A SCARLET SIN.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 180, 9 August 1909, Page 4

A SCARLET SIN.

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a mw f.j,'rrL ptoijv.

By ALU*!', r.r. I ci.\im; ASKEW. Authors of "Th- s;:;.jtiim;te." "Anna of the l*!.itns." A.C.. &c, .

♦ TWENTY'S IXOX D IX ST A LM ENT. Dugald M'Laren. it appeared, was bitterly insensed at the treatment of his sister Jess, who had been, together with her aunt, in Perrint's service at Orgadale. The two women had lieen dismissed the night before—this in spite of the position which had Ihvii accorded to Jess before the arrival of the strangers from England. The girl had sobbed out a confession to her aunt that night—there had been a marriage, an agreement before witnesses, and she had believed herself to be Kob "Perrint's wife. Hut now he repudiated both her and the contract. such as it was. Old Elspeth who had always dreamed of her niece in the position of mistress of Orgadale, espoused the girl's cause warmly. After making a violent scene she called for the assistance of Dugald M'Laren and of another man. a youth who professed himself in love with .!e»s. and these two had determined to take summary vengeance upon the lietrayer. The project hod failed—Basil could not quite make out why—and the following day !vls|«cth and .less had returned to the inn. while the young man who had lv.-en mixed up with the p!ot—he was a farm hand at Orgadale—had also received his dismissal. Nevertheless, in spite of his high hnrrd><d behaviour, of his denial of th.- girl's rlaims upon him. ami of hn power to ruin Dugald M'Laren. if he so desired. Rob Perrint hnd evidently come to the inn with the intention of settling matters as amirahly as possible. Hut the negociations had commenced ill. for each man was evilly disposed towards the other, and the position was such that they might easily have passed Irom word to action. Luckily Rob Perrint's threats had sufficient weight to siittdue the innkeeper for the time l»eing. though they aroused a murderous spirit in the breast of that dangerous individual—a desire hardly concealed, once and for all to close the lips what might betray him Hob Perrint may or may not have been ownre of this. I>ut he was evidently keenly anxious to come to a settlement, and to gain this end he brought forward the most powerful argument that he could advance with a man like Dugald M'Laren—money. On condition that he was In no way molest.-.! he was prepared to make .less a handsome allowance. Moreover M'Laren should be absolved from a certain debt of long standing, and there would be no pressure put upon him for the payment of his rent. Finally, if a round sum down would clinch matters Perrint was ready to produce that sum. M'lrf»ren"» championship of his sister had lieen due more to personal animosity for Perrint than to any outburst of brotherly affection : also be happened to l*» in a condition of impecwniosily not unusual with him. so he was not unprepared to deal. Hon ever, he would not allow this fart to l»e too manifest. Itasil did rot await the end of the interview. He had learned all h** ttt-h.'l to know. Kob Perrint was niT'i'«l of having formed a secret mrtrrtnge with the girl. .less, and alituwcli he denied this, he was ready to pay out n considerable sum to hav.- the matter hushed up ; this w«:* the main point, and it was suffirrent. "And the fellow has dared to raise hi.* eye.* to Pamela ! The blackguard ' An associate of thieves and a heartless lilwriine ! Oh. it's lucky thot I ramr to this inn and found him out for what he is—he and my Pamela ' " Itasil shuddered at the thought, then, placing a »un\ of money by the side of his plate, far in excess of what he could have owed for his frugal meal, he made his way. without meeting any one. from the inn. Further down the village street he inquired bis way at another small shop. «nd here he received a comiKvhensible answer, and he thought that the Informant's lips curled at the i:rntion of Orgadale. It was very evident that Itob Perrint was unf.oOfttnr. However, there was now n.» difficulty erout reaching his destination, and Itasil set out briskly, • •aster to arrive before Rob Permit should return. He had no longer any desire to speak with Pcrrcnt lielore he again met Pamela. Meanwhile at the inn a bargain had ostensibly l*?en struck. Itob Perrint. hard-fisted by nature, had disbursed liberally. A settlement was to re made upon Jess, provided she made a formal denial of her statement—a statement Kob Perrint still persisted was fatso, This and the arrangements connected with the inn should all be set down in proper legal form as soon as the services of a lawyer could be secured. Dugal YTLnren knew just the man for the purpo-.e. one who could hold his f,,t, sr ,ie about things, and not ask t rouutesome questions. Gold—a (omt'ortable sum cllpcked upon the table and was quickly transferred to M'Laren's capacious pocket. Rob Perrint appeared relieved. He extended a hand which Uio other took grudgingly, and he ordered a whisky for thepi bQlh. "I'm glad that's settled," he remarked with an attempt at a laugh. "You'll not lie strait in' for me now behind a wall. Dugald M'Laren. I may be walkin' In peace by day or night ? " This point scented to trouble him. He had spoken before in much the same terms, and the Innkeeper had not failed to notice the stress laid upon the question. Yet Perrint professed to have no fear for his own person. "I'll no molest ye. Dinna be af'nrt." was the surly answer—an tuiiwer that would have called out !.>tnl protest at any other time. l'i ,<nttv tho visitor took his il»v ~,-•;,.. t'n>tn ' low. 1 Inrkened .-;.,; y.i'h ;• - i'-C spiri'-.sodden I la!.;•■-■;. ar-.I ;" ■ \>-v.--}v-i And !

