THE PRIDE OF THE MORAYS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 216, 13 December 1909, Page 4

THE PRIDE OF THE MORAYS.

AI.I, i;i ( ;i!in in: •KUYj;n

I'.y M M I'.H'K srnTT. Ait ho;- »i Th-.: Mark <>;' the Broad Arrow, rtc. clc.

PAItT 8. "You arc unequal la the work. Miss Stanniforth." interposed Keith. •*Kvrw were yon determined to appear aga'n «l pres«nl I should deem it ruy duty to prevmt your doing mo hut I feel sure you recognize your inability to serve your cousin, however dear your wi.*h to assist him." "I—l am afraid you arc right."

replied Barbara, sadly. "I am no longer sure of myself. Formerly the sensation of facing the flying knives was enjoyable, rather than otherwise J knew as long as I remained immovable there was no danger. Now the danger arises from the realization that I cnnnut rely on myself. With nil the determination to keep still I might lock the power to do »o."

She could not teli him what underlay her reflections; 'her dread that even wh ! le fear'."** of the? flnsh'nj steel, resolute «n her d'terminnlioi: to be of assist an mi- to the man who had so loyally accepted her as his cou->in a'»d l»-t"ri. ndrd her in her

hour of need—th-.- prid- of the Moray* ••hou'd overwhelm her ns sh- stood upon ?h- hi aye. *h »uld paralyze her li(tib4 wish sho»f at the ignoble I*o«*iI on to uhbh >h- had descended, and thereby pn-cipitnte a cnlasrn h with een+equenrcs no less disi+'vtit'* to h-rself than to lh> man wl »'n .-h d >ir«d »o assist.

I mti re;«"e«-d to find that you rv«rgn'/»• «U!t vlmh bom the first Ira* ■■i»rr*«d «"- grave an\iety." said K«-ifh "Tl«er»» ere moments wh-n •he »t.-rv.' of r"v- a trn«n d acrobats it*.-*- tav. r.> d >»' i. with your short ~*t . ,t. „..,. , wtl < a rnr>"e!> Iw elnsse«l n.* such "

■■l h n»» in*" rri-d Itartiara. tinri*h »»%-«'d lentilUi»s In-r foiv at the n-roElk•«-;••'» •»»' »ue d or old house in ill- Car ivir;a'e. tv»h its lonsf. oak-l»an-!t>ri p-'««•>• 4*»H. ry. from the ,„•!, ,4 h l h tin- portraits of a l,n; tot- •*« *|-ad-and con-' M«»ra>-» Uttt'l d s«■«•'•»:'«•!>- out «ei a rhang.-d word, wit h h-nd ibv li%.d fn it i„iliv. woti'd h.tve *hown them moiil n^rect. Vt-i mit,b' in»t «b»'ir assembU-d l»* n»w t'O'tgregating in the nkhf-wolche:'.. lilling th«« brave, old hiinv with weiid. un.at.ny sounds, wish «r«a«i»»g woodwork and Strang. .-.ithings on I mortiungt. as the rest- !«•>.-. spirits wnnrJered through corridors a».d up eiil down the grand old raded siniivase. now ra|iidl> facing into d"«'ay. unable to rest iiml'-r th.« shame that the last ol th-ir ra'-e had fallen from h-r hi.ah r> tar.— iirM n to hilh-rto unsiis|)tfinl if prh-' For rn poverty. d»(rat in l«a'tl«'. ev. ii imputed treason »»* a cb"rt?li d eaus«»—amid many and ch ' jU'Tvd fortuni*s had ih" Mora>s rarrivd their h-osis aloft with tindiiuish d prid'- ! Hut :h»t one of ih-m should become a stage priformer—nn assistant to a juggler! Itarlmro could al-mo-l have lauglnd in derision that hhe should have Iki n thought by oiiv one to !»• a trnin>d acrobat. And th n sin* nmemliercd that for hr own snfet' in order to pn-serve her own liberty—in case Sir Talbot Hester d to interfere with her movent i»'s--sh" must mmn>n Alison Stt»ni»if«'■-•«!• Airl ♦•» Alison Stanniforth h r rousin Ih-rimmn's occupation (iri'M n'nl n» such ililHeuUieS as to Urtii.a a Moray.

