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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Record, 1881-04-01, Page 2WINTER 'TUOiIJGILTS.. Where are the purple violets now 7 Awl where the blossoms, piuk and white, That loads the orchard's tiniest hough, 1Vith stores of sweet eleli;;lit 7 No whiles in the snaptes swma;;, \Vitll merry 'lettings snuffing loud No swallows round the low eaves wind;; . A blith and busy- cruis'd,' But far al ug the mountainside .The seem lie: drifted coli: and deep-- Whe re meadow hands low low and wide, RAIN (,fr its level weep ; Awl (tare, gnarled houghs gratesc;ttely testi Atraiust the gray -blue winter. skea• Where storm -winds surge the hale Acresa', .And whistle tierce and inti!. I nr up the rocks the huge waves Mask, Bid luau• defiance to the laud ; ()r, loan -crowned, meet with stiiien,cr'ash Along the sodden sand ; Aml ehuwing darkly 011 the skies, The grate gulls Sweep o11.ti less wind, And far nud loud, their sharp, harsh cries, Through reward valleys sang.. The great ships bend before the geles Their black sides wet with ic,y spray ; %Vit.h straining mast. and cross-reeted .eui1, They speed niton their way • The sunlight glistens t,hin anti colli, Asses the white -clad, level plains ; 'lite world hag lust the drifting gold' O1' i$ nnier•'s fair domains. Roar, winds, along the gleaming'sucese Awl wilily sweep the whitey sea, :Io nuttter.bow yourfugues may blow, They hold rich joy fur Ise ; The ship will reach ber•pwt at last, L'lo see -gulfs find a sushi main, The bless,! -fragrance freight the blast, And tubi us sing egai:t. HIS VICTORIA. ROM By the/ Author of "A ,$trytutle Bedding -Ere, • "Clare • 51s,rhooe'sDia, o,ala,".l u. C IT A PTEPt. IX. "Back, McLeod ! In heaven's name, back ! 'Tis too Iate.. L,. "l.'•is ,certain deatIi !" — Colonel McLeod gave no.more•heod than if those voices that would fain have detained liim had been kids puffs of wiwl-; perhaps indeed he scarcely hears! thein as he dashed bac-.'al:long the, yelling savages, who, still flying before the pursuit- of tho . Lancers, assagayed those who came in their way,, 1ti :.ing`-back • with svo •otheroilrcers' when the pursuit was altnost evct',_the .(I Boned had. paused Co see that none were left behind, a,ud in ..that keen, swift glance;' he had seen one face, the: M gJ,t of which had sent .a wild'thriil to his very heart, Not one second did he pause; but turned and. (lashed back. It all •passed' in lees.than two tiiiiiutes. They saw him one second alone sur re mete 1. by Zulus. They - saw ' the •rle;urt of steel.as.his sword dealt .death• at each blow, and, before the two -nieu ,:nn1 l reach the spot, quickly its they spurred to reader help, •the .Colonel rode. nut, supporting before hien the well-nigh senseless -form of a trooper of Lc usdtle's horse. . "31eLeod, by Heaven; you have a -eharnterl life 1" cried Lord Kennedy, who was one of the. officers- with jinn, "Yon haven't left one of the wretches. But," he added hastily, ''� you • are. wounded !" • "Bush !"—and Lord Kennedy start- ed, azul looked with a half -questioning glance into the noble face that 'bent over the wounded. man before him,• so changed and' hoarse was the sweet clear voice. " It is nothing—a flesh :„wound: We must ride back as quickly as. wee can ; the man is badly wounded,"- ' .. The Colonel drew a sharp, 'quick breath, and Lord I}einedy heard the almost agonized whisper- "oh, Heaven, , is it. too late, after all l" "It's a question of haters,- Colonel. At most he may live that; but, as to recovery--" • • • And the surgeon glanced towards the pallet bpd, on which lay perfectly. inotionless the•:slight form of the 'mail Colonel McLeod had rescued; :and shook his head. gentle hand was laid on the fair mat tad locks that lay damp on the man's