Merkland; or, Self Sacrifice

R

S A C R

PTE

visitor belong to another fami

on one; and there was some very distant connexion, I remember, between the Ay

ally grave and composed, bore tokens of unusual agitation. "It is impossible;

a loss for your

er's interruption, "where we must meet her continually, where our name, which must be odious to her, will

w down her work, and pushed

ery day. What is the meaning of this?-our name od

know this terrible

s to any one. I fancied you knew that Norman was called by your mother's name; and this Aytoun g

ignorant, cannot have forgotten: who could

is girl's brother, if she has one, would be quite doing his duty if he demanded satisfaction from Lewis, for a thing which happened

too often terminated so: and there was a long pause. At last she said, timidly, as i

urriedly at the doo

, my brother? I beseech you to

s. Ross, rising. "Letters from Lewis, no doubt. Ho

rs. Ross's delighted eyes the expected letters from her only son: but Anne sat apart, shivering and trembling with a great

er a note. "Duncan got it at the Brig, from Johnnie Halflin, and Johnnie

d May withdrew reluctantly, having obtained no news of Maister Lewis, or

me to travel listlessly again and again over the an

y mortal person, it is like Issachar in the prophecy (not to be profane,) for there is Elspat Henderson, my own woman, that would have out the old red satin curtains (that are liker black than red now, as you will mind,) to put upon the bed, and Euphan Morison, her daughter, is for no curtains at all, for the sake of health, (pity me, Anne, that have doctors among my serving-women!) and Jacky, Euphan's daughter (bethanked that she has but one!) has bee

rine D

rom her step-mother roused her. "Lewis will be home before his birthday! Lewis will be here on Friday! I believe you

see, the house was full of joyful bustle and unwonted glee-for the frigid soul of its mistress melted under the influence of her son, as if his wo

s horror and agony. And so Mrs. Ross, of Merkland, bustled and rejoiced in her selfish gladness, while Anne, longing to ask, and yet afraid of rude r

in so happy an occupation as this, but only one w

oose a better time for those disagreeable

"and with such a dreadful his

and your own, that he may be peacefully dead. Your father, I know, received a letter from him,

onfess?" said

he professed his innocence. I may find you the letter

not tell Lew

oss, "why should I grieve my b

m entered, except by herself. In one dark corner stood a picture, its face to the wall. Anne placed her candle on the floor, and kneelin

d Anne Ross, replacing the picture with

and daughters, and connected by the spreading of those strong and healthful off-shoots, with half of the families of like degree in Scotland. The children of the last Ross of Merkland had not been vigorous-one by one, in childhood, and in youth, they had dropped into the family grave, and when the infant Anne was born, her worn-out mother died, leaving besides the newborn child, only one son. His mother's brother long before had made this Norman, his heir. At the same time, in consideration of his independent inheritance, and his changed name, he had been excluded from the succession to his father's lands. So Mr. Ross of Merkland, in terror lest his estate should have no worthier proprietor than the sickly little girl whose birth had cost her mother's life, married hastily again. When Lewis and Anne were still only infants, Norma

before. Now, her stepmother thought, it was full time she should know, because-a reason that made Anne shrink and tremble-Mrs. Ross

reakfast-room the next morning. "I wish there had been time to get some of the furniture r

ch a kindly heart

s looked

his day week he will take the management of his affairs in

says it behoves us to call the young Lord by his own name, Merkland,

f he does not like the ki

to-Well, where were we. Ay, the south room. I know you keep it

rs. Ross paused for a simile; "and so i

k in her chair with a smile. "I should think he would be a go

ike his father before him. The Rosses have always be

while Anne grew pale. "You will see that my orders are strictly attended to, May,

missal, May took her departur

ady's bairns! Well, if one but knew what became of him at last, I

ving Anne's heart vibrating painfully with her indiscreet refe

, mo

are engaged to g

, if you wish it. I did not know that Lewis was likely t

uld be little profit in wasting his time to save you

ne, sighing. "It grieves me deepl

returned to her tea-making; and so they sat till their joyless meal was ended: each the sole companion

hat surrounded Merkland, and took her solitary way to the Tower. Her heart was heavy within her, her step irregular, her brow clouded. The great sec

she never saw. How often had she marvelled at the old nurse's stern summary of his end: "He died a violent death!" How often lingered with sorrowful

ther might that guilty soul have wandered, seeking, in crowd or in solitude, to hide itself from its own fearful consciousness, and from its angry God! In privation, in d

, that God had indeed stricken him in his early youth, and laid him in the peaceful family grave unstained. Again and again those dark particulars rolled back upon her in bitter waves, swelling her grief and horror up to agony. And that the daugh

exion between herself and this girl, and Anne's spirit throbbed to bursting with undefined and confused purposes. She could not trust

at expensive wanderings of its heir, she was the one dependent, and Anne had ripened into some three-and-twenty years, and was no longer a girl. She felt how useless she was in the eyes of her clever step-mother; she fel

manner most rare and beautiful by those delicate perceptions and sympathies which form so important an element in the constitution of genius. Mrs. Catherine Douglas had seen the snows of sixty winters. For more than thirty of these, her stron

ound it, tinted with autumn's fantastic wealth of coloring. The Oran ran so close to the strong, heavy, battlemented wall, that in the old warlike days, it had been the castle-moat, but the drawbridge was gone, and there was peaceful access now, by a light b

portly, active housekeeper, whose medical propensities so frequently annoyed

window, reading, and hiding her book beneath the stocking which she ought to have been knitting, as she threw furti

me, Jacky," said Anne. "M

man's in, Miss A

en?" said An

d the girl, gravely, taking up, with a look of abst

om," said Anne. "Tell me, Jacky,

arting, as Anne was about to pa

e heard,"

he big room in the west tower. You never saw them, Miss Anne. Will you come?" And

been reading, J

and the furtive eyes glanced back to the housekee

cky, these are stran

in it," muttered

ansfix me with those sharp eyes of yours, because I wonder

of woman to work stock

yet to read poems. Come, Jacky

deep windows, looking out on the windings of the Oran, and commanding a view of the little town, seated on the point where the river poured itself into the sea. The country looked rich and gay in its russet coloring, and here and there you could see the harvest labourers in a half-reaped field-for the harvests were late beneath the northern sky of Strathoran. A little way below, the unpretending house of Merkland stood, peacefull

great bunch of dahlias and hollyhocks, rudely inserted in an uncouth china vase. "T

n the threshold, in wonder at the unwonted preparations made for this youthful visitor. In one end of the room stood a great wardrobe of richly-carved oak. There was an ancient piano, also, and little tables laden with well-chosen books, and the antique chairs looked richly sobe

et me put no flowers here-only a big branc

, projecting fantastically from the

aking it down; "and do you have a ramble through the garden, and find something more f

And wherefore did you not open the door, you elf, Jacky, unless you be indeed a changeling, as I have always thought you, and were feared for learned wor

ed features, harmonising perfectly in the hue-she was dark-grey. It seemed her purpose, too, to increase the effect by her dress. At all times and seasons, Mrs. Catherine's rich, rustling, silken garments were grey, of that peculiar dark-grey which is formed by throwing across the sable warp a slender waft of white. In winter, a shawl o

ng-women must have their divers notions concerning them, I should put to my own hand, unless I had wanted the stranger to be terrified with the aspect

red behind. Another voice, the brisk one of Walter Foreman, the young Portoran writer, b

d was not James Aytoun as near of kin to him as me, and Ralph Falconer nearer. To think of any mortal, in his senses, passing over the promising lads, to leave sil

ed the library, "you would surely never think, Mrs. Catherine

kin, that needed it (besides leaving the most part of his siller to hospitals, which may be was right, and may be not, I have not time to enter upon it,) the auld fool-that I should speak so of a man that is gone to his account-has left by his will a portion of siller, ten thousand po

iled. "It is not often, Mrs. Catherine,

s, that I should fall upon you for it. Come back to me this day week, Mr. Ferguson; and you can come also, Walter Foreman, unl

ou did not know the man; but Ralph Falconer, of Falcon's Craig, is his grand-nephew, and James Aytoun is also allied to him by the mother's side: and

PTE

iscussing the journey which that fair-haired, smiling girl, half-timorous, half-exultant, was to undertake that day. The white hair upon the mother's placid forehead was belied by the fresh cheek and dewy liquid eye, from which time had not taken the brightness. Her s

with reluc

brook and

and childh

uddenly, "Miss Douglas will see at once

r always, Mrs. Catherine. And she knows very well that we are not able to keep a maid for you, and will understand

mother," said Alice, the sunshine

?" said her brother. "How many acqu

ne flushed

e very eccentric, mother?

like you. Mrs. Catherine has many friends who could serve James; an

trangely from your lips. We do not send Alice away to pa

ay; and I accepted her invitation to Alice gladly, not because she has an estate unheired, but because-for various reasons, indeed-b

ntion, sadly distracted by anticipation, had altogether wandered during this di

her friends or native place. Indeed, it surprised me, that Mrs. Catherine should remember our relationship at all: but she is one of the most generous persons

of generosity: and I should fancy a set of North Country lairds could be

al men in the North Country, James," said

r; but not better than

ng to herself, that a North Country laird would be, in her eyes, a more suitable partn

at in the kitchen in all the glory of a new shawl and bonnet, a brevet ladies-maid; and it was nearly time to start. Mrs. Aytoun had yet to pack some small, forgotten tendernesses in a basket, with tremulo

set little Bessie by her side, gave the guard all manner of instruction

atherine," and, in a moment more, Alice had lost sight of the compelled smi

own Mrs. Catherine, whom she was hastening to see: but that disappeared also. The brilliant dreams that had been rising by day and night, since that momentous invitation came, floated together in indistinct brightness before her. The red October sunbeams, the bracing October breeze, the beautiful landscapes on that northern road-though these danced b

n the inside; whereupon, after some delay, an outside passenger was prevailed upon to exchange. A by no means unpleasant exchange, for the new comer was a young man of go

idential conversation. For Strathoran, the stranger said, was his home and birth-place, whither he was returning after a long absence, and Mrs. Catherine Douglas was one of his oldest friends-he had known her all his life. So the hours went on, quick and pleasantly, and

nces about her, began to discover that this journey, instead of the weary means of reaching a wished-for destination, was in itself a young Elysium, unthought of, and delightful-the first

. Already Alice could perceive various individual loungers without, touching their hats as they caught a glimpse of her companion, and while she herself began to wonder how she

n here?" said

red timidly

the gentleman, "Mistress Elspat, you have forgo

uglas, of the Tower. "Who would have thought of meeting you here? They're a' well, Sir. I left Miss Ann

, Alice Aytoun was transferred to Mrs. Catherine's comfortable carriage, and leaving Lew

out through the carriage window, and saw, or fancied she saw the body of darkness floating round about her, the countless swimming atoms of gloom that filled the air, her bounding heart was chilled. The faint autumnal breeze, too, pouring its sweeping, sighing lengths, through those endless walls of trees; the excited throb of her pulse when in some

lood of light, and warmth, and kindliness beaming out, dazzled and made denser the intervening gloom. Foremost on the broad threshold, stood a young lady, whose graver and elder womanhood, brought confidence to the throbbing girlish heart; behind stood the portly Mrs. Euphan Morison-the elfin Jacky, and furthest back

ice lifted her girlish face, shy and blushing, to the scrutiny of her ancient kinswoman.

e forehead of the tremulous Alice. "You are welcome to my house, Alison Aytoun

ng tea equipage. Little Alice had to close her blue eyes perforce, dazzled as they were, that no one might see the happy dew that gathered in them. Th

lf in pleasure, in the beautiful apartment called her dressing-room, they were seated at table-Anne Ross presiding over the massy silver tea-pot, and hissing urn:

, resolutely holding the door of the o

nd shut the door," co

arp glances from under her dark

Miss Anne, my gr

t, J

e young stranger was like, and muttered a privat

m-my grandmother says, Miss Anne, that M

cky?" said Anne,

came to Portoran in the coach

let me leave you immediately, Mrs. Catherine. I must hasten

and if they're not, let Simon be ready to drive Miss Ross to Merkland. Anne, doubtless you must go, but

orrow, Mrs. Catherine," said Anne,

Ross," said Alice. "He said he had been abroad, and knew Mrs

e small soft hand, the innocent frank look of the girlish face

brilliant heritage of unknown good to come. One vision was in her very heart continually-a wandering, sorrowing, sinning man, buffeting the wind, striving through the tempest, enveloped with every physical attribute of misery, and carrying its essence in his soul. It is only those who have mourned and yearned for such, who can know how the

He stood between her step-mother and her, the nearest relation of each, linking them together. Lewis had been two years away. He had gone, a fairhaired youth, with a gay party from Strathoran, who, seizing the first opportunity of restored peace, set out to those sunny continental countries from which mere tourists had been excluded so long. He was a man now, bronzed and bearded, and with the indep

rst burst of welcome was over, and they were seated by t

of course. Duncombe can't afford to choose his residence-he

Sutherland like tha

an? Why you don't think she's one of the gar

e is not with her husband

unattached,' as Gordon says. I left her in Paris with Archie. You have no idea what a m

ng man," said Mrs. Ross; "and

. "I should think she would be more likely to run away from him, than with him

mean, Lewis?

n't break your heart-it's all up with that now. B

e, more than did merely belong to her regret for the folly of an old neighbor and early

d it pretty well. The old people must have saved a great deal, they lived so qu

did, with your quiet Scotch notions, you could have no idea of i

reason they are thinning the woods. Then

sy thing, I can tell you, mother. But, to be sure, one never knows the true reason. I've

ely, "whatever Archie Sutherland fears,

ss. "The poor boy's first night at ho

the look of deep humiliation with which she t

nse, Anne! It was mere thoughtlessness, I assur

would have been content to pain any one in the w

to-day. She was going to the Tower, to visit M

a smile on the lip which she h

wear, the old lady? She must be getting very ancient now. But that girl is a pretty little thing. Who can she be-do

s. Catherine's,"

have thought you sure of a good place in Mrs. Catherine's will, A

er be a matter of mercenary convenience to Anne, and honorable earning of her own bread was an impossibility. And from her own sombre prospects she could turn for relief to so few of the things or people around. Lewis, so carelessly unfeeling and indifferent, so blunted in perception-Norman, whose very life was so great a dread to her, remaining before her mind's eye for ever-

way, and who turned out to be Miss Ross's brother, though who Miss Ross was, Alice did not stay to particularize. And after the letter was written, Mrs. Catherine, whose eyes had been lingering on the youthful face with most genial kindliness, began to play with her in talk, half childish, and wholly affectionate, as with some toy of unknown construction, whose capabilities she did not yet quite see. Jacky, too, with those quick, sidelong glances, as she went jerking in and

ought tidings so unfavorable, Mrs. Catherine was deeply interested, and listene

not say nothing good could come of the bairn that left the sick bed of her mother, for the sake of a strange

tion, you know; only Isabel's living with her brother, because it is, beyond dispute, pl

such places and things, before you were born! Why does Isabel Sutherland not return to t

or these things," said Le

ld leave that to your elders. Anne, I am sore grieved for Archie Sutherland; if

TER

r sleeves, contrasting it secretly with the larger festivities which had hailed the majority of the youthful Sutherland of Strathoran, whose continued absence from his own home, gave occasion for so many surmisings. But yet, on a small scale, as they were, these same Merkland festivities were a matter of some moment in the quiet country-side. Alice Aytoun's gay heart leaped breathlessly at the thought of them, and many anxious cogitations had risen under her fair curls, touching that pretty gown of light silk, which was her only gala dress. Whether it was good enough

ts. And Merkland was a pretty house, with its deep bordering of woods, and its quiet home-landscape, of cultivated fields and scattered farm-houses. Alice almost thought she preferred

good horsemanship could do, to renew his acquaintance with them all. He gallopped to Falcon's Craig, and spent a gay night with the bold Falconers. He met Ralph by appointment next day, to follow the hounds. He made a visit to Smoothlie, and curbed his horse into compulsory conformity to the sober paces of Mr. Ambler's respectable pony, as that easy, quiet old gentleman, who was c

and Mr. Ferguson, the Strathoran factor, again beside her. The table was strewed with papers

an have no more changes; frail folk as we are, that can never be counted on for our steadfastness, till we are in our graves! But allowing that the siller is my own-is it a lawful purpose, I a

n. It is to save your friend's son," said the

moved, and did not

velling in yon land of playactors, and flunkies, and knicknackets: consorting with a herd of buzzing things, that were worms yesterday, and will be nothing in the morn. Speak not to me; I have seen suchlike with my own eyes. He must have his feasts, and his flatterers, forsooth! and the good land, that

the factor ex

catingly: "that was done in no case but in Mr. Ewing's; and the land i

by the good hand of Providence, giving him a discreet wife, with siller, he was set on improving the land? Has he not spent his profits twice told upon it? And, before he has time to reap a just harvest, the prodigal m

other case," repe

eeding, should have some notion of the value of siller. Is it not a deep sea that ye are asking me to throw this portion into? A hungry mouth that, the more ye fill it, will but gape and gaunt the

ed on: and I have received from him, in return, letters that would melt your heart. Why he persists in what he acknowledges to be wrong, I cannot tell; and I do not defend him. He has got into the vortex, I suppose, and cannot extricate himself. But his fat

ak. At length, looking up, she saw, through the opposite wind

oom. You will hear tidings of your prodigal from Lewis, Mr. Ferguson; and doubtless you know him well enough, Walter, being birds of a f

from the back of the Tower. Upon the wall hung a fine portrait-a noble, thoughtful, manly face, resembling Mrs. Catherine's except in so far as its flush of strong manhood was different from the aspect of her declining years. It was her brother, whose untimely death had cast its heavy shadow over her own womanly maturity; and the room was Mrs. Catherine's especial retirement, whither she was wont to come in her seasons of most solemn and secret prayerfulness, or at some crisis when her deliberations were grave enough to require the entire attenti

son of her right hand. If ye were here, Sholto Douglas, where you should have been, but for God's pleasure, what would you spare for Isabel's son, that should have been yours also

steps: "Unrighteous? I know it is unrighteous; but if he had been Sholto's

she spoke, and controlling herself instantly, M

, as she entered. "What has happened

ng counsel," said Mrs. Catherine, closing the door; "s

herself at the other side of the small table, with her d

o twelvemonths, she was wedded to Strathoran. I blamed her not, Anne, though I myself was truer to the memory of my one brother; but wherefore am I speaking thus? There are two lads, Anne, to whom I may do service. One is, as I have heard, an honorable and upright young man, born to better fortune than h

, "what can I say? I fear that I can s

the inheritance of his fathers. The rioter is Isabel Balfour's one son-that might have been your first-born, Sholto Douglas! and I am in a sore st

herine; and she rightly judged that her ancient friend had all the strength of secretly-formed resolution to combat the scruples which Anne could not help sympathizing with, though in her

Mrs. Cath

se wants of the waster, that should help the honorable man in his travail. I do it, knowing it is ill, but I cannot see the l

atherine sent Anne thither, and went herself to seek for something in her own room. She had intended offering substantial help to James Aytoun, and now, whe

lf-hour had waited and wondered in tantalising loneliness, vainly expecting that they would join her, or she be summoned to them. But they did not come, and Alice, wearied and disappointed, was venting some girlish impatie

fair curls the slightest side-glance was thrown to the closed door, which testified t

nd Lewis, I think, is detained below with other visitors.

lf-Mr. Sutherland's house-yet. I am to go to Falcon's Craig, Mrs. Cat

r, did you not?"

ooked d

e not more like a gentlema

" said Anne, "and she will think

hook he

herine said you would perhaps go with me to Falcon's Cr

ell you are not feared, Anne. See, bairns, here are some bonnie dyes to look at, while I am away. Ye are to wear them the morn's night, Alison Aytoun, according to your pleasure. The

aments of pearls, more beautiful than any thing the simple, girlish eyes had ever looked upon before. Alice did not know how to look, or what to say; only her heart mad

one of those acute, sagacious, well-informed men, who are to be met with so frequently in the middle class of rural Scotland, came with looks of anxious expectation, and Walter Foreman, of whom his

at which I know is wrong, and which I would have done for no mortal but Isabel Balfour's son. You can get the

ve yourself so much trouble, Mrs. Catherine. I will myself wr

own Archie Sutherland's address. I could get it from Lewis Ross, but I do not choose that; and let the siller be paid to

Loelyin," said Mr. Ferguson

ered about the factor's mouth

ad not purposed so, I might have given him the siller, for what is it to a woman of years like me? Truly, my own spirit bears me witness, that I would give that threefold, if it were mine to give, with a light heart, to

mmediately," said Wal

you?-I that am given to take counsel of no man. Be content, Walter Foreman-you are not an ill gallant, but have overmu

as they left the Tower. "But the letter-I would not receive such a letter a

an shrugged

herine's brother, when he died, people say; and it is her strange adoration of his memo

ar," said Mr. Ferguson, "and not to

on often, and her steady hand shaken. The course which the young man was pursuing, was in every way the most repulsive to her feelings. Sin it appeared in the eyes of her strong, unswerving, pure religion-dishonor to her nice sense of uprightness and independence. His foreign residence and likings shocked her warm, home-affections, her entire nationality, and the possible alienation of his lands from the name and family in whose possession they had been so long, alarmed alike fear and prejudice; for Mrs. Catherine, boasting her own pure descent from the "dark-grey man," wa

Balfour in her bridal days, too mean for Isabel Sutherland? or wherefore is it, that with your fair lands and good possessions you are dwelling in a strange and ungodly country? Father and mother you have none to warn you. Answer to me, Archie Sutherland, who have known you all your days, wherefore it should be so. Think you that among the flattering fools that are about you, there is one that would lose a night's sleep, if Strathoran and all belonging to it, were swept into the sea? Come back to your own dwelling-place: witless and pro

nd your mother's travail for the new birth in you, the which in all mortal seeming has not yet been granted to her prayers-to prop up your goings in a way of ill-doing. Of what good is it to the world, I ask you, Archie Sutherland, that you have been made upon it, a living man with a mind within you, and a heaven over you? Who is the better for the light that God has put into your earthen vessel? A crowd of dancing, singing fools, that know not either the right honor, or the grave er

think, or does she think, that the very winged things that are about you, their own sillie selves, honor the wife for disregarding her natural right? The bond was of her own tieing; she liked him better than father and mother once-does she like him less now than she likes ill-fame, and slight esteem?

ine Do

PTE

rous, red October day, and all about and a

already red and full, through a mist; "when was t

even," said the

"have ye tried on your new

, "has the like o' me leisure, think you

the house and they need to be in-I kenna how mony things. You maun

rticles, had been lent for the occasion, "I've casten doun a jar o' the Smoothl

ecial attendant. "You are to go up to the parlor,

iving at a man in that gate? Get out o' my road, ye young sinner, or there shall be mair thing

d's major-domo, had a style of his own. But for the country, John fancied this would do very well. Mrs. Ross had dismissed Anne, an hour before, to her own room, as useless; and half-offended with the airs of her son's dignified servant, was yet not above hearing the style of the Hotel de --, and in some degree making it her mod

ordinary work. She was the seamstress of the fam

e, and alluded to the fact on all occasions; albeit, an indulged only son, with the snug enough of his lairdship to fall back upon, he had returned in the same vessel which took him out. But though Mr. Ambler was too fond of slippered ease t

terial for gossip to the countryside. Then in a methodical, business-like trot, came in the sleek horses and respectable vehicle of Mr. Coulter, of Harrows; the Manse gig; the stat

Coulter, in their Edinburgh robes, were near their mamma. They were very well-looking, well-dressed girls; but Alice's own silk gown bore a comparison with theirs, and their or

n duties in admiration of her son. Alice Aytoun admired him, too. The pretty little stranger had become a sort of centre already, with the gayest and most attractive of all those varied groups, about her-and Lewis let no opportunity pa

ike our Ada? See, the heads of the two are together, and Jeanie is behind them, with young Walter Foreman. I dec

ildren-loving, expended themselves upon the many comforts of herself, and her easy, comfortable husband. "You must be troubled in various ways now

looked slig

hen they were all bairns, they used to call her Edie, poor thing; but that would not do now; and at sc

er. "When I got the last note from Harrows

er. "Ada Mina-they are

hort sarcastic cough of wonde

like his father, Mrs. Bairnsfather? James, did you not s

herself-you recollect? or was it to me she said it? So it

t the Tower? In the course of nature, it cannot be very

of agriculture, which, to the shame of landed proprietors, is generally so much neglected. The low lands a

fessional sigh. Her husband was known among his shrewd parishioners to be greatly more observant of temporal than spir

cares as little about money, for money's sake, as any one can possibly do; but she thinks it a duty to use well and improve what

therland's and mine. You recollect the little burn, my dear, which that silly maid of yours fell into last Hallow-e'en? well, it is there. Mrs. Catherine's stubble-fields stretch to the very burnside-mine are turnips-uncommonl

ysteriously, "I hear the Suther

r; "and Isabel was a wilful girl at all times. I gathered from what Lewis Ro

father shoo

ng to think of the down

e lad's extravagance to bring down the family, I trust; and young Sutherland used to have good sense and discretion. I spoke to him of dra

ther shook he

it is no uncommon thing to be disappointed in hopes; a

circuit round the room-"hoping and fearing, Mrs. Bairnsfather? Is it about these happy-looking y

nie's side. They were a handsome couple, and Walter had a nice little improvable

king of poor young Strathoran;" and, from the depths of

oss left him well and merry-no accident I hope; but Lewis has not been a

ting his lands in jeopardy; they say he'll spend a whole year's income sometimes in a single night, poor ill-advised lad! I happened to mention it to Mr

eved, do you know, to hear that. Is it possible? Why, I always tho

father shoo

con's Craig and Smoothlie put together-ay, and even ye might slip in a good slice off Merkland. Ruined! it's not possible. When I came home from India I heard of o

father, "it's no concern of mine; but a

there was the best opening for a lad of talent that could possibly be; but I had a yearning for home. I was always uncommonly fond of home, and s

be made in India; but I fancy it's a shame to us to send our sons away to

re is't man? we'll all take a hand at that work, if it were but for poor auld Scotland

f more import to man, Mr. Ambler, than if its sands were gold. If what we hear of Archibald Sutherland is true, he ma

oked slightly

your pardon, Mr. Coulter, I mean no affront to you-you look upon it as a science, I know, and doubtless so it is; but-you see if Archie Sutherland could

ng people-how happy they all seem, poor things. I do not think yo

s Ross? No, that's Mrs. Catherine's little friend. Ay, ay, I see her-like what her mother us

r smiled, w

" said Mrs. Bairnsfather,

hat, without dispute; but Mr. Foreman will know. Mr. Foreman, can you

relative of Mrs. Cather

all her history? Aytoun-Aytoun-I have sure

her lives in Edinburgh, I believe, and is of a good family. I do not know anything

became more general, "that Mr. Foreman knows something very interesting about that pretty little girl. Mrs. C

his hand, in all the wild, delirious gaiety of a desperate man; and in their flood of easy conversation, had touched upon another centre of crime and misery, darker and more fatal still, the facts of which lingered in the lawyer-like memory of Walter Foreman's father, an

PTE

house. The imperturbable Mr. Ambler was first in the breakfast-parlor, joking Anne on her pale cheeks, and Lewis on his last night's conquests-fully prepared to do justice to the edibles of the breakfast-table, and not, in any degree, inclined to forgive the sleepiness which had mangled these delicate O

ies! Why, I myself was not in bed till two o'clock, and here I am, as fresh as ever I was. And just look

nts in Smoothlie, Mr. Ambler?" a

ing to superintend; and Forsyth, by long practice, has arrived at perfiteness, as the old proverb says.-Better try a bit of one though, Lewis,

u, more carefully cooked, Mr

rout when I can get fresh, fit for the eating. Lewis,

sed. "Poor boy, he is fatigued. No wond

ying himself!-on his one-and-twentieth birthday, too! Who ever heard the like? When I was in India (which is neither the day nor yesterday) I have seen me up till far on in the night, and yet

ness, Anne, how I have been running about since I arrived at Merkland.