"I—l in- ob." sh- (oiitinu d. almost tr. agilati.n. "I am thinking of Hermann. You o-e right, inasmuch as 1 am it >t a trnu'.l artiste, and if—if ntr. th ng Stap|* n d " • ■•'„ not eVf ii suggest such a horrible no-sibt!ily!" interposed Keith, with a face, white and set as his mind pictured Ihe cruel knife buri.d d.-ep in the fpiiverirg hotly of his lieloved, pinning her to the purplecovered board, while the theatre rang with the shrieks of horrorstricken wounp. and the stage ran crimson with the ii,fe-b'ood of th,' victim to the model;: traze or sensation. "Yet why should I soy that?" h- went on en n stly. "Th-re is always ih' appalling risk that soiiieth ng might hupp •». I h»ve urgetl as much to Stanniforth again and again yet. good fellow as he is. he cannot see ihe terrible danger he is incurring-" "That is what I mean," repli.d Barbara- "Formerly there was no danger; but now. were. I unsteady, it would not be Hermann's fault. f«% " "Hermann Stanniforth would be it-Id accountable tu the low," replied Keith, seriously. "But were I—killed accident allelic would not lie" — "I do not assert his life would pay the penalty." returned Heriot. "but the consequence* as regarded his profession could scarcely be less serious." •'Then even while desiring to help bint. I"

"You might unwittingly cause his ruin . Miss Stanniforth—Alison. - 1 may not -be wholly disinterest!d in my advice—l mean the danger to you perhaps, outweighs in my min I the risk incurred by your cousinAnd yet. putting that on one side. I am not sure it would not be the greatest service you could render him to withdraw from this performance, which on&ht never to have been unrlrrlo'sni."

it a-<rdVd all the young surgeon's sr. in s*nsc of honour, alt his recognition of Ih? binding, even sacred nature of his given word, to keep him from pouring out his heart in an attempt to soothe away the care and sorrow he read in the beautiful eyes that looked at aim so appcalingty. But though his word, even to the poor juggler was his bond. Barbara h»ar«l ihe avowal of his love in every in't.-rtion of his deep, manly voice. in >ver>- expression for her safety. \n<i n ii the passionate, proud :-i•-,.'. h blood surged into her heart. an! she hated the purse-proud aunt who had forced her into a. hated union—one from which her one and or,t> object in life should be J.o cscap»v »>h. could she only go to her dcat

t.-h r. v. ish hi-r hand in ihjit ji h i!- ■■ :,,i ;,n>l s.;;. : T'a h r <l ar >■•• >■• ni\ !<mr— * i>. • man I have !•.., r. I'm- iu\ husband'" No. -for between thin stalki-d a hd-ou-i monster in the form of a : : ;>n-Sir Talbot Hester. Would he. v.ho hnil Invn so cruel to the girl -.-.ho lov.il and trusted him—pool little "Cousin Alison "—be more merciful to the woman who. though in.lowcd with the legal right to bear his nnme. hod looked so ligfitly on •h.» privilege as to desert him almost at tho «loor of the church? More thon once the impulse came ro Ilnrbara to confide all to Keith lb-riot—to Iteg his advice, bis as-■d>lr.n-;e.

'r.iil ih? pride of the Mornys forbad,' ii. Her position was ignomin"ous. First she must discover the atilisd- of the man whose name she ad l.o'ti'. if on!y for nn hour. i'.ut sh* would retain her secret. I. r r| ar father would love and sym•i<tt *• with h.'f. but he was domtnae.i by M'-s. (Jorc-Kitchie. and her iiu.i would force h*r back to her It-is* aid. if Sir Talbot so wish-.'d—-->r e\'ii v.h-lln-r he wished it or not. Anl to return to him now. that 'i r In art was aglow* with love for ■Ceiil: lleriot? Never! But Hnr■nrn's loyal, loving nature was com(it?.H d largely of gratitude, ami now, alieo t before h.*r own personal con-■-:n-. ranVsl h-r anxiety to know «hat to do aboil* Hermann's perfor-'•an>-s. Yet. while sh» worried, the I eis'ott was taken out of hur hands, .y ll>-riitnmi himself.

"i»en*i fret, lit lie cousin." h> said. h-.-rily: "but eviileiitly Selina was •.i}ht. "rnd von're no nutre than n tto-n n And. Alison, di ar. 1 daren't :ud t-ake the trick again." "t !i. Hermann!" she crh-d. "I am ♦o sorry. I'll try if you like." "No. d'nV he said, gently, "I've ain-elUd ihe »lates. The doctor says truly, we should both lie nervous of ■a«h olh-r in future." "Caiicell.il the dales! Hut you will Is* a great loser." "Nothing to speak of. dear," he broke in. "I've booked a provincial lour for me ami Selina in our usual turn, and the change may l>c good for you. little cousin." "You are going away—from •Jon?"-"Yi-s: we're off on Sunday. 1 will not d<-n\ that the withdrawal of the 'knives act ' will keep mc out of London for n while." returned Hermann simply; "but we shall soon hit on something new that'll bring us back apain. We Yankees are hard to beat, little cousin."

