Pictures and the Picturegoer (Jan-Dec 1924)

FEBRUARY 1924 Pictures and Pichjrepuer done," he muttered " This will take me through your tinea as your accredited follower, and your miller must go unpaid. De'il take him." Things went ill with the Stuart cause. u Flora's love and loyalty could not efface the lutes of care from the Young Pretender's brow. We go hack and hack," he told her sadly " Soon we must stand and fight and 1 fear the result." And soon indeed they had to stand and fight, and the field on which they fought was the held of Culloden, " Red sank the sun upon Culloden plain. And the cause of the Stuarts lay dead with the slain." Dead indeed. The Rebels' force van quished and scattered; the Rebels' leader, that Bonnie Prince Charlie who had landed so hopefully on the northern 1 so little a while ago, driven now into retreat and hiding. Where he was im man knew — though perhaps some woman did — hut most men were in hopes of .soon knowing. For a proclamation was posted at many points ottering gold for the fugitive, more for him alive than dead, and when gold shall speak there are many men to leap to its call. With this price upon his head. Prince Charlie was harried and hunted from dale to dale, hill to hill, knowing no rest day or night, the English soldiery ever at his heels. And Flora ran, too, seeking, seeking, as eagerly as the British soldiery, hut not by their side. For news had come to her, reached her by stealth, the gladdest news that the grey future now could hold. Fiance had stirred at last — or his supi>orters there — and it was known that during the next week a privateer would lie off the coast of the Isle of Sk_\e to hear the flying Prince to .safety, if he could hut gain its decks. But how to accomplish this? Charles could know nothing of it. Flora knew, but where was Charles for her to tell ? Oh ! more diligently even than the British soldiery did she go from hill to dale, cottage to cottage, asking amongst the loyal and the faithful, such few of them as remained. And with her, as the snake lay in Eden, was Fraser. ^_ ,; Let me prove to you my devotion," he urged. " Let me help you find the Prince." " What proof have I that you are his friend?"' she asked. And yet she let him accompany her on the search, so alone, so friendless was she, that even to ,r have Fraser by her side seemed some measure of safety. The days went on and the net drew tighter. In every path that Charles took an enemy seemed to lurk ; there was a foe in every shadow. Charles looked at the coast for a last refuge, all unknowing that the refugewas there. But from this step particularly his few remaining faithful followers BOUght tu dissuade him. " The COUntrj is under 111.11 1 1.1 1 law and you cannol proceed on boan ship w ithout a passpoi t." And al last Utter despair seized him. " Save yourself," he said to them. i im farther." But .11 that moment they came to a CHARACTERS. Prince ( 'harles [von Flora Macdonald Glai Neil M.uTachimi Svn.M i SEAWARD Robert Fraser Hugh Miller Donald Macpherson Benson Klevi The Duke oi Cumberland A I '» I ■ ■ George II. Lewi Sir John (.'ope BROMLEY DaVENPORI The Lady Clanranald Adeline Havden-Cofj in Narrated by permission from the Caumont film of the same title. little Highland village and saw upon a wall a copy of the proclamation with the price that was offered for him, and this seemed to mock his wavering and spur him to fresh endeavour. " It is a question of life and death. Very well. I shall not sit down and wait for it coming. 1 must go on. I will go on." At length, worn out and hungry, he came to a remote cottage set on a bill overlooking the western waters. The cottager was at his gate. " I am Charles Stuart," the Prince announced, touching the old fellow's shoulder; "in the name of mercy hide me. The soldiers are behind me and will come upon me any minute unless you do this for me." " Dinna fash yoursel', laddie," said the old man, " Come in." Loyally the old couple served their weary Prince. Set their best before him, and rough as it was, the fare tasted nectar-like to the famished man. Suddenly came the sound of men's nd beatin door " ( )|xn in the Ki The old man within and into tin b lary, his w ii( . B< Inn him crouch, whilst the old woman qui threw herself upon it None tl a mg impatient. Patiently the old man admitti into Ins home, ' \ (ii into the inner room, despit hrill '.' shaiiu men intac y< r woman's room." Discomfited the soldiers dispei and later, r< freshed, and disguised waggoner, Prince Charlie left that loyal pair. Came Fraser, the arch-trad ">r to Flora with a false smile and i. 'se words of pity, and by means of false promises and Prince Charlie's ring, so abated her mistrust of him that the two set forth together by coach to find the fugil Presently they rested at an inn, and there, whilst Fraser was absent a moments, Flora learned the truth from one of the Prince's true servants. Without hesitation she left the inn and set forth across the hills herself. And love guided her for within half-an T kings looked black for Ike fugitive alone there.