyrant who sits on Scotland’s
throne boasts that he has tamed the Border. You remember how un
der pretext of sylvan sport he swept through Ettrick forest,and hanged
or beheaded many a gentleman whose fine domain is now one wide
waste, only fit for a sheep walk; and the caitiff peasants said, ‘the
rush bush kept the cow;’ and the blood of those leaders still cries for
vengeance.
“Under the same pretext, that of hunting, the tyrant has come hith
ei, doubtless with the same design. Judge by the fate of the Border,
what mercy Highland Chiefs may expect at his ruthless hands. Yet,
more; thy stately form was seen and recognized in Glenfinlas. I know
this by a special messenger. What would you advise?’’
Ellen Douglas and Lady Margaret, with ghastly faces, sought com
fort in each other’s eyes for one brief moment, then fixed them, one on
the father, the other on the son.
The red blood mounted to Malcolm’s bold cheeks as he glanced at
Ellen, and it was very plain that for her only did he feel alarmed.
The Douglas, with a sorrowful, but undaunted look, replied, “Brave
Roderick, though the tempest roars, it may pass over with a brief thun
der storm. If otherwise, I will not remain here an hour to draw the
lightning on thy last retreat Thou well knowest that the bolt will be
only aimed at my gray head. As for thee, who canst aid him in war
with a gallant band, thou hast only to make proper submission to turn
aside the King’s wrath. Ellen and I, poor remnants of the Bleeding
Heart, will seek a shelter in some forest cell, until the storm passes
by.’’
“No, by mine honor!’’cried Roderick. “So help me heaven and my
good sword! No, never! Blasted be yon pine, ancient crest of my race,
if it shelter not any of the lineage of the Bleeding Heart who are in
danger. Pardon my rough speech and rude sincerity, but if you will
give me this maiden for my wife, and aid me with thy counsels, new
friends and allies will flock to my standard, the Western Chiefs will
join me, and the news that the Douglas is leagued with Roderick Dhu
will startle King James in the fastnesses of Stirling Castle.’’
As Ellen listened she turned dizzy and sick with horror. Though
her thoughts were in a giddy whirl, the desperate resolve was upper
most, to buy her father’s safety with her hand. Malcolm, with the
quick eye of love, detected this dreadful purpose in her mournful eyes
and quivering lips. He started quickly from his seat; but before his
faltering tongue could frame a word, the pouglas spoke. He, too, had
noticed Ellen’s face where life and death seemed to be combating for
the mastery, so he hastily interrupted Sir Roderick, exclaiming,
“Enough, Roderick! enough! I cannot force my daughter’s heart—
forgive her, kinsman, and no longer risk the safety of thy family for
us. As for me, I will never draw my sword against my King. It was
I who taught his boyish hands to manage a steed and wield a sword.
Oh, I can see him yet, the princely boy! Ellen was never more my
joy and pride; and I love him still, in spite of my wrongs; he has a
hasty temper, and has listened to the tales of slanderous tongues, but I
forgive him all. Oh, Roderick! do not seek to join thy cause to mine,
but ask the pardon thou canst so easily obtain.”
Twice, the Chief with his stern face set, strode the length of the
great hall, without answering. Wounded pride, anger and disappoint
ment were struggling in his heart; but at last the anguish of unrequi
ted love overcame every other emotion, and he silently wrung the hand
of the Douglas, while his eyes, that before had mocked at tears, were
running over with bitter drops, the death-pangs of a long-cherished
hope. So still was the hall, as they all mutely watched his darkened
face, that a sob forced from his tortured heart was distinctly heard.
Ellen was so overcome by Lady Margaret’s reproachful looks and Sir
Roderick’s despair that she could no longer endure the situation, and
rose to leave the room. She was so unnerved that she tottered as she
took the first step, and in an instant Malcolm was by her side to escort
her to the door—but, with one bound, Sir Roderick, his face aflame
with rage and jealousy, laid his iron hand on his breast, and tried to
push him aside, saying sternly, “Back, beardless boy! back, minion!