Sutherland? That little round body, Mrs. Bairnsfather, was enlighte

ugged his

good lady. Archie's an extravagant fellow: but-oh! if I say any more

, what is Anne's special interest in Archie

lively imagination, Mr. Ambler," said Anne, quietly, "produced by what i

ot look innocent, Lewis. Do you think nobody noticed you last night hanging about tha

ng over Lewis's cheek, and the conscious smile of pleasure and embarrassment hovering about h

ins that have been bestowed upon him, and all the advantages he has had, to think he could be

t my mother in remembrance of those cabalistic forms of yesterday, which made me master of my own person and poss

ll trouble you for the toast, Anne, and-yes, I will take the marmalade, t

t, returned upon him in consolatory fascination. His mother's interference, too, excited a spirit of opposition and perversity, which stimulated the remembrance; and when Mr. Ambler had happily ridden away, Lewis beguiled Anne into going out with him, an

her when she goes to Falcon's Craig. I, myself, as you know, am not given to visiting; besides that,

ase, Miss Ross,

Catherine, "At all seasons. Lewis, they are always quickening the

ortnight, I dare say. But no one ever accused me of

ount it an affliction that folk must bear with the lads through their fool-estate, before ye can find an

as Alice hung round her. "But is

was an only son, and died young-a poor peasweep he was, that might never have been born at all, for all the good he did!-and it was only a third or fourth cousinship then. I want the bairn to go to Falcon's C

th some offended dignity; "only, I fear John would not

plaguit enough in my own household. There is Euphan Morison waylaying me with herbs. I caught her my ownself, this very mor

camomile," wh

d for the stomach, as if a bairn like Alison had any call to know whither she had a stom

said Jacky, "It

therine

re i

ike a gentleman," continued Jacky. "Th

rine rose

y till I come back. I

appearance, bearded like the pard, who had been swaggering round the room, examining, with an eye of assumed connoisseurship, the dark

n, have you broug

the stranger-"this gentleman, whom I met accidentally in Portoran, is charged with a mission, the

urmured the stra

Mrs. Catherine, sternly. "Mr. Sutherlan

credit to any family. I have the honor of a slight acquaintance. Nothing c

ead about no more," said Mrs. Catherine. "Are the like of you ac

lravidge-missed church once last year, and was quite overcome with contrition-so much comforted by Mr.

g stiffly erect, as the stranger threw himself into a chair unbidden, "and in wh

tual good offices. I have seen Mr. Sutherland often with my friend Lord G., and

meaning of all this? You are a lawyer, man; see if yo

ntimately acquainted with Mr. Suth

ul; dwelling togeth

mstances?" continued Mr. Foreman, impelled

h a contraction of his forehe

being tricked by impostors, and made security for friends-me

What have you to do-a paltry trickster as you ar

anger, rising indignantly,

interposed Mr. Foreman, "and is putting no inquiries t

, Sir," said

served Mr. Sutherland

zherber

Might I beg you to explain its nature to Mrs. Catherine Douglas, a l

efully confused, and hung back, as

on strictly confidential, intrusted to me-friendly inquiries-which I

therland, Madam, is in treaty for the sale of Strathoran-for some portion of the estate, at least, a

t, Madam, I assure you; merely some shooting-grounds. Mr. Sutherland is no sportsman h

o the blank air. The shock was great to her;

tigate farms and fields. I, fresh from the most refined circl

Mrs. Catherine from

e said. "Gather the story as clear as may be-at

t the friend and emissary of Lord Gillravidge should be dismi

tured. What harm would it have done you, old gentleman, if I had pleased the old lady about her nephew, and got her, perhaps, to come d

. Foreman; "good sport on the moor, they tell me, Mr. Fitz

n-simple Scotch lad no match for Gillravidge-serves him right, for thinking he was. But

aid the lawyer, "is your frie

laughed con

ney's gone already-nothing coming your way, old gentleman-all the more cr

cluded when you left

ry night. I say it was uncommonly merciful to think of taking the land-an obscure Scotch pl

ouded with thoughtfulness. He, too, had known Archibald Sutherland's youth, and in his father had had a friend, and the kindly bond of

you it is true?" s

he Tower just now tells me that the bargain was not completed. Mr. Ferguson's letter, telling Strathoran of

ining with his father to break the entail, that some of the debts might be paid thereby? and now, when he has labored all his life to leave the good land clear to his one son, must it be lost to the name and blood? George Foreman, set your face against the breaking of enta

is particular case, the lands of Strathoran had been entailed, he yet had no id

no such injustice. Where did you meet with the ne'er-do-weel that brought you the tidings, Mr. Foreman? a fit messenger no doubt, with his hairy face, a

; and, on such a temperament as his, I should fancy the sight of the precipice so near would operate powerfully. I know how it has acted on myself, who ought to have more prudence than Mr. Sutherland,

s pacing heavily

for throwing away that with our eyes open; but what share in my thoughts, think you, has the miserable dirt of siller, when the fate of the lad that might have been of my own blood, is qui

he came down to examine, and would have his report to make, before the transaction was finished. Your letter must reach Strathoran, Mrs. Catherine, before this fellow can

eated herself in

right regard to the judgment of his fellows which becomes every man-has he not thrown them all away? What is there then, to look to in his future, if it be not a drifting before every wind, a running in every stray path, a following of

ould not be fascinated to his destruction, in society which can tolerate that man, Fitzherbert. Depend upon it, we have overrated the dangers; and that, by this time, Mr. Sutherland has t

eril; nevertheless, dreary visions, such as he had read in books of modern travel, of haggard gamesters risking their all upon a cast-staking wealth, and hope, and honor, in the desperate game, and marking its loss with the ghastly memento of blood, the hopeless death o

on the youthful faces there-the peaceful household looks, suggesting anything rather than mi

m, and with a dreary blank before him, where the teeming dreams of a bright future were wo

PTE

ed rooms undergoing a thorough purification, before they can once more settle down into their every day look and aspect; servants, in a chaos and frenzy of orderliness, turning the

departure; so that when Lewis and Anne returned from the Tower, there was no place of refuge for them,

of feeling which called Anne Ross out after her daily task was over, into the silent evening air, upon the quiet side of Oran. It is true that there were delicate tones of harmony there, which few ears could appreciate as well as her own; but the fir

ones had been significant and solemn to Anne's spirit all her life long-from the dreamy days of childhood, so strangely grave and thoughtful, with all their shadowy array of haunting ghosts and angels, those constant comrades of the meditative child-up through the long still years of youth, unto this present time of grave maturity, of subdued and chastened prime. Other and mightier things, springing from heaven and not from ea

s she leant upon the lintel. There was some one approaching on the road, whom Anne regarded with little interest, thinking her some resident of the hamlet, returning to her home; but as the passenger came in front of Merkland, she suddenly stopped, and standing still upon the road, gazed on the quiet house. Her head was turned towards the gate, and Anne, startled into attention, looked upon it wonderingly-an emaciated, pale face, that spoke of suffering, with large, dark, spiritual eyes, beaming from it, as eyes can beam only fr

r mind continually, received into them this stranger's spiritual face. Dangers, troubles, the whole indefinite horde of dreaming apprehensions and embarrassments clung round those wistful eyes,

duskier winter; and Anne, remembering her engagement with Alice, laid her work by earl

to the Tower, A

was the

d if you find me at Falc

, Lewis! What erra

gaily. "Besides, I shall take care of you, on the way home. How do

ere afraid of Miss F

u know. She wouldn't have me, he said. Very

o not go, pray-take another morning for your call at Falcon's Cr

e restrained and chidden like a schoolboy! Grieved and irritated! because that pretty little Miss Aytoun happens to be of the party, I suppose. You are a foolish set, you

ly; "but your mother wants to consult you, Lewis. There are so many matters

l attend to my business, too. We shall soon see

horse to the door, and stood at

as he mounted and cantered gaily

mfortable pony-carriage-Mrs. Catherine's favorite vehicle-stood at the gate as she entered, and up stairs in her bright dressing-room Alice

in which they were left alone together, "let Lew

t Falcon's Craig, and ret

Isabel has. If the lad is ruined (which the Almighty avert, if it be His pleasure!) what is the wilful fool of a girl to do? A man may win back good fame, even if it be once lost-and that is a sore fight-but

urely come to take care

hild-the fittest place for her to be. I will leave her to the tender mercies of no ill-conditioned man, well though she may deserve it; that is

e Halflin, the two young ladies drove over

hat few could have been harsh enough to disappoint the reliance of the youthful spirit, or teach it suspicion. It was, besides, an altogether new enjoyment to Anne, to have anything loveable looking up to her as Alice did. It suited her graver nature to be trusted in, and leaned upon. The depths in Anne's spirit

ecautions been taken to amend this. Trees and shrubs before the door grew rough and unkempt as nature had let them grow. The grass upon the lawn waved high and rank, great rows of hollyhocks and sunflowers shed their withered leaves and ripe seed below the windows. The much-trodden path, at the further end which led to the stabl

erself lay upon a sofa near the fire, with a newspaper in her hand. Alice Aytoun did not like the

room ring; "why, I should as soon have thought of Merkland coming to see me bodil

e, drawing back

th a laugh. "Well, Anne, how do you get on in Merkland? Mrs

self," said Anne; "he i

ich had been somewhat

s. Take notice, Miss Aytoun, that when gentlemen come to Falcon's Craig, it is Ralph's hor

young figure, with some budding dignity. "I h

sons from Mrs. Catherine, in state and gravity. How did you come? In that little ph?ton, I d

keep few horses in Merkland; and besides, Marjory, t

wo unsafe qualities of nerve and courage. Well, and why should we be cooped up within four walls, and sentenced to do propriety all our lives? The bolder a man is, the mor

e the proverbial truth of wha

the paper she had thrown down, "with as much interest as my brother? I do, it is true; but see how all proper mammas draw their pretty beh

now that you liked that best?"

s I do, though; bu

have the misfortune to be called Marjory, instead of Ralph; that is all; for here, you see, are Miss Aytoun and myself, and all the womankind of Strathoran to back us,

these men; and failing that, they laugh us down: they will not be able to accomplish either, one of these da

ut the great wars of Marlbro' and Prince Eugene, long ago? I was thinking of

aps of poetry, when one is speaking common sense. Oh, you need not raise your eyebro

inquired Alice, timidl

ds, as they do the feet of the poor girls in China-oppressing us for their own whims, everywhere! No more shutting us out of our prope

e poor little things to masculine nurses. Farewell to all music or harmony, then. If we are to d

ridicule all I say. You are content with the bondage-content to be

ive. I am in no danger of your last evi

ey smile at our opinions-how they sneer at our judgment-'Oh, it's only a woman.' I tell you, Anne Ross, all that wil

change our posi

osition! Why it will make us free

, particular

lconer

n do; our equal mental power and intelligence shall be

oked up

of it at last? said

for a moment, Alice looked on in wonder and alarm. At last Marjory approached the

I cannot te

a glorious

aces in the phaeton, and turned homewards, Lewis riding by their side. Anne's spirits had wonderfully lightened during the

said. "I did not mean you, Lewis, so there is no occasion for drowing yourself up. Yet Marjory has some strength, and much

, when she saw them on the previous night, looking so sorrowfully on Merkland. A very remarkable face it was, which the stranger now lifted to them, as she passed slowly on, speaking in its emaciated lines of mental struggle more than bodily sickness; and with i

matter, Anne?

on awhile,

ot observe

; don't be sentimental, Anne: some shopkeeper's wife, from Portoran, wh

wen

ad, Lewis. She will never be of the gentlest; but sensible, and kindly, and vigorous, I belie

rjory will keep a chair for you, Anne, in some of her feminine colleges, when she has

had spoken of "where three lairds' lands met;" and the burn was intercept

esque corner of the Oran banks, and Anne proposed giving her a glimpse of the bright interior of Mrs. Melder's pleasant house: she wa

der's door, to ask questions and to admire. The grey mill buildings, and mighty revolving wheel, and rush of foaming water, as the bairn, like some brown mountain urchin, ran, boisterous, from its labors into the placid Oran, giving life

, and scorched with pain, flew forward madly. Anne snatched from the carriage a large, rough plaid, threw herself before the little girl, and wrapped it closer round her. The child struggled-Anne pressed the long, wide folds closer and closer round her, extinguishing the flames with her hands. The terrified miller's wife ran to her assistance-so did Lewis, and at last, very much frightened, and considerably scorched, but with no serious injur

lder. "I am the silliest body mysel that was ever putten in a str

ed the moaning child, and laid her on the wooden bed wh

a common body either-it was clear to see that. We've had a dreary house, Robert and me, since little Bell (ye'll mind her, Miss Anne?) was ta'en from us, two years syne come M

inquired Anne, as she assisted

tell you that Miss Anne,

riedly. "I saw her-a very remarkable-look

f its kindred. But the house was dreary. Where there has been a babe in a dwelling, it makes great odds when the light of its bit countenance is lifted away, and my heart warmed to the puir wee thing, sent out from its own bluid. So I took it, ye see, Miss Ross, and Robert he didna oppose. It's to bide two years-if we

d as the child murmured ag

it?-I do not rec

. "Strange! Where did the c

ay, disturbed by no further incident, except in Anne's mind, by the strange excitement of interest with which this story moved her. She could not banish the stranger's pale face from her mind, nor

TER

inion at all times; and her strong nationality aggravated tenfold her dislike to fashionable ladies in Paris-French or semi-French. Had it not been for Alice, Mrs. Catherine herself would have been on her way to Paris ere now. But unwilling to send the girl abruptly home, and riveted besides by a hundred little ties, which made her absence from the Tower (she had not left it sinc

awe and reverence sometimes to those often-repeated words, the burden of Mrs. Catherine's anxiety: "Isabel Balfour's one son-that might have been your firstborn, Sholto Douglas!" But Jacky, with a sentiment of honor peculiar to herself, kept her knowledge of Mrs. Catherine's trouble, jealously within her own mind, and in the intervals of

lves-was inclined to laugh sometimes, yet checking herself in mysterious reverence, revolved in her mind the possibility of Mrs. Catherine's frequent epithet "you elf"-having in it some shadow of truth. Bessie had read fairy tales in her day, and knew that in these authentic histories there were such things as changelings-could this strange Jacky be one? The flyi

n this part, Bessie, it's no' like a toun-there's the beasts to herd all the summer and other turns, till the shearing's by; but I wad rather hae a d

he speaks," eja

ye see, for one canna think what words she says-ye just ken when ye hear her, that ye maun do what ye'

, as a flying figure paused on a ridge of the steep eminence above them, and drew itself

hear ony sound about the place, as quick as Oscar, and

r of leisure, at the back of a knot of outhouses, barns, and

you, Bessie? Has my mother been in the

there had been onything the matter wi't, or else the puir beast would be killed wi' phy

tell on you,"

r no-only if you do, Bessie, I'll never be friends with ye again;

r besom," said Johnnie, "seeking the

getic arm sent Johnnie

l, and there's a bairn there-a little gi

a white powny?" said Mrs. Catherine's you

, that led a lion in her hand-you dinna ken what that means-and if there were gentle spirits lang syne in the air, what do you ken abou

ns indulged in a

ings?" ask

o not hold your peace in a minute. Miss Anne saved her life, and she speaks a str

ing-saved her life! how grand we're speaking! I could have done't mysel, a' that

it," said Jacky, though

eman?" said little Bessie. Bessie was gla

ie," said Johnnie Halflin, "down bye at Merkland? Eh, d

up with pleased consciousness,

hnnie! how can ye s

r. Lewis looks up f

ns answered

ere's not a young leddy in a' Strathoran like Miss

d him indig

sie, do you think Mr. Lewis is in-" Jacky hesitated, her own singular romance making it sacrilege to speak the

blushed, and lo

y, how d

s Alice l

estion! Miss Alic

rtable housekeeper's-room of Mrs. Euphan Morison, awaited Mrs. Euphan's reluctant daughter. The room was a very cosy room in all things, but its disagreeable odor of dried and drying herbs; and Jacky, after a reproof from her mother, so habitual that it had sunk i

or three letters of applicants for her vacant farm, the closely-written sheet of home-news for Alice, business-notes of various kinds, but nothing from the prodigal, whose interests lay so near her heart. She lifted them all separately again, turned out the bag-in vain. Her clear eye had made no blunder in its first quick in

d honor to that gentle mother, and all things pleasant and prosperous to James-round one unacknowledged centre of her own. Pleasant are those bright dream-mists of youthful reverie, with their

le, she could read the wished-for tidings there. The door opened slowly. Jacky, with some strange intuitive knowledge of her mistress's anxiety, had been on the outlook f

st', yo

Ferguson, the Strathoran factor, galloppin

ine started

down myself in a moment. Are you li

s. Catherine walked ha

or a moment, in communion with One mightier than man, n

ld dew was on his honest forehead; regret and grief were in his kindly heart; the familiar ordinary things about him bore a strange look of cha

, you have go

ure reeled in Mr. Fe

he prodigal done his worst? Sit down a

d not, but, clasping her hands tightly

s, than ever I suspected-than ever you could expect. Strathoran is fallen-ruined!

re?" said Mrs. C

nd fatal than that, he has gambled it away; what his father spent years to redeem, and set free for him, he has staked on the chances of a g

r head bowed down, but other

prospects too, his fair beginning. O, it is enough to make a man distracted! What have they done, that unhappy race, that they should be constantly thus-father and s

ic rapidity, she seated herself at the table, "there will be no son of the name again to waste years in bu

ry words which his excitement brought to h

orld his own master, with a great income and a large estate.-You know how easily the light spirit of youth is moved, but you

exercised in needful resistance? I bid ye listen to me, Robert Ferguson-was there not a test appointed in Eden? and would you set youself to say that the fool of a woman (that I should say so, who am o

d never do that. I myself must seek, in some other place, a livelihood for my family; and I will get it; for my work is clear before me, and it is known that I can do what I undertake; but for him, Mrs. Catherine, with no friend in this wide world but you

have the reward of the waster, as I have told you before now. Let him take his wage

no inheritance; and your estate yields gold to you, greater every year; but, before I see want come to Strathoran's son, I will labor night and day. The professions are open to him yet.-His mo

he worst and the best of it; and spend a pound of your own siller on the rioter, at your peril! As if I did not know one lad at the college was enough for any man. Sit down

stracted the writer's heart and spirit were, and what a ceaseless struggle raged and contended there. The large soft folds of Mrs. Catherine's shawl shook as if a wind had stirred them, but she did not speak; the moisture gathered thick beneath her large eyelid, but was not shed, for Mrs. Catherine was not given to

"that something must be done, and that immediately, is clear. If I had not been coming to you f

, Mrs. Catherine started from her seat a

t the morn, to the prodigal. I would go myself, but the witless youth, as I see by his letter, is feared for me, and you can maybe travel with less delay. Bring him home. Strathoran can shelter him no longer, but the dwelling-place of Sholto Douglas can never

, but with all speed, drew paper and

. Catherine, as Jacky appeared at the door; "and tell your mother to send i

imsel in the gig-will I bring him in?" and, with

. Catherine. "What new trouble is c

iting. The excited curiosity of both suggesting some furth

his face-greeted Mrs. Catherine in silence, and startin

r. Foreman, and you were wrong. The hairy fool had been sent on no less an errand than to see the value of the prey. Grant me patience

said the factor, anxiously. "Has Mr

tter to-day from the solicitors of Lord Gillravidge, touching the conveyance of the property. Have

ntailed lands of Loelyin and Lochend, and the farm of Woodsmuir, upon which my own house stands,

om.-These grave, kind men, Archibald Sutherland's factor and agent, who had known him all his life, were almost as de

you inten

roach is unavailing. I will endeavor to bring him home-to the Tower, I mean; and then-I do not well know what we are to do. But we must try to rouse his mind (it is a vi

e! Here, you elf! Have you anything else to advise, Mr. Foreman? I myself would start in a moment, but that I think Mr. Ferg

elid swelled full again, and s

to do anything? Could no compromise be made? Better mortgage the land (it was mortgaged heavily enough in his grandfather's time-I remember how old Strathoran was hampered by pay

raised her eyes

e up my mind; out of yon hot unnatural air of artificial ill, the lad must come down to the cold blast of poverty, if he is ever to be anything but a silken fule, spending gear unjustly gotten, in an unlawful way. I say I will have no hand in giving back plenty and ease to Archie Sutherland, till he has righteously wrought and struggled for the same. Bring him back to my house, Rob

ng, to carry with me, Mrs. Catherine. Mere reproach would do evil, and not good. You are perfectly right. A struggle-a

s adherence from those reformers who aim at the abolition o

is right. I believe it

ho, if they judged rightly, had done grievous ill to Archibald Sutherland. A painful film came over the lawyer's

an the night. Start with the first coach the morn's morning. Do not tarry a moment. Mind how long the days will be to a

. Ye will have many charges in so long a journey; and, as I have said, Robert Ferguson, lay out a pound of your own siller upon this

r and the lawyer rode away together, and began to write to Arch

'en-the which are bitter in the shedding-are things to make merchandise of for the mending of young backsliders. At this moment, I have other matters in hand. I see by your letter to Mr. Ferguson (a better man than I fear you will

ming. I say your warfare, Archie Sutherland, for I bid you not come home to dally through an idle life or waste more days.-Come home to fight for your possessions back again-come home to strive in every honorable and lawful way to win back the good land you have lost-come home, I say, Archie Sutherland, to redeem your inheritance by honest labor, and establish your house again, as it was established by the first Sutherland that set foot on Oranside. T

dwelling in silent cities, where no living thing can tarry. Boy! let me see hope breaking upon you, before I lay down my head beside them. My time is short. Turn to this work, Archie Sutherland, that I may carry better tidings with me, to your father and your mother, in the good land where they are resting from their labor. To your warfare I command you, young

rine D

addressed to Isabel Sutherland, whom Mrs. Catherine, in the excitement of her grief for Archibald, had almost forgotten. Mr. Ferguson was

TER

ve of the suicide. But Isabel, wilful, impetuous and admired as she was, bound her fierce guardian to his hated life-still courted in these gay circles, for the wit and beauty which all this burden of calamity could not diminish, the ruined man stalked by her side everywhere, like some intruding spectre, casting a blight upon the smiles that woke no congenial sunshine in his ghostly face. The treachery which he had felt surrounding himself-the warning of Mrs. Catherine's letters had awakened him to a wild anxiety for Isabel: he could not bear her absence from him. Regardless of sneers and inuendos-regardless of contempt and indifference, he followed his sister wherever she went, and scowled away from her in his gaunt pride and anger, whosoever ventured upon any show of admiration. But no human spirit could bear that fierce tension long; and when hi

aming the manly watcher by that brother's bedside whose place she did not offer to take; but how, at last, the "weeping blood of woman's breast" was reached by that wail of agony, and Isabel gave up her gaieties, and took her place in the sick room, soothing the sufferer by her very presence. But Mr. Ferguson did not tell, how unwear

tain Duncombe had got a considerable accession of fortune, by the death of some friend, during the time of Archibald's convalescence, and had managed to effect an exchange into a regiment stationed near London, whither his wife had no objection to accompany him. The saturnine Captain was something touched by his hapless brother-in-law's emaciated appearance, and

ursuits, was shrinking from the neighborhood already fairly over-crowed and put down, endeavoring to hide his mortification under bitter laughter. Bitterly upon them, "pilgarlic dandies," "hairy fuils," "idle cattle," poured the full flood of Mrs. Catherine's derision. The countryside was stirred with unwonte

rent. The countryside and its likings and dislik

's entree into the festivities and party-givings of that quiet district, which her inexperience called "the world," had been a triumph-and with so much homage laid at her little feet, and so much girlish delight and laughing wonder, in receiving that strange, new tribute of admiration, it was scarcely wonderful that the Edinburgh parlor, with it

onsultations with Mrs. Catherine, at which his mother fumed silently in sullen dignity-pretences for advising with the shrewd factotum of Mrs. Catherine's finely-cultivated home-farm, concerning those fields immediately adjoining Merkla

f her's might precipitate Lewis, so jealously alive to interference as he was, and make that certain, which was now only feared and deprecated, so Anne, like her friend in the Tower, had to wait perforce for the regular cours

y to herself. But it was not because a connection so terrible existed between the families already-Alice had no friends to elevate the standing, nor portion to increase the wealth of her future partner, and therefo

dreams," made, mingled with these soft syllables of the homely, Scottish tongue, broken from what harshness soever might originally be in them, by the child's voice of lisping music. Mrs. Melder had been told to call her Lilias, and affection h

, and sweetmeats, and leaving little Harry Coulter, the agriculturist's Benjamin, struggling with desperate energy to follow her, and hopelessly in love. Lilie had even be

as she

ake acquaintance with the little Donna. Jacky had constituted herself her bodyguard and attendant, and carried her off whole

pleasure now in the long walks, which had a half hour's playful intercourse with Lilie to make them cheerful; and Anne again and a

was worth twa o' the ain she had on, and naething but a printed goun. But I have seen folk in silk

he was a very remark

g look in them. The bairn's are no unlike. Haud up your head, Lilie, my lamb-only it wad tak watching

oking affectionately upon the little face, from which shone eyes deep enough in their

nging to her side. "Lilie no like happy. B

hills,

h feet and hands the motions of climbi

Oran,

through the window to the brown, foami

a, Lilie,"

ce sail upon the sea; row-row-in a b

lie?" said Anne. "W

did not

nd had been greatly interested in it. "Lilie ran about," and the child eked out her slender vocabu

ie?" said Anne.-"No one to put on her lit

ap, burst out into a passion of tears, moaning out in her own language a lamentation

n the sound o' them, though neither Robert nor me can make ony sense o' the outlandish tongue. Lilie, my lamb,

use was waesome wi' Robert out a' day, and the bit thing had a pitiful look wi't, and the leddy-for she bid to be a leddy, though she was plain enough put on-pleaded wi' me in sic a way that I couldna withstand it; and we're clar o' a' loss, wi' the siller being in Mr. Foreman's hand; and the bairn-puir w

could be Lilie's mother?"

e hame wi' her; and the leddy hersel, though she beggit me to be careful o' the bairn, did not keep her in her sight till the last moment, as a mother would have done; and when she w

riend, above all a mother should

mother's, bringing it away out o' the sight o' kent folk and friends. The like of that is ower common. Eh, pity me! there's nae counting the wiles o' the enemy! There's Strathoran, ye see, and the gentlemen that's in't playing at their cartes and their dice, they tell me, on the very Sabbath

ng, Mrs. Meld

' their first-born-their only lamb!) Robert brought the minister, thinking he could speak a word o' comfort to me; and what think ye he said, Miss Anne? No that I was to look to my Lord that had gathered my lamb to his ain bosom, out of a' the ills o' thi

d Anne, holding out her hand, as Lilie descen

couldna think to leave the Kirk. My father was an elder for twenty year-sae we aye waited on till Mr. Lumsden

is, Lilie?"

ch she was to repeat to Robert Melder, on the Sabbath afternoon, according to the venerable and excellent custom of such religio

iful proposition in which all Scotland for centuries has learned to define the

ath perfect

eth not

eated, and Lilie stayed

on? but I wish ye would speak to Jacky Morison, Miss

like a tree

nted by

Lilie tr

s season yie

leaf fad

oth shall pr

the next three lines with pr

now-Lilie sho

he Psalm, was an oak which stood upon a swelling hillock close by the Oran. When they came ne

that?" s

d it, wo

R. R. Ma

re two lon

leaves upon t

s fall soft, th

om our

little charge home, returned alone to trace the moss-grown characters again. The date was seventeen years before-Norman R. R. Could it be possible that some other bore that name-or was it

e sufferers; the Marion who shared his happier thoughts-who was she? or h

sed at last opposite a brilliant window, and retreating backward, raised himself by aid of a tree, so that he could look in. Through the closed curtains he could see a party of gentlemen sitting at their wine-the sound of their laughter, and gay voices, reached him on his watch. With keen eyes he surveyed the unconscious revellers, marked every face, took in, as it seemed, every particular of the scene, and then descending, took his way again through the solitary avenue, and turning as before into a side path, reached the highway unseen. Onward he went, walking very quickly for full two dreary miles, and arrived at last not at any dwelling of man, but at a solitary graveyard, still and solemn, lying upon Oranside, in the midst of which rose the ruined walls of an ancient chapel, moss-grown, and clad with clinging ivy.-The alarm which called forth the parishioners of more southern districts, night after night, to watch their dead, had not reached the distant stillness of S

ered the dust of father and of mother-his brow pressed to the tablet that chronicled their names; and the ruined man in his extremity, poured out his full heart into the ear of One who heareth always, and never more cert

ion its every returning prodigal-the loving-kindness that turns no supplicant away. The sympathy most wonderful and strange of all, which

turned to the humble fisher's house far down the Oran, the inhabitants of which had recently come to the district,

lls of Woodsmuir, and looked through the bare trees at Merkland; but drawing back in painful shame, had not dared to ent

ds and plantations, once his own, but in which now the meanest hind dwelling among them had more share than he, he felt that last night's trial might be indefinitely prolonged. He came to the Tower at last, and found it also gay and full of light. The hall-door was open, and within stood a knot of servants. The door of

e, and decent folk like to get their death o' cauld. I wad advise ye to tak hame some o' that

felt the girl's keen eye pierce his disguise in a moment.-She p

Jacky, let me

word, left him there. He sat down and waited. Ah! these gay sounds of mirth and music, how bitterly they mock sick hearts. A sort of hope had inspired him, as he felt himself once more in shelter of these stately walls, but now, within

leaves upon t

s fall soft, th

rom ou

ls upon the ea

f gloom a

eyelid o'er day

s soft tints the g

r-toned

ep cradle th

t robes w

ith his ki

lling to

to the o

ing wave

to that tr

kind voi

man, far,

w he call

old lights a

ed chann

malice, and gu

ssom on h

in her matron's

steps ne

in pleasant

h is strong

weary, thy c

kindred, w

nging voic

t sea wa

shore the r

's kindl

rs on, and

of toil

sees the

lm on O

abor o'er l

dred are wai

s fall soft, the

eaves upon th

rom ou

d day he lab

home's ki

eary, and his

hearts, for the

g this

aned his head upon his hands, the burden floating dizzily through his mind. Alas! for him, beginning his wayfaring so painfully, neither home nor kindred waited. He heard a step approach-a hand gently open the door of