Harlmra's great eyes filled with tears. This man was not of her kith and kin. nnd In-longed to a class on which fashionable folks looked down yet how loyally he accepted his Miippos.nl obligations! —howbravely he faced what must be bitter disappointment! And now here was a dimcutty. What right had she to lie living at his expense, eating up fhe fruits of bfs labour, now that she could no longer .'hare it?

"Don't fret, dear." In- continued, "it's really not a matter of great import an.-e. I have nchiev. d the •knives net '—and I could never have don* it without your h.-lp; always reni-mlier that."

"Yes." -li* said, "I am glad to rem.-mle-r it." Slv co'ild say that honestly. Not all the pride of the Moray's prevented hr from feeling thankful. She had—ev«n though unconsciously—done some slight service in return for hS consideration for her.

"Well." he resumed, "it's achievement ha* considerably improved my position, so there's nothing to worryabout. I've booked a most satisfactory tour—Mi'tif-hesler, Leeds, Glasgow. Kd".nbiirj;h "<-« Knrbnra tillered an Involuntary cry Kdinburgh ! The home of her forefathers—of her* birth! To go there as n music-hnll performer! Ther. indeed would the shades of all the depart, d Morays rise in outraged protestation.

"Should I You don't want nv: to go with you ?" she uttered, almost intudibly.

"Not to appear. 1 thought you would like to travel with us, to soo' mo«v of th? old country than LonnYn."

"Yes. it would be Interesting if 1 felt stronger. Hut—but Hermann, might I remo : n here a Httlc? Would it lr« verv expensive if I stayed hero aim?" *

"Why. mi," he said, surprised; "and expense needn't enter into the n!cubtiioii if you'd prefer not to go on tour. Hut "~ "Iton't tlthik me ungrateful," she nl.-ad»d. "11111 I have an idea that if I coti'd remain alone, away from the jimosilfre ol your work for a .week or two, it would be better for me—better, pet Imps f->r you."

For »-lu; must ascertain her true in»iii.>:i. Mi- must not remain a lay I. nger than necessary a recipient ,i th- 1.0-inty of this simple-minded, ■jeii.Tous man.

"'Mint's likely to be right,"- he answered. "You've had a shock con-r.-t-i.d with the business, and I ought to hi-.e considered It might be a '.'«i.:d thing to send you right away p'roiu h. How about a seaside, 'loardrng establishment?" "Xo." she said earnestly: "let me Ony in l.irmlon The landlady is kind. Witt- can't I remain on here ?"-

"Ther.-** im reason wh\. except that prejudice had a good deal to an•a:>- ".»• : n til- old country. Alison." ne repli.-d.

"Hut are you keeping on lh»sc rooms?" "Why. yes: I've too much stun" to orry about, and it's the easiest way of storing it." "Then let me slay. The people of ih-- house all I-now me. and are kindly disposed." urg.d Barbara. "Hut won't you be lonely?"

"Perhaps. And if I am I may come to you and Selina. may 1 not?" "Hight away." replied Hermann: "and yet I'm not sure that Monica'd approve of my leaving you alone." The subject was not easily decided •hou-, h Selina, eagerly grasping at the prospect of once more having her husband's sole attention, strongly supported Cousin Alison. "She ain't been brought up to the business, Hcrmie." she said, "and it will be a relief to her to be out of it for a while is my opinion." So, urged on both sides, Hermann nnd the juggler and his wife to Manchester on th-,; fol•lay. leaving Barbara to fate—and Sir Talbot

CHATTKU XII

SAD AM> STARTLING RK VIOLATIONS. The people of the house in Lislestreet were indeed "kindly-disposed" towards the "white lady." whose brief appearance on the stage had caused such a sensation, and at first I'.arbara. naturally dreamy and retiring, and doubly so from the an\ieties from whi-h she Ih'n suffered 'otind I heir well-meant attentions <ome\\hal in the light of an affiction And then the long arm of coincidn v brui'uht to h:-r door the infornatitti she crav« d. yet hardly knew low to seek. Til- o : d aeior, Rerram whom Hermann, while studiously po'iie, had managed to >revent from becoming a bore, was no;t assiduous in offering to lend Barbara volumes from his scanty lil>•ary—consisting for the moU part )f well-thuml)cd volumes of the rlassic drama, the decadi n:e of .\hiih he lamented in tragic and sonorous tones.