Hast thou so soon forgotten the lesson I erstwhile taught thee? Thou
mayest thank the Douglas and Ellen, and that thou art under my roof,
that I do not punish thee now. ’ ’
Eager as a hound after game did Malcolm fiercely grapple with Sir
Roderick, exclaiming, “May my name perish, if I ever depend for safe
ty on aught but my trusty sword!’’
So desperate was the struggle that one of the two would have been
killed, had not the Douglas thrust his giant form between them, cry
ing, “Cease, chieftains! I hold the first who strikes my foe! Madmen,
forbear! What! Has the Douglas fallen so low that his daughter’s hand
is deemed fit reward for such dishonorable strife?”
Slowly and sullenly the rivals unclasped, but stood glaring at each
other, with a foot advanced and swords half drawn. Lady Margaret
rushed to her son and hung upon his mantle, and Ellen’s stifled scream
was still echoing through the hall, when the Chief,plunging hissword
in its sheath and vailing his wrath in scornful words, ironically said,
“You may rest in safety until morning. It were a pity that such ten
der cheeks as thine should feel the midnight air!’’
Hardihood in every respect was so essential to the character of a
Chief, at this period, that the reproach of effeminacy was the most bit
ter that could be thrown upon him. Sir Roderick rapidly continued,
“If you are James Stuart’s spy, go tell him that Roderick will never
be a lackey for him, but will keep his lake,and fell with his own trusty
WOMAN’S WORK.
sword. If he would know more or Clan Alpine, thou canst tell him
our strength, and show him our secret passes —what, ho!’’
At this call, the Chief’s henchman quickly entered the hall, to whom
Roderick said,
“Give our safe conduct to the Graeme.”
Young Malcolm, who was still standing and facing his enemy, now
boldly spoke: “Fear nothing for thy favorite retreat. The spot that an
angel graces is hallowed to me, though robbers haunt the place. Re
serve thy churlish courtesy for those who are afraid to be called thy
foes. The mountain way is as safe for me at midnight as at noonday,
though thou beset the path, with thy boldest followers at thy back.
Noble Douglas-?—■lovely Ellen —nay —I will not say farewell, for earth
does not hold a glen so secret, but I will find it, if thou art there.—
Sir Roderick, we, too, shall find an hour!”
Without another word, or even a parting glance, he turned and left
the hall.
By command of the Douglas, old Allan-bane followed him to the
beach and told him that on the morrow the Chief had ordered the Fiery
Cross to be carried throughout his borders; it would be taken to every
dale, glen, valley, down, and moor where grim Sir Roderick’s clans
men dwelt; and Malcolm would be in great danger from those who re
ceived the signal, since he had refused the safe conduct; so he had bet
ter land far up the lake, and he, himself, would row him over to the
mainland.
He might as well have been talking to the wind, for all the heed
Malcolm gave. He made no reply, but was busy rolling his ample
plaid around his dirk, pouch and broad-sword; then having stripped
off his outer garments, he turned abruptly to Allan-bane, and without
any prelude said, “Farewell, pattern of old fidelity’’—then taking his
hand and pressing it, he exclaimed with great emotion,
“Oh, if I could only offer them a place of refuge! but the King holds
all my lands in ward, and my vassals are led by my uncle, who assists
his friends and punishes his foes without any thought of me. I have
only my heart and sword to give them; yet, if there is one Graeme,
faithful to the man who will someday be his Chief, honored Douglas
shall not long dwell, like a hunted stag, in this wild place: nor shall
yon pride-swollen robber dare —but I must not —’’
He suddenly broke off, then proudly added, “Tell Roderick Dhu, I
owe him nothing; not even the poor service of a boat. to carry me
across the lake.”
Before Allan-bane could utter a word of expostulation, Malcolm had
plunged into the water, and boldly struck out to swim to the mainland.
The minstrel anxiously watched,straining his eyes to catch a glimpse
of him whenever the silvery rays of the moon lit up the shadowy lake.
The swimmer’s active limbs soon carried him across the lake; and as
soon as he landed in the moonlit dell, he shouted back to announce
his safety; and the minstrel, catching the sound of his far-away halloo,
joyfully returned to the Lodge that sheltered those most dear to him,
\noble Douglas and lovely Ellen.
(to be continued.)
[Note;.] —This interesting story was commenced in September, Woman’s
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