CHAPTER IX. FIGHTING JACK.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1923, 1 November 1884, Page 5

CHAPTER IX. FIGHTING JACK.

Upon his arrival at Edinburgh, Charlie visited Mr. Forbes (or advocate Forbes, as he was more frequently called), the leading and brightest luminary of the Scottish bar, to present his father's credentials. Mr. Forbes had been a widower for several years, and had been married to a sister of the late Mrs. McKay, Bella's mother. Charlie was warmly received by the advocate, who introduced him to his family, which consisted of three grownup daughters, of very attractive appearanoe, particulaily the youngest, a co-age of her cousin Bella, and who bore a most remarkable likeness to her, the only difference being that Catherine's hair and eyes were a shade lighter, but in other respects, even to her voice and movements, the resemblance was so great that Charlie thought himself in the company of his lost Bella, while listening to the Bweet and musical voice of her cousin. A confidence sprang up between the young couple, which Boon increased to love, on the part of Catherine, who, in her simplicity, interpreted the Highlander's partiality to herself to that passion. Charlie was a little disappointed when, alluding to Bella in their conversation, to find that she had never mentioned his name when Mr. McKay and herself called on their way to Lundon, although a mutual engagement was made between them to keep up a confidential correspondence. The unintentional impression which Charlie had made upon the heart of Catherine Forbes may be better understood by her first letter to Bella, of which the following is a copy :—: — "My Dear Cousin JBelm, — Your welcome letter, informing me of your safe arrival, came duly to hand. I little suspected when we parted, and promised tach other to communicate our secrets, that I should so soon have one to confess. Tea ; even in the short time which has elapaed your poor simple cousin has literally lost her heart ; and who do you think baa been the involuntary robber ? No other than your handsome (and as he terms himself) your old playfellow, Charles Edward Stuart — what a lovely name? " You little prude, how is it you never mentioned that you had such a charming neighbour ? But what pu/,zles me still more is, that you have not fallen in love with him long ago ; but there is no accounting for you Highland girls; I really believe your cold climate has some influence on your hearts ; and besides, you are so close, and never sing your love to the winds like us simple Low» land lassies " I never met with a young gentleman to whom I could compare Mr. Stuart ; so kind and unassuming, and yet so nobly and manly in his manners. You may think it vanity on my part, when I tell you that I flatter myself that he pays more attention to your humble servant than he does to my more attractive sisters. We often talk of you, and he confirms what others have stated, that we are so much alike. He is studying for the bar, and papa anticipates that he will distinguish himself. How I love papa when he says bo. You will perhaps smile at my nonBense ; but when you are pierced with Cupid's dart, like I am, you will be equally silly. How is it that you hate Lord Lundy so ? Such a fine-looking man, and such a splendid match ; but for all that, I don't think I would exchange C.E.S. for him, providing I was sure of becoming Mrs. C.E.S. Your affectionate cousin, " Catherine Forbes." As Catherine remarked, Bella was indeed too close, or rather too modest to confess her love ; she considered it too sacred to be expressed by human lips, muoh less to commit it to paper. But what was the state of her feelings on perusing her innocent and unreserved cousin's letter ? Would that she herself had been so confiding, and revealed the state of her heart, which might have prevented her cousin encouraging* a hopeless passion. Hopeless, did Bhe say ? What if Catherine's love was returned ? She was afraid to ask herself the question. Whom could she blame, when she had left without I giving a hint of her intended departure ? -And what would Charlie think of her leaving in company with him whom they both hated ? Oh, that she could now explain all, and leave the blame at her father's door. It was now too late ; the die was cast, and she must be the sufferer. Her fairand unreserved cousin ■ J #BfiM^mrth'eNjri ze which, she herself had thought was Bafe^TS oked in her own bosom - Yes, it must bo so * or Charlie could not but return her ir.T» — tJua and charming cousin's love, w v -" Q * s °* d playfellow did not as muoh a8 '<jid him adieu ! She must now bury her disappointment in the gaitiea around her, and obliterate, in the brilliant assemblies into which she was now being daily introduced, her hopeless and romantic first love. Vain reasoning : she little dreamt what a sacrifice that course would cost her. She knew not what a deep root her affections had taken, and which ages of such life could not heal. The following reply to her cousin's letter will give some slight idea of her feelings :— "My dear Catherine, — Your welcome and interesting letter is now before me. It gives me great pleasure to know that you have made me the confidant of your first love, and I must thus early Btate that the object is well deserving. " You wonder that I did not mention Mr. Stuarfc in our conversation, but I can assure you it was not through any want of appreciation of his many qualities that I omitted to mention him ; for, to use your own words, I have never, nor do I, expect to meet with any gentleman equal to him in all that is good and noble. I am now surrounded by the most exalted and fashionable gentlemen which England can produce, bdt I would rather have one moment of that innocent and rural amusement passed in the company of Charlie Stuart, in our Highland home, than pass a lifetime surrounded by the gaities and festivities of London society. But, alas I such happy times I fear will ne'er return. However, I have one consolation, that that happiness which is denied me, is reserved for my more fortunate and charming cousin. " You are surprised at my indifference to Lord Lundy's addresses. I will just put a question to you which will a.t once explain the reason. Could you accept any man, however exalted, if you did not feel for him that attachment which yon now entertain for Charlie Stuarfc ? Your affectionate cousin, " B. M'Kiy." Oatherine Forbes was too much taken up with her own love to detect the indirect hints given in the letter, although a Bharper and more experienced eye could easily see and understand Buoh sentiments. However, she was 'cute enough to keep all the contents from her 'supposed lover, Charlie Stuart ; not through any jealousy, but rather a shade of selfishness, in order'that she might monopolise all his thoughts.