Mar! ara, tender of an old man's jriefs. listen.'d patiently if r.ot with perfect concentration, while hj• vrottuteil Iha tales of his former iriumphs; of the support h* had jivtn to the great actors of long ago: of the days when the pit had "risen " at his own "poor i>erformance" of King Lear. Ln-ouragi-d by his listener's obrious. if silent, sympathy, he came jiie morning, armed with a sheaf of Dlil newspain-rs, in order that, by ooking at his press notices, Miss Stanniforth might assure h.-rself Hint, though r.ow under th.- weather, Jnmes llertram bad once be< n an ictor of positieu.

Newspapers! Harbara's mind had r-n running on newspapers. «<m!''vif she dared call at fh" r-'.vs--3n|KT offices to ask for back issues. Sin - '* her memory had come hack -h • had looked through the. lossip " in the o---casion-.il newspaper »ilh which Hermann indulged his leisure moments, but had seen no allusii ll either Id Mrs. CSorc-ltilchie or Sir Malcolm Moray.

Tit- refer, n-es to Sir Talbot Hester mil bvn ihiefly political, not personal.

I'.ui 111- pa|K-rs pi-firfei'ed by Mr. I!:r: ram were mostly yellow with ig-. Hi- loo\i>d at '.h* dates —180— lilt-/ were chiefly relating to tho ■sixties.

"Thru". wni v- ry inii-h. Mr. BcrIram." ?h- .*-a : d. "1 am sure they uill piu\e iiiosi interesting. May I keep litem for a short lime? I am r*ii iter ivctipi'd this morning. Oh, ton mat rest n*>Mi.>d I will take the aivj'ilesl C.lle nf tll'ln."

"The ji\era.4e d-iinestic," replied ih- old mi or. "ha- scant regard for u:\ thing available for the process of lighting a 'ire. Yet your high order of intelligence. Miss Stannifortb, .-annul fail to grasp the fact that, at I. a-t to the |H?rsons to whom they ivf.r. a Haltering, or. rather eulogistic .press nolicc is extremely valuable."*

"I will lock them in Hermann's bureau until I have lime— Oh, is that yours? It bears a more recent late."

"My last performance," sighed the o!il man, "given in the cause of harity. Otherwise I would not have figured in so small a part as rnncisco. But a well-known actormanager was playing Bernardo, and who am T, that I should disdain in.; day of small things? The paper interests you? Yes, it is a v «- ,r >" <'x.•elli'itl family- journal, and contains all the weekly news dished up in .'ouci-se language. You will find the notice of the matinees to which I refer outlined in blue pencil— But you arc pale. I am wearying von?" "No: but 1 shall be glad if I may look over th:- pages at my leisure. Thank you very much Mr. Bertram"

"You art' quite .sure there is no other way in which I can be of service? Xo? Then Rood morning, my dear Miss Stanniforlh. I have every .'oiifidnu't! in leaving my notices in your hands."

Th ? wave of pity surging up in Barbara's h-art for (he old man who had outlived his generation was dispelled th« next moment by the hercl'm- in the paper to which ho had referred: -AITALLIXG COLLISION OX HUXGERFORD BRIDGE. "ACCIDENT TO THE DOVER ROAT-TRAIX. "BRIDE KILLED WHILE START--IXG OX HER HONEYMOON!" Barbara's hand tremble]; she put down lhe paper a.s a mist swam before lvr exes. Absurd '. Why >h mid those lines refer to her, or affect her in any way"? She looked agair. at the paper. The "Weekly Budget," November 21. li>o That was the week of her wedding. She was married en November 18 of that year. Was she the bride who had been killed on her honeymoon? She steadied herself a little, and th.-n took the paper nearer to the light. ••Appalling collision on Hungerford Bridge!" Again the room seemed revolving, ar.d the print danred iK'fore her in letters o« blood-red. Then, with an almost superhuman effort she banished the feeling of dizziness and read: "An appalling accident, resulting in loss of life occurred to the Dover boat-train on Wednesday afternoon last."Ye*. that was the day. She bail lievn married on a Wednesday: hi aunt had so decreed. She skimmed over the harrowing details of the collision, and then heart and brain stood still as she grasped the meaning of what she saw. ••One of the saddest features oi the. catastrophe- was the tragic death of I-ailv Hester, who. with her huslnui 1 Sir Talbot Hester, the distinguish -<J diplomatist, were starting for I'aris on their honeymoon. Lady H- vr wn"» Mllixl inst.in' > J l -' "- J bot escaping w ' 1 " though pr«)St»a • i ■■ ' - loss of his lo ' r ) had only been marn ai St M-iipn * Bj 'his i ' i est famili' mourn l ' I)' ii i rrji' i M I i ''' I{| > I J'j ' ' '