brow. With a sharp cry, the man pressed one hand to his forehead, and a wild look of horror and dread crossed. his face as he saw, as through a mist, the face beside him. With an almost superhuman effort he raised himself on one arm and so remained, slaking ..c n•vulsive efforts to utter some word, that only resulted in a half-articulate'whisper. "You here? have you come to de- nounce lie now '1 Oh it has been a div-; ing death—your scorn*" But the Colonel's rightarms was paused around him, and the quivering forty was drawn to his breast. "I have not some tlo denounce or to. scorn, only to remember,,that my broth- er is given back to nig &nee snore," he said in low, steady tones. "Archie, oh, Archie, rest here; trust . the love that has lived through all 1" His voice faltered and broke ; be could only bow his.head in silence and strive with the agony that for one moment must have way, He thought of the days long ago, when his curl inn fairhaired.brother bad leaned on his breast and had rnacle -a thousand plans and a thousand hopes fox a bright future, Oh; bitter, bitter inetnorses now,. when his brother lay there once more,•_ heart beating unto heart, after twenty long years, . wounded unto death, in this camp,atUlundi.- ' • Exhausted, Archie McLeod lay for many u)inutes perfectly still, • the hor- ror and dread slowly dying away from his face as he instinctively gave way to that all -conquering power of love that seemed to enfold him and shelter hitt), But, after a brief spaace lio opened his eyes. , • " W'bo is that 1" be whispered, half raisir g his hand .to paint to the erect figure of the surgeon, who had drawn back in wonclerhig silence, but who now Stepped forward. "Don't•• you know Mel" :be' 'said,: bending down. •". Doctor '11TcA:lister.7 -Yes, I see you do:. You're not in pain now, are you 3" Then he glanced (;overtly into Tic-. Lf nd's face, which was hardly less deathly white than that of the dying' wan. Ire wondered why Loris. 1 k- Le,s1 should fecal sueli a deep interest `in the trooper, why lie had bi+ought him to his own tent instead of taknee him to the ambulance, and had lavish- ed on laim every possible care. "I knew that from tho first," said !',lewd McLeod, in a cold measured ,•.,i,••' that betokened a very tninpest.of, feeling suppressed ; you have done all rite ;. I shall not forget it. Will he he conscious 7" "11,' is conscious now," replied the ser_s•nn, glancing towards the bed;• "his eves are open; he is sensible." • \i'Lr'od turned quickly, .and a soil - (let I utl-d•etI flush crossed hie che.cilr. With olio viten he wag by the man's side, and he l,ea,t low over the ghastly face ; one Loris, I have been iigbting for the old country. You never knew I was in the Flying Column, did you 7 You're not with them are ypu I I saw you, but I couldn't face you. Loris, only say once you forgive me for that." "'Who am I that I should judge you, Archie l" said Loris. "I do forgive you." Then he added, with quivering lips, "Archie, if you love me, spare me this last blow," "No,. that I can't do," replied .Archie;: "my life is. going. I've pretty well spoiled yours for you, and you shan't auffer any more for that affair, It's tardy justice," ,he added with a heavy sigh. ile lay back perfectly quiet for some minutes on the cushion that supported hie: head;. then lie moved again rest lessly, • . "It was true, Loris, what I told you about the Sopoys using threats to make me betray l.lherutpoor. Oh, how you start at the very word 1 I don't mean that was an excuse. I did shrink from doing that, though l- was so friendly with • the chiefs. I inanaged to let you know, I wouldn't have done so much for any one else ; I didn't ktiow there would be suclt a -flare'up over it.' - • • "Never mind that now, Archie," said the Colonel iii• a low