The Standard Bearer

rd Kenmure himself rode over to review us. For the Committee of Estates drawn togethe

on or enrollment was the appearing of two women upon the doors

le temper, and genius for setting one man at variance with his fellow, had lost us Bothwell Brig and the life of many a brave lad of the hills. An

l the days of his life: "If I had a wife like yon woman, I declare I would e'

looking out upon us with her keen, black eyes, and seeming as it had been, ready

d any dealings with the malignants?" she said,

f a musket, my lady of Earls

woman smiled at

rroch-it is the safest commerce with

interrogate{78} some newcomers who had a

far in my arms, now grown a great lass and a tall, albeit still slender as a year-old wand of willow by the water's edges. Her hair, which had been lint white when I brought

inclined a little sideways, and her profile clear and

ould not take m

arms and thought nothing of it!" I said the words over and ov

own it) after seeing that fair{79} young lass stand by the

er. And though I expected nothing of remembrance, grace, or favour, yet-such is the force of compelling love, the love that comes at the first sight (

been drilled according to the rules of war, but stood about in scattering groups, waiti

es upon me with some surprise, and the light of them shon

as my mother had showed me, for she was gentle

eeping them fixed upon the point of my own rough brogans. "You have wi

awkward coltish face to hers. She stood a little more erect, waiting for me to speak again. I

p so long ago, and took you under cloud of night to the tower

n her eyes. But, dolt that I was, I could not me

hundred times the tale of your bringing me home to my aunt at Lochinv

nkful{81} for in my poor life, that I too

a quick, s

you ready to ride and

lstoun, who was scarcely yet liberate from the prison of

dear mistress, I go to uphold the banner of

nfully sh

ssips. To me the triumph of what you call 'the Kingdom' means but two things-the Pharisee exalted and the bigot triumphant. Prince Jacob of Oran

denly palm upward, like an apple blo

ving of solid land under my feet. Alexander Gordon's child-"the Bull of Earlstoun's" daughter-standing openly and bol

managed

asions of state, the persecutions of twenty-five years, the blood shed on lonely hillsides, the

re, but that she pre

urs with it, supped with it ever since I was of age to hear words spoken? But to my thinking the root of the matter is that y

t in the things of cons

ved her hand

, only to obey when obedience is easy and pleasant. The man whom I

oment and I li

hall be my King, even as King James is the sovereign of

her eyes. A holy vestal flame for a moment lighted up

wholly forget that I brought you to a place of safety, shelteri

at her, I could see the cold ligh

will speak of you to my father. Doubtless, when he comes home he will be great with{84} the

on in my heart that she should

reward from you or yours, saving only your kindly remembrance,

er get till I see the white rose in your bonnet instead