"• :i r»;itral«* M'Laren Mncrd up and ■•..'. hr- ! <•!»■ S;M at -h- e'.osfd His 1.-ishy l.ro-v. <\n\\ to- :. r. end his narrow o\<-s wr-rc •,--.!:>r. ■"No ; I'll no molest you. Hob Permit." he muttered. "I'll hue the sdler. an' th' gold o" ye instead, there's mner to l)e comin* I'm thinkin'. If 1 hadna l»een a fule I'd ha' thought a' that yesternicht. 'stead o' waitin* to gift ye a clout o' the skull. For what's your game i' th' Metherly fields? Auld Klspelh was richt. an' I should ha' listened to her. Ye was diggin' las' nicht, an' ve'll l>e diggin* agin. * 'l'll no molest ye "—he repeated the words as if they afforded him amusement—"but still. I'll be kecpih' my een open an' I'm thinkin* there'll be guid business i' that. Ye'll l)c sorry. Hob Perrint "—he rattled the coins in his pocket—"for the day ye crossed an' threatened, Dugald M'Laren!" * CHAPTER XXVIII. THE INTERVENTION- OF BASIL. It was not without difficulty that Pamela succeeded in freeing herself from Hob Perrint's attentions that morning. He walked back with her as far as the house, and when she expressed n desire to go back to her father, he seemed anxious to restrain her from doing so. It was as if .he wished to prevent her from telling George Marlindatc all that had happened on the moor. Yet she noticed that he kept looking at the high clock which stood in one corner of the hall as though he had an appointment elsewhere he was merely dallying with his time.

He walked up and down, muttering to hinuvlf. while she sat silent by the fire. He wished to speak to her yet was afraid to do so—that was the impression his manner gave her.