PTE

by a living voice at all-stranger still that they should fall from Alice Aytoun's. With breathless interest she listened as the lines flowed on. The wayfaring man in toil, and danger, and sorrow, hearing in the ripple of the great sea, far away in some st

ility, when Jacky stole behind her chair, and whispered something in her ear. Anne recollected herself instantly, and, approaching Mrs. Catherine, communic

obey. "And, child,-bid Euphan Morison have a good fire kindled in the red room, and tell Andrew he is to hold himself ready to wait

stood before him, her eyes shining wet, her face full of symp

erland-Ar

een them in a moment. There was no story told-no compassion claimed; but, in the pressure of Anne's hand, and the subdued kindness of her look, the full heart felt itself eased, and leaned upon the unexpressed sympathy as with the confidence of nearest kindr

nne, gently. "There is a lar

I came at all to-night. I would be a strange

Anne. "Lewis is home, Archibald; you must see him. But now will you come

little

ments are occupied," said Anne; "that is all. Mr

ark passage to Mrs. Catherine's place of especial retirement-the little room. Archibald entered, and Anne, leaving him, hastened to Mrs. Eu

neaments, over which the pallor of death had fallen, before Mrs. Catherine's only brother had told out an equal number of years with himself. Sholto Douglas, in his early prime of manhood, laid in a foreign grave, the odor of a stainless name, and strong faith, numbering him among those just, who shall be held in everlasting remembran

e had left him. Mrs. Catherine lingered in her coming; even in this household, the only one in the cold world around him, in which he thought himself secure of welcome, the ruined man was nothing; bitter thoughts swelled up

d further, into that horror of great darkness. Mrs. Catherine, whose slow step he had not heard approaching, in the tumu

stroking it softly, as if the head it covered had been a child's. He looked up. "You have sinned against your own spirit, and in the sight of G

y, as I prayed when we parted, that the blessing of the God of our fathers may be about you, boy, at this time, and for ever! Look up, and hear me. Let trouble, and toil, and hardship come, as the Lord will; lift up your head in His presence, Archie Sutherland, and plight me your word, that in your further warfare, manfully and honestly, and in the strength of His name, ye will resist sin. I fear no other thing in this earth

ll the strength of a sad man, honestly, and in truth. Remembering the One name wher

r hand lying fondly upon his hair, and there was again an interval of silence. "The angel that redeemed me from all

lking upon the damp road in the night air, like an imprudent lad, as you are, and will have wet feet, doubtless. Go up to your room like a good heart, an

ssion of strangers. Last night, I saw that man in my father's seat. I have not shrunk from the full trial, and now there is no probation so hard, no struggle so bitter, but I am willing to e

nd to be strong, ye must rest; this is no a time to speak of dying. I ken no man in this world, that has a chain to life as strong as you have yourself, Archie Sutherland, if it be the Lord's will, and truly, I have little hope of a man, with a labor before him, turning to death for ease and idleness. I doubt not, there

livery donned, in honor of the company, stood waiting at the door: the same room, with all its arrangements perfectly unchanged! the same friendly and well-known face, that had been wont to hover about him in kindly attendance in those joyous boyish days! The prodigal had returned home-the despairing man had entered into an atmosphere

ies which formerly bound him in kindly neighborship to these prosperous people, who knew his fall and humiliation alone, and did not know his painful struggles and sore repentance, he sh

ee him and render him right thanks for his good service. You ought to have gone to Woodsmuir first. I know not any mortal you are so much indebted to. Go your ways to the library and shut the door-I will send ove

et cannot rest till I see something definite before me. I have lost too much time already, and Mr. Foreman is an o

come blythely, Archie-go your ways, and be careful of shutting the door, that you may not be disturbed. Andrew, let Johnnie Halflin ride to Woodsmuir wi

ing pony to face the damp, chill blast, which swept so mournfully through the naked woods, and over the sighing Oran, and at last gallopping off on the road to

's drawing room were whispering

said Mrs. Coulter, sympathetically. "Her fa

isitor," suggested Mr. Bairnsfat

ried Walter Foreman, "you mi

are constantly speaking of things they don't comprehend. M

eyes were uneasily fixed upon the do

t grief to her this downcome of young Strathoran. A fine life he led in Paris, b

nswer, but evidently checking with some difficul

for his friends to desert him. Dear me, there is Mr. Ambler persua

f the seniors," said Mr. Ambler, "the first

her. The "seniors" prepared to listen-the younger part of the company to whisper

Strathoran who has arrived?"

iently, resenting the int

Anne wrote it for-a right breath to carry forth the story on-not that-as if sick hearts were like to pl

h the keys, and finding this a proper opportunity for the hesitation a

r ballad, Jeanie Coulter, and do not keep us wai

is no history of more perfect beauty and pathos in all the stores of our Scottish tongue, rich though it be in such-full justice. The tremulous sad music stole through the room, arresting even Alice, though she was r

d factor had both taken their place beside him in the library-the lamp shone upon the somewhat sharp profile of Mr. Foreman, with its deepset acute eyes and deliberative look-upon the healthful, hardy, honest face of Mr. Ferguson, b

ran. Now there is Loelyin and Lochend the entailed lands-you will remember that Alexander Semple is in them, and there are three years of his lease to

ly, not seeing what the f

ed myself, is in excellent condition. I believe that with capital and perseverance, the value of these ent

shook his

capital, M

ur friends-Mrs. Catherine for example-have, and this

mind excited and unsettled as it has been, I could endure the placid routine of a farmer's life anywhere. I have rather been looking forward to unceasing labor of a more engrossing kind, as the only wholesome discipline for me;

have the full benefit of his advice; and I am confident of Mrs. Catherine's assistance. In such an investment, capital is perfectly secure, and subject to no vicissitudes-very few, at least; and I fully believe, that, carefully and scientifically cultivated, we may quadruple the poor two hundred a year it yields now: so that, in addi

ent is to be overpowered with undeserved kindness," he said, his voice trembling. "My

. My whole family were born in Woodsmuir. I have long been a theoretical farmer, you know; and now I will get some of my favorite crotchets put into practice. We shall come into collision Mr. Coulter and I," continued the fac

re be Mr. Ferguson, in you devoting years to increase my income

. Ferguson takes Alexander Semple's place, at Alexander Semple's rent, Mr. Sutherland-that's his proposal-continues so, till his improvements are fairly and honestly pay

-neither did his hearers, as Mr. Ferguson shook his grey eye-lash free of some encumber

, Mr. Archibald?"

ormed no definite plan. Give me your

suggested M

" ventured

it in Mrs. Catherine's lifetime. You smile. It looks like a sick fancy, does it not?-yet it is a fancy that stirs me in every vein. I must work, gentlemen-I must work; how hardly I do not care; work for me

ok of earnest attention before he concluded. He thought the hope futile, no doubt; but it

n, half aloud. "He must be e

de, perhaps, in letting you see that I am not too proud for my fallen fortunes-that I should get a clerk's situation in some commercial house abroad-I do not care where-and work my way upward, as I can. I have no money; and what bare influence I could command, would help me little, I fancy. Let me make this experiment, with no adventitious help of patron

that you would shrink from trade. Your resolution is proper and wise; but remember-I do not wish to discourage you, but there are only a very few, who rise from the class of c

rely remain in the humblest class. You are wearied, Mr. Archibald; let us adjourn this discussion. We can meet in Portoran in a day or tw

ed to his room, where he fell asleep in dreamy peace, and strange unwonted quiet, in the pleasant, ruddy twilight, wh

stranger child in Mrs. Melder's cottage; the unconscious Alice; the magic threads were extending themselves in all directions. Anne almost feared to see new faces, to make new friends. Norman's image was growing before her eyes, filling up the whole horizon

om was nearly empty. Lewis was not there, neither was Alice Aytoun. The door communicating with the little east room was ajar, and Anne entered, seeking her brother. The room was dimly lighted with one candle. Who stood at its further end? Lewis Ross and Alice Aytoun, hand in hand. Anne stood silent, on the threshold, in chill, fear and apprehension, her

her cold fingers, and then, hastily disengaging herself, left the room, her very brain reeling, leaving Lewis enraged, and Alice grieved and alarmed, in the very fulness of her joy. It was all over now; the f

PTE

he knew not what to do-whether to communicate her secret at once, or to delay until she herself knew the terrible story more perfectly. She determined on the latter course, before they reached Merkland, and pained still further by her brother's averted looks, and sullen silence, whispered: "Lewis, forgive me, I knew not what I was doing," as they entered the house.

y, and Norman's blighted life-now from recalling in strange caprice the girlish gaiety and sunny future of Alice Aytoun, dwelling upon its bright particulars, as if to exaggerate the gloom that now lowered over the gladness of those youthful days. The host of indefinite and conflicting purposes, which terminated all these discursive wanderings of thought, would not be reconciled. Cr

eep and unhappy fancies together, Anne girded herself for the work that lay before her. To see Mrs. Catherine, and ascertain beyond doubt that Alice was the daughter of that Aytoun who fell by Norman's hand-that seemed her first step. To learn as fully and clearly as might be the particulars of the tragedy itself, and if possible, to get possession of Norman's letter to her father, which Mr

tance at all times, and knew that Mrs. Catherine was, comparatively, an early riser. The path was damp and slippery-the morning comin

ascent of the hill behind the Tower. She was dressed, all but the large soft grey shawl which her stately attendant Mrs. Elspeth Henders

the poor bairn. Mind, I will have no doctoring of my Anne. I believe Euphan Morison is crazy!-my best cow in the deadthraw with her abo

ay that Miss Ross needit spiritual physic, and no temporal: the bitter herbs o' repentance and grace, and

ousehold and lineage of you! Not that I am saying we are, any of us, above grace and repentance-forbid that such a profane thing should

derson looked m

Nevertheless, it's my privilege to lift up my testimony to the iniquity of human-kind, all and haill. We

ime, in lives that the world called pure, and no less in my own. Carry your testimony to your Maker's presence, Elspat Henderson, and mind that ye stand sol

gave a pro

your auld and faithful servant. Me, a special ill-will at the young lady!

therine

ree of you are no enough to banish peace from any mortal, I am no judge. What cause of

at coughe

e to the Tower; and if ye'll notice yoursel how she looks steadfast at Miss Alice, and syne grows w

mmediately. Her attendant approached with the shaw

last, "and what does yo

envy, and a jealous ill-will at folk better gifted and better likit than ourse

ook me out the Psalm that gives a righteous reward to him that slanders his neighbor privately. I know well David, honest man, let his pen fall ajee when he wrote it 'him,' and no 'h

n awakened a new train of thought, and roused anxieties and fears, hitherto, in the pre-occupation of her mind, never dreamed of. Anne Ross's

What is the matter?" Anne entered, and sat down to recover her breath, and re-arrange her thoughts.

, smiling faintly; "that is-they are all well in Merklan

ething not common that has brought you here this mo

matter connected with ourselves-I should say myself, rather, f

out," exhort

on her as the time of certain knowledge drew so near, "I only wanted to ask y

a death knell to her last hope, and returned it with a strange, callous steadiness, such as

alive. Wherefore do

flicker of h

how? I beseech you to t

; "for what purpose do you seek to k

" repeated Anne.-"Answer me, Mrs. Cat

paused long bef

teen years ago; the way was-" Mrs. Catherine paused again. "To what pu

eated Anne, claspin

oot beasts. Anne Ross, I brought the bairn Alison to my house, because she was an i

ng, and sat, in the blind, fainting sickness that pos

What ails you? What have you heard? I am meaning

collecting herself. "Mrs. Catherine

ppealing motion with her

erfectly self-

it No

r was far too legibly written in the long, steadfast look of

inutes, too deeply moved and engrosse

, hurriedly. "I must go

o, took her hand, and l

ore of this. Who was so cruel as to tell you this s

wn again, m

grief and forgetfulness long ago, when the unhappy lad found his grave under the sea? It is not known in the countryside, for the deed was done far from here, and your

er the sea!" murmure

ay ye,

hat she feared this was his daughter. Oh! Mrs. Catherine, why did you not keep her sepa

known to me; the story is a woeful story, dark enough to cause sore grief; but

words to communicate her "living

mean? No that there is anything-No, no, what makes m

there is,

, and walked throug

e is but a bairn-it can have gone no further than the slight liking of a boy and a girl. Where were my eyes that I did not see the peril? Child, it must end this very day-better the pang of a sudden p

s already been an explanation between

and down the small apa

, my puir bairn, I am a selfish fool to think of my own gray head, when the burden falls the heaviest

d: she could not betray Norman'

know what is best to be done with poor Alice, so happy and young as s

rine shook

hink it is but some passing thing that awhile will wear away.-

s dreadful story more perfectly. I thought of going to old Esther Flemin

n and her own son were year's bairns, and Norman was the light of Esther Fleming's eyes. Your father made no endeavor to help the miserable young man, child. I know what you would s

wering her as if it had been guilt. Alas! over the h

ming strangely familiar with the subject: "coul

ut a bairn then, and Alison was not born; besides that, they were strangers in that countryside, as well as Norman-being from the south-and would know little of him but his name. Mrs. Aytoun is a woman of

t lay upon her like a cloud, wei

hout having any sick month of waiting, that there is a bar between Lewis and her that cannot be passed over-that there is a stern an

sented

f Lewis, lest he endeavor to hold this black deed lightly. I will not have it. The blood that a Ross spilt must never be joined in near kindred to another Ross. There is a deadly bar between the houses. Forgiveness there may be, f

e r

bade me be her sister. I must hasten now to learn these terrible details more accurately. Lewis might refuse to be

-guiltiness. Anne, my bairn!" Mrs. Catherine paused, laid her hand upon Anne's drooping head, and went on, her voice sounding low and solemn. "The Lord uphold and strengthen

ment, to proclaim it aloud, as she hurried along; running sometimes, with a sick feeling of escaping thereby from the phantom that overshadowed her inmost heart. The crime itself seemed to become dimmer, in its far distance. The thought that Norm

his last night's sullen petulance, was in high spirits-spirits so high as to aggravate his mother's ill-humor. She grudged that he should have found so much pl

g, Miss Ross," she said, as An

You have good taste certainly, so far as weather g

ever. I presume you were making tender inquiries after Mr. Sutherland, Miss Ross? At this time, of course, it is quite sentim

Anne, "if I had thought of him at all; but I

ave been at

in to see Mrs. Catherine

r with a smile which said, "I thank you;" befo

the fascination lies. One can understand a passing infatuation, in a boy like Lewis; but for you, Anne, who should have some idea of propriety and decoru

mself up in towering indignation. "Pa

meal was ended, there was a cessation of hostilities, though Mrs. Ross still kept up a fugitive fire,

ther. "I suppose you a

turn I shall have something to tell you, which, as it will be of great impo

p Oranside. Anne sat in terror, lest she should be questioned as to the mystery of Lewis' words, but fortunately, she wa

d, quick throbbing of her heart. The silence became awful; she fancied Mrs. Ross could hear her fingers

t her impatiently.

ng bolder, as she steadied her voice, "which my unhappy brother, No

wilfulness and regardlessness of Lewis, and you bring in your own foolish fancies, and your brother's shameful story, as if

even curiosity, though I need hardly be blamed for feeling deep interest in the history of my brother. For the sake of my father's memory, and for the s

nd, which, impelled by the vehemence of her feelings, mingled with Anne's entreaty. At last she rose, and walk

nd up stairs among the lumber. The letter is in some of the drawers. At least, don't let me have any further

dusty and damp in a recess, and Anne had to draw aside boxes of mouldering papers, and articles of broken furniture, before she reached it. The picture stood in her way; she knelt down again, delaying

d the letter, wrapped in a large sheet of paper, within which was something written, in the tremulous scratchy hand, which Anne knew to be her father's.

ren, Anne an

ith looking upon death face to face. This blood is not upon Norman's hand. Listen to his own words, children; and believe with me that his words are true. A frail and stricken man, I have done nothing to clear him of the imputed guilt; but as a special heritage, I leave this work to you. His blood is in your veins; he is your nearest kindred. Children of my old age, save my son Norman! As you would have a blessing on your own youth and prosperity, remember the desolate exile in his wanderings, and clear his name and fame. My eye is waxing heavy, and my h

nce R

The blessed belief came into her soul in solemn sunshine-the cloud rolled off her head. A strange invigoration was in every vein. Norman was alive! alive to receive the triumphan

bears me witness, before God, that I am innocent of his blood. Father my heart is like to burst. What can I say to you-my hand is clean. I am innocent!-I am innocent! there is no blood upon my soul. And yet I dare not venture to trust myself to a trial, with every circumstance against me. I have noth

at fatal judgment. I could not bear to hear myself called guilty, with my innocence strong in my heart. I have a suspicion, too-a terrible fear and suspicion-and I must fly. Father, I can say no more, even to you. I am a sinful man before God; but my hand is as pure of blood, as w

m innocent-this blood does not stand between God and me. Why this fearful cloud has covered us, He knows who sent it. It may depart yet, in His good time. For this unjust world, farewell, father. We will meet where there are no false

R.

ould be prayed for, hoped for, toiled for. The curse was turned into a blessing. The path was wintry still, and bare, and laborious; but that horrible spectre of blood was gone;

e, to learn, according to her original intention, the particulars of this dark history there. The Oran moaned no more, but only murmured plaintively, between his banks,

PTE

ther's overflowing eye looked with scarce less partial pride upon Norman Rutherford than upon William Fleming. When Mrs. Ross herself died, the little Anne became the object of Esther's devoted and unceasing care, although her removal from Merkland to the cottage she now occupied took place before the second marriage of Mr. Ross; but even after that event, bitterly as the faithful servant resented it, Esther continued, for her delicate nurseling's sake, to hold her footing in Merkland, and to pay daily visits to her old dominion in the nursery, asserting against all comers, and in face of the new darling, Lewis himself, the rights and privileges of "Miss Anne." But when Anne was still a child, a blight fell upon Esther Fleming; the self-same blight, which brought the gray hairs of Norman Rutherford's father in sorrow to the grave. The old nurse, stronger, or more tenacious of life, had borne her sorrow silently, and marked it more by her u

efully-kept hood of black velvet, sat sewing by the fire, making shirts for her sailor son, then far away in

indifferent conversation, "I have come to ask you about a very grav

gravely in her face, and th

she asked in a

ne. "You know

s been lying heavy on my heart since ever that cloud fell upon my boy. I have looked to you-I have aye looked

how far her knowledge went, or whether it

her. "I see it in your eye. What of this sto

fal

ow, Esther.

mother's bairn. Miss Anne, your brother Norman lies under the reproach of a black crime-the blackest that man can be blotted

testimony of the dead, and deeply as her hapless brother's self-defence moved h

d little. This morning I was in despair, because I knew that Norman lived, and believed that he was guilty. Now, I can do anything. His innocence

arms a helpless, greeting bairn, the first day o' his life; wi' my ain hands I put his first mortal claes about him-my boy!-my gallant, mirthful boy! And to think of him spending his best

lost years! Esther, there might have been som

iving, for fear of trouble; but now, Miss Anne, now, ye have your work befor

. "Only tell me, Esther-tell me everyt

in my ain spirt, money a time, looking for this day. Maybe, if ye haena patience wi' me, I may mak it no sae

o' them a' in their wild plays, and never out o' mischief; but, for a' that, as gentle as a lamb. I used to tell them, when they came in to me wi' torn claes and dirty shoes, and blyth

hey are noo!-and I had a conceit that they were like ane an ither, though Mr. Norman was head and shouthers higher than Willie, and had eyes like stars in a frosty nicht, and ha

ither bairns fecht for, he heeded not, though I never saw a laddie that liket better the quietest mark of kindliness: only, if there was onything like a privilege or an honor, he would aye have it wared on the rest; no jealous and g

d to be; but I have seen him (who was only a poor man's son, and no equal to the young Laird,) standing out against Mr. Lawrence in his pets, when Mr. Norman gaed way, in his bl

g, white and thin, on the bank, watching them; and my ain twa, my beautiful laddies! as wild in their innocent play as twa foals on a lee; and

anna read thae sore and sorrowful dispensations! To think that there should be sae mony blythe families round about, wi' no ane wee head lifted out among them, and a' the Mistress's lilies gathered-a' but Mr. Norman; and ye wad have thought the rest had left a portion of their life to him, as that strange lassie, Jacky Morison, was saying to me out of a book of ballants, about three knights-aye as the an

ould burst. For months after that, he used to come in and sit beside me in the nursery, never speaking a wor

use Mr. Norman had been put aside from inheriting Merkland, because he was to take his uncle's name, and sae noo there was nae heir,) till I put it to the Laird my ain sel-ye may think it bauld, Miss Anne, but I had been about the house a' his married life.-That very night-for I wasna likely to bide wi' a strange woman in my mistress's seat-I was sorting my bits of odds and ends to gang away; and looking at you, sleeping in your wee bed

say a word to me-only I heard him moaning to himsel, 'O, mother, mother!' Nae wo

he wedding, only Mrs. Catherine, and Strathoran's lady, and some more, wouldna come; and when they sought Mr.

rs before your mother-and Mr. Norman was his heir. He was to take both the land and the name, and I have heard it was a better property than Merkland, only it was far south by this, on the ither side o' Edinburgh. Mr. Norman was to bide wi' his father till he came of age, and a sore and

ot see him after that for a whole year. The light of my eyes was ta'en from

evising in the kindness of his heart for my Willie? There was a schooner lying at Leith on sale, and Mr. Norman had made an offer for't, for Willie's sake, and no ither, to make him captain; and when they had rested themsells a week at hame, Mr. Norman took Willie away to Leith wi' him to see the ship. Weel, Miss Anne, every thing was bright for baith o' them when they gaed away; but when they got

o wipe her eyes

. I had no more spirit for onything, but just gaed about the house like a ghaist, and caredna to spin, as the lass says in the sang. Mr. Norman did his endeavor to free my puir laddie,

lie, though I never blamed him-no for a moment; but onyway he was altogether pairted from his ain auld hame-no that he forgot us; there was aye the tither bit prese

s auld then.) So I got the paper-ye had slipped it out o' the lockit book-case in the library, the time your papa was writing a letter, and didna see ye. I mind the very words ye said-because I likit to

l-a gun was found in the wood, and the gun was Mr. Norman's, and when the officers gaed to take him up, he had fled, no man kent whither. My e'en were reeling in my head, but I could read it for a' that-I didna lose a word; and in anither place there was mair news-the murderer, as they daured to ca' him, had been traced into a Holland boat, and there was certain word of it, that it was wrecked, and all on board lost, so he had come, they said, to speedy punishment. I ken not now, how I had strength to do it; but I rose up the moment I was done, a

loud, like the wild sea that was flowing over my dear, dear bairn. It was before my eyes night and day, sleeping and waking. I kent he couldna have done it out of evil counsel or malice,

s to come and see him. So I put up a bit bundle, and took some lying siller, and set out upon the road. I wanted to buy some bits of things the puir laddie needed, and so I couldna afford to tak the coach, but walked every step, and a weary road it was. So Willie met me

. 'I ken, I ken; it ha

, and saw it was safe shut, and s

and done a terrible crime, and died a terrible death. Oh, that we had but kent

u that he didna do it? Do you no ken that yoursel? O, mother

wi' purpose and counsel, Willie; but he may have been begui

mind that a precious life is hin

is feet, for what could I think, but that it

ed him will clear him in its ain guid time; but he bade me tell you. He couldna bear, he said, that folk that had kent him, and likit him weel sh

e flee?-the right would have been prove

n my mind, that he knew wha had dune the deed, and that it was ane he likit weel and was willing to suffe

' said I, 'where was my dear

. Norman was waiting till there should be some ship sailing from Rotterdam to India. He said to me, mother, that he would never daur write hame again; but if he died he would cau

ing forth His righteousness as the noonday, and His judgment as t

gh she was a bit genty, delicate-looking thing. Mr. Norman took me in to see her, and tell't her I was his foster-brother and friend. He is aye like himsel, thinking on pleasuring me, in the midst o' a' his ain trouble-and she gaed me her hand

my road hame, I went first of a' to the place where the deed was done. Its on the south side o' the Firth, far down-but I c

tain unco weel, and was made gunner in the ship, and he had got used wi' their life, and liked it, so he just gaed back. He said to me, I mind, that he might aye be in the way of hearing tidings of Mr. Norman, and woul

e?" said Anne; "

e. She felt it a sin to lose a moment. Yet all the diffi

ome of thae keen writer chiels to gang, cannily, without letting on what they want, to do their endeavor to find out if onybody else in that countryside had an ill-will at Mr. Aytoun: he was a wild man, I heard, and nae doubt had enemies-and if ony other man had been seen leaving the wo

ther peaceful family, Esther," said Anne

y mysel. I aye waited for you. I had no thought ye wad falter. The work is a sore an

we are to endeavor to prove the guilt of one whom Norman was willing to sacrifice name and fame for, it is only so much the more painful. Yet I do

upon her the necessity of losing no time. To lose no time!-no, surely; when,

ountry, the outcast's wife? Anne's imagination no longer pictured him alone, abroad beneath sweeping blast and tempest. A calmer air stole over the picture. It might be from some humble toiling home-n

TER

caprices and prejudices of a set of old women! His dignity was hurt, his petulant pride roused. He certainly was conscious of doing simple Alice Aytoun some considerable honor, and did not fancy there was anything unnatural in his mother thinking that he might have done better-but to control his liberty-to think that by all this coldness and discouragement,

her heart beating loud and unsteadily. Mrs. Catherine had been so tender to herself this morning, almost as if she knew-it was so strange that she should be cold to Lewis. Mrs. Catherine left the room f

ven very connected and relevant, for Lewis, spite of his boyish pride and self importance, felt truly and deeply, so far as little Alice was concerned, and had not escaped the ameliorating effect of that influence, which, according to the gay old epicurean of our Scottish ballad-writers, "gives one an air, and even improves the mind."-The youthful couple wandered through the loaning, unconscious in their own dreamy happines

ledge, last night her agitated, shame-faced, simple embrace? It was the only way which Alice could think of, for intimating to Anne the connexion now formed between them; and she trembled again, to remember the cold hand that had been laid upon her head, the look of sharp silent pain, that had fallen upon Lewis and herself as they

an-the gentlemen were returning home. Alice proceeded quickly, eager to pass them, for their loud tone startled her, and she was near enough to hear a rude compliment aimed at herself, which sent the womanly blood to her cheek in indignation. They met at last, and suddenly extending their arms, the strangers barred her passage. Little Alice's heart

ple, foolish, fair-haired lad, who, besides some boyish admiration of the pretty girl, thought this interruption of her progress a pleasant frolic, and good fun. There was no other way of enteri

riding-whip in hand, came springing through the gap. "What is the matter, Alic

of prompt ire, and its sole daughter did it no discredit. "This is great impertinence

sweep a few short, sharp lashes over the amazed Fitzherbert, whose strange grimace of rage sent his young comrade into a fit of laughter, and earned for Marjory a full forgiveness of his own individua

rd you are, little Alice Aytoun. Why, we have had an adventure: only, to be correct, it should have been Lewis Ross who delivered you, and not I: is it so? Ah, I am af

rkland, with a shadow of matronly dignity upon her fair brow already, should be spoken of as a little

t, which had escaped from her hand, and bore sundry marks (no uncommon thing, however) of its contact with the damp path. "You may be thankful i

a very nice girl; is

as it will be possible to find in the country; as proper, and not quite so good-looking, and more sensible, than you wi

to be what you call proper than-" Alice hesitated; "I mean, no one thinks Mrs. Catherine,

g with me at the Craig: I had a bold purpose of getting my poor mother's old ph?ton hunted up, and driving her over to see you; but we cannot compass a vehicle, we Falconers, so I had to give it up. It is just as we

further. "And, Miss Falconer, don't be angry-wouldn't it be better not to speak so? I don't l

rew up her tall, handsome figure, to its full height

not experiment on me much, you know, lest I should grow angry. No, no; do not lift up those blue eyes

unfeminine as she gave herself credit for being, and had bitter compunctions of outraged delicacy sometimes, after those masculine speeches, which revenged her womanhood completely. But the little world of Strathoran did not know that-did not know either how the strong and healthful s

inal evil was increased by the grievance of which she herself complained; she was left to the company of men-men, moreover, of th

e indulgences which Mrs. Catherine gave her that day, as she would have given them to a sick child; and Alice wondered. These steadfast, compassionate looks became painful at last, and there was so great a chill of grav

ie by his notice. Mr. Foreman's lad from Portoran had bidden her "be sure and come soon back again," when he shook hands with her. Jacky, with her eldritch voice, had attempted to sing 'Bessie Bell' in her honor-and to

sion; and when dinner was over that day, and the darkness of the long January night had begun, Mrs. Catherine took her youthful kinswoman by the arm, and led her away from the dining-room without speaking. They did not go up stairs; they went away through tha

h a pale, withered, inquisitive face. Mrs. Catherine seated herself on one of the chairs and bade Alice take the other. The firelight fell warm and bright upon that fine dark

Catherine, "do you

id Alice,

w moving in a strange, fantastic smile upon the lip. Alice had heard from some of the

erine. "Look at him well. Do you see how strong, and full of healt

as to Archibald Sutherland, it looked loftily calm and pure, removed far

ell you the history of Sholto Douglas. Sit

ing close to the window-the dreary sough of the wind as it swept through the bare trees without, and the long passages within, moaning so eerie and spirit-like-the cal

the while, that it was easy to recognise this as the history of her great sorrow, "and I cannot tell you how dear we were to on

trength and manliness, Sholto was arrested on the way. I am a woman now laden with years, and drawing near to the grave, but, bairn, there is no ear

o came to my house last night. She was a gentle, pleasant, gladsome girl, like your own self, Alison Aytoun. I liked her well before for her own sake, and I liked her dearly then for Sholto's. The day was set for the bridal-the who

him, till he was worn and wasted to a shadow. The burning heat of his inflammation was on him the day that should have been his bridal day-and when he rose from that bed it

ike the clusters of his hair, was the Lord parting him from me. I could not hope-when Isabel leant upon his chair, and looked into his face-his cheek with its bright color, and

ith us, that he might have the comfort of her presence. Her kindred would not let her-she thought it not needful herself, neither did he: they would meet agai

r hearts misgave them at that moment. There is a shadow of fear upon all partings, and it was deepened upon theirs. As fo

him away to that sunny island in the sea, where so many are sent to die. His doom was upon him-the light was in his eye more glorious than ever, the hectic was burning on his cheek. What was the soft air and the beauti

rible wing of death. Think of it-think of my desolate journey-think of my

uld not fathom the stern depths of suffering, which still swelled in Mrs. Catherine's

to come. A year before you would have thought that if ever there were two fated to a bountiful and gladsome lot, it was S

adow on every lot, how fair soever, may be its beginning?-that even the like of you, in your youth an

blue eyes looked fearfully and anxiously in Mrs. Catherine's face. This most sad history, Alice felt, was the preface of some personal evil

you can think how Isabel mourned in her

ll float, and threw herself unconsciously at Mrs. Catherine's feet, kneeling there in incoherent grief and terror,

s. Catherine bent down. "Alison! wherefore did ye not tell me of t

ng through all her slight figure

eir joy and hope, it pleased the Lord to sunder for ever, in this world, the two I have told you of. Alison! there lies as deadly a bar between Lewis Ross and you; a bar that can never be passed, or lifted away in th

away, yet still noiselessly welling out, and a momentary flush of womanly pride inspiring her girlish figure. "He might have told me himself," she exclaimed, p

ndeavored to release herself; endeavoring vainly also to hide the large hot

y him justice, though I have little wish that you should think of him more.