voice, laying hie hand tenderly on his brothers fore- head; he could only remember that he was dying, the long yearsof shame and sin seemed somehow unreal and mists; and still withal there was a sense of being sharply wounded and. stung. "Unless it be to ask ` flea da's ,mercy for that sin." . ' • • Archie turned hie face away•with a groan. " Ah," he said • bitterly, "that'sno good. ' I don't believe, and you • _don't, in a fellow living a coward's life and squaring it - all up' in an hour ' when coutfession can't- hurt him:, Remorse isn't repentance. .Ah• -there. is some "one ! -Loris, stay." • • For, with one hotincl, Loris McLeod bad reached the entrance of; he tent, abrose whish"' a . curtain • was clrp,wn, He set his teeth, and there was an al - Most desperate look in the large bright. eyes, as he steed there the opening =and-•Inet-the-••liMarty ing.gt zwe f. h "4:anefn ►ncling:ofiicer, Who.- was-eaeeoin- panned by 1)octdr McAlister. ..: " The man ie cls itg," ,stthl the Dol ot,el; "it is useless to trouble you, . Sir Everest.; he is:'. not fit to' see anyone. Forgiveme if -I askyou not to estee." "No"—faint • and scarcely' above a •-v blsper-cteree —7thre 161n mer j ittirri Iino)v,..Uoctoretheeeriot foteluipe. altne getting numb ;•• you needn't. tell me dying. How long 7" • "You:havcn't many tan �.hoiirs m ; peer �_ , 3 lad," 'said Doctor Mieellister .kindly:. .I1e giaticed•townrds:the •Celonr'l as , he spoke: '"I;lave you knaww'n this man 1 Colonel 7" he asked in an undertone.... '" Av, ;I know him !" • • - Only four words , so simply, so softly tittered, yet they outlined "a life's-:nii- utteralet iroei: 1.. .. The..surgeon eon so�eltozeo>ld:not w r s o•n;w r: Just then Acelldspoke,ofit"oo l, • " Doctor, give me isrnething to give ine'it spurt. Can't yoiu:7" • •McAlister • poured out a _strong cor- dial and gave it to the Colonel. Archie swallowed the liquid eagerly, and : lit: es moment seethed to. rally. ('I wait you to do something forme,. .Doctor," he said, ,speaking=slow]y,•but more 'dearly,. • "Yon wonder 'etall this, Didn't Loris; :MeLeod.• .bring me, tint- from those confounded Zulusl" - • • "Yes, at infinite risk ,_ What then 1" '0\ e11, I' n glad he. did ; not that I lore fife:—it' a curse' tri me ;. but that was; paying back good for evil -^eh. Noris 7" • .t' He wander!,," ,said the surgeon, half interrogatively ; but Archie 1'oused liiniself, :•knitting his brow. • • • "Not stall," he said hastily. '. "Don't you .think I've not my 'scenses about enc. Go, Dector; if you mantle, do the last service it dying'tnan'11 ask you;.'and fetch the General --our, General, you kribw. - Be quick; tell`. hint I've. some- thing to saytcrhim—to :go, you knosy ego to—to the Horse Guards," ;McLeod almost sprang to his feet with' a: smothered ' cry. . • " No; )ie,'A:rchie 1: Forbear .1n • Heave .en's name—not that 1 McAlister stay."' . "GO—quiets; •quick 1" the • younger brother gasped, clasping tightly Loris's right hand, "Don't mind' hiss`; he. inusn't suf1pr any more, 'Toll: the• General he meet come!! • • ;1-CcLepd sank down with a deep groats.. ' • " I• have suffered; ainrt -san .still 'Ref - fey," he whispered, his' voiert, hoarse• with agony. "Savo honor still,Alchie." ;,let the sui+gecon had gone; and that deep of Archie i,1eLeod, powerful only because it vas'so weak, held the GA, Mad, and tho dying' inatt looked up with almost a snide.' • "It's the nilly way I can dip pasty,"' he sold'. •,'1 have been • a • reward. I ought to have confessed it.a'll long ago; but 1 was afraid, and I dreaded .fusing. the outcry and , then—death 1" • Ifo shivered and closed lois eyes, ct'W'cll, it's come now without my doing ; but My dear M:c.Leocl, forgive. •me ,if ,I cfisre%g•r.rd yotir wadies,'" answered .. Sir Everest; lay,iirg his hand geptly en.:the' Golonei's • a •m. ' `.e;I1eA.'liater }twee told me what be .witnessed and -what: •this.' wetindeci frau ,;aid. 