From the Metherly fields they had walked side by side, but almost in silence, the name of Basil not being again mentioned between them. Pamela had wished to make some inquiry as to what had happened at Orgadale. in consequence of the events of the preceding night. She had wondered how Hob Perrint had treat oil old Elspeth and the gin .ie>if he had retaliated in any way ujvon those who had laid an ambush for him—for one of the two men, she felt sure was a farm hand in Perrint's own employ. But Pamela was vouchsafed no further information on the subject, nor did Rob Perrint express any further gratitude for the action the girl had taken. "Ye" re want in' to go to ycr- faithcr, eh," remarked Hob Perrint. at last, "an' I'll no be keepin' ye longer, Pamela. I canna fin' words to say a' that's in my mind—anither time—anither time." He glanced at the clock once more and then, pausing in his restless walk, stood by her side. "But I hae your word," ho went on, "an" whether or nae it were gi'en me l>eforc ye knew a' that ye know to-day. nevertheless the fac'remains— I hae your word." He turned on his heel, and took himself front the house. Pamela, gazing after the heavy figure of the man, shuddered, feeling that he was one of those who hold to what they consider theirs against all odds, ami against all principles. For a few moments out there on the moors she thought that his conscience had been touched ; she had .thought the same thing, too. last night, when he had told her in so many words that she had saved his life." But now. as he stood by her side, his jaws had been firmly set. and every line of his face had been expressive of dogged determination. Pamela mounted the broken staircase that by now she knew so well, and made her way to her father's room. The sound of voices from within greeted her as she pushed open the door. Old Liddy, the nurse, was seated by George Mart indole's bedside and Dr. M'Pherson was standing talking cheerfully enough to his patient. The good man turned as Pamela made her appearance. t "Your faithcr's a deal better. Miss Marlindale," said the doctor, genially. "He's anither man'to what he was three or four days ago. I'm tellin' him that he maun leave his In-d in a few days an' nae doot ye'll be want in' to tek him hck to his ain name." Pamela's heart bounded with joy as she listeno.l to this announcement. To take her father away from Orgadale was her first desire. In another atmosphere.' whatever it might lie. she could face her troubles bravely. Here she was a prisoner helpless, ami practically at the mercy of the man into whose power she had fallen. The doctor took his departure, old Liddy accompanying him as far as the hall. As sh» passed Pamela she smiled affect innately and whisjiercd : "Ye'll lie wanlin* to clack wi' your failher. lassie, so I'll nae come lack for half an hour or so." She turned, and nodded in the direction of the bod. George Marlindale, sitting up against bis pillows returned the greeting. "We've been talking of old times. Liddy and I," he said. "She's got a most wonderful memory, Pamela—quite surprising In a woman of her oge. Upon my word I feel quite young again." He laughed as Pamela had not heard him laugh for weeks. Certainly the doctor was right, and George Martindalo was on the high road to recover}-. "Where have j'ou been ? " he inquired when the door had closed behind doctor and nurse. "Mr. Perrint was fidgeting as though you could not go out without losing yourself." I told him that you had probably gone for a walk on the moors, but nothing would satisfy him and I lielleve .tic set out in search of you. Did you meet him, Pamela ? " "Yes." replied the girl, "and ho brought me back." She took the chair which old Liddy bad just vacated. "It's not easy to escape Rob Perrint," she added, with a sigh. Hor words seemed to recall George Marlindale to a recollection of events which he had half forgotten in the sound sleep which he had enjoyed that night. The smile faded from his far-. n nd his thin finger* "I 1 ••!:;.-1:,:..-!-. - ' h-- !:iu'■•■!-••']■ Th<-n. for a i-v." ::..,:;.■■:.•-■ !.■• v.a .■-:!•-,' but