. So long as change did not come upon either herself or Lewis, what were external obstacles to them, in their triumphant hope and affectio

ust ye part: there is no hope-no choice. Before ever you were born, there was a deadly bar laid between Lewis Ross and you. It cannot be passed: there is no hand in this world that can lift it away: it is as unchangeable a

e saw the steadfast, sorrowful, compassionate look, in which there was no hope; and, yielding to the pressure of t

p. She was stunned and overpowered. The gentle heart lay in a kind of stupor, a dead and vacant sleep; she hardly felt it beat. The hope, and shame, and anger, the very wonder and grief, seemed gone; yet in her c

you to make a sore sacrifice. For the sake of your kindly mother, Alice; for the sake of your honorable and upright brother James: for the memory's sake of your dead father, whom you never saw, I ask you to give up this stranger lad. He was nothing to you three months ago. They

ine's knee, and looked up with sad, beseech

ur promise. It is a thing that cannot change-that nothing in this world can make amends for. Alison, it is your

plaintive, complaining voice: "I am not strong, and there is n

thing, to have such troubles shadowing you; but it may be most merciful, in the end, to let you ken it all. Listen to me." Mrs. Catherine paused for a mom

nt and as generous as ever breathed mortal breath. Why he was left to himself in so dreadful a way, I cannot tell. It will never be known on thi

ine's lap, and covered her face with her hands. There was nothing more to say or to hope; and the mist and film

Alice laid herself down upon her bed, and hid her sad, white face in the pillow, and silently wept. The girlish light heart sank

d, half woman, had entered into the very depths of a woe which must be borne alone. The dull, leaden darkness gathered round her; the tears flowed over her white c

TER

the nurse's cottage, and was proceeding, as us

n, significantly, "Merk

Anne, "what of that

within mysel that maybe ye were wanting to see the Laird; and he's in th

Laird of Merkland, was a person of the very highest importance, and not to be teased and incommoded by "a wheen woman," desired her interposition to receive the

n," she said, as she ran up stair

rned away

nd then the other. Ane would need lang tack o' patience that ventured to yoke wi' them, frae Job himsel, honest man, doun to Peter Hislop, the stock farmer at Wentrup Head. 'Deed, and the twa are in no ma

in haste and anger, while Mrs. Ross sat leaning back in her chair with the

o you that this stratagem-I say this unworthy stratagem-only strengthens my determination. Anne," continued Lewis, perceiving her as he turned, in his hasty progress from one end of the room to the other, "you have heard

otion was spasmodic. She was reaping the fruit of her own training, and the ingratitude and ru

ery unjustly to your mother. Be calm, a

Mrs. Ross, "let him go on; it i

ed from he

u say this is not true-this story-this scheme. I will not submit t

ing son-the only child-t

features twitching, her

listen. Mother, I beg of you to sit down; forgive him this; he does not know-he cannot co

le as she did the insults of her son, with a face in which wonder and

This from you, Anne

t of the world, he is condemned long years ago. Every one thinks him guilty. Not your mother only, but Mrs. Catherine, and all who know the story, except myself and one other. Lewis, I do not say how

edly, throwing himself into a chair; "

is true, that for seventeen years-for all Alice Aytoun's sunny lifetime-he has been expiating, in a foreign country, the crime of another man. Do not sneer, mother; I cannot bear it. Do not turn away Lewis; I will not be disbelieved. My brother Norman is innocent; the two hearts that knew him, and

e? My mother tells me first, that this Norman killed the father of Alice Aytoun, and then you come in, and tell me all the story is true, and yet th

. Ross. "Have you told him a

you, Anne," said M

ly breaking down. "Does he know all?" she repeated; "does

cied that, like herself, the thousand apprehensions connected with that secret were overwhelming Lewi

er, this has haunted me night and day, waking and sleeping; it has tinged my every thought and every dream; it has never left my mind for an hour. You thought I wished to put obstacles between Alice Aytoun and you; you were right, I did so. I endeavored in every possible way to keep you separate. I schemed as I never schemed before; you know now the reason. I wanted to preserve you both; to save her young heart from this cloud, and to keep you even from knowing it, because it was your mother's wish you should not know. Our plans are not the best, and Providence

blotted letters in her son's hand. He had laid down his father's cover, and was reading with kindred keenness, Norman's incoherent self-defence. The young man's sharp, cold scrutiny, was little like that of one, whose present happiness depended upon the truth of this; his steady hand, and business-like demeanor, revealed no deeper int

eady lip of Lewis. He folded them up carefully, and laid them on the table. Anne waited in

exclaim

these letters could do a mighty deal of themselves, for you've no experience, you know not

mazement; she would not

a crime, which nobody could suppose he would like to acknowledge, and simply my father's belief, that what

etter about him than you; he fled, because he knew that his only chance of escape was in flight, you may take my word for that. And now that you are satisfied, Lewis; now that you have received the testimony of some

ked up in

o manage that for myself. I

letters. The youth's heart was moved within Lewis Ross at last, in spite of all his premature prudence, and

l, A

ted the

unconvinced? Has my father's charge no weight with you? Has Norman's distress no

and nothing in his favor but these two incoherent rambling letters. He was an excitable nervous person himself, and my father was an

vidence

you had not said it, Anne, I should never have believed that the Norman Rutherford she told me of was any brother of ours; but since he is-the evidence it seems to me is irresi

from him i

would you have me do, Anne? Shall I go away and labor to find this Norman, and beg him to take Merkland of

ill this mystery is cleared, Alice Aytoun is unapproachable to you; the brother of her father's accused murderer can be nothing to her, but a stranger whom she must shrink from and avoid. I know how this will crush poor Alice, but she is far too ge

tell her certainly. I intend to write to her mother to-day-you need not look horrified-this shall not keep me back an hour. Why should it? I had no hand in her father's murder; and as for Norman, I am very sorry, but I cannot help him in any way. If he has not deserved this by hi

s. Aytoun and her son?" inq

of a Ross in the north? Besides, if they had any suspicion, I hope they are sufficiently anxious about Alice and her

iries and agitation, and exclaimed immediately that you must not see Alice again; before this time Alice knows all, and however you might hope to weaken the impression it will make upon her-and you could not succeed even in that, for Alice with all her gent

to interfere between Alice and him? who would venture, for

you may at once secure your purpose, and deliver our poor Norman; but, as for daring and venturing, would Mrs. Catherine hesitate, think you? would Alice Aytoun's brother be afraid? Lewis

blaming Anne for telling Mrs. Catherine, and indulging in a thousand extravagances. Anne stood calml

bettered. What will I have to offer Alice? Some poor thousand pounds, perhaps, that may be doled out to me as the younger brother's portion-no house, no certain means of living. I suppose you would have me get

ther, would be a nobler man by far than the Laird of Merkland, who had left his nearest relative to languish out dishonor

ained at home, and had all been well with him, you stil

is settled on me to the exclusion of Norman, of course that puts the

e letters in

. I never had a doubt-never a fear. I felt that he was innocent. The joy was almost too much for me this morning.

s, more gently. "I want to

emained for some time in silence. Their own internal force of truthfulness did not carry conviction to the cold, logical understand

hould be done?" he said at l

and was content thus far to suffer in his stead. Lewis's interest was excited by the idea of discovering the true criminal, but flagged again when Anne told him how

f them, no doubt, who remember the story-it is not of a kind to be forgotten. Act upon Esther's suggestion-endeavor to find the real criminal-go over the whole neighborhood-spare no labor-no trouble.

ntirely out of the question to go myself. I could not do it. I have neither time nor patience to expend so, but I'll tell you what I'll do, Anne-I'll

o Norman in making this se

im with that. He can have some hint of what has occurred lately, and that it is a matt

fidence, in a search which should be guided, not by business-like acuteness alone, but by the loving energy of a heart which yearned over t

nd Alice, your own way. You can do it better than I could, for you have more faith in it than I-altogether," he continued, rising, with a laugh: "You are more a believing pers

e and poor calculations; nor could comprehend the instant and intuitive apprehension, which darted

busied, chalking out a plan of procedure for herself, should Robert Ferguson's mission fail, and Lewis had lighter fancies, unwillingly obscured by some tinge of the truths he had learned that day, to keep him silent. There were no lights in the accustomed windows when they reached the Tower. Mr

ding back instantly to Anne's side. With natural delicacy, the servants had followed Mr. Ferguson's example,

acky, looking up wistfully into Anne's fac

s were fixed upon her anxiously

Miss Anne-" b

t, J

nd heavy. Mostly ye canna hear her foot, it's like a spirit's-th

y pa

you hear

no one with me'-low, low-like as if she was in grief. Miss Anne, will ye go up to Miss Al

was softened with

the library-door, in meditative solitude; the strange, chivalrous girl's heart within her beating high with plans of help and aid

Anne, and she found Mrs. Catherine within, the t

r folk feel it even more painfully, there is aye a kind of struggle with their sorrow; but yonder, there was no strength to make resistance, child. T

look at me in anger. I am speaking words of truth and soberness: the matter does n

on with her hand, as if commanding A

eceived, to whom he was dearest upon earth? My father, Esther, Marion his wife, who went with him, they all believed him innoc

n Anne's shoulders, and gazed wit

d, I thought there was some other terror upon your mind, this

letters from her bosom. "Norman is alive, unjustly condemned, and inno

"I must see the ground of your hope myself, before ye sicken the silly

was the keen interest inspiring the strong face which bent over them, the eyes that traced the

Lord, in His infinite tenderness, be thanked for the comfort. Gowan, what are ye lingering for? Go to t

e left the room instantl

ed through the opened door hastily, to the still darker and chiller bed-chamber within, where she could see the gi

leave me, I do n

tly drew the hidden ch

said: "it is I, Alice,

aised h

Ah! you do

id her face again in her hands. It was as Mrs. Catherine said; the gentle

, and do not weep. Lewis is waiting to see

t not true? You would not call me Alice

d Anne, soothingly. "Rise, now, and let me be your maid ins

and was already clingi

e tell me that? why did you let her? I could not bear it. If

ive on, bearing undying griefs through long lifetimes: it is so appointed. Very sad was this plaintive, murmuring sorrow from lips so

ed her down to the cheerful fireside of Mrs. Catherine's inner drawing-room, where Lewis joined her by-and-bye, and fr

daur! Make no scruple to ask whatsoever aid is needful from me-ye ken that. You cannot see the truthfulness of it, child, as I do

TER

man had been consulting with his minister, of whose business head, and clear judgment, the good lawyer was becomingly proud, and slightly given to boast himself; and it happened that, at that very time, Mr. Lumsden had heard from his brother, the clever manager and future junior partner of Messrs. Sutor and Sinclair's, great commercial house in Glasgow, that Mr. Sinclair, the partner in Buenos Ayres, was in urgent want of an intelligent and well-educated clerk, and had written to his partner and manager, desiring them, either to send one of the young men in their Glasgow office, or to employ one of higher qualifications, if need were, and send him out without delay. Now it happened, wrote Mr. Lumsden's brother, that the house of Sutor and Sinclair had divers other branches, in different parts of the world, and their clerks of experience having been drafted, one by one,

been unfortunate, but the youthful madness which occasioned these misfortunes had been bitterly repented of, and there was little doubt that his ability, and earnest endeavor to redeem his lost ground, would carry him to the head of whatever he attempted. When Mr. Ferguson and Archibald entered Mr. Foreman'

out office drudging, and with a man who could understand and sympathize

may be a sort of pride, perhaps, though pride sits ill on me-I would, indeed, rather not

ill be; only the situation is a superior one, an

u think me at all likely to have the necessary qualifications. But in business,

"a good head and clear mind soon mas

his letter hurriedly, re-entered the room reading it. It was decidedly favorable. Much of sympathy and compassion for the young man shipwrecked so early, much of regret for the downfall of an old house (for Mr. Lumsden was a north countryman, and knew the Sutherland family by name) were in it; but these Mr. Foreman kept to himself. The prudent manager of Messrs. Sutor and Sinclair's Glasgow house, was rather dubious, as to a young man, who had managed to ruin himself at five-and-tw

lemen; what

could not stand before a definite proposal like this. "It loo

the commencement of my apprenticeship-and then, if I satisfy my new employers-then, for the shores of that luxurious Spain in the west, and such prosperity as Providence shall send me there. Nay, nay; you look sorrowfully at me, as if I mocked myself; I do not

honest lawyer, "to see you take it so well.

said Archibald, cheerfully. "I shall be the better

tagion of his client's cheerfulness, which, to tell the truth, was

ed now devising the means for their fertilization, and, in company with Mr. Ferguson, had already taken various very long, wearisome, and delightful walks, partly from a neighborly regard for the interests of the broken man, and partly from his own entire devotion to his respectable and most important science, advising with the new farmer as to the various profitable and laborious processes necessary for these unpromising and barren fields. The rental Archibald Sutherland insisted should remain in the factor's hands, or in Mr

the heir of all its inherited honors, looked forward to the lifetime of toil that lay before him, obscure, ignoble, unceasing? The office in Glasgow where he should be put on trial, and have the strange new experience of unknown masters, on whose favor depended all his prospects; the still more dim and unknown counting-house of Buenos Ayres, with its exile and estrangement from home-looks and language. Was not his heart sickening within him? No! Who that has felt his pulses quicken, and his heart beat, at the anticipation of a clear and honorable future, filled only with unencumbered labor, a healthful frame, a sound mind, and a great aim in view, could ask that questio

t-that Norman lived yet to be toiled, and hoped, and prayed for-was not communicated to either Archibald or Alice. They knew only that their friends believed him unjustly accused, and intended to labor for proof of that-proof

ful, courageous, and conversing with that intimate and familiar kindliness which unites so much more closely and tenderly on the eve of a parting than at any other time. Alice was to sing to them-to sing as Anne and Archibald begged-that song of the 'Oran' which had moved them so deeply on the nig

hearts, for the s

rs of toil before he could see the evening star rise calm on the home-waves of Oran, she echoed the prayer, but more deeply, and with a thrill of still devouter e

leaning over her chair, and Anne, approaching Mrs. Catherine, took the opportunity of asking her about

ut Redheugh, that he liked well, and it has lain bye me ever since. I desired the bairn Alison to learn it. I am an auld fuil to heed such bairnly things, child; but it pleased me to hear her fath

. Catherine, stating all the circumstances of her engagement, and their conviction that they could prove to Mrs. Aytoun's satisfaction the innocence of Norman. It had been thought best that Lewis should not write himself, unti

ook, and some very beautiful moss, from a gray, old tombstone in the graveyard on Oranside, which, tradition said, covered the last resting-place of the heroine of an old, pathetic ballad, current in the countryside. Bessie let

is placed Alice, carefully wrapped up, and protected from the cold, in the corner of the same coach in which she had seen him first. Little Be

led herself bravely, like a little hero, and conquered. They were home, in the old familiar room, by the well-known fireside. Mrs. Aytoun was smiling, as she had not smiled before sin

mall white hand, upon which glittered the little token ring.

over her face and neck. She stammered and tremble

ting Mrs. Catherine's letter into her mother's hands, and

gitated, opened the letter, and Alice laid her head upon her moth

means confident either whether I will ever undertake the charge of any such dangerous gear again; for in the ordinary course of nature, the bit gay spirit and bonnie face of her have been making

ears, when it is the fashion of young men to give themselves credit for more wisdom than any other mortal person can see. In other things, so far as I can judge, the two are well enough matched: for Lew

the swift proceedings of youth; and the two had plunged themselves beyond power of redemption, before I had any inkling of the m

n you are younger than me, and have seen less of this world's miseries, though your own trials have not been light. But what think you of a young man, in the bloom of his years and his hopes, with a pleasant heritage and a fair name, suddenly covered with the shame and dishonor of a great crime-threatened with a shameful death-exposed to the hatred of all men, that bore the love of God and their neighbors in honest he

inherent in his simple, manly nature-the strength of gentleness and patience, that might have been crowning an old and wise head, instead of being yoked with the impe

the gracious nature I knew so well. Kinswoman, the violent death of your husband, by whom or wherefore done I know not, brought thi

upon you not to let your heart sink within you, or suffer the bairn's bit gentle spirit to be broken again. I pledge you my word, that they will seek no further consent from you, till Norman's righteousness is clear to your e

spirit as ever was in mortal knowledge; and let the mother's heart within you have compassion on his name. Shut not your mind against th

, with his own lips; and having maybe some right of counsel, in virtue of my year

u; and break not the gentle spirit of the bairn, by

INE DO

stonishment, as he looked at Alice clinging to her mother's knee, and the letter tr

ing her daughter up, drew her close to her breast: "My Ali

o speak of him, even if that terror were withdrawn: she could only lean on that kind breast, and cling, as is the nature of such gentle, dependent spirits. Anne Ross's words were true.-Had Mrs. Ayto

ose, still holding Alice within her arm. "James," she said, "that letter is

ter, Mrs. Aytoun went to her own room, and, s

ne together-and then-and then-there followed some incoherent words, which Mrs. Aytoun could comprehend the purport of; how Anne came in, looking so chill and pale, and horror-stricken; how Mrs. Catherine next day took her into the little room, and almost broke the gentle heart that was beating so high now, wi

ous and pale, but her trem

y kind, good girl,

r had been very angry, was her simple r

ou, gentler than Mrs. Catherine; but she i

ytoun

ld is

heart began to bea

t was his birthday just a we

id not speak

nd consult with James, before I make any decision-in

ly-if you saw him, mother, if you just

well, we shall see; but now dry your ey

r lying before him, and his face exceedingly grave. He was ver

eir grave looks. Little Alice, again sadly cast down, sat silent by the fireside. At last her brother

es Mr. Ross com

ounded and icy-would n

ight," murm

make inquiries. In a matter which involves two such important things as the happiness of

owful-it might keep Lewis from coming to Edinburgh-at the same time, James was so su

, "my ordinary business is not so importa

lf; and if you find anything satisfactory to report, you can bid this Lewis still com

" cried Alice, implorin

h the grave difficulties of this, very unexpected problem, which they had to solve, there mingled a half-mirthful, half-sad, sort of incredulous wonder. Little Alice had done

PTE

asantly proud, telling him all they knew and guessed of Norman's history, except the one circumstance of his escape from the shipwreck; and explaining, in some slight degree, the im

tly to the parish in which the deed was done, or even to engage the assistance of an acute writer, of experience in his craft, if Lewis thought that desirable. Mr. Robert, however, with a young man's abundant confidence in his own power, fancied that he could ac

nnocence pleased Anne. In such a matter, however strong one's own fait

the mill, to see Lilie; for Mrs. Catherine and Archibald, she knew, had business in Portoran, and would not return early. It was a clear, brig

"She had the bairn away this morning, and trails her about to a' kinds of out o' the way places; in the woo

to be very care

eing answerable for a stranger bairn, Miss Anne; but Lilie's learning (it's just a pleasure to see how fast she wins on) a' manner o' nonsense verses; and has h

iling. "Jacky will do Li

hen the minister was in-that's Mr. Lumsden-he had a diet[*] in my house, Miss Anne-and it wad have dune ye gude to have heard her at the questions. No a slip; and as easy in

in former times, during which the household, and especially its younger members, we

tremity of this by-way, where it entered the precincts of the Tower.-As she drew near the stile, at which the narrow path was admitted into the possessions of the fallen house of Sutherland, Anne heard voices before her. One of them, whose loud tone was evidently full of anger and excitement, she recognised at once as Marjory Falconer's; and having heard of her former

English interloper, a mushroom lord! "Pull away the branches, G

te of force, one great branch which had been placed with many others, across the stile, barring the passage, stood with her head turned towards Strathoran, too much engrossed to notice Anne's approach. The

himself; a chief forsooth! does he think himself a chief? I would like to see the clan of Gillravidge. P

"what are you doing?-w

ce to trespassers'-'to be prosecuted with the utmost rigor of the law'-very well, let them prosecute!" continued Marjory, raising her voice, and sending a flashing, keen glance towards a corner of the adjoining plantation, "let them prosecute by all mea

impossible any one could do this with the intention of

cried Miss Falconer, as the groom raised in his arms an immense piece of woo

ng down in the Strathoran grounds o

impertinence, Marjory. Nay, do not look contemptuous. I am not afraid of accompany

mpatient motion. "Don't be a fool, Anne. Come, I

ld be at least more suitable. We shall only expose ourselv

s Falconer, turning a

any of the dependents of Lord Gillravidge; at the same time, she could not suffer Marjory to go alone. George lifted a large,

will and service which unite country neighborhoods so healthfully, subsisted between the poor family and the great one, and as, on any grand occasion at Falcon's Craig, the brisk services of Tibbie Hewit, the hapless young mason's mother, would have been rendered heartily and at on

. "You should have seen that cowardly fellow who stopped little Alice! what a grimace he made when he felt the

Marj

. I should not have pulled down their barricade, I dare say, if I

. Suppose they come down to us, Marjory, and we, who call ourselves gentlewomen, get involved in a squabble w

delicacy and womanliness which revenged her escapades so painfully-the burning color might have f

n now. And think what an insult it is!-to all of us-to the whole country. We can

kely," s

by the stepping-stones, which were about a quarter of

to resist such a thing as this. Oh! I can answer for Ralph, and I know Lewis would not. But one can be quite sure of Mrs. Catherine-one is never disappointed in her. Yet you will hear silly

shness and nonsense; both on the part of the silly boys, and-I beg your pa

et confection of gentleness, and mildness, and dependence, which people call a perfect woman, up as your model; but it's all a cheat, I tell you! You ought to try to be weak and pretty, and instead of that, you are only grave and sensible. You oug

the very sounds beautiful? Mildness and gentleness are exceeding good things; but I do not set any sweet confection before me, for my model. Marjory! do you remember those other beautiful words; '

lconer did

woman, whose household was clad in scarlet, and whose children rose up and called her blessed, and know her a living person, as truly as you know yourself. You call me quiet, Marjory; I intend to be demonstrative to-day, at least, and I do utterly contemn and abominate all that rubbish of rights of women, and woman's mission, and woman's influence, and all the rest of it; I never hear these cant words, but I blush for them," and Anne did blush, deeply as she spoke; "we are one half of the world-we have

ng her hands. "Utterly contemn and abominate! Hear, hea

to dare something further, Marjory. See;

arble, which had been there, firm in its centre, since ever the brown Oran was a living river. The passage was by no means perilous, except for people to wh

twelvemonth. I challenge you, Anne; if we should stumb

om stone to stone, across the placid, clear, brown water. Anne, rejoicing in the success of her scheme, followed. So did George, somewhat disappointed, at l

Fitzherbert, and some of his companions, assembled about the second stile-Marjory saw them too-the deep blush of shame returned to her cheek in ove

legendary maiden in the graveyard of Oranside, received more admiration from the child's quick sense of beauty, than it could elicit from the common-place mind of Bessie; for Lilie thought the graveyard was "an a

inst a tree; her clear, good face, more thoughtful than usual. Anne had seated herself on a stone seat, beside the threshold, and was bending over Li

will ye go in?

" said Miss Falconer. "Jacky

he's in the phae

intment; "and those steady wretches of ponies-there is no chance of

rjory?" s

aught in that shut-up by-way herself. Anne, I

smartly up towards the door, driven by Archibald Sutherland. "Ask her to walk to the little

d Miss Falconer, in an undertone

th her to the little gate, from the shady dim lane beyond which the barricaded sti

Anne's side. Lilie was very talkative-she had seen the lit

h it's a gray, but the branches, and they're like the lang arms of the brown sp

ding her describe this at another

w, Oh, ye dinna ken what I found!-Jacky's got it. It was a wee, wee blue flower, growing

satisfactory answer

here's no flower but it-no-" said Lilie, comprehending in one vast glance the whole wide sweep of hill and valley round her-infinite as it seemed

ng: "It will return in spring," offered it to Archibald. He received it with some emotion.-This sole flower in the world, as Lilie said, brought to him from the grave of father and of mother-the only spot of earth in Strathora

im, was yet half inclined to blame herself for her involuntary exhilaration. The weight was lifted off Anne's heart. It was no longer a d

y one of the hangers-on of the 'Sutherland Arms,' in Portoran, which now drove up, and took the phaeton's place. A young man, with a pleasant, manly fac

, with the stranger's card in her hand.-Archibald had gone in-Anne had risen, and

se, Miss Anne-"

acky, wh

toun." "If ye please, Miss Anne, I t

s not so confident in the truth of these letters as she, and might, betray his doubt to Alice Aytoun's brother, a l

"like Miss Alice, only no half so bonnie." When the mending of the fire was complete, she slid into a corner, and began to restore various misplaced books. James watched her fo

e ple

p-Jacky was

lease-Mi

s Alice?" asked

te well, Sir?" sa

much obliged to

s Aytoun would have been, had he divined th

Jacky restrained her interest in Alice Aytoun's fortunes, sufficiently

t is like a man; I am pleased with that. The lad must have, both sense and spirit.-Send down to Merkland for Lewis without delay, child, and come in with me t

air, and wait till we come to you. Say nothing of yon to Archie; but, be you s

changed looks of mutual respect. James Aytoun's prompt attention to this important matter, brought

who give such prompt heed to the honor of this house kinsman. Are you wearied with

tain how this important matter stands, at once. Your letter surprised us very greatly, Mrs. Catherine; you will imagine that-

poken like a forecasting and right-minded man. Sit down up

eated h

ld be well that

soon as he is needed. This is his sister, Miss Ross, of Merkland.

n felt nervous and embarrassed-he did not know how to

as murdered-shot by a coward hand behind him. The whole world has laid the act upon Norman Rutherford. I have believed the same myself for eighteen years. Listen to me! I am not given to change, nor

and did not wish either to meet the earnest look of Anne

nsent to any further intercouse between Mr. Ross and my sister on any other terms than those you mention. But the evidence is fearfully strong, Mrs. Catherine. Since my mother received your letter, I have examined it again thoroughly, and so far as circumstantial evidence can go, it is most clear and ove

Catherine, "you

a feeling of insecurity when they wer

tter wait till

Alice-what you care for, first and most specially, is the clearing of your bro

on to you. In law, I suppose, it could have no weight for a moment: but yet to those who knew my brother Norman, and were acquainted with his peculiar temperament and nature, it carries absolute conviction.-I scarcely hope that it can have the same power of convincing you-but I pray you to receive

from varying. Generous as the sun that He hath set to shine upon

irst, as the quick throbbings of her heart almost choked it, but becoming hysterically strong, as she went on; her mind agitated as Norman's was when he wrote that letter, eager like him, by what repetitions or incoherent words soever, that were stronges

reath-that most grateful of all sounds to the ears of a speaker who desires to move and impress his audience. Anne looked u

tter, Miss Ross? C

ords, there was a mute eloquence about that yellow, timeworn paper. Blisters of tears were on it: tears of terrible grief-tears of tremulous hope. Its very characters, abrupt and broken as t

h has persuaded the world of your brother's guilt. I cannot comprehend it-my faith is shaken. I con

f the dead. The tears came over her cheeks in a burst of joy. She thought it the voice

cordiality, at which they were themselves astonished. Anne was conquering herself again; but joy seemed so much more difficult to keep in bou

fore us. Mr. Aytoun gives us his supp

TER

h and consummation had been given by his foreign travel. Thrown then, with his natural abilities, always very quick and sharp, if not of the highest order, upon the noisy current of the world, with no other occupation than to take care of himself-to attend to his own comforts-t

or importance of Lewis. He received it as his due. These were but satellites; he, himself, was the planet of their brie

e ready to risk all things for each other. Mrs. Catherine's wealth and lands were nothing to her, as she said, in comparison with the welfare of Archibald Sutherland, who had no nearer claim upon her than that of being the son of her friend. Anne's whole soul was engrossed with anxiety for the deliverance of Norman: her own self did not cost her a thought. Mr. Ferguson

ther. He came, he saw: and lo! he was deeper into the heart of the struggle than Lewis had ever been: believing Norman's innocence-declaring his intention of joining Robert Ferguson im

r, continually waiting for the kind search, and acquitting justice, which should bring him home again; and growing sick with deferred and fainting hope, as year after year went by, and there came no kindly token over the sea. The letter, instinct now with the breath of earnest belief, which had carried it into thos

as deep in the subject as they. Anne's face brightened as she looked upon him. Mrs. Catherine sent him n

ill-favored buckie of a gig is standing at my door? and what business the cripple

t return home to-morrow, Mrs. Catherine-and the

rity but mine, and I will not have it. Jacky!" Jacky made her appearance at the door-"let the man that drove Mr. Aytoun up, get his dinner, and then tell your mother

ith me to-morrow, M

ll not do much good I dare say; but

t. Has a stranger in the country-the purchaser of an old estate-any shadow of a right to shut up a roa

oprietor has-of however

hase, said I?-by cheatry and secret theftdom, nothing better! There is a creature of this kind upon the lands of Strathoran, and the way by the waterside is blocked up this day-a kirk road! a by-way as old as the tenu

proprietor?"