Thus they carried on their correspondence without Bella ever clearing up the cause of hertdespondency ; and Catherine grew more poetical in her praises of Charles, enumerating with wonderful precisenesa all the little attentions towards her, which added soimuch to Bella's dejection thai her communications flagged, and eventually entirely ceased. Bella was^strictly true in her remarks on the fashionable and gay company with which she daily mixed ; for never had a girl in her station, and at her age, had the 'same advantageous and brilliant career before them. A doating and wealthy Uncle, without any family upon whom he could bestow his affections ; a handsome and affectionate brother, who now held a commission under Captain Somerville, in the Guards, through the influence of Lord Lundy, and who had introduced her and her relations into the highest ciroles. Yet, with all these brilliant prospects before her, Bella was not happy ; the only pleasure she had was in the solitude of her own chamber, — with her maid, indulging in fond remembrances of the many happy hours passed in the company of Charlie Stuart. Her father left London after a short stay, leaving his fond, but unhappy, daughter, with her Uncle for the term of £wo years, at the expiration of which she was to beoome the bride of Lord Lundy. Charlie having now become a constant and favorite visitor at the Forbes'*, was considered almost a member of the family by all, particularly Catherine, with whom he always held a long conversation. Bella M'Kay's silence was attributed by the young couple to high notions whioh she had cultivated thrbugh mixing with the aristocracy ; and, above all, the prospect of an exalted connection. Among the visitors at the Forbes's was a Captain Campbell, belonging to one of the Highland regiments at that time" stationed at the Castle. The Captain was a specimen of those jolly Highland officers whose only fault, if fault it can be called, was in indulging (particularly over his whisky toddy) in a little bombast, extolling the feats and bravery of his own clan. This harmless bravado was often brought to an amusing termination by our old acquaintance, John Lorn, who had lately joined the same regiment, introducing the Battle of Inverlochy, where the Campbells suffered an ignominious defeat at the hands of the McDonalds, and other clans under Montrose. The account, as rendered by the mischievous Ensign, always set the company in roars of laughter, in whioh the Captain himself was obliged to join, after which he became greatly attaohed to his young tormentor. The Captain, who was a bachelor, paid marked attention to th^ elder Miss Forbes, by which means he and Charlie became great cronies, which not a little annoyed John Lorn, who had not been introduced by either to the family. This dog-in-the-manger conduct, as John Lorn called it, proceeded from the Captain's fearing the rivalship of the handsome Ensign if once presented to the Forbes's. One evening, while the three friends were discussing a tumbler of hot punch, Charlie gave the officers an amusing account of an old and eccentric uncle of the Forbe&'s, whom he once saw at Mr. McKay's. This strange person had been a captain in the Company's service in India, where he had accumulated a large fortune, and where he also obtained the name of being the greatest duellist and most certain shot in that part. His name was John McDonald, and was known by the soubriquet "Fighting Jack." Charlie was told that he had never visited the Forbes's, neither had the advocate ever seen him ; the only time he visited Scotland was when Charlie saw him at Mr. McKays, and, although the speaker was then very young, " Fighting Jack's " appearance was still fresh in his memory, and which he minutely described to his hearers. Captain Campbell was highly delighted with Charlie's news, and hoped that he might some day meet with this wealthy relation, and be induced to bestow a slice of> his riches on Miss Forbes, the Captain's intended. The conversation now turned upon a private ball, which was to be given next evening, in honor of Miss Forbes having attained her twentieth birthday. The Captain was in ecstacies : being, as he thought, the leading and greatest favorite, that he would hold the highest position on the occasion, and commenced as usual to twitt the disappointed Ensign for not being on the same intimate footing as himself and Charlie. At this teasing, John Lorn offered to lay a wager that he would go to the ball uninvited, be more hospitably received than any one there by the host, kiss the daughters, and get Captain Campbell in a rage. This bravado was first considered by the Captain and Charlie as mere bounce, produced by disappointment and irritibility ; but, on seeing John thoroughly bent upon the wager, the Captain took it up — the one laying his best horse against the other's. These conditions being settled, the party, after partaking of another tumbler, separated, the Captain and Charlie to meet next evening at the ball. (To be continued.) '