'There is 'Serve'.. •grave mystery here which ouglit:to. be cleared up,•: It is plain y ou'"h_aye. been. Suffering 'for the deed of another roan ; and it isamy dely to help to, remove a stigma' from the nanio of . one of the bravest: officers :who=: ever served the Queen." He spoke gravely and ,gently.; but thrnugli.all there was a ring of .eon- maidwhich,' even in this nion)ent, of desperate conflict, Loris i1IeL(;oci,'leyal to that obedience which• was a creed: with him, could not di regard. • .There Was a second's elite struggle ; • then he bowed 'his head in mute _acquiescence' and drew backfor.,the General to pass. • 13ut he was as • -white •', as the- man from Whom ,the•life was. slowly. ebbing, 'although calm outwardly... • ." Stay orie Moment;',' said:Sir Everest 'as tile surgeon'passed bis to, the pallet • with. some cordial.: for. Archie' 'Which . should give. L1nt . texmporary, strength. "McLeod Whet IS this man -to you.&" • ,He 'is'my brother. • ...Spate me more."Lures stepped: to his brother's, side knelt nelt (town, • putting his' arcus round hini, that :Archin Inightliii more at ease supported oil his breast Then Arcl ie,spoke in low, slow .tones, paus- ing every new aiid -.then to draw his breath,. • . in glad you re come, 'sir, hie said, • raisissg his :dim oyes; to that kindly face oil which every, slag• in •. the Flying Column.loolceil with sttclt,pride and af- fectioti, ' "There's, right.. to bo ',.lone; • autl 1 know you'll .seethat Loris .iIc- Leoil, my brother, has,jiistia', at least. Take clown all 1 say,•and. I'll sign it, if I'can, in your pre, ecce; then it'll be all', t:igli t. McAlister 'fetched writing -materials 1'rotti, the: pike the • Uplotiel indicted, . and wrote down •:as Arclno. McLeod 'spoke that confession of bitter sharaie' oeule1vrong. Not once slid Lorisa il1c'.t.00(1 move or speak; his lend Was liowed,'his • (:yrs dropping, but Iris w,hitte lips were coni - pressed and his teeth set as Iii; a vies ;, only, suela signs were forced from .lii►n 'by an agony, that hal se rcely .}iern greater when le laid heard in the flush• of youth that hopowas over for him. . Sir Everest st.odal with folded aarn*. listening to tfie straugo tale, which lie heard . with mingled etuotioes—sleep thankfulness that a brave and Moble life should be cleared, and sympathy for that man's suff'e'ring, Arebie'hid nothing, nor did he Irak any palliation of his crime. Ho told the etory,of the betrayal of tho India!, fort simply and truly. - ',Chert' la -as au it:tee:iv quiet pleasure et;,•s•' k h, :r,!1: tali it,. one ut.tared a ' ,:. +•. 1't t' 't: ; .1 W111111 hand. 115 Inti(J11 ate /0.1il. 13ot .t. ti '.• •t+i•ry iiiileed a, , ,..•• o :\ie ,,rod !2 the; "Now give tato the pen, he s'ti,l wire!] he had =eluded; and his -vt.ir•• was fainter now. "Quick. let rr. sign;,:' and he half raised F► uiiself, spear. in gasps and tiring his glassy eyes t , the General. with, an almost wild treaty.. You'll end ---see hum cleared swear." - "j I swear that 1 will carry out sort: wish to the lattermost," answered :•ie Everest, with quiet solemnity A"•. then the surgeon brought .the paper ar •: pen. "Lift me, Loris. You must gni•.- my•haiad." A shiver ran through envy fibre' u' the Colonel's frame;1;ut be nerve,, himself with a fierce effort to the wee, raising the form that lay , so beastly against him and putting the paper .be- fore him, Arehie stretebed out his. hand for the pe+nom. The fingers that held it were almost ilerveless.. • Ill ' looked up .entreatingly, that look plead- ing more powerfully then the whispered "Guide my hand, Loris." Loris': took . the. cold hand in his. -w irm clasp ; his fingers lay on the lltw- less ones that held the pen. It was brother guiding brother to sign his dishonor. His breath crime. quickly, a Mist rose before his eyes, and his band. "I cannot !" lie maul, Hoarsely. • There was.. a • moment's intense si- lence. . The far.'clistaut` eltalirnno'of a sentinel. ail the officer .went -his round( 'went his • rounds could he distinctly . heard. Sir Everest 'touched .the -Col- onel gently. - ";YlcLeorl;" be merely said ;. but the `word was enough.