avidge," an

ue of frogs, as was sent upon Egypt in the time of Israel's captivity-puddocks that have the gift of venom over and above the native slime of them. The proprietor is Archibald Sutherland, who is dwelling in my hou

he barricade,

m me, James Aytoun, that the youth, if he were once through this season of vanity, gives promise of more judgment than I looked for at his hands. It is not my

nce, Mrs. Catherine," said James. "

scend to remonstrate with the hounds. Where are y

ry is up stairs, Mrs.

orgetting the comfort of the stranger like a self-seeking old wife as I am. James Aytoun, I will let you see your room-and

re, the fumes of her indignation scarcely over, she had been firmly shutting her lips for the la

e years would find in the highest places there. The intellectual life and activity which breathed out from his very conversation, stimulated Lewis. These pursuits of science and literature-those professional matters even, to the consideration of which intellect so elevated and acute was devoted, gave the country laird a new idea of the pleasure and dignity of life. Labo

ertion, the clear health and readiness of all his well cultured faculties, and his frank and instinctive energy, carried with them all the better part of Lewis Ross's nature.

sire to see the truth established, that Anne's heart rejoiced within her. Mrs. Ross was sulkily reconciling herself to the obvious necessity. She was by no means interested in the result of the investiga

us kindly messages, and some little tokens of sisterly good-will for Alice. At Mrs. Catherine's desir

ht of submitting to for a day. The path belongs to the people of the parish, who had dwelt upon the land for centuries, before ever it passed into Lord Gillravidge's tenantcy. Mrs. Catherine Douglas desires Lord Gillravidge to know t

emming with a very fine needle, and almost invisible thread, breadths of transparent cambric, for the shirts which

ching, take the other breast yourself-there is plenty to hold you all busy. I have no brood of young

covered by her harsh speech, there lay so much of that singular delicacy, which could endure nothing coarse or unsuitable, that the smallest household matters came within its operation. Mr

with Mr. Foreman, and he expects the letter the day that will fix his going to Glasgow. We are nothing less than a bundle of contradictions, child, we unsatisfied human folk. It was my own special desire and wish t

e; "but, at least, the head must

the vain and thoughtless, and to the shame of right-minded folk. We have other imaginations of merchantmen, child; we give them a state and circumstance that the men are as innocent of, as Johnnie Halflin out there. We think of the old days when merchants were princes, and of them that stood afar off, and wailed for Babylon. There

nd the probation in every way, I trust, Mrs. Ca

, child, so far as we may form a judgment. Wherefore should I ever have doub

pened t

e ple

f? Can you n

scription of him, but scorned to repeat herself; "that came to

the feet of an unclean animal should come within this room, but what can I do, child? The library

er come here

e made a moti

you imp! Is

aid Jacky. "No a grown-up man-jus

them up

had been the subject of considerable mirth at Strathoran. The Honorable Giles Sympelton, in particular, had been exceedingly amused at the idea of the old lady "showing fight," and had proposed and urged, somethi

ert bowed with agreeable condescension. The Honorable Giles was startled out of his

quaintance personally, had it not been for the misfortune of a previous engagement. He has requested me to represent him-quite unwo

s purpose concerning this unlawful deed he has done. Will he give it up of his own w

rt seated him

d for feelings-indulgent even to a little natural prejudice-means everything to be done in th

have some perception that this was not a place for boyish

e stately and erect. She woul

Gillravidge's hands. Will he throw

ert smiled i

your patience, knowing that ladies are not distinguished for patience, a good

ontempt; "but make yourself sure that a whole tribe like y

sure you-return to the subject. Lord Gillravidge, Madam, is actuated by the best feelings-the utmost desire to be on friendly terms. He onl

ered his young comp

and looked at the lad with gr

to prejudices, and make allowance for angry feelings-and of course he expects to be as well

rine waved

and excessive delicacy and retirement of my accomplished friend. Feels himself quite wounded by vulgar intrusion-sh

stamped her f

ransformed cattle that the man ve

orts, and vulgar misunderstanding of elegant leisure, and refined amusements-perfectly unfounded, I a

parish should be judged by their peers, and that is another race than yours.

I beg you yourself will do his Lordship the honor of considering his position. I know him so intimately, that I can

straw for the nerves of your lordling? Will he persist in this folly, or will he not? His

ral and intelligent-but vulgar nevertheless, and intruding on his privacy. There is some natural hauteur perhaps-what might be expected from an English nobleman of high family, accustomed to all the privileges of exalted rank, and s

nger-she was walking through the roo

who, if it were not the master-spirit of all iniquity, procured that the fair lands of Strathoran should ever brook him as their lord? You, your very self, pitiful animal as you are, the hired servant of this prosperous iniquity, doing its evil bidding, are scarce so abhorrent to decent folk as the master of you; the malignant tempting spirit, that led an

ation, Mrs. Catherine spoke, the flo

shed lad, "the old lady has

d innocence. "Really, Madam, after th

r what are you, that I should hold parley with your like, and profane the air of my dwelling with your master's unclean name? Answe

herbert, "this is perfectly unparalleled; if

ming that he was inclined so to demean himself, and was not content

munication with a person who delights in insulting

ing as he passed to the door, "Gillravidge

Catherine, "I say you do not leave th

of Lord Gillravidge. He was compelled to content hi

high breeding, belonging to a most exclusive aristocratic circle, and will not have his privacy broken. His Lordship hoped to be understood-the pec

house was set down upon this land, before ever the rank soil and unwholesome heat of cities had brought forth the first ancestor of your evil brood. Tell him, that this people is my people, and that his good blood is a mean fraud, if he does not honor the honorable folk native to a free land. Fu

inger. Young Sympelto

oung to be in such evil hands. Tarry a

tzherbert was already

Catherine. "I have som

ad ob

ile cattle? I am meaning, have you been long

very frank, and at his ease, and answer

uncleanness and all iniquity. Young man, to

ded, somewhat offended, that he was

first of your years that I ever knew capable

rance," said young Sympe

ss lad, trusted in such company. Is your fa

do you mean?" exclaim

if it did not know vice yet, for its own hand. If I tell you there is

oked at her

make you a bankrupt, ruined, disgraced man, when you should be but a fresh, youthful, ingenuous man. Mind what I am saying; there are serpents yonder, deadlier than the snakes of India. Do not sleep under th

rstand this, though the kindness of the strange, s

e you've quarrelle

u are among got their meshes over him-corrupted his young mind, broke his blythe spirit, devoured his substance, defrauded him of his land, and then left him-a sinful, broken man, to struggle with his bitter repentance and misery as he best could. Beware, young man-beware of your youth-beware of the gladness that must depart for evermor

re was dew under his eyelids; he was ashamed t

n his head at the do

very interesting-old l

ed out and ran

er, arm-in-arm with the temp

made my heart sore. I have warned him-I can help him in no other way. The Lo

TER

ad to Archibald, while Mrs. Catherine was receiving at the Tower the emissaries from Strathoran. The good lawyer was in high spirits at the successful issue of his negotiations. Archibald was sa

swiftly to the curl of the lightest breeze, than to the sweep of the gale which chronicles its progress in stories of shipwreck and death. He felt it a very momentous thing, this second beginning of his course. Formerly, he had left his native district with every adventi

r, would need to be sent after him to Glasgow. By earliest daybreak the next morning, Mrs. Euphan Morison herself began to make r

em were immersed in other cares and occupations. A solitary and long warfare lay before Archibald. Concerning matters private to themselves, both were heroically silent. They parted, each knowing the stro

ng, which should keep him blameless, in the warfare of an evil world. No vain repetitions were there in that speechless agony of supplication: the strong spirit, with its mighty grasp of faith, was wrestling for a blessing-fo

ind your covenant with me, before God, and within the shadow of Sholto Douglas, my one brother, whom, if it had no

d

and peace, and prosperity, if it be His will to give you these: with a single eye, and an honest heart, and in the streng

truthfully. You trust

your comings-in!" There was a pause.-"And have you gotten everything right, Archie?

lavish in your kindness, Mrs. Catherine; yo

ur last and weightiest-when they fail, there is no new upspringing in the pithless soil that many hopes have withered and died upon, like September leaves. Archie, the last great hope of an aged woman is embarked in your labor. See-look where my first sun set-the darkness of its sin

ently: "If it was within the power of

the traveller's trunks upon it, while Mrs. Euphan Morison, portly an

times that my house is open to you-that if you have no other shelter in the wide world, under this roof there constantly remains for you a home. I say, mind this, Archie, as the last charge I lay upon you. If you are like to be overcome in your striving, come home; if your heart grows faint within you, and you

tely away-away from genial home, warm friends, affection, sympathy, to cold toil and friendless labor, an uncongenial atmosphere, a strange country. His heart swelled within him-his breast tightened-his eyes overflowed. Years must pass, with all their unknown vicissitudes, before he looked again upon those familiar faces-before he saw his own country again lie beautiful and calm beneath

labor o'er

red are waiti

peeches of Marjory's to make mirthful comments on. She was becoming intimate with a sober, stout, cheerful, elderly lady, who wore one unvarying dress of black silk, and was Mr. Lumsden's (of Portoran) unmarried elder sister. Miss Lumsden had taken a decided liking for the strange, wild, eccentric girl, whose exploits kept all the parish amused; and had resided one whole fortnight in the immediate vicinity of the Falco

pon them sundry mystic papers, interdicting them from their obstruction of the by-way

surping the possession of the dignified house of Strathoran.-The more than ordinary stillness of the district brought out the excesses of Lord Gillravidge's household in prominent and bold re

recorded the long walks they took, the long conversations in peasant houses, to which they were compelled to submit, in return for the scraps of information gathered, the immense quantity of country gossip, with which the history was interlarded, and the very slow progress they made in their search. Many of the elder cottagers of the district, remembered "young Redheugh" well, and spoke of his character, Lewis said, as

Edinburgh from whence came the foll

dear

. We have awakened the attention of the district, and will, I fear, have to pay the penalty in some newspaper p

d Norman. It had reference to a young lady, between whom and Norman there was a rumored engagement; whether Aytoun knew this, or not, I cannot tell, but he spoke disparagingly of the girl, who was of inferior rank. Norman resented the slighting words with t

informant was something of an artist, Anne. You should have heard his homely description of the stillness and beauty of the wood, as he went through it, returning from his morning's work, to breakfast; 'the sun was shining as clear as if there was naething below that dauredna be seen, or needit to shrink from the sight of man; and the innocent water running blythe beneath the trees, and the sky spreading calm aboon a', as if violen

last night's quarrel and estrangement, the cold sneers of Aytoun, and Norman's passionate vehemence, left him, as he thought, no room for doubt. His strong suspicion became absolute certainty, when on returning, he found, lying below some thick underwood, a light fowling-piece, bearing Norman's initials and arms. His story differs in no point from the evidence given by him at the time, and there mingles with it a compassion and regret for Norman, which make its

arently in high spirits, and stopped on his way to greet her husband kindly, as was his wont; for she, too, testifies to the uniform goodness and gentleness of "young Redheugh." It was a mystery to her husband, she says, t

t an impulsive, generous, sensitive man, such as universal testimony concurs in representing Norman-one cannot comprehend it. If the gaiety had been forced, the man must have observed it-it would have been an additional evidence of his guilt-but it was not so. The favorite tune-the elastic, joyous manner-the frank gree

y circumstance had pointed so clearly to Norman, that, as I think, anything inculpa

and has conducted it, as it seems to me, with great prudence and wisdom. I think he is very much disappointed. I even think that he sti

wever, that, to speak modestly, they don't altogether dislike me. So far as worldly matters go, we, you know, hold our heads higher than they do, and I cannot help hoping that people so sensible and friendly as James Aytoun and his mother, will not, in the spirit of a darker age, allow this old and forgotten crime to hinder the happiness of their gentle Alice

e their consent to a connection (as I flatter myself) so proper and suitable, an advantageous settlement for Alice, which will secure alike her happiness and her external comfort, I can

is R

g of which Anne did not know. She had few corresponden

ar Mis

sake I began this, deeply anxious for a favorable issue. I feel only more anxious now, when I know, and have a personal interest in the nearest relatives of this unhappy young man, whom men call my father's murderer. I cannot comprehend it. In this very clear and sat

ould be. So that we are sufficiently satisfied not to withhold our consent to his engagement with Alice, he has no very engrossing interest in the matter; but with you-if I am wrong you

g self-defence still further to counteract it, I have no hesitation in saying to you that this mass of evidence makes no impression upon my mind, but the very uneasy and painful one of doubt and apprehension. There is no certainty in it. All these things might have

must not dishonor the memory of the dead. You will understand and feel for us, I am sure. For my mother, especially, I must beg your sympathy: this matter has most painfully revived the bitterest time of her life;

operation. In the meantime, I shall keep my eye on the district, and let no opportunity of throwing light upon this dark matter pass me. May I also beg your confidence? If there is any

e, my dear

incerel

s Ayt

that rose within her, to hurry to the place herself, and see if the eager eyes of anxiety and sisterly yearning could discover nothing. Alas! were not James Aytoun's eyes eager also? was not his mind trained and practised? It did not matter-Anne felt it impossible to stand still-to wait-until she had convinced herself that there was nothing more

TER

g for him, and met him a short distance from the gate of Merkland. He looked sulky and

ir first greeting was over,

here we were. I expected nothing b

of the Aytoun's?-what understanding have y

in the least degree better than it was on the first day I knew this history-it is worse indeed, for

ng?" said Anne; "it is a quite useless thing to tantalize me, L

g better, my mother and you; but you're mistaken, I tell you. All the mothers

have been fortunate in winning so fresh and guileless a youthful spirit; but this impatience and petulance makes

him quiet nevertheless; these fits of ill-humor and

then? how have you a

r, I should not have thought anything of it: but this indefinite delay-to be a

doubt it,"

wait. James is to keep his eye on the district, he says, and lose no opportunity; that looks all very well, but if there is no evidenc

e active than James's mere watching the district. Lewis, it is my turn to

his eyes in c

why, what on earth could

it is not in self-confidence. I have patience more than you, and time less occupi

He only shook his head impatiently. There was something humiliating in

the seemly regard for her opinion, which was no less apparent in her manly son, James, than in her gentle daughter, Alice, had charmed Lewis unconsciously. The absolute propriety and fitness of that natural honor a

away?" said Mrs. Ross, when they h

say worse, for I had some hop

e," said Mrs. Ross. "I knew y

have got no evidence-but I believe now, what I did not

ked up j

s definite proof is not to be had; but that the man, these people spoke of as

aimed Anne. "I thank you f

s. "I may believe-but unless you can get other

nd shining eye bore witness to its use. "

by evidence-all the evidence is against him, and the only thing in his favor is an impression-well, I will go further-a kind of certainty-one can't give a

a time, and with so small an expenditure of labor and patience. Your time is otherwise engaged-so is James Aytoun's-he has his business to manage-you, you

o? Do you think I could ever listen to such a thing? Nonsense, nonsense-mind your ow

ht have laughed frankly at the condescending super

may be, and are, in your life. I have few. This of Norman's return is the

o, Anne-what could any woman do? You know nothing of the laws of evidence-you don't know even how to make inquiries. You might go and spend money,

that she had no gift for spending money and getting herself talked ab

er, and could not go as a lawyer would; but I am Norman's only sister, Lewis, and, as such, might find some fragments of t

ng of? you go to collect evidence!-you accomplish what Lewis and Mr. Aytoun, and Robert Ferguson-

d out of her u

st, mother-it is no question of liking or disliking. I also have some affections, desires, wishes of my own. I am not merely an appendage-a piece of goods-forgive me if I speak hastily; but supposing that neither affection nor wish were in this matter, I ha

he was graver. Mrs. Ross, with much obstinacy of her own, was one of those peopl

r in you, without doubt! You are your brother's own sister. By all means, devote yourself to Norman. What right hav

f, felt indignant and impatient. This thraldom galled her grievo

u forget how tired I am. Postpone your discussion till after di

oom. So did Lewis; and the

iderable time, among strangers. That difficulty there was but one way of overcoming. Anne could not rely upon the generosity of Lewis, or his mother.

defatigably as an English Lady Bountiful. The first she was rather uneasy about; the second was a trifle. Things which were merely disagreeable, did not much distress Anne

e as himself, but he knew her quite equal to various of his friends, whose claim to independent will and action was quite indisputable. Only, she was a woman: that was all th

the people who had been so intima

said

man; a poor girl who went to visit some friends in the west, about the time of the murder, and died there of a broken heart. One

" said Ann

ed; but save a burst of broken praise of 'poor Redheugh'-I believe she even called him Norman-we elicited nothing more. The brother is an invalid and hypocho

Her curiosity and in

" exclaimed Lewis, "tha

should think he was. I know we had little

wis, disregarding his mother's interruption, "one can't tell. And falling in

Ross. "I thought you said they li

e of the place. Their name-what is their name?-upon my word I don't recollect. I don't know that

e they know noth

is a poor ailing creature-half crazy, the people say. He had saved an old man from

sister?"

flight was carried to her abruptly by some officious person, and the consequence was, that the poor girl brok

upright Norman should have his troth plighted to two! Impossible that he could play one false! The doub

ion? Has your heart failed you already? I am glad of it: better

e-to Aberford-immediately, or if not immediately, at least soon.-Let me have some one with me-May would do, or old Esther Fleming. I can take quiet lodgings and live there, professedly for the sake of sea air, if, indeed, any pretence is necessary. Once there, with no other claim on my time, and patience eno

in such an absurd expedition. You will never make anything of it, it is quite nonsense: besides, the idea of a gi

ect the veriest outer garment and vesture of good fame; but for this, a matter so very dear and preciou

would have thought it perfectly proper to suffer me to go to the sea-side: how much more now, when in

erceive how void of personal hopes and joys her life was. There were some-deeper, graver, more earnest than his-foremost among them, the deliverance and ret

hereafter-nay, I mean soon; but not-" h

ndeserved reproofs from her. All honor and praise to that kindly household of Aytoun; the manly son, the gracious mother, the

frozen hard, and lay, a glittering road of ice, far below the high pathway of crisp snow they were walking on, through which the to

In the one article of linen, Archibald Sutherland was not likely to find himsel

d great experience, have failed in the first trial. Take good heart, boy; when you have come to years, you will underst

everything, Mrs. Ca

hought there were two such giants under my roof yon bright January day-done everything!-in four weeks! It is a co

ng on his new notions of manliness, he chose the former.

h a space of time; it is a delusion of youth. You have girded yourself for the race, and have run hard for one mile; you think ye have done all. Boy! you are neithe

ready. I think it would not be wise. We came to consult you on a plan of mine. Mrs. Catherine, they say, despairing men ve

ery foolish idea; but yet have no rea

e looked at A

d endeavor this I never doub

ou know that, Mrs. Catherine. I

, which testified the firm and elastic health, both physical and

ou, what I have said to Lewis; it's no one trial, or two, or three-time and pa

Anne, is Mrs. Catherine's judgm

to do, Lewis Ross; the thing is to get the fittest workman, and beware how we hinder him of his labor

the wing of some matron, and so escape the charge of impropriety. Then I shall go about the district, make acquaintance with every one to whom I can have access, and inquire with all zeal and all quietness. While questions from Lewis, and a lawyer-like per

t her head gravely

least, I should desire so. W

great gloomy forehead. It was laden with snow-large, dilated flakes, like those of fire upon

aster. April is pleasant in a landward place. You may go in April; it is too soon, but for the necessity's sake you may go then-not a day sooner, at your peril. You are able and well? I understand your look, child-hold your peace. I would give a good year of my life-and I have few of them to spare, seeing I am trysted to abide in my present tabernacle, if the Lord will tell Archie

load-the earth everywhere covered with that white, warm mantle-the gradual

er concerning her pecuniary arrangements for the journey. Anne evaded the questio

let him use it on bonnie dies to dress his little bride withal-though the bairn Alison has a natural grace, and needs them less

ith success and honor. The cold lodging, to whose narrow and solitary fireside he returned, night after night alone-the fat, Glasgow landlady, whose broad, good-humored face beg

tablishment. The manager, Mr. George Lumsden, was as great a man in his way. He lived in the dignified vicinity of Blytheswood Square. He had a fine house, a well-dressed pretty wife, and beautiful children; gave good dinners; visited baillies and town-councillors, and had baillies and town-councillors visiting him, and was certain in a very short time, to have his respectable name introduced into the firm. He was moreover an active, intelligent man, almost intellectual in spite of those absorbing cares of business, and worthy to call the minister of Portoran

be. Youths who made immense havoc among "grossets," strawberries, and all other delicacies of the luxurious summer-time, sacred to Clydesdale orchards, and radiant with the crowning glory of the Saut Water; nor in the gloomier season

ns and twenties. Yet one could pass so lightly over these ruddy faces, to rest upon that pale one among them, with its secret history-its grief-its hope-altogether forgetful that this was a hired clerk, and that the cubs wer

oyage. Archibald did so: wrote a long letter, and received a short note of leave-taking from his sister Isabel-the much-admired and gay Mrs. Duncombe-packed up his great outfit, placed in his pocketbook Mrs. Catherine's long lett

TER

respectable looking glazed bookcase, and a multitude of auxiliary shelves, were piled to overflowing with books-books worth one's while to look at, though Russian leather and gilding were marvellously scant among them. That glorious row of tall vellum-covered folios-Miss Lumsden tells a story of them-how they were presented to her studious brother John, the day he was licensed, by a wealthy elder (to whom be all honor and laud, and many followers;) and how John, in the mightine

f-pitying, half-incredulous, and met the idea of himself suffering from them with a no less amused burst of open wonder than if it had been suggested to him that he should hold a diet of examination, on some chill hillside of the pale planet over us. The laborious duties of a brave and faithful minister were very life and breath to Mr. Lumsden, of Portoran-obstacles that discouraged every other man did only pleasantly excite and stimulate his patient might of labor. Weary work, from which all beside him turned disconsolate and afraid, Mr. Lumsden swept down upon, h

g counsel or help, comfort or assistance, went doubtingly to the Manse of Portoran. The minister-his wisdom, his influence, his genial large heart, belonged to the people; he was the

rmation, when divines did write in quarto and folio volumes, terrible to look upon in these degenerate days, lay on the tabl

sister Martha. This one, which would not be drawn on, had been out during the night, upon its master's foot, trudging through all manner of wet by-ways to a sick-bed-it had not

, to be John's turn to have the noted housekeeper of the Lumsden family resident with him. The Manse of Gowdenleas in the rich plains of Mid Lothian, and the Manse of Kilfleurs in the West Highlands, the respective residences of her brothers, Robert and Andrew, were under an interregnum. Mrs. Edie nee Lumsden, in her Fife Manse, had no expectation o

and the shock brought out her brother's muttering i

at?" asked

n. Take his note-a seemly thing indeed to write so to me; Marjory Fal

read the note

S

r clergyman-the Rev. Mr. Bairnsfather-whose own good sense and proper feeling have withheld him from any interference between myself and my dependants. I am not inclined to submit to any clerical meddling, and therefore beg to remind you, that as Oranmore

am,

lrav

such impertinence?" exclai

lt with as goods and chattels. The man must have got his ideas of Scotland from 'Waverl

ndignantly; "he might have had the good

now his study-coat and morning-undress, for habiliments better suiting the long ri

o, John?" asked Miss Lum

to Oranmore, Martha. This lordling threatens to eject these hapless Macalpines, and poor Kenneth, the widow's so

nking of?" said Miss Lumsden: "it is

ter shook

ear, to make one great sheep-farm of these exposed hill-lands. The poor little clachan of Oranmore could not believe that those fearful noti

those terrible Irish scenes to our very door-in

looked still

ectment must be accomplished before their seed is sown. At least if they are permitted to remain till after seed-time, the man will not surely have the heart to remove them then. I do not know-it is a very sad bus

ony. Mr. Lumsden left the room. "And a great comfort it is, John my man,"

ity-not to amiable respectability, nor temporal beneficence; but in the fullest sense of these solemn words, to the cause and service of Christ. In consequence, Mr. Lumsden was assailed with all the names peculiarly assigned to his class by comm

we confess to that; but the mightiness that filled his mind was great enough to overbrim a universe. It was the Gospel-the Gospel in its infinite breadth of lovingness-the Gospel no less in its restrictions and penalties. His hand did not willingly extend itself in fellowsh

ge to deliver from a Lord and Master known and beloved; men who tolerated profanity, and hushed uncomfortable fears, and were themselves so very moderately religious, as to give no manner of offence to that most narrow-minded and illiberal of all bigots, the irreligious

tant service of his people, Mr. Lumsden thought it no longer necessary to confine his marvellous appetite for work within the limits of Portoran.-There was a heathenish village yonder, growing up in all the rude brutality of rural vice, untaught and uncared for. What matter that the privilege of instructing it belonged to the Reverend Michael Drowsihed? The Reverend Michael awoke out of his afternoon sleep one day in wrat

brought back to the devout and godly habits of their forefathers. Pleasantly before him stood, in rustic bashfulness, the ruddy village children, for whom his care and labors had procured an education of comparative purity; but by n

to suggest to the newly-placed Minister of Middlebury, a young brother, who seemed rather inclined to abet him in his rebelion, that it would be better for him to take his place permanently at the bar, than to be called to it at every meeting. He had been reprimanded by the Pre

eighbors, whose idiom they had adopted. The glen was entirely in their hands, and its fields, reclaimed by their pains-taking husbandry, produced their entire subsistence. Some flocks of sheep grazed on the hillside. There was good pasture land for their cattle, and the various patches of oats and barley, turnips and potatoes, were enough to keep these sturdy cottar families in independent poverty. Whether in other circumstances they might have displayed the inherent indolence which belongs

ampians rising to the sky above, were very fair to look upon; and the miniature clan at its husbandry, working in humble brotherhood-the link of kindred that joined its dozen families, all inh

in just confidence, he gave them latitude. Unhappily for the Macalpines, one whole half-year's rent remained unpaid, when the new landlord took the management ou

once. The remainder of the humble people, looked upon the notices only as threats, and set to with all industry to make up the rents, and prevent the dread alternative of leaving their homes. They had come there in the time of Laird Fergus, the great-grandfather of

character, had been seen in the glen for three successive days. The Macalpines were smitten with dread. Rumors floated up into their hilly solitude of a great sheep-farmer from the south, who was in treaty for these hill-lands of Strathoran. A shadow fell upon the humble households. The calamity that approached began to shape itself before the

more. The minister rode briskly into the glen. His keen and anxious look became suddenly changed as he entered it into one of g

ff's-officers hung in the rear, and the youthful Giles Sympelton stood apart, looking on. The high head of Duncan Macalpine towe

can pointed to the venerable white head of a trembling old man, wrapped in a plaid, who leaned against the lintel of the nearest cottage-"and he's past a century-is the only ane amang us that was

"very pretty. A set of Scotch cheats, wh

rovidence, Sir; and I gie ye my word, that if ye'll just give us time, we'll make up the next half-year's rent in advance. His Lordship is a stranger, and maybe, doesna ken whether h

He never fails when he's needed." "He'll bear witness to us that we're honest fo

tter, Duncan?"

but oh! if they would but pit us on trial. I promise, in the name of all in the glen-ye're a' hearing me?-that, though it shoul

tzherbert. "Fellow! the l

pine's honest fa

y, Sir, that the land is ours.-We were born and bred in it; our fathers fought for it langsyne. We hold it on an auld tenure-aulder than ony lordship in thae pairts. Our forebears were content to follow their chief when he

cheat!" exclaim

usly. He restrained himself with an e

r about the filthy face o' him as wad hang him up in a tree, as the prodigal Absalom hung langsyne.-A cheat! If Big Duncan Macalpine wasna caring m