j nis finpTs kept up a re.-:'.loss tattoo, now against his own civ-rk, now upon lh«' covcrlt-t of the i-■•<!-"It's like com iup out of a black valley and seeing the sun. and then being dragged back inlo the shadew" he muttered. "Yes, I remember everything. Rob Perrint wanted to marry you as a condition of his silence, as a condition of his working (<*■ me in the field—the field of blood." '1 he man's face seemed to age as he spoke. His teeth closed on his under lip. "I asked you to accept," he went rn : "I was ready to sacrifice .you to this fellow. Pamela I wasn't myself yesterday, or I would run any risks rather than force your inclinations. Ilut you haven't spoken to Rob Perrint yet,'' hvi added, eagerly —"you have not consented to this v preposterous proposal V " Pamela took and held her father's hand. The continued tattoo of his fingers upon the coverlet of the bed irritated her nerves. "You • mustn't blame yourself, father," she said. "There was no other course open to us. For your sake, for mine, for the sake of others too. it was necessary to conciliate Mr. Perrint. No, don't blame yourself." "But you don't love the man, and life would be intolerable with such a person," cried George Martindaic "He's an unpleasant individual from every point of view—impossible. Liddy has just' been telling me something of his history. You must not marry Rol: Perrint, / Pamela, whatever happens. Let him do his worst. I doubt, if it comes to th" point, that he is quite so vicious as he pretends. He's one of those wha bark a lot." Pamela shook her head. "I've given him my word," she said softly ; "and unless he releases me of his own accord. I must keep to what I've promised." "Ilut I shall not allow you to do so," cried George Martindaic, with something of the strength of will that characterized him in health. "It's for me to liear the brunt of this trouble, not you. You're innocent enough, God knows ! If I'd ; had my senses about me I would not have played the coward. I'll j give myscll up to justice rather than wait for Rob Perrint to betray me. j I'll confess that I killed Clinton j Peele ; the man deserved to die. They'll find his bones ; I'll tell them j myself where to dig. Then there'll ! re-an end to all this. Oh. the sus- : penscs that I've suffered all my life! If you only knew what it has been! It * will be a relief to know that the end has come. Yes," he went <>n firmly, "there shall be no more evasion, no more attempting to d'f'-a* the ends of the law. 1 choose the better way. Pamela, here and now my mind is made up and I take the matter into my own hands." Pamela allowed her father to speakwithout interruption. When he had finished she stooped and kissed him. His breath was coming in short. sharp jerks. "Dear father." she whispered, "there is still hope for us. I do not despair yet. Our secret must not be brought to light, must not be given i to the world, if we have power to prevent it. There is an6ther concern>cd besides ourselves. You have not j thought of her." "Of her ?" asked the man. vaguely, j "Of your half-sister, little Elsie, whom you loved so dearly—Elsie j Farraday, as she is now." Pamela's words fell like a blow ! upon the man. His head sank upon his pillow. "Elsie, Elsie ! " he muttered- "I had forgotten. She is not dead as I believed. You told me yestprday. And she has a son. Did you say .shehas a son ?" / "My cousin Ilasil." answered the girl ;- "and I love him dearly." "Tell mc again about him and about Elsie." George Martindale closed his eyes wearily, but Pamela knew he was lis-. tcning to every word she said, as she once more repeated the story of her first meeting with Ilasil, and of the love that had sprung up between them. Now and again George Martindaic interrupted with a muttered word, usually the name of his sister " Sly po6r Elsie ! How she must have suffered ! " Now*' that he had returned to his normal self, now that the delirium of his illness and the subsequent unstable condition of mind consequent upon it were things of the past, George Martindale was able to measure the strange position into which fate had brought him with reason and judgment. His sympathy was for his daughter ; his egotistical nature was for the nance, thrust into the background. Sickness had Strangely softened and humanized the man. No longer did he rave against his sister, who had eered .so long ago, and for whom he had com- j mi tied the crime that throughout his life had been a threatening spectre , to him ; no longer did he cast wild ] aspersions upon her son. He had forgotten that he had ever uttered such words. ! "Elsie—yes. I l<>ved her in those I days. She was m 3 little sister j Poor, unhappy Elsie ! " Thus the whole story—as Pamela knew it—was repeated. Naturally she did not stint her praise of Basil gradually leading up to the revelation of his presence in the neighbourhood. It was not, however, till George Martindale, a wave of symiralhy for his long-lost sister flooding his face, sighed out a desire to see Elsie Farraday and her son that Pamela, stooping low over the bed, her face half hidden In the piled up pillows, whispered her secret. "Ilasil here ! Will wonders never cease ? And it was to meet him that you went out this morning ? And why did you not bring; him to me. Pamela ? Why did you not bring him here at once?" The man passed his shaking arm round his daughter, and drew her closely to him. "And you lava lilm, this cousin of yours," he went on slowly. "The | son of my little sister lOlsie ! How | strange It all is ! I can scarcely realize that I am not still dr.aiitTo be Continued.