• - • •ti nisi a kind of desperation Loris McLeod nerved liinaselfone•itiore.Ie, took Archie's hand without faltering, and guid.e(l the • pen .that slowly traced for the last titre' the name, "Archibald Cameron 'l\1cLeod. "Cameron • McLeod 1'' said 'Archin, witheere r-et'fule-bitterneeet its the Tarsi: ' dropped, -:and- he lay —back. -exhausted! i:n ills brother's arms. "The mother's name ! I•Ie is noble • enough . to wash out the steins .I've brought on it7"••,-� half questioningly •to• the General, -who befit and signed:the deo iineut with Me b 'Alister as witness: • "A e," he answered in.a deep '• lea- voice,. ow vQice ,. y"there live, no nobleman on earth than Lori's \Icl ., 1 Yes that's tree,'? rmttere(1 Archie; and' he smiled, Then a •diems eagerness c me•into his face and lie' dial£ raised. a 1 his }iani'l. General,'' -One tiling—.I dis'c'i setae rnu any *ore, yon .kuowv. \Vill.you;inint1 shaking bands just this last time 4' I have'fotirylitfor Trigland. I have not shrunk froliclily sharia, Kaye I,'sir 7" .• • '" """Almost .too: deeply moved for'worde,, -Sir Everest clasped Archie \;I•eLeocl's. basil iii his. . • "r do not slirinl frhni-1 11' • w Dill" • hand in mine," 'be •. said failteriaigly.,I "You have always.elone'your•..ditty . as long • as •I have • known you; • • May. Heaven forgiveyou t" Then Sir Everestturned and touched: the surgeon. ' • •"Cone away," he said. softly. "Leave Hien together at -the last." . is s : ITours afterwars, when the • cold' grey dtWn.was. breaking, awl the re-• seine soul ded,:.rind• all the caiup: burst • suddenly into the life, of a 'stew, day, LorisMeEeod: was .found.. to anew•er Op call, rising: from that long, long 'vigil,`of which each second wee; freight- ed with 'a life's •anguish. And . Archie illcLcod too, had answverec the revei]ie • that called`hitn to arise in. the dim; darkness'and o forth to the Unknown' Land, • -• ' CHAPTEI;,; X., nsv List. The 'news: spread • like ; wiled fire •through the ramp, that 'the Archie -Lovell, of Lensdale's Horse, who, had just died of leis wvoutf b;,was.not "Lovell" at till, but.Colonel McLeod's brother. • It would not have been . pnssiblo • to keel: that secret, all ,thecireumetaffces at - tenable,. hiS death being so unusual. And Sit Everest de.onnel..it 'only right and,just• that. the flonimendet:-irtOliief. .awl all those' who ktiow Loris McLeod Omni& be acquainted with the facts of that mystery which had been • 011, ever- lasting puzzle to those who hatch served -in the Mutiny, ' ' • - • Anrlr after n.11, what del it matter l •All the world •wonlcl know it soon. lir Everest had sent off Ai'chie's confession with the despatches that very day. WI. the: •newspapers wnnlcl` ho trumpet- tongued with• the, story. 'It was only. anther bittor ordeal. to bear --one of 'tnatay, Loris thought, }ie wyon's' have to go through. " , of nt• et '.eel hest, when • •,;;,...-•;;, t„ a. 1,)(Itbev'$ tiffs. 1• .inguish CoI- • . a • , a. ie ;:e,.•w whether ,.. • cu (4':41' W ller(Wath hinl•h, He 1 0� •ait•hr, With a^ ., t : ;.I ' •.rt • 10 llvei on ha t a t ria H •r.I i. redeemed 1.0 er, . a •,;>Il.tiitte. a.. :,:.or t.• , „ut}errel per - .5 11l);.)')