"What needs we heed ill word? We're lang

eman"-a thing of yesterday-was insignificant in the pres

insmen of Oranmore. Lord Gillravidge cannot have better, or more honorable tenants. I entreat-I beg that time may be given them to make a representation of their case to his Lordship. He is new to the country, and

erland," said the agent, gloomily. "Th

not possible he can know the circumstances. These men are not ordinary cottars, Mr. Wh

unning the clear eye of the minister: "I must adhere to my instructions,

msden. "The new tenant cannot enter till Whit-Sunday. L

, with a glance of that suspicious cunning whi

le after their seed is sown? You are very good, Mr. Lumsden-we know how cleric

leave it instantly, a summons which the poor woman heard in vacant astonishment, immediately prepared to unroof her humble habitation. The crowd of Macalpines had been looking on in breathless silence. Now there was a wild shriek of excitement and fury-men and women precipitated themselves at once upon the minions of that ruthless law which was not justice.-The ladder was thrown down; the hapless officer who had been the first to mount it, struggle

fray. Dugald Macalpine, quit the man: why will ye pollute your hands striving with hi

a moment

s an invalid-if you expose that sinking lad, you w

hat hames are, to let us bide in our ain glen and country.-In honor, and honesty, and leal service we will pay ye for your mercy; but if ye are determined to carry on this work, unrighteous as it

e himself strode to the side of the lads who had pulled the man from the ladder, and freed him from their grasp: then he gathered the Macalpine

to the men to proceed, when his arm was grasped from behind. He turned round-the Honor

see it; if you destroy that noble fellow's house I will never enter G

thin him. That Mr. Lumsden was writing an exposure of his conduct he never doubted; he would be covered with infamy and s

invalid, was writing to his sister to send up a chase immediately from Portoran, and in a m

at first in half-amused astonishment. They saw their home laid open to the sky with all its homely accommodations-their own little bed, their grandmother's chair by the fire, the basket of oatcakes on the table from which their "eleven-hours piece" had been supplied. The eldest of them suddenly rushed forward in childish rage and vehemence, and springing upon the ladder, dealt a fruitless blow at one of the devastators. He was t

s stern patience went forward. Before him, however, was a slight boyish figure, with uncovered head and long fair hair-the child was lifte

eart to shrink from the like of this, but we maun stay. Neither my wi

ch hurt-he was only stunned; and attended by his mother and aunt, he was taken into

t with their hands-they could not school themselves to patience; the little children, clinging about their feet, kept up a plaintive cry of shrill dismay and wonder, the chorus of that heart-breaking scene. House after house, un-windowed, roofless, and doorless, stood in mute desolation behind the hirelings of the unjust law, as their work wen

he sick youth within to die in peace. Leave us this one asylum for t

Sympelton, in a tone

was enraged

ried. "It is three o'clock al

acalpine sto

ul to defend a life, at any risk or ha

was useless. More peremptorily still

im as you best can; we must leave the issue in God's hands. Brethren, give way to the officers. You can only bring further evil on yourselves. You

only remaining roof in the glen. In a moment after he reappeared, bearing the sick lad, a helpless burden, in his strong arms. A cry rose from the women-the

e quiet-dinna do

house-all of ye that are Macalpines. Leave

g men restraining by force which shook their vigorous frames the natural impulse to resistance; mothers, with compressed lips, shutting in the agony of their hearts-the train of weeping, bewildered children! The March wind swept keen and b

PTE

ate where stood some of Lord Gillravidge's household, sheer on to the Tower. The door was open-he darted in-rushed up stairs-and in headlong haste plunged into Mrs. Catherine's inner drawing-room. Mrs

r carriage with me-for a dying lad-a sick bo

rose and approached him. "You are the lad that was in temp

gasped poor Giles Sympelton. "Order it

te. She rang the bell, and or

ly!" cried the lad. "T

, "till it is ready; and tell m

hot forehead, and

dge has evicted them. There is not a house standing-they are all

ment, grief, and burning a

t the Macalpines of Oranmore from their own l

clamation. "They are covering him with cloaks and plaids-they say the cold will kill him. It is a terrible sig

's movements as he prepared the carriage. Mrs. Euphan Morison was ordered to put wine into it; blan

Bring the aged and feeble with you, as many as can come. Mi

t a pace to which Mrs. Catherine's horses w

e him. In the first shock of that great misfortune, the minister endeavored to speak hopeful, cheering words-of earthly comfort yet to come-of heavenly strength and consolation, which no oppressing hand could bereave them of.-Homeless and destitute, in the stern silence of their restrained emotions, the Macalpines heard him; some vainly, the burning sense of personal wrong momentarily eclipsing even their religion; some with a noble patience which, had they been Romans of an older day, would have gained them the applauses of a world. These b

toran. It could not arrive in less than an hour, Big Duncan said; and the minister w

the Macalpines.-"Neighbors, what is

desolate cottage. Alas! what shelter was there? The roof lay in broken pieces on the ground; window and door were carried away; the fire had sunk into embers. She threw herself down before it, and tried

we to see our bairns die before our eyes? Duncan, we let

this time-and it's my hope there is nae faint heart among us, that would have left the wives and the bairns to fend for

ny good. The other women were heaping peats upon a fire, to make ready more; the old people within Duncan's house crouched

ls on the hillside; but what's to come of them?" and he waved his hand t

us go to the kirkyard. You can pit up shelters there-no man can cast ye out of the place wher

proposing to them so ghastly a refuge. The Macalpines were not driven so utterly to extremity. It remained for these mo

len. He had brought the carriage as high as it could come, and now flew forward himself to get the invalid transferred to it

large-the old lady said I was to bring as many as could come. It is Mrs. Catherine Dougla

nd "blessings on him!" were murmured from many tongues. Three of the most feeble could be accommodated in the carriage-at

pon the agonized face of the young mother, sitting within the dismantled c

poor lad's life by your promptitude. Tell Mrs. Catherine that every arrangement that can possibly be made for the comfort o

ingered

it die?" he asked anxiou

ime," was the answer; "it's no moaning sae

safely deposited in the carriage, and, mounting bes

aise immediately with the feebler members of the houseless community. It was arranged that the rest should walk to Portoran-it was twelve miles-a weary length of way, where the mi

ofless dwelling.-The stern composure upon the faces of these two men, lighted by the red glow of the fire, as they sat there in the rapidly darkening twilight, told a tale

and do not despair. You will not need to leave the country-you will find

the moonbeams in the placid sleep of righteous and honorable labor-strange policy that could prefer som

had been spinning so busily on the previous night, stood thrust aside in the corner. His eyes stray further-through the vacant window-frame he saw, upon the other side of the Oran, his own roofless house; he saw the cradle from which his child had been hurriedly snatched, lying broken within; he saw the ho

n and passionate force of his strong resolution; his clear,

bout me. Keep your eyes away from the ruined houses-look forward,

on, and many bad associates, Giles Sympelton had remained unsophisticated and simple. The fear of ridicule, which might in other circumstances have induced him to resist the attractions of this stately old lady, with whom he had been brought so strangely in contact, was removed from the lad now-he gave way to the fascination. With natural naivete and simplicity, he told her his whole brief history; how of late he had written very seldom to

am not straitened for chambers. You have done good service to the Macalpines, as becomes a

ne's eye-blushed-looked down, and mu

to me-I have told you

ed up surprise

mpelton,"

Was the bairn that died in Madeira

pelton; "he was very fond of her-who die

as silent, and s

yon far away island, who went down with him to the grave. The name of her was Helen. He died in the morning, and she

and she was only fifteen when she died. I

dation of the "Sutherland Arm's" in Portoran. All the circumstances of Mrs. Catherine's great grief were brought vividly before her by his name. Helen Sympelton!-

t last with

erefore do not come up the stair, unless you like. Andrew will let you see your room, and you will

g Mrs. Catherine's country neighbors; and after some further kindl

our his story, in indignant Celtic vehemence, into the ears of Mr. Ferguson, and, with his pretty sister, Flora, had been taken into Woodsmuir. The others were provided for in various houses in Portoran-the most of them in genuine neighborly sympathy and compassion, and some for the hire which Mr. Lu

s. His sister endeavored to dissuade him, on the ground of his fatigue. Mr. Lumsden laughed-he always did laugh when fatigue was mentioned. Then it was absolutely necessary that he s

The gray pony too was not quite so invulnerable as its master. It owned to the fatigue of the day, in a very decided disinclina

t domestic chat with the elders. Everybody liked those quiet and easy parties, to which the guests came in their ordinary dress, and enjoyed themselves after their own fashion, without restra

joy by his bedside, and Mrs. Euphan Morison sitting in portly state by the fire. Widow Macalpine whispered thanks and blessings, and added, that, "he hadna sleeped sae quiet, since

hrough his boyish brain the while. Giles, simple lad as he was, was yet a gentleman-he had no flashy finery abo

an impression. Ada knew very pleasantly, as she drooped her brown curls before the glance of the st

ans made the impression he expected on that party-he had a feeling of old friendship for Anne-a slight idea of rivalry in respect to Lewis-but consoled himself pleasantly half an hour after, by Ada Coulter's side, putting her int

ng; described Big Duncan Macalpine's conduct with enthusiasm; touched slightly on his own fears for poor Kenneth; and laughed when he told them of his race. Mrs. Catherine drew near at that point o

ies were no less interested. Anne Ross leant on the sofa at Mrs. Coulter's elbow. Marjory Falconer stood apart, with her hand upon the back of a chair, and her strong and expressive face swep

oulter, that these families shall not be sent penniless to Canada. I don't like emigration

took a pin

we might pour our whole population into the backwoods, and there would still be unreclaimed districts. Depend upon it, Sir, it come

gration; and we have abundance of waste lands at home, Mr. Coulter; but in the case of the Macalpines, i

pause of c

said Mrs

and look

the Macalpines do? We were thinking of taking Flora to be one of our maids at W

deliberation; then he looked

ea," said the

shall surely be able to keep them in the district; and there is always the hope," the good factor

hat subject: they were very glad to join in good wishes for the broken laird; but saw

he ever can redeem the estate again,

homologated even so slightly. "Safe? ay, without doubt or fear! there is not a kind

s, and Rodericks; there were eleven fathers of families. Duncan Roy and his sister Flora were orphans;

could be herds, or-there is always work for th

f a plough-man, she suddenly discovered. Mrs. Coulter thought she "could

f them; their right to the land is as good as Archie's; the clansman holds it on as clear a title as the chief. Mind,

al future gladness, which he dared hardly venture to believe in, yet to which h

sts young and old were more amalgamated than before; they were sitting in a wide circle round Mrs. Catherine's chair. They did not perceive the m

n is in high favor with us all. It's a wonder a

a private telegraphic sign made by the hand of a certain

id Mrs. Coulter, "he i

u say?" inquired

and thirty per

lection of sundry invasions of her husband's parish.

griculturist. "He is not too old to b

continued Mrs. Bairnsfather. "Miss Jean

xteen, and receiving the homage of an Honorable Giles

king Mrs. Bairnsfather.-"They would

engaged Anne, Mrs. Bairnsfather; if she

" said Marjory Fal

attention of all and sundry to Marjory's face, perfectly scorching as it was, with one of her overwhelming

t the room. The dark figure behind the curtain, followed her with his eye; laughed within himself a mighty secret laugh,

" exclaimed Marjory, as

e, "she is the m

any peace where she is.-She is a pret

Marj

because John Lumsden is so popular in Strathoran-you

ther, and left the room. Mrs. Euphan Morison had retreated to her own apartment, and sat there by the fire sulky and dignified-the d

tences of the church-yard, and the right they had to the graves of their fathers. An aged woman, the grand-aunt of Duncan Roy and Flora, who had brought up the orphans, sat opposite to him, muttering and wringing her withered hands in pain. She h

ters went, the loss of husband and of children. She was rocking herself to and fro, and uttering now and then a low unconscious cry, as she

; and before the young ladies left the kitchen, Flora Macalpine had entered, and was at her aunt's side, telling of the reception Duncan and herself had met with at Woodsmuir, and how Mrs. Ferguson had half promis

ere absorbed with this matter of the ejectment, and so did

nne. I don't want t

ing-she seemed determined

lease, M

l, J

to go on, so she repeated: "If ye p

acky?" said An

I ken how to-to behave mysel, and to attend to a lady, and I'll never give ye o

into your head, Jac

ore her had, by some intuition peculiar to herself, made very tolerable progress in the study of those important matters which

e, Miss Anne, wi

somewha

g to be my maid,

idle when there's ony purpose for't-and I aye do what I

ike me, Jacky," said Marjory Falcone

the Squire of the redoubtable Britomart an old woman? Whereupon there ensued in Jacky's mind a metaphysical discussion as to whether Glauce or Mrs. Elspat Henderson was the best t

ke a maid with you,

es

ld take Jacky

hesit

t is not I, but Mrs. Cathe

herine will let me go, Miss

r mother

no needing me

seem to have quite made up your mind, and decided on the m

uncouth courte

Anne?" said Marjory, shooting a k

dinburgh," said

one not even know where you are going?

ory. I am going farther east t

d. "You are not delicate, Anne Ross. Wh

g," sai

e going away quite by yourself! Is anything the

could. My errand is quite a private one: wh

n torrents to Marj

too careless of forms, perhaps-perhaps I have made people think me rude and wild, when I was only striving to

r-whose name lies under the blot of a great crime. He was innocent-but the world believed him guilty. I am going to try-by what quiet and humble means are in my power-to remove th

rieved now, that she had pressed her inquiries so far. Marjory Falconer, like Lewis Ross, was learning lessons: the rapidly developing womanhood, which sent those vehement flush

TER

the hills," the whole circuit of whose simple lives for generations have passed under one roof; to whom the sun has risen and set behind the same majestic hills in daily glory, and whose native streamlet has a house-hold tongue, as familiar as the more articulate one of nearest kindred. A hope had sprung up in the breast of the Macalpines-a hope to which their yearning home-love gave vivid strength and power. Their chief would return: he would come back in renewed wealth and prosperity: he would lead them back to their own homes in triumph. This anticipation enlivened the sad pilgrimages, which the banished hillfolk made on those dewy spring evenings to their beloved glen. It needed some such

nd to do him leal service in an after-time. Giles, with some reluctance, left the Tower, after a week's residence there, to joi

g of moment was concealed under this quiet visit to the south, of the very quiet Miss Ross, of Merkland. Jeanie Coulter wondered if she was going to be married. Mrs. Coulter endeavored to recollect if she had ever heard of the Rosse

hem. Lilie herself was luxuriating over a splendid picture-book, after viewing with a burst of childish delight the pretty little silk frock which Mrs. Melder, in the pride of her heart, was already thinking would make so great a sensation when it appeared first in their seat in the front gallery (alias the mid loft) of Portoran kirk. Nothing less than a mother's hand could ha

words sometimes, that I'm sure she never learned frae me; it's my thought, Miss Anne, that the bairn kent the English tongue afore she came here, and had either forgotten

"look what bonnie things," and she precipita

Lilie," said Anne. "W

ravely. "It would be mamm

mamma?"

r the big water-but

me away from mamma,

u had seen my mamma greeting." And throwing herself down on th

that brought ye here, my

weep-too bitterly

n in a boyish hand-"Lilia Santa Clara." By-and-by the child's grief moderated

" it gave no clue t

said only 'Lilias,' and I dinna mind if I askit the last ane in my flutter-and bonnie outlandish names they are; 'Lil

ame, Mrs. Melder," said Anne

for their surname; though to be sure they do ca' the English flunky th

erself by this n

e maun hae been sent to yon lady frae some foreign pairt. Eh, bless me! there maun

e sat perched in the back seat of the gig, which was to convey them to Portoran. Old Esther Fleming, who stood without the gate to watch Miss Anne's departure, regarded Jacky dubiously, as if do

r herself than Mrs. Catherine-and of all kinds of disinterested and unselfish devotion, there are few so chivalro

waiting to take her home. Anne had purposed spending the short time she should remain in Edinburgh, in the house of an old companion and forme

hough it was, had prepossessed Mrs. Aytoun in her favor. And Norman-the neglected wife remembered him too, so delicately kind, so generous, so reverent of her weakness long ago, when her husband and he were friends; and though she deli

on Anne's knee-now leaning on her chair-now seated by her side, clasping her hand. James, too, with brotherly confidence and ki

commanding, though it did immediately front a street, and had neither grounds nor trees surrounding it-but when the immense house dwindled into a single flat, of which she could count all the rooms at a glance, Jacky felt the disappointment sadly. Then she was taken into the small bright kitchen, where Mrs. Aytoun's stout woman-servant, the only domestic of the household, was prepa

extravagant father, whose debts had so hopelessly entangled his inheritance, the territorial designation would have represented many fair acres-a long-descended patrimony. As it was, with only a desolate mansion-house, in

belonged to that well-nurtured, manly class, whose hereditary honor and good fame belong to the nation, and whose frank dignit

ttle Bessie arrived from her mother's humble house in an adjacent back street, to renew her acquaintance with her Strathoran

will they ever do wan

eive that the rosy little Edinburgh-bred girl, was about

a while, at first-and the

that's with yo

y "Miss Anne chose me of her own will-af

wfu' funny lady, y

astonished. "I dinna ken what y

e ither folk,

t doesna ken.

she like

. "But ye dinna ken wha she was-and she's a la

ntleman that was gaun to be uncivil t

all the ladies were at the Tower, (ye mind, Jacky?) Miss Falconer gied me a shilling a' to mysel, for bringing her napkin to her, that she had left in M

l as Mrs. Cather

up to her shouther, and she's a

y slight to Marjory, in an exaggeration of her stature, we cann

s, Mr. Ross; now she was bent on impressing Tibbie with a deep sense of her own familiarity wit

ade an elfin face at her talkative com

he say?" a

g. Jacky an

, like maist feck of his kind, I'll warrant-idle serving callants, wi' nought to do in this world, but c

thing ill,"

et ye up! But I can tell ye, he had better no

Jacky, decisively.-"Johnnie dauredna

able scruples, but maliciously

t Miss Ali

d Mrs. Aytoun's maid. "Could ye

laughed

e wee fairy lady a

cried the cu

il, and was riding on a pony as white as snaw; and the miller's wife took her in, and her wings took lowe at the fire, and she would

the insult with

lflin here, I would

Leith, Jacky," said Bessie, laugh

indignan

she?" inqu

and Mrs. Melder keeps her at the Mill, and she speaks in a strange tongue, and sings sa

ie w

Lilia Santa Clara, but neabody kens

Tibbie, "will she

earer yoursel," said Bess

ble, and take your tea. She's a light-headed fu

h?" inquired Bessie, as they seated th

gaun to th

re? we'll come

the place," said Jacky,

Miss Anne

e's no gaun to do onything.-She

uisitive Bessie, "

acky, quickly, "for that's aye Miss Ann

" persisted Bessie, "ane can aye gie

nantly, "Married! It's beca

" was the laughing response; "and

in," cried Tibbie. "Set ye up wi' your lads and your marryings! Mayb

knew that Anne was neither delicate nor had any friend at

eral resort, whose list of sea-bathing quarters was almost a perfect one, and fortified by the results of her experience, they departed upon their quest, leaving Jacky in B

own through the windows of the coach at the country road, known long ago, when Mrs. Aytoun was not a widow. There were no other passengers to restrain their conversation, and when th

is place better than Aytoun, mother? Ay

elicate health then. I was never well while-" your father lived, Mrs. Aytoun was about to say

the column stood "Mrs. Yammer"-the sea-bathing friend had particularly recommended the house, whose mistress bo

berant wealth of these rich Lothian lands was bursting out around into Spring's blythest green-a sunny April sky overhead, and April air waving in its golden breadths about them everywhere-it was impossi

ran the road leading to the country town, beyond there were some brief intervening fields, and then the sands. It was not above ten minutes walk from the immediate shore. At some little distance further on, there stood a house close to the water, standin

s in ecstasies. One window looked out on the sea-the other, in a corner of the room, had a pleasant view of the fresh green country r

ice Aytoun, "I will com

-a comical, little, quick, merry, eccentric face-some curls which looked exceedingly like bits of twisted wire, covered by a clean cap of embroidered muslin, with

ttle person before them. "I'm Miss Crankie. Wil

by looking steadfastly down the road, at the distant

aid to Tammie (that's my sister, Mrs. Yammer, her name's Thomasine-we call her Tammie for shortness,) 'If it wasna for breaking the tenth comma

said Mrs. Aytoun. "Are your ro

is is to be here in July, and Miss Todd was speaking of bringing ower her brother's

rly upset the gravity of Alice, and put Anne's own in jeopardy, "desires to have lodgings in the ne

Anne, "but still, i

toun, faltering and endeavoring to excuse her eq

affected by the same hesitation. It was

lack eye upon Anne, nodded, and loo

ommodate Miss Ross and h

cene, what could heart desire better than that-ay, or that either, young Miss, which is a

h was separated from the kitchen-garden by a thick hedge of sweet-briar. Alice was delighted, and Anne so perfectly satisfied, that Mrs. Aytoun made the bargain. The rooms were taken, together with a little den up stairs for Jacky. Miss Crankie faithfully pro

prolonged their walk. "Do you think I could walk out from Edinburgh, mother?" said Alic

kie, Alice," said Anne, smiling,

Is she not a ver

Aytoun; "But I hope Jacky's sense of the ludicrous is not s

strange good girl Jacky is. People laugh at h

ice," said Anne. "She is

from the spectral dark house, which Anne had noticed before, looming so drearily over the sunny waters. She raised her eyes as they met-the large, wistful, melancholy eyes fell

med disturbed also. Her eyes appeared to dilate and grow k

erson?" said Mrs. A

. Surely some unknown emotion strong and powerful, had risen in the stranger's breast from this meeting. Anne a

the gay conversation of Alice. Mrs. Aytoun perceived her gravity. After some ti

l think me very foolish, Mrs. Aytoun, it is her

," said Mrs. Aytoun. "Le

perfectly neglected-only some pale spring flowers bloomed in front of a low projecting window, where there seemed to linger some remnants of

in making some necessary calls. She spoke as little as possible of her intentio

e have any connection with Norman's history, or was it only the prevailing tone of Ann

TER

fferent things. She seated herself by the window as these long afternoon hours wore on. Jacky sat at the other end of the room, already engaged on some one of the numberless linen articles, which had been provided by her prudent mother, to

er; once or twice she had seen a solitary figure on the sands. None of these bore the same look. The steady pace of country business, and the meditative one of country leisure she could notice-n

rch; and turning to Jacky, bade her ask Miss Crankie and Mrs. Yammer to take tea with her.-Jacky with some hesitation obeyed-she thought it was letting down

int upon it, which she wore on solemn occasions. In honor of her new lodger, she donned it to-night. Jacky ar

lute dominion of "Johann," saved for a feeble murmuring of her own complaints, the most voiceless and passive of weak-minded sisters. Miss Johann Crankie was very kind to the woeful widow, who hung upon her active hands so helplessly. She shut her ears to Mrs. Ya

Miss Crankie fidgeted on her seat, shooting odd glances at Jacky, and intelligent ones of ludicrous pity at Anne,

house on the waterside,

t Laird, when he was in his cradle, puir bairn, and his light-headed gowk of a mother has him away, bringing him up in England.-She's English hersel: maybe ye might ca' that an excuse. I

tor of the house live

allant yet. Tammie, woman, what y

nd I mind o' rinning out without my bonnet, and wi' bare shoulders, and standing by the roadside, to see the f

e off to England in the first month. Ye may tak my word for't, there wasna muckle grief, though there was crape frae head to fit of her. I mind the funeral as weel as if it had passed this morning-folk pretend

fined to my bed, haill six weeks after that weary funeral wi' the ticdouleureux? the tae cheek swel

f guid mustard that cured ye. It's a comfort that ane needs

ther over him, for bye being keeped out of the knowledge o' his ain land. I was ance in England mysel. There's no an article in't but flat fields, and dead water, and dreary lines o' hedges. Ye may gang frae the tae end to the tither (a' but the north part, and its maistly our ain,)

ty, certainly," s

ury to the lad-there's nae saying if

pty?" said Anne; "do

are folk in't.-There's a brother and a sist

-with large, dark, melanchol

quisitive look at Anne; "where hae ye fa'en in with he

ppressing her agitation with an effort;

was just like ither folk; and si

rembling with interest and impatience-she coul

of stories, Miss Ross? the m

d in that singular melancholy

ike curiosity. Anne smiled in spite of herself. The

began wi' the question book; but we were at the schule thegither for a' that-there's maybe six or seven years between us. There were three of a family of them; their father

thae times, Miss Ross. It's different wi'a puir frail widow woman like m

xt to her, and there was as bonnie a bit lassie as ever you saw, Miss Ross, that was the youngest of the three-

ve hersel, guiding the other twa like as if they had been her ain bairns; she was aye quiet and thoughtful. I was an

aid the disconsolate invalid. "Eh, Miss Ross, the s

s a blessing on't like the widow's cruise that never toomed; but she keepit hersel and her little sister decent, and sent Patrick to the college wi' the rest. They had a cottage, and a guid big garden-she used to be aye working in the garden herse

a young gentleman that was heir of an auld property, on the ither side of Aberford, came into his fortune. Ye'll ma

n involuntary start; she ans

heard th

an had ony occasion; it was his ain fault to be sure

throughither whiles in my young days, Miss Ross-no very, but gey. I yince loupit from the top of our garden wa' wi' he

een right since," said Mrs. Yammer

with her odd, merry, little black eyes, and la

escribe it. Mrs. Clippie, the Captain's wife, was genteeler than them-to tell the truth we were genteeler oursels; but for a'

" exclaimed A

on Lillie, Kir

r, and wonder shot through Anne's frame. What c

the countryside-and Kirstin's house is near his gate, and so he behove

awfu' fond o' him. I have seen Patrick's face flush like fire if onybody minted a slighting word of young Redheugh-no that it was often done, for there was never a man bet

k said it wasna right, and puir folk said it wasna right; but Kirstin guarded her you

id will carry ben the tray

d away the tea equipage with Jacky's tardy assistance. Jacky was by no means pleased to find her attendance no

s Ross, ye'll excuse me if I take my work. I have no

work-basket, from which Miss Crankie took a white cotton stocking, in which were various promising

thank

my story, I see," said Miss Crankie,

kie's arm-the black turban nodded in good-humored indication

as a bit delicate young thing-they said he wasna ower guid to her. They lived on the other side of the town, and their name was Aytoun. Mr. Rutherford and him had gotten acquaint in Edinburgh, and for awhile they we

on the skirts of yon muckle wood that runs down close by the sea, and who should this be but the stranger gentleman, Mr. Aytoun. Somebody had shot him like a

dy's mouth. The first body I thought of was Marion Lillie; the day before she had gone into Edinburgh-f

tin speaking to you, I say aye Miss Lillie to herself. In the one day that the murder was done she had gotten yon look. It feared me when I saw it. Her e'en were travelling far away,

said, in a wild away: 'he is not

I, 'bless me, it will brea

in, 'I will send her to the west country to

ing between her sister and young Redheugh-now sh

hey hadna been at sea aboon a week when she foundered, and a' hands were lost; and

What could ye think, Miss Ross? It wasna like a common death-there was nae hope in it, either for this world or the ne

tin had to nurse him night and day-she couldna even leave him to see Marion buried. She died, and was laid in her grave among stranger

the sore stroke has crushed them baith. Patrick never sought his doctor's licence, nor

ome great misfortune to account for it, when it's naething but weakness. Eh, Miss Ross,

d her strange littl

say the King gets the lands when ony man does a crime like that; it's what they ca' confiscate. Redheugh has been confiscate before now. The auld Rutherfords were Covenanters langsyne, and lost their inheritance some time in the eight-and-twenty years-b

represent the fallen house of Rutherford-she was the heir-the

bt?" she asked, "was

could have bidden still? Na, I ken Kirstin Lillie better. Patrick was aye a weakly lad, ower gentle for the like of that, but Kirstin could never have sitten down in idleset if there had been ony hope. M

thing that could hurt Miss L

ody seeks to see't. You would think they couldna thole a living face dear them; they gang to the Kirk regular, and whiles ye will see them wandering on the sa

"of the awfu' fright I got after my man John Yammer was laid in his grave, that brought on my palpitation. Ye see, Miss Ross, I was sitting my lane, yae eerie night ab

" said Johann, persuasively. "We'r

, and how it brought on my palpitation. Eh woman, Johann, if ye only kent h

odded solemnly, darkening the whole apartment; of how at last Johann returned, and with profane laughter, discovered the ghost to be the shadow of a branch of the old elm without, some bare twigs upon the extremity of which were fashioned into the likeness of an exceeding retrou

f when the gloaming began to darken, having sufficient discernment to

ware of Norman's existence, and of his innocence? There could not be two betrothed Marions. In the latter part of the story, the countryside must have been deceived. Who so likely to accompany the exile as the sister of this brave woman, who had done the housemother's self-denyin

e herself known? Alas, she was still no whit advanced in her search for proof of Norman's innocence! If Christian Lillie had possessed any clue, she must, it was certain

hbourhood of Merkland? Could it be? could it be? her heart grew sick with feverish hope and anxiety; her mind continued to hover about, and dwel

hat terrible time of parting-the nervous compulsory strength of the girl-heart that went with him-the stern patience of the maturer one, who above by the sick-bed at home! Grief that must have remained with all

iate certainty of Norman's innocence than even Anne herself could have-why had the brother and sister done nothing to remove this stain? She could only account for it by supposing them paralysed with fe

night, rose the fair lands of Fife. Still and solemn in its saintly evening rest, lay the beautiful earth everywhere. Only awake and watching, unde

quipage, which Miss Crankie's energetic little servant had already placed upon the table. Anne smiled, and felt almost uncomfortable, as she obse

illed out Anne's cup of tea, and li

lease, M

l, J

y, hesitating, "do ye ken

larm-was this strange, dark maid o

she said. "Wh

ss, Miss Anne," murmured J

t, Jacky-be

ds. She was standing close by the bushes at yon dark house, and her e'en we

d w

w her once by Oranside at night; and she was on our sid

with her th

then she was on the Merkland side, where Esther Fleming lives; and

t is the same lady,

use there's no twa faces like yon in a' the wo

, Ja

-and how dark and full

no sae woeful-and I kent the lady would be some fri

ear of kindred to herself as to Christian Lillie? Her mind

e please,

turned roun

ter, and leaning on the hedge-may

is it,

near and sp

ss Alice sang on the New-year's night, wh

sta

hersel very low-the way Lil

d she sa

about seeing the stars rise upon the Oran. I can say

word. "The student lad" who wrote th

ight you heard

said Jacky, bashfully, "and I saw the sun rise. But I think the lady was

ou are not mistaken

's e'en-only they are far, far deeper and sadder, and aye searching and travelling,

rds roused Anne. "Did you menti

n imputation on her ho

ngs, Miss Anne. I

od reason, no doubt, for not keeping Lilie beside her. Mind, you must never mention this to any one-not to Bes

secret and proud dignity. She also had entered upo

TER

ame upon a desolate mansion-house. The broken gate hung by the merest tag of hinge; the stone pillars were defaced and broken. What had formerly been ornamental grounds before the house, were a jungle of long grass, and uncouth brushwood. Bushes grown into unseemly straggling trees, beneath the shadow of which, thistles and nettles luxuriated, and plumes of unshorn grass waved rank and long, as if in the very triumph of neglect. The house-door hung as insecurely as the gate-the steps were mossy and cracked-the windows entirely shattered, and in some cases the very frames of them broken. Behind, the gardens lay in a like state of desolation. Here and there a cultivated flower, which had been hardy enough to cling to its

a "grieve," or farm overseer, a rising man in his humble circle, whose wife aimed at being genteel. She stood in the door, basking in the sun, with her youngest baby in her arms; the good

h," said Mrs. Brock

le urchin scrambling in the garden. Mrs. Brock looked

e; ye'll dirty th

hand into her own. "I am very fond of childr

said Mrs. Brock. "There's few folk in

stranger; what is the reason i

; "it's no often we have folk out frae Edinburgh sa

said Anne smiling, "but I

ntinued Mrs. Brock. "Are ye bideing

y on the other side of

day. Get out of the road, Geordie; will ye no come

imple manners, was eminently ladylike, and might be a desirable acquaintance. Anne accepted the invitation, and setting

re mirror; the carpet was resplendent in all the colors of the rainbow. There were sturdy mahogany chairs, and a capacious haircloth sofa-the two ends of a dining-table stood in the middle of the room, elaborated into the brightest polish-

our lang walk. Geordie, ye little sinner, wad ye put

llow unceremoniously out, and se

fine view,

d yon muckle hill, even over the water, that's Largo Law. My mother was a Fife woman-I have lived at Colinsbrugh mysel; and we can see

o, indeed,"

ain.-George was uncommon keen to have had the house the b

tural,"

clear hunder-it's no worth that siller, ye ken, but it's just because we've been in't sae lang. But Miss Lillie wadna hear o't; it'

Lillie's hou

n Miss Lilli

o not know her, but I

eing here themsels; and the garden behint. Miss Lillie beggit George to keep the flowers right, and he tak

h," said Anne; "why is it

Mrs. Brock, "have y

ory?" sa

anners in astonishment. "Ye maun have been awfu' short time her

ved yesterda

ry the guilt of the pluid over the sea. They say murder wouldna hide if ye could put a' the tokens o't beneath North Berwick Law. It made an awfu' noise in the countryside at the time, but it's no muckle thought o' now, only a'body kens what gars the house lie desolate.

ntly; she did not kn

leased no to put myself in the way. I have aye an eerie feeling when I pass the gate at night. After a' ye ken, there's naething certa

e most prudent way,"

like to see th

ily anxious to know

" said

ye'll be pleased wi' the g

their delicate hopeful fragrance and pale hues, were scattered through the borders. The blossom on

ouse, Miss Ross,"

than are generally seen in cottage gardens, clustering thickly over it, while the foliage of some old trees, growing at the foot of the hillock, made a rich background. From its elevated seat, you could see the slopes of Fife lying fair below the sun, and the gallant Forth between.-Anne stood

hese flowers should be carefully tended. Christian Lillie would not part with the house. Was she not looking forward, then, to some fu

e was permitted to depart. Mrs. Brock had another decanter upon her table, filled with a diabolical compound, strongly medicinal in taste and odor, which she called ginger wine, and which Anne

en George is in himsel. He's an uncommon weel-learned man, ou

rn to avail herself of the stores of George Brock's

benevolent hope that Norman might be guiltless! She had been told so long before, and had come to Aberford, in the face of that. Yet the repetition of it by so many indifferent strangers di

There was light in the low projecting window, which dimly revealed a gloomy room, furnished with book shelves. At a sort of study table, placed in the recess of the window, there sat a man bending over a book. His face was illuminated by the candle beside him. A pale, delicate face it was, telling of a mind nervously susceptible, a spirit answering to every touch, with emotion so intense and fine, as to make the poetic temperament, not a source of strength and mi

pale and contemplative face. There could be no doubt that he

she caught a glimpse of a slow advancing figure. Fit place and time it was, for such a meeting-for the tall dark outline and slow step, could belong to but one person. Anne trembled, and felt her own step f

t be that she saw Anne's agitation-it might be that she also longed to know Norman's sister. That she knew her to be so, Anne could not

in a voice of singular sadne

n of that long breath, spoke powerfully. This, then, was her one p

tremulously. "Yonder lights on the Fif

nt they look here. Who knows what weariness and misery

. "While we do not know that our hopes a

s to feel the death of them: what think you of the vain toils that folk undergo for a hope? the struggle and the vigils, and the sickness of its deferring? I see light burning yonder through all the watches of th

know what my hope is

-God shield you, from the knowledge-how long a mortal body will hold by life after there is a broken heart within it! I think sometimes that it is only us

blank composure about her, which told more powerfully even than her words, the death

travail-an expectation! What think you of looking forward all that time, as your one aim and expectation-almost, God help us, as your hope-for a thing which you knew

n a great sorrow that is past-I trust and hope in a great joy

nk, as Anne thought,

u from that-but it becomes you well: turn r

houlder, and, turning her rou

ed. "You are the only child of yo

cep

at I cannot take it at your, hands. You have opened a fountain in this withered heart, that I thought no h

see you again

ian he

ce-you may come to me at night-not to-morrow night, but the next. I will wait for you at the little gate

ess of her grief, declared that in her all hope was dead. It was a blow to all her expectations-nevertheless it did not strike her in that light. Her anticipation of the promised interview, her wonder at what had passed in this, obliterated the discouraging impression. She was too deeply interested in what she had seen and heard, to think of the stamp of hopelessness which th

st scrap of information about Norman, beyond what she already knew-that he had killed a man, and had been drowned in his flight from justice-that now the property, as they thought, was in the king's hands, "and him having sae muckle," a

ncied to the sea. She was standing on its outskirts where the foliage thinned, yet still was abundant enough to shade and darken the narrow water; a little further on, the opposite bank swelled gently upward in fields, cultivated to the streamlet's edge-but the side on which she herself stood, was richly wooded along all its course, and matted with a thick undergrowth of climbing plants and

ound by the linn in Mavisshaw. Ye canna weel gang wrang, unless ye take the road that rins along the how

a stranger

he youth. "I'll let ye see the way tha

or, who stayed his whistling, and dropped a step or two behind,

mother is aye loot keep the house, now that she's a widow-woman. I've been biding

u like that?

father before me; sae my uncle spoke for me to the grieve at Fantasie a

d a long wal

o. It should be three by the sun." Anne consulted her watch; it was just three; the

if I had been passing in the dark, wadna

"is there anything part

ye no ken? there was a man ki

. "Who was h

yin 'o the witnesses. Maybe ye'll have seen a muckle house, ower there, a' disjaske

e seen it,"

-at least a'body said it was him that did it-I h

r father a witnes

ather aye thought that he bid to be innocent, for he

ought him innocent?

about it, and sae does my mother, but my father was aye in a swither; he thought it couldna be. Here's the Milton, and ower yonder, ye see, li

ith many scruples, went away, whistling more blythely than ever. How little did the youthful rustic imagine the c

and in the face of evidence, and the universal opinion of his fellows, h

darkness of the full night came stealing on, sh

hristian-no one was visible-dark ever-green shrubs looking dead and stern among the gay spring verdure, stood out in gho

pal door. It was evidently unused, and in grim security barred the entrance; she passed the projecting wi

as of some one listening. She knocked again-there was no response-she repeated h

hollow sound through the house. Presently a window above was opened, and the fac

disturbing honest folk at this hour

within?" said Anne

ing but an excuse for theftdom and spoliation; but I warn ye, ye

ely come to see Miss Lillie, I assure

rtress a little more gently, "that ye hav

er impatience, "that I am quite alone. Pray ask Miss Lillie to

ing at," said the old woman; "and how div y

aid Anne, "it is getting late. T

e, I wad like to ken? Ye're no gaun to pit your gowk's errands on me. If I had the lo

d Anne, "that she is not at home!

ds in the west country. Is that a'? If ye had a hoast like me, and were as muckle fashed w

d Anne, "no message-or did s

t they were gaun to the west country to see their friends. What for sh

greatly disappoint

eful guardian of Schole, "and draw the stane c

ectionate, the idea of their existence and sympathy-perhaps of their co-operation and help. Now Christian's words returned to her mind in sad perplexity. She could find no clue to them. The house of Schole looked more dreary and dismal than ever. She felt a void as she looked back to it, and knew that the watcher, whose light had fallen u

TER

nne had no word of hopeful answer to give. Her own heart was sinking day by day; the window of Patrick Lillie's study was still shut up and dark; the old servant whom they had left behind them could give no infor

teristic note promising, "if ye will be a good bairn and come back, maybe to go with ye myself, when the weathe

he draw the child to her side, and take into her own its small soft hand. The little strange exotic Lilie, the wonder of

ith leddy and maid comin anceerrant to see ye, the first thing after their home-coming. She's an awfu' strange lassie yon, Miss Anne; ane w

uitive perceptions of Jac

led Lilie at home," sai

Miss Anne-the folk that sent a' yon bonni

me, Lilie?" said Anne: "see

e tree on which were carved the names of those two exiles-Norman and Marion. It was a fit resting-p

me where your

id Lilie, "far aw

it?" said Anne,

d grand flowers far bigger than any in Strathoran; but its lang, lang to

to go home, Li

uld like to go to my own mamma; bu

she call

g ship, she said Lilie was coming home; a

look when she sai

ld bega

ead-down into her hands, this way; and the

away the tears. "You would be very glad to see mamma, L

id Lilie eagerly. "Did sh

l take my hand, and say, 'Mamma, this is my f

looked b

ythe!-but if mamma were comin

oked upon the little face lying on her knee. "Your Aunt Anne th

d her small arms

h you were Lilie's aunt-then you

e to live at M

onnie days like this, but whiles-J

ld, like me; you wi

ung lady," reiterated Li

mma when she co

face beca

hey a' be there? Papa and Lawrie? What way do you put your head dow

whom,

omes, will they a' c

her corroboration; there was something touching i

is near as tall as yo

m like papa," said

hold down your h

apa loo

d greet, then you grow like him; and Lawrie never g

tted to her, and to ascertain something of the worldly comforts of her banished brother. Mrs. Melde

s and English John, and Jose-for papa's no

imed Anne, more as expressing her own a

to get strong again. See," Lilie disengaged herself from Anne, and ran away al

not tell me this

h dwelling, and seeing, with the quick perception of a child, that its inhabitants were of the same rank as her former attendants, the child had naturally fancied that their language must also be, not the cultivated English, the speaking of which was an accomplishment, but the more ornate tongue which she had been accustomed to hear among their equals in her own country. Then Mrs. Melder's dialect still f

on of discomfort-one of those vague indefinite times of childish suffering and unhappiness, which are by no means either light or trivial, howsoever we may think of them, when we are involved

do with the proof of his innocence, and though Christian Lilie's strange words had occupied her own mind night and

. Catherine. She brooded over her secret by herself; she slept little-rested little-took long, solitary, meditative walks, and much exercise, and felt herself more than ever abstracted from the busy little world about her. She was becoming a solitary, cheerless woman, cherishing

om the little heart yearned, and she was successful. Lilie began to call her aunt-to watch in childish anxiety for her daily visits-to wander about anywhere, unwearied and joyous, so long as Anne was leading her, and to look to her at all times as her deares

er him. In the bright sunshine of that leafy month of June her heart sickened within her. She longed to return again to the place wher

elton. Marjory Falconer was very remarkably quiet; she was "beginning to settle." Mrs. Bairnsfather said, maliciously, "and it was high time." Mr. Ferguson's work was advancing in the bleak lands of Lochend and Loelyin. Mr. Coulter and he were very busy, and i

displeased Lord Gillravidge by being the occasion of Giles Sympelton's desertion, and was left behind half as a punishment for that offence, and half as a promotion for counter-balancing good offices. Mr. Fitzherbert's feelings concerning it

despotism to its full extent-had cursed the servants, bullied Mr. Whittret, and asserted his predominance in various other pleasant and edifying ways-was for

Fitzherbert met her there, and the first harsh sound of his command to leave the road, was very much less disagreeable than the softening of tone which followed. Mr. Fitzherbert began

ecute her with his odious flattery and attentions. Flora was engaged, moreover, and tall Angus Macalpine, her handsome bride-groom elect, and Duncan Roy, her brother, were equally irate, and equally contented to have a decided personal ple

tzherbert had just received from Lord Gill

o him bashfully that she would be in the contested by-way, near the stepping-stones, at seven o'clock; it is always pleasant to be victorious. Mr. Fitzherbert had no doubt that the power of his fascinati

d did not at all like her position, but that strong, thickset little brother of hers, Duncan Roy, was squatting at her feet, concealing the flaming red head, which might have alarmed their victim, among the surrounding leaves, and Angus, bending down his handsome

ar too good, for these mischief-loving lads to let it slip. They had come to assist the Macalpines. George was making horrible faces. His veins were perfectly swoln with the might of his suppressed laughter. Johnnie had a little

ora; "mind, you maun promi

was the emph

t him, for ony sake.-Just fear h

f Angus Macalpine's might have restrained a man

gly,-"We'll only douk him, forbye-Listen! There he

could hear his swaggering step

n a strong undertone. "If ye were ance in my ha

another earnest remonstranc

k back-the instinctive delicacy of her simple womanly nature overpowering her with shame. To meet this odious man

back to the shelter of the bourtree-bush-and in another moment, Fitzherbert was struggli

ed the struggling legs of the unhappy adventurer, and held hi

t. "I haven't my purse on me, good fellow

disgust, and shook him violently. "Rob ye! Ye pitiful animal, wha woul

nt-up laughter, Johnnie Halflin bestirred himself now, to han

ghtly round the unhappy Fitzherbert, strapping his arms to his side. Then Duncan

ressed, they viewed the ludicrous bondage of their foe. "Eh, man

wi' your neives, like

woman Flora, he's walopping like the fishes in the Portoran boats when t

ss at their feet, "we might have throoshen ye like a man, and gi'en ye fair play; but because ye're a vermin that have creeped in to quiet places, where there was nae man to chastise ye-

they could have chosen. Duncan Roy squatting at his side, with methodic composure and malicious glee, began to clip, and cut away, in jagged and uneven bits, his cherished whiskers, his be

n, till Marjory Falconer stood in the midst of them. Duncan's scissors suddenly ceased. The victim looked up in momentary

ry. "Flora, are you here! What is

ghter, was now in tears, "it's the gentleman from Strathoran-an

ss Falconer, and silently asked her permission to proceed-the grim steadfastness with which Angus continued to hold the victim on the grass-the vain attempt

ought for an instant of what people would say, almost for the first time in her life. Then she looked at the ludicrous scene before her-the just pun

-you are not wanted. Du

l to ply his redoubtable shears. "He's a camstarie beast,

tle Bessie's pink handkerchief was in Johnnie Halflin's mouth again. Flora remained behind the

o this if she would: instead of that she had encouraged it. She had yielded to the mirth

racy, finished his operation on one side of Mr. Fitzher

looked up in d

me see him released

ngus looked

again, my lad, before ye offer to lay your filthy fingers on a

t at liberty, he was lying within the green verge of the Oran-the soft waters embracing him. His first struggle threw him further in; and when he rose at last, spluttering with wrath and water, his clothes wet, his face scarred with the pebbles, and sho

e, upon the other side of the river, he could see the retreat of the Macalpines; it was a fr

scissors of the remorseless Duncan had swept away one entire half of Mr. Fitzherbert's adornments. It must all go, cherished and dearly beloved as it was-the flowing luxuriance of the one side

, or even Anne Ross herself, she knew Marjory Falconer could never be!-nor like the cheerful active sister Martha of the Portoran Manse. Marjory did not blush more deeply when that last name glided into her memory; that was impossible-no human verdict, or condemnation would have abashed her so entirely as did her own strong, clear, unhes

ncan?" she asked as

er ain room-according to her ain fashion. There's nae accounting for the whigmaleeries of you leddies, but an s

exclaimed Marjory.

the water, and when she comes in eating a nip that wadna ser a lintie, and syne away up the stair to pingle her l

at the door of Anne's room. "Com

s thick fringe of foliage was parted here and there. Anne leant upon the window-still, looking out. It was not the fair heights and hollows of her native district that she saw; her eyes were veiled to these. The dim shores of the Forth in the still evening-time-the long, low, sig

to be addressed, thinking it May or Barbara. At last,

y, is t

if you saw something of the greatest interest. I am quite sure you don't know what you are looking at, and, had I come forward suddenly, and asked y

smi

ell. You put comprehens

urself of proper rest and relaxation, and altogether, as plainly as possible endeavoring to manufacture a consumption. I say, Anne Ross, what is it all about? I have a right

ory Falconer, of Falcon's Craig, I sho

s. Melder. Nothing but patient looks, and paleness, and reveries! I don't see why we shou

, and do not scold so bitterly. Did you come all the way from Fal

me the shame, and she laughed with characteristic heartiness. There was not, after all, so very much to be ashamed of; but, as everybody exaggerated the extravagance of everything don

, Marjory?"

of shame

have been making a f

she only drew her friend

ow

one else should be before me with the news. Ah! and there you s

r I should say that when people make purgatories f

d innocently, I premise, was I led into the snare. Anne Ross! turn away from the window, and keep your glances w

iliation, sometimes bursting into irrepressible mirth. It was very soon told. Anne looked

e hot flood burning over her cheek, and neck, and fore

alconer, whom malicious people blame

roud e

en one saw the drawing-up of her tall,

ners would be safe in your hands: but you are not proud enough, being Marjory. I fancy we should inhabit a loftier atmosphere than these

ch would not come; "perfumed and dainty. I am no exotic,

lifted her Bibl

o One greater than us; but I don't want t

y look

clothing,' " and bowed her hea

editable warfare, every step in advance of which is a further humiliation to us. I forgive you your share in this exploit with all my heart. I am not sorry the man is punished, though I would rather you had not been connected with his punishment. It is not very much, after all; but I do declare war against these polemics of yours-all and sever

half angry,

o me; and so nobody does us any injustice-nobody opp

layfully; "that is

good

me, the si

uld take who

hould keep

nn

best mind will always assert itself, in whomsoever it may dwell-we are safe in that.-The weak ou

tdone. I give up my poor little innovations. Why, Anne Ross, what would the

hink about it, without being shocked in the least. The prope

tronised by Mrs. Bairnsfather, highly approved by Mrs. Coulter and Mrs. F

TER

sting than any weight of care and sorrow, which had opportunity and means of working! She hardly ventured to speak of returning to Aberford, for Mrs. Ross's peevishness at the merest hint of such a wish, and the

few days of his arrival brought him into Mr. Sinclair's house on the footing of a friend. Mr. Sinclair himself was, as common report said, a man of great enterprise in business, and notable perseverance, whose fortune was the work of his own hands; and blending with this, Archibald found a singular delicacy of tone and sentiment which pleased him greatly. A man of

rs. Catherine. This was an additional bond. The family of the merchant lived a very quiet life in a country house in the vicinit

ay of light even upon Anne's reveries. Something more was needed, however, to shake of

, half way between asleep and awake, which in Scotland we call "dovering," Mrs. Catherine in her rustling silken garments, went stately

, put away the papers that lay before him, and left the library with much wonder, to ascertain Mrs. Catherine's errand. Mrs. Ross rose very peevishly f

ted her with great ceremony and politeness, "you may ken I

"you, Mrs. Catherine. How shall we

some manner doubtless," s

t for Anne and Lewis, nothing goes right if a week

not I had kept the power, now that I am past threesco

month," said Lewis, bluntly; "I me

o suffer loss in that particular, till this world's affairs are out of my hands-be careful of your lawful business, Lewis, as becomes your years. If you were a g

looked a

o

tronger health upon it than is on her young one. I have a doctor of physic among my serving woman; I see no reason why

," said Mrs. Ross, angrily. "Anne i

to judge for herself. Is it your pleasure that I should try m

know how to manage her, it is more than I do. I assure you, Mrs. Catherine, Anne's co

than the greater portion of those "needlewomen, distressed or otherways," whose miserable work done for miserable wages attracts so much sympathy and benevolent exertion in these days. She was somewhat astonished at the undeserved accusation. If she did wander for long mi

g away, in silence. So far as I can see, it is high time to take note of it now; therefore my petition is, that y

of Mrs. Catherine's invitation, Anne,

ssed her hea

be it is want of use that makes me prosper so ill. Am I to get your daughter, Mrs. Ro

n softening her tone a little, she added, "I have no objection, unfortunately Anne is not of sufficient importance i

e permission, ungracious as it was, was accepted, and Mrs. Catherine made arrangements

esser wonders of the city, which boasts so many. Mrs. Catherine's horses were proceeding at a good pace along the southward road, within sight of a dazzling sea, and very near the dark high cliffs,

see there is neither health nor peace for you until you ha

indeed. I shall be of little use to any

r, or I would have gone with you. I am not ill-pleased that this necessity has come, for there are many in Edinburgh, that it is meet I should say

sta

here any further intell

Gowan. Did I not tell you th

er heard i

herland to come home. I cannot trust her without natural guard or helper, her lane in the midst of strangers. She is a light-headed, vain, undutiful girl-I know her of o

To England?-you are not

ly and beyond remedy-for the sake of the fuil herself (she bears Isabel Balfour's name and outward resemblance,) and for the sake of Archie, I am bound to do my endeavor, if it should be by the strong hand. Child, you may think me distrustfu

ht Mrs. Catherine's fears uncalled for-shrinking from the idea of dange

cious and grand Edinburgh lodging, and the bustle of arrival fa

nerable willow pattern, arranged above the red and yellow lady on the tray-a teapot, belonging to the same set, with a lid, the sole relic of a broken black one-a comfortable plate of tolerably thick brea

and then she was begged to take a seat, and a cup of tea. Anne sat down, and kindly looked out at the window, while Miss Crankie

, "we've been making our jelly, and were just trying it. I can recommend the rasps, Miss Ross-the red cu

ld mysel on Sabbath at the Kirk, and was trying the jam for my throat. I'

modation, Miss Crankie," said Ann

providence," exclaimed Miss Crankie

u do with me to-

ack Miss Ross, and yet I'm sorry to see you so shilpit. Ye'll find the sea-air

e in time. Ye'll be fashed wi' a pain in your side? For mysel, it's little use saying what I h

ll of sea-bathers. I was saying to auld Marget, that she might win a pound or twa for her ain hand, with letting some o' thae muckle r

home, then?

eat a hurry as they gaed away; ane scarce ever sees

e deep blue of the evening sky, dismal and forlorn as it was, looked like a friend; but though she lingered about its vicinity all the night, and watched eagerly within sight of its little gate, no one vent

s maid. Bessie was living with an aunt, the wife of a forester, whose house was within three or four mil

already seen in Edinburgh, and from whom she had received a very grandiloquent account of the chastisement of Mr. Fitzhe

hin, it was as clean and bright as forest cottage could be, and with its long vistas of noble trees everywhere, and the one thread of communication with the outer world that ran close to its door, was a pleasant habitation-homelike and cheerful. Bessie's aunt was, like her cottage, soberly light-hearted, kind and motherly. Upon her well scoured white deal table, she had set out a row of glancing cups and saucers, flanked with delicate bannocks of various kinds, and jelly more plentiful than Mis

doing carefu' woman, wi' a guid wage, and siller to the fore; but she's come to years when folk are lone, if they have nae near friends, and Rob Miller, her brither, has a housefu' o' weans; and I'm no sure that his wife can be

before the fire, the smooth, well-baked bannocks, and beau

then, auntie. It's awfu

among the trees," sa

and projecting teeth, and sandy hair carefully smoothed beneath a muslin cap, modestly, tied with a scrap of blue ribbon. She was a very homely, unhandsome-looking person, yet had an unassuming simplicity about her, not common in the upper servant class. Jean Miller had known evil in her day. The long upper lip pressing above these irregular ill-shaped teeth of her

air to the table, called Bessie, placed the teapot on the tray, and began her duties. There was a simple blessing asked upon

ing on wi' his learning

n upper lip-very slight-no eye less kee

s been getting some grand books in a prize, and t

er lad," sai

of pairts," said Jean, "if he

hat, thae young doctor-lads. Eh, keep me! Jean woman, if this callant was t

comprehended or could sympathize with, she had prayed, entreated, remonstrated, forgiven, and supported him through all his sad career. He left an orphan boy on her hands. With the tenderest mother-anxiety, Jean Miller had brought up this child-with genuine mother-ambition, had, at the cost of long labor, and much self-denying firmness on her own part, sent him to college when he reached proper years, eager to raise him above the fear of that terrible stain and sin which had destroyed the first Andrew-her once gay and c

ntry, I'm thinking?" sh

id Jacky,

aid Mrs. Young. "Ye've been lang

hteen year past the twenty-firs

time the gentleman was

the very morning. I

laimed Bessie. "W

angular frame thrilled nervously, a

Jean, my sister was Mrs. Aytoun's right-hand woman. I dinna ken how the puir lady would have won through her trouble ava, when Miss Alice was born, if it hadna been for our Bell-no

's dear to their ain. But he wasn

ed?" asked Jacky, wi

t was an awfu' disgrace to the parish, as weel as a great crime; but, sae far as I

he did it?" asked

saw him himsel leaving the wood; and unco easy he had ta'en it, as the folk say, fo

ir than his friends did," sa

t Mrs. Young. "He was nephew to the auld family, and no son. I mind hearing anc

ning a relation?" adventu

lad at that time, that had served his time to be a doctor like my ain nephew Andrew, only he was done wi' the college; and if ever mor

m?" exclaimed J

oming round the howe o' the brae where the road turns aff to the Milton, when I met that lad. That white apron had mair a life-like color than he had on his face; but, for a' that, he was wiping his brow for heat. The look of him was like the look of a man that had the bluid standing still in his vein

t the time-it might have helped the proof? Losh! would the tane be he

na hear o' the murder. And my mother was nae hand at the writing, and Andrew, puir man, was aye a thocht careless, and I never saw ane belanging to my ain place, to tell me the news. So a' the trying that there was, was dune, and poor young Redheugh was lying at the bottom of the sea, before I ever heard tell o't-but I've aye minded sinsyne Maister Patrick Lillie's awfu' face-

ill man?" said Jack

as as weel likit as a man could be-and a kinder h

s. There was a fine young gentleman, ye see, wi' routh o' a' thing, as grand as heart could desire, and yet he tint baith life and name, i

gentleman angry at Mr.

ome folk say yae thing, and some anither. I've heard it was for sp

echt him, the way folk fe

it lassie like you, can faddom the wiles o' the auld serpent, or the weakness o' folk's ain treacherous hearts. It's no what folk should do,

ood?" said Jacky, tremulously, turning t

soul within him, so that he scarce kent in his extremity what it was, that was pitting him distracted. I was asking Rob's wife abou

speak to him

ang, that sore trouble is not to be spoken to. I wad rather gang into a king's chamber

a king, too,"

earning over him in unutterable agonies of tenderness-"and so it is-and kenning that there's sin in ane ye like weel, or fearing that there's sin, in ane whose purity is the last hope o' your heart, tha

We've twa good hours yet, Jacky, before, ye need to gang hame, and Miss Anne winna be angry if you're a thocht late.

importance. How she knew so much we cannot tell-she could not have told herself. These electric thrills of intuition, which put the elf into possession of the most secret and guarded desires and wishes of her superiors, were as much a mystery to herself as to others. There were various mysteries about

The night had fallen before she reached Miss Crankie's house. Anne, newly returned from a long and ineffectual survey of Schole, had passively submitted to have candles placed upon her table by Miss Crankie's servant. She

dly how she had enjoyed her visit. "I dinna k

t, J

d put in your chair to the table, becaus

forlorn and melancholy. Anne seated herself smiling by the table; she expected some chronicle of little Bessie's kindred, or at the utmost some c

began Jacky earnestly, "Bes

Miller, Jacky?" s

y the waterside, at the brae, where the road goes to the Mi

up anxiously now. Jacky went on in the

a man; and it wasna Mr. -- it wasna

as it,

l in his veins, and he was running straight on, as if he neither saw the road nor who wa

on; she could not rest-now she came up to Jacky, as

e, Jacky-w

s the gentleman at Schole. She

t extremity of its power. She did not say a word-she did not think-she sat down unconsciously on her chair, and pressed her hands to her head with some vague idea of crushing th

terly removed. A long, low cry of pain came from Anne's parched lips; she had not strength or heart

Norman's friend composed, though it could not convince her. She must see him, this mysterious sufferer, must ascertain-standing before him face to face-what of this dark

TER

een for that one object, and veiled to all things else, she hovered about Schole. Once as she lingered by the hedge, she saw an upper window opened, and the pale head which she had seen once before, with its high snowy temples and thin hair, and delicately lined face, looked out steadfastly upon the gloomy weltering water. The eyes were blue, deep, and liquid as a summer evening sky-the face, with all its tremulous poetry, and exquisite delicacy of feebleness, was gazing out with a mournful composure,

derous thunder-cloud, through which there suddenly shot a sheet of ghastly light. Anne was still at the window-she started back, but not before the scene revealed by that flash, had fixed itself in its terrific gloom and unearthly colors upon her memory. The dismal outline of the house of Schole-the sea beyond, plungi

ack waves weltering over the buried hull, as the light fell full upon the vessel-there was a blind incompetency in its motions which showed that its crew had lost command of it.-She saw the falling of some spar-