•.0 ciut;t•ly-- was ill name was tar- '- ; ' leas :,,•.s-11ot rubbed off .;. ''�r: ti he had all. to, ' hi- is i.. a,e lacked lt, ,.1,•t "wet • . ;set) hely. yearned - wet erev••.t. 1t ewer, love, the re-. ,kv al I for evict, ,bei tir8,4 bravery as he a }ctrl ,ian•a n, +Y1'1',• 1,1:•.: sari they fell at 1•:t:• r , .t '•-ed- at them with .... ., t-: .:.t::,. '1'1n'y seemed • so - , id erly they had. s 11, ( ,,, i )r being an- tl.aelleI to:.l.; :• loth; ivliowaere for ti an. ;• ,:.• .,;iia 1,11i4'h f0110wve(1 50 greet eiu,. !.rat e rr,in. He hailone#. pt :>i(Ktatr Cecil, to feel tho tot)i•li Id 1,• r t: r:'b-r hands, to hear the low syinpnthetie voice, awl to know this love: was ttutting:al with one single thoughtof laitt-'rness. Araltit \l, .1,• ,•al . was buried at Uluinli wat.h-.et•hr,r-. who•htut fallen as be had. So it was for t liei,� st. There soul(! be only ` a 44—lila:, td unfitness in the publicity •inaeperai,le+ from such a fun- ' era' as his' must let is brought' lioino to Castle kiiI4eed , ''Tin newspapers.pttblieheil tho official letter i',itirela tilt: Commander-iu•Lllief for'var•cled: to Colonel; McLeod.' The . letter .exprriseed• elle greatest eatWsfite •• tion that :the, under- irhjel s� ... -,: br.iS (1 '111 oftin�r' had '11',- d.,' "null.' for whieii'1'ie> •lead w•roiigly.•sufrere(l, had I)g 1i -at' leegth removed: • -It touched lightlyon file 00lei0 ge•uerosity'which }laud-eleetietl to'' hear ;the penalty ,of a:.. ' brother'.~ gtt:i't;• and warmly eulogized • the seirviies tendert't1`to the'eouiatry by: Colonel •MiiLeod. -T1te paper•a also: pubjisised the` fact .dist Colonel Meteoef,.went down to . . Yidinglturst the tlny..after•an interview .with the Commander' -in Chief, that h% • , eeivecl from •'his rr rioneit, . the ins ret. €, , ,tenantry . • 1 naiit : st 'haiifta,nts of.`,E•Iyile, and .its to ry ,r nfect • :ow'atioit '''aurl that in tiff.e .:course of a `:slay• or two lire ,w'tr'to be `setenaoui'c1 to . •:`7'cot bills, , 'hi•ra , the Queen •herself •a011Id•.plates-:oat his breast the Victoria The old library at Ridinghurst yet once inert; and Cecil McCleod, the wife of two m:otiths;'is standing in tho • a ry w cf the: firelight as alio Skis )el losb •one short y(-ar. before, 'when Colonel. McLeod in• meiasureed tones told her i how her hand was sought in marriage. Now.her liushand's arcs is 7•buntl her, .•• ' and • she leans against his breast. Ile liar but just come in. . It has•heFt a field -day, and the :fires' • light glean* on his handsome riniferm,, on the medal, on hill -breast, asci—on.:'-.: the .Victoria • Cross. Old Colin •liitik,' blinking in the heat, looking; up with , great contentment at $hetwo.hu loves:. best ; awl Loris IiIeLeod is staying, with., ti .Smile that is -sells bright, tinged with. •' that melancholy sweetneeis which •gives; . half .its`ciiarni to the noble fare -e., ' "I am recrllin„ Cecil •one day, more than two years .a o, when I sat along, in this library and read that you wcrte •coming to my'home. It seamedsear rely horde :then ; and I ronientlser ,von•• daring 'bow I should adapt myself to nosy' habits of life . and thought and • how I >;honlel .try and awake you happy. Tt.seciilis like a dream " :' • • Hitt ib is no dream that you have giallo mo happy --so, happy, my lltis band !" ensmve•ers Cecil, looking up, bee .wliite 110101 almost unconsciously stray- ing to the, symbol cm his breast. And ho bends .do\a''n and kissed the pure browv'upllftcd to 1111». ' • • A, D. • Yellow. Oils is burr P(rkllenec1 ilia 11.41141Y for .I'aiti,, •La1oeuesst Iihonnia• tism, 'Croup, • Deafness,' 73ttrns, Frost : 'Bites, ltifi ,Joints and rill°ilesli wounds. Any medicine dealer Can furnish For rill purpoeest of a Patiiily .cii•no, II<1a4.t)ttrs Ynt;LOW'O1L is at till, heiul of the list. It is tts4sl with MI - precedented .•success, both ii-ltornsiky and externally. It cures Nero TIarns!',' Nurse, Scalds, Profit Mites;, relieves, aid often cures, Asthma,