, pulling her from behind. The sisters, their maid, and Jacky had c

harp despair and anguish; you could fancy there were even agonized hands stretching out in vain for help, and there were-yes, there were also figures upon the

awl which hung upon a chair, and h

gaun?" exclaim

s by all the others, as they cr

pite of remonstrance and entreaty: she extricated herself from the detaini

le. The lightning, as it burst in sheets over the earth, revealed strange glimpses of the shivering summer foliage and verdure, which bore so strange a contrast to t

took her-none of them spoke. All were agitated, excite

r were several men, and one slight shadow bound as it seemed to the mast-could it be a woman in that extremity? The hull wa

are already on the sands; they see a strong rope trailing over the wet shore-the other end is fastened round the body of this brave man. The little knot on the shore is sternly silent-fearfully anxious. No one looks in

figures on the yards of the helpless ship have ceased to cry-they too are watching (who can tell with wh

companying thunder. In the dense gloom they can discover nothing

, guiding himself painfully as they can discern by the tightened rope. The men on shore assist

n his arms; he did not wait to bring her fully to the land, but placing her in the hold of one of the lookers on, turned

his arms. Now a faint cry recalled her attention; the saved woman was a young mother clasping an infant convulsively to her breast. Two or th

at clasped it; it was alive-nothing more. The agonized hold

Christian Lillie raising

sisted

re a' safe; no ti

the young mother in a shawl, and supported her.-Her limbs were rigid wi

no save himsel till a'body else is saved

hey were all saved at last. The last, the husband of the young woman, and captain of th

delicate features spoke so eloquently the language of expression-the thin hair clung to his white temples; his eyes were

d active, went about, briskly helping all. Christian was there, and Anne.-Seven lives in all had been saved by Patrick Lillie. The young wife of the captain lay almost insens

for her. Anne volunteered her attendance, and rendered it with all care and tenderness; she was left alone with the yo

ived the infant from Miss Crankie to satisfy the eager mother. The strangers by this time were gone; the shipwrecked men were accommodated as well as might be in the comfortable k

p below testifying that the household was still astir. She was anxious to remain as long as possible-to endeavor to open some communication with this sing

ion which had evidently been put up in some emergency to make two rooms of one-immediately behind the curtain was a door standing ajar. Anne could see through into another room guarded li

s evidently alone. "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor, and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him

t way to Jericho for this publican's sake, who was a son of Abraham. Lord, Lord, rejectest Thou me?-seven for one-wherefore did I toil for them, but to lay

n and unsteady; the strange utterance

grope in the noonday, like a blind man, I cannot see Thee-I cannot see Thee! Lord, I confess my iniquity before Thee. Lord, I restore Thee sevenfold. Look upon my offering-seven

ld not think of any evil in her listening. She was

ord, thou hast seen mine agonies-Thou knowest how I have died a thousand times in this fearful, blighted

nt agonies of entreaty-a hot flush was on his cheek. He suddenly buried his face in his hands, and bowed it down upon the open Bible. Very fearful was this to see and hear! This living death of wakeful misery-this vain str

this stricken and sinful spirit, as it poured itself forth before its God. She returned to the bedside, her head throbbing with dull pai

r slept peacefully with her infant nestling in her arms-a strange contrast there was between the sleeper and the watcher-the one in delicious safety and rest, afte

the shore, and specked like the breast of some war-horse, with spots of foam. At a little distance, dashed against a bold, projecting cliff, the masts of the hapless vessel appeared through the dark water. Anne shuddered when she saw the white spars, rising so very short a wa

one lost! Alas, was this a

t her confusedly-then she recollected herse

ly succeeded, and hearing as she thought some one stirring below

considerable grumbling, was preparing tea. Jacky, looking very dark, and pale, and wakeful, was moving about in her own inte

"ye're enough to pit a body daft. Afore ane can think ye're weel b

es

. In anticipation of so many stranger guests, Marget had collected a dusty

a strange speerit o' a creature to get thro

bashfully, "when

s Michael Scot's man. Get out yon muckle tray, and tak the dust aff't,

scried for the first time standing behind

as we could; and no to disturb them, I kindled my bit fire in here-and your lassie is very handy, Mem, and I'm muckle oblige

ill?" asked

t after the way he exposed himsel last night?-a frail man like him fighting

Miss Lillie

ain room, because the young Captain's wife was in the next, and she was feared he would disturb her, and he's lying up in t

see me perhaps, if yo

I come frae Falkirk mysel, and dinna belang about this place-and a guid mistress she is, if she's no just like ither folk, And it's a lang trail up that weary stair when ane's

in of the ship to come

Captain. Anne begged her to guide him to his wife's room, and then opening the outer doo

s lightsome breadth and purity, Anne almost fancied it strange that the joyous air did not shrink from these

as there, somewhat tremulous and unsteady, poor fellow, after his meeting with his wife. They had been lookin

kit to drive us. If it had not been for the summer weather and lown winds, we must have perished before now; we've had a dreadful time-no that I care for a while of hardship myself-it like come

ve borne it brav

's at hame, I believe she could have held out as long as myself. To be sure, we sheltered her, while shelter was possible, but that has not been for a while-and now she's less w

ne, "almost all of them were

ere stunned and helpless, worn out with the terrible watch they have kept for three weeks bye-past. The gentlem

his life desolated by a great hidden crime, was a very angel of b

e loss b

an's counte

My mother had aye a great wark with Mary, and she would have it called after us both. When the tide's out, we'll see better what's lost, and what may

y with this prepossessing, youthful couple. At present, her interest and

he young captain, "to thank you for your goodness.

a neighbor: but I hear Mr. Lillie's exertion

r to attend to his men. He wished to remove them as soon as possible

r of a room on the opposite side of the hall-it was Patrick Lillie's study-and went in. She fe

e. A small pile, which she could fancy the daily and beloved companions of their owner, lay at one side. The upper one of the pile, was the "Imitatione Christi," of Thomas a Kempis, in the original Latin-the others were of the

g forward as the aim and expectation of your life-almost, God help us-as your hope-for a thing which you knew would rend your heart, and

r done before, how attenuated and worn out she was. Yet, in the melancholy face and shadowy frame, there was no trace of greater weariness than usual. She had been watching by a sick-bed all the night-and such a sick-

o roof to cover you. Let us bear our own burden as we best can; you must not tr

the thin hand which r

me stay-no one else in this wide world could be beside you as I can be-save one.

God knows, who sent it, that He has sent patience also to bear its bitterness. It was long before that came, but I watched, and waited, and prayed for it dry-eyed: tears are not for me, unless it be

ot fear to trust me. Is not our sorrow the sa

at folk may not lay the light name of sorrow upon. Be thankful that you know nothing so

I have a claim upon you. Do not you know better than I

m slowly, sadly, heavily; she made no a

th continued silen

they told me

ly eyes dilating as it seemed in eager inquiry. "He!" she checked herself; it appeared to have flashed upon her that Anne knew something of

with us there can be nothing but desolation, and blight, and hopelessness. What depths you may fathom before we are parted, I know

st for the shipwrecked seamen. There was no scant or niggardly provision. The men, gaunt and famished-li

enough in the house; and I'm no sae young as I hae been mysel, forbye having a fashious hoast, and a sore shortness in m

e. "Jacky will be glad

does what she's bidden, I wad maist think she wasna canny. Preserve me! there sh

sent by Anne's kind, active, odd little landlady-there was a full supply

rest and shelter, left Schole-with much gratitude expressed and unexpressed. William and Mary themselves pr

ng indeed of singular gentleness, and an endeavor for the moment to forget her individual burden, as though her

feebled frame whenever the desperate tension and rigid strength of its nervous excitement failed. On the fourth day, Christian, who all this time had watched unceasingly, called the me

could only exchange a passing word with Christian on the stair, or at the door of the sick-room. She had pleaded vainly for permission to help her in her ten

soft and melancholy. There was always a great attraction in that broad Firth at their feet-a kind of wandering freedom for the overcharged heavy hearts gazing forth upon it. The rounded window was veiled by an old-fashioned, faded cur

ng joined immediately-for Christian, like herself, continually sought these windows; c

ask not for his life. Thou knowest that I ask not for his life. My Father, wilt Thou not hear? wilt Thou forget the prayers that have risen to Thee day by

red not interrupt this agony of suppl

remulous step, and passionate low voice, too

lindness, and the deep gloom of unbelief, and it was such that Thou camest to save-such, and not the

hat could not be uttered.-Then she started to her feet again, and the words poured forth aloud,

ry sifted as wheat! Thou, O Lord! who wearest Thy humanity upon Thy throne!-he is a sinner-so were they whom Thou didst call Thy friends.-He hath denied Thee

and wiped the heavy dew from her forehead

good to Thee. But light, O, my Father! light to this darkness-deliverance to this bondman-the grace o

agitated features, and then hastened to the restless sick-bed. Anne Ross sat still at the hi

of its universe, as certainly upon the untold agonies of this house as if all humanity were centered there-that One, at the right hand of the Fathe

TER

y of that sunshine. The dark figures within wandered about in restless pain, like ghosts uncongenial to the light, or gazed forth with vacant eyes upon the rejo

sation with Christian. Anne was watching eagerly in Patrick Lillie's study. Christian accompanied the doctor to the d

t a little way to go, and yet he knows not the only entrance. God succor us-what can we

was high, and had also windows looking on the water-that b

y the dying man. Cold, wasting, death-like perspiration lay heavily upon his brow; his long, white hand and emaciated arm were s

als. His eyes were fixed upon the manuscript-he did not seem to notice the entrance of Ch

re? Not an old man, O, Lord! not a little child; seven lives in their prime-seven full of health, and st

t more than urgent need was it to save them all; the seven will not atone for the one. If

last hope? Did He not accept the publican who restored fourfold? Behold my offering, O, Lord, and be merciful-be merciful! I have toiled through all this terrible life-

white fingers clasped-the wasted face convulsed with despairin

e them out of a gracious hand that has paid a bitter price for the gifts-take them, Patrick. Take

end? Christian, I have been laboring to make amends-I have labored in vain: let me pay the price no

ining wildly with his desperate purpose. Christian'

an hour or two-and in this ghastly noon of ours, which is more terrible than the darkest midnight, the sun of your life must go down. The Lo

ufferer sank

ke me away-I see it-I see it-it is what no mercy can wipe out-no grace forgive-it must be atoned fo

Patrick, an atonement has been made. Do you forget Him that died at Jerusalem? they ranked him with murderers-was He one? He was accursed for the shedders of blood. Throw but your sin upon Him-rest but your soul

y Lord-my King. I acknowledge His work-only not for this-for this I must render justice in the sight of men. Let me go-I have trembled for it all these dreadful years-I have hid me from the very sunshine for its fear-I have doomed them-God bless them! God, out of his gracious heave

evil against him that is gone. Tell me again. Patrick!-do you mind how he fled into the sacred city in the ancient Israel, who had shed bl

ke face. His lips moved-he shut them convulsiv

e which all the universe could not give back again-Christian, Christian, it will make me mad-the remembrance of it has gon

s bedside holding his

see-I cannot tell, if the fiend was within me then. Christian, have they not suffered a death for me?-have I not

ength to his wasted frame; as he rose he saw Anne for t

imself back upon his pi

kill me-do you want to betray

se agonies so intense a retribution-eager to do justice on his death-bed, and yet shrinking from the sight of her who might bring that justice speedily up

watches of the balmy and tranquil night her vigil continued; those melancholy wistful eyes never closed in slumber; that gaunt, attenuated frame sou

er own room, as Anne could hear, while she sat in the apartment below-sometimes kneeling-sometimes pacing it slow and heavily as was her wont, and sometimes with the agitated quick step, which she had heard before during the short ti

r own heart, to fill its languid lingering hours, that Anne sickened when she looked abroad upon its cloudless radiance. Then those books of Patrick Lillie's fascinated while they irked and pained her-the pensive, contemplative tone-the

f our Gospel Lord and Saviour-ordained through ancient Palestine, the sacred cities of refuge? Had he shed this blood unawares? and whence then came the terrible mist which had gathered in his memory about the deed? Was

e came to her at sunset, and with few words, bad

d face was sharp and fixed-the stamp was upon his forehead. A

erlet. A slight shudder passed across his frame as Anne entered; an involuntary thrill of that coward fear which had overwhelmed his nature. Then he turned his eyes upon her with a steadfast, melancholy, lingering look, failing sometimes for a moment as the slow blood crept c

feel that I am entering the dark valley. What

tion she might have borne a threefold weight-

d began, in feeble characters, to trace his name at the botto

rness, like Thine-only his gracious heart, Thy true follower, has screened me, a miser

e document, and then gave the pen to Anne. The sister of the man who had done the deed, and the sister of him who had suffered for it-it

ng man ran on-a feeb

ls: their disgrace and banishment-it is over now. God knows, who has visited me with His mercy and His light, why this desolation has fallen upon you all for my sin. I have been a coward. Christian, Christian! when they are home

There was a wistful, deprecating gl

their own for your sake, and never murmured? Patrick! look upon his sister. She has come to us in our sorest trouble; she has clung to us with her tenderest service, as if we had blessed him, and no

intensely blue, and strangely clear, were shining wistf

I have endured within this desolate house. Bid them mind me as I was, in yon bright, far away time, that I have been dwelling in again this day. Tell them

the breath came i

emember you in all tenderness, with sorrow a

has been separated from his brethren. Norman! Marion! They have suffered in exile and in grief for me. Tell them, that with my last brea

tic on his cheek flushed deeper. Christian made a ges

my hand; my mind was far away as it often was. I was thinking of the two, and of their bright lot; my eye caught something dark among the trees. I thought it was a bird. Christian, it was the head of Arthur Aytoun, the man that I was hating in my heart! I came home; my soul was blinded within me. I was as innocen

ew. She lifted a Bible, and began to read. Anne stood behind in silent awe, as the low voice rose through that dim room, whose occupant stood upon the eternal brink so near a

y while the slow life ebbed wave

ess, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in a

t worn and wasted hand. A strange shrill v

s, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creatur

e might of that one certain thing, of which he was at last persuaded

old face, whose gentle features could answer no longer to the thousand changes of that delicate and tremulous soul, Christian l

rn face bending over him; for a moment she listened with that intensest pain of watching, which seems to make the listener blind, and concentrates all the senses

are safe, and at rest. Safe after perils greater than time could wear out. At rest after the hourly warfare and deadly tra

ming rigid in the attitude of supplication so comm

ars? I have not shed one since yon June morning, but now I can weep. I will not linger; but can you not feel the bles

; "come now and take rest-leave the f

ike large soft rain-drops; there was a

ting for the second coming. He is with his Lord, and I-yes, I will go and rest. Here I take up again the human hope that has been dead within me for eighteen lingering years; it died by him, and by him it is alive aga

l agony too long to sink now when there still remained labor to do "for his sake, and theirs." She suffered Anne's attendance with a strange child-like gentleness, as of one whose own long task is over; and while she lay down upon he

e sad smile trembling upon her lip-the mild tears stealing from under her closed eyelids, and her soul the

nd repugnant for anything but callous habit, or deep tenderness. She called up

death which, in its ghostly silence, can thrust so lightly the vain speculations of man aside, and make our mortal flesh shrink and tremble from the thrilling power of unseen life, that moves behind the curtain of its gloom. What man shall stand in its presence,

inary death, and death to those who are accustomed to assist at its dread ceremonials, loses its awe and solemnity. Anne opened the window as the sun rose, and bathed her pale face in the delicious air of the morning. Under h

e had commenced. She could see smoke rising from the indistinct dim towns on the

ad sought its comfort when she rose. Her plain black silk cloak and bo

ntered the room, but they had watched in the adjoining apartment, and Anne knew that she had be

had haunted the precincts of Schole in fear and trembling for her mistress, and had been abruptly dismissed by Marget, with a fretful explanation that "Maister Patrick was in the deadthraw"-since then she had been watching at the window of

id Anne, "h

istful, upward look out of those keen, dark eyes

Jacky," said Anne. "I must remain he

icken with awe and sad re

aid Anne, thoughtfully. "Miss Lillie seem

e, Miss Anne

e, Ja

, only there was a big veil over her face, and she took the Aberford road; and she didna walk slow as she does at common times, but was travelling ower the sands as fa

and inferences-she was too much occupied

o go up to your ain room and lie dow

e meantime, you must stay at Schole, and see that no one disturbs the stillness that belongs to t

mbling threat of Marget's to "get in some o' the neighbors-no to be our lane wi' the corp." Anne was determined that there should

lease, M

onnet, and stood at t

is it,

r head in shy

t naething,

ing the singular interest and delicate sympathy of this elfin a

Marget asks you any questions, you can tell her that; and my work is accomplished here-accomplished in sorrow and in hope. By-and-by my b

y proud, but she had

e, Miss Anne-lit

irst time she had dared to speak of the near relat

brother's child-I beli

t down on the mossy garden-path, and indulged in a fit of joyous crying-pride, and exultation, and affection, all contributing their part. "For I

hose walls, and became graver. Marget was sitting in the kitchen when she enter

u, lass?" s

Anne said I was to come in and sta

fflicted family?" said Marget. "Are ye ony friend to us, lassie? o

s maybe by ither friends being married, but I dinna

hey ca' ye?" c

hat after my uncle-but I aye get Jacky at hame;

person taks heed o' us-for it canna be for siller. They're a strange family. Ye see the breath was scarce out o' Maister Patrick, puir lamb-he

do that before

im, puir man, wha has won out o' a' trouble this n

could not endure the ghastly admiration which one hears so often expressed b

ried?" said J

fecht I hae wi' my breath-it's little the like o' you ken-forbye being my lane in the house. If ye'll just bide and look to t

lie down and get some rest, I'll do the work-and I'm no feared to

hink o't. Tak a cup o' tea-it's no right to gang out in the morning fasting-and I daresay I'

le-supported by the sunshine round about her as she lingered at the door-for Marget, in decent reverence, had drawn a simple curta

ack, and my head like to split in twa wi' the ticdoloureux-and it's a' yon awfu' nicht-and I dinna believes Miss Ross, I'll ever get the better o't.-Johann and you, that are strong folk, fleeing out into the storm, and me, a puir weak creature, left, to fend my lane-forbye being like to

" said Anne: "I mean we

stonished exclamation, to recollect the pedigree of the Lillies, and acquai

haver nonsense. Is Kirstin content, Mi

ntent," s

o means formal, but which had a knack of arriving at just conclusion

elf unable to rest; but neither she nor I are able for these details. You will greatly obli

t summer day, but Christian did not return. The night fell, but the roof that covered the mortal garmen

ER XX

iries; Jacky ascertained that Miss Lillie on the previous morning had gone by the earliest coach to Edinburgh. The intelligence was some relief,

Patrick's illness, she had scarcely written to Mrs. Catherine at all; and her brief notes had only intimated his illn

Go

not one to choose his friends lightly, or be joined in near amity with a shallow head and a faint heart. So I would have you build little on the hope of getting good tidings from him, seeing that if he had known anything, he must have put it to its fitting use before now. You say it gave him a fever? I like not folk, child, who are thrown into fevers by sore trouble and anguish, and make themselves a burden and a cumbrance, when they ought to be quickened to keener life-the more

left her mother's sick-bed for-and look at her words! without so much as a decent shadow on them, to tell where the sore gloom of death had fallen so late. I am growing testy in my spirit, child; though truly sorrow would set me better than anger, to look upon the like of a born fuil like this-her brother ruined, and her man killed. Archie, a laboring wayfarer, with his good name tarnished, and his father's inheritance, lost; the husband for whose sake she brought down her mother's gray hairs with sorrow to the grave, taken away

e household she is in. The mistress of it, her friend, is at least of pure name; a scheming woman as I hear from one of their own vain kind-who has a pride in yoking the fuils about her in the unstable bands of marriage. Isabel has her mother's fair face; they

ithout delay, that I may make ready for our home-going. To say the truth, I am weary at my heart of this place, and sickened with anger at the fuil whose letter I send you.

INE DO

e's letter w

Mrs. Ca

n quarrelling over their wine. Poor Duncombe was always so very jealous; and it was all for the merest word of admiration, which he might have heard from a thousand people beside. So they fought, and he was wounded mortally. You may think how dreadful it was, when they brought him home to m

t bear just now. We have quite a nice circle of friends, besides our visitors from London, and just with quiet parties, and country amusements, get on delightfully. Dear Eliza is so kind, and gives up her engagements in tow

, before he took the fever; and what a shocking thing that would have been for me, with all my other misfortunes. To be sure, it was a horrid, foolish business-that of losing the estate-and if it had not been that dull old Strathoran, where papa and mamma managed to vegetate all the year through, I don't know how-I should have been broken-hearted. I am sure, considering that dear Archie was onl

ower. Mr. Legeretie has a shooting-lodge in the Highlands, and dear Eliza talks of going down with him this year to give me a little change; if we do, we shall come by dear old dreary Strathoran ju

Mrs. Ca

incerel

L DUNC

had never seen-to hear this Isabel, her play-mate long ago, talking of Archie as "only" her brother. The effect was very singular. What had become of the sad sufferer who la

the further particulars of this long mystery. The day was waning again; in weary sadness and solitude she sat in Patrick Lillie's study. From the kitchen she could hear the subdued voices of Mar

nd pass quickly up the stair. Anne rose and followed. The footstep was

kground, from which that rigid marble face stood out in cold relief. A deadly stillness-a dim, brooding, tremulous awe-

ud over the tearful pallor of a wan November sky, was Christian Lillie, the quiverin

taken away. Henceforward, in the free light of heaven, may Norman bear his own name; and now th

nelt silently by her dead brother's side, in darkness

Anne's presence did not seem to excite any won

very anxiou

was accomplished? Now-you heard me speak-Norman Rutherford may bear his own name, and return to his own country with honor and blessing upon him, in th

re is one trial yet remaining. Let me get you some refreshment

ndering all needful services herself. It was evident that Christian felt the delicacy which kept strange eyes from beholding her grief. She took the tea

"you have been in Edinburgh, and are quite exhaust

carcely think now, after my long watching, that I

one who complains of some painful void within

ut back once more. God aid us, for we are weak. Patrick, my brother, are ye away at last? are ye at peace? And I am r

drew the curtains aside, and looked out in silence upon the sea-the pla

Firth, when I departed on my needful errand. You mind the soft fall of the air, like the breath of a young ang

" sai

ce about him then. Within his soul, and in his face, was an agony more bitter than death. You know the reason. He h

of his first madness, I gleaned something of the truth. Think of it-think of that.-The horror of grea

ible story was abroad. It was his gun it was done with. He had parted from Arthur Aytoun in just anger. There were but two ways-either to give up the frantic, fevered lad that

p his mind. And to us, as we stood there in our first agony, with Patrick stricken down before us, there was no consolation of in

ith as fair a lot before her as ever lay at mortal feet, to get apparel for her bridal. I bade her go with Norman. When I wrote that,

listen to the certainties of his guilt-to hear them tell how he had done it like a coward; and with my heart burning within me, I dared not say to them that he was pure and guiltless as ever

what you will see in storms, came over the miserable heart wit

ter! When I said that, I knew not it was false; I believed she w

that time through all this life of desolation, he has repeated that at times, when his mind was clear; but his soul was frozen within him in terror. When I spoke of justice to Norman, he shrank and trembled, and bade me wait. W

ithout stop or hesitation, almost without br

d. I could not keep her in our desolate house. I took her to Norman's country. I was to place her with his nurse, near to his old home. When we got there, I feared to e

did not need to hear the name that the blue-eyed girl by your side was saying. I knew yo

. The ban is off Norman's name-your brother and mine. I will see

ehold peace and honor. You have done your work nobly and bravely, as few could have done; for Marion's sake, who is my si

or Thy mercy's sake, O, Lord! and for Thy beautiful world, which Thou hast given to calm us, I will b

with their milder sorrow the weary eyes that had burned in tearless ago

ry of the Lord's time; and she made no attempt either to detain or to accompany her. To Christian, the balm of Anne's sisterly care and sympa

all excitement was over, she began to miss and lament, and weep some natural tears for. Jacky was half-listening to these, half-buried in an old volume of "Quarles' Emblems," which she had recently brought from the study. Anne had

without observing who he was. In a

iss Anne, it's J

sta

e from Mrs.

Anne, Mrs. Catherine

in the parlor, where Miss Crankie stood in deferential conversation with her-keenly observant of all the particulars of her plain, rich dress and

Anne in her deep mourning dress ent

ie sensibl

Mrs. Catherin

ad? Who is

arion-the brother

th me in this matter. Who is this lad, I ask you? Have you a certainty that

down be

wn home to shun my presence. In the confusion of my imperfect knowledge, I felt that I could not speak of them. Now I

, child. W

n sacrificed all-he is the sl

-in her extreme wonder

dreadful deed was done unawares, and

remained sile

ath of a lifetime? Anne-Anne, is it a coward like this you are mourning for? A faint heart

has suffered dreadfully. A gentle, delicate, pensive spirit, unfit for storms and trials-altogether un

Tower, quaked and sounded below her feet. "Wherefore did he not come forth in the light of day, and bear hi

of those whom it is our natural impulse to defend and suffer

athy for the shrinking weakness which could s

el you can bear with his memory, or lift up your face to me, and speak of him as kindred. He shed this blood unawares, said you? Did he doom Norman to this death unawares? wa

nscious of what was passing round him-only aware in his burning horror and grief that he had shed blood. When he recovered-and most strange it was that he should have recovered-most strange the tenacious life and strength of his feebleness-he heard of Norman's sacrifice; and then I acknowledge he ought to

ne seated he

a; and the sad woman at home, that you have told me of, wearing out her days for him. Was

pirit was conjoined with such a lot, who can tell? It had a strange, feverish, hysteric strength, too. When he bat

took advantage of it to repeat to her Christian Lillie's s

e with you, bid her come to my house. The like of her would do honor to any dwelling, were it a king's. And she left him at his grave's brink, whenever he wa

gain a mome

atherine. "Where, and in what c

een so worn out with watching and grief. I will ask her now, when all excite

death. I speak of the death that carries home a godly, honorable, righteous man, whose life was a joy and a blessing.-This is a g

which her strong spirit quivered, when she left all that remained of Sholto Douglas sleeping peacefully in his calm island grave, overwhelming as i

slept under a strange roof for more than thirty years. Since Patrick's death, Anne had passed both night and day at Schole, a

. The door flew violently open, and Mrs. Yammer, her head bound up with mighty r

ss Ross!" she could

shly. "If ye will be a puling, no-weel fuil, ye may keep your ailments to your

nd excited Mrs. Yammer, "if it wasna for the stitch

ntion, and little interest. Her eyes were arrested by the concluding words: they seemed to shine out from a mist. Unconsc

astily, taking the paper from her po

ippie, the captain's widow, and Robert Carritch, the session-clerk, and Johann and me; and I was just sitting ower the fire, trying if the hea

unceremoniously out of the door before her. "Wits!-woman, if ye had as muckle judgment as wad

Catherine's knees, scarce knowing what she did, and leaning there, burst into tears. She was conscious of Mrs. Catherine's hand laid caressingly

ime, Mrs. Ca

trast, in its utter neglect and ruin, to the prosperous and flourishing appearance of everything about it. The story current in the neighborhood is, that its last proprietor perished miserably in the sea, while flying from the doom of a murderer, with the blood of a friend shed deliberately and in cowardice on his hand. Other more ghostly rumors of sights seen and sounds heard in its

hot, while resting in a wood, when, instead of the bird which he fancied he aimed at, the unhappy young man heard a cry of mortal agony, and beheld the death of a fellow-man. Distracted and maddened, he rushed home; made some wild confession to his sister of the fact alone, without telling her that it was accidental, and immediately fell into the wild delirium of fever. Mr. Rutherford, of Redheugh, was the most intimate friend of the family, and betrothed to the younger sister. The fowling-piece, which had fallen from the young man's hand when he discovered the fatal effects of the shot, belonged to Mr. Rutherford. Mr. Aytoun and M

eventful history of this unfortunate gentleman has not had so abrupt a termination. He still lives, and will lo

his confession to the proper quarter, so that now there remains nothing but to give to the world this most honorable vindication of Norman Rutherford, of Redheugh. In the consciousness of an ac

nd disgrace, radiant in the honor and blessing of generous work and life, the sentence of justice, and the

TER

for Christian's sake, Mrs. Catherine returned to Edinburgh. At the week's end, when she had rendered what s

pany them, was steadily and quietly negatived by Christian. The day before Anne

you never may-when folk have watched and waited for a lifelong like me, how hard it is to break the old wont, even though it b

e," said Anne, "here i

g, and a grave tried woman. I only mind her as my bird Marion, my little sister; I would like to have her chamber for her, as

Anne, "will you not tell me

eal himself to you himself, and you will not ask me further. It is a weakness-a remembrance o

but she could not press her question further. "And w

stay until then. By the time this year is ended, as I cal

d-humored round face of Mrs. Brock, her earliest acquaintance in Aberford. "He

r be brought in, Anne; it wil

Ross? and ye never came back to tak a cup o' tea; and I've been looking for ye ilka fine day; and sae muckle as wee

have been in the Nor

ye ken Miss Ross, our George says there's something in the papers about it being Maister Lillie that

s in great grief for her brother

nk of a delicate looking man li

was a gentleman, who would not have harmed any

about the house. Ye see there's a new yin building at the back end o' the toun, nigher the wate

expended upon Christian some piece of common-place consolation, w

ng to us to be paying rent for a house, and us has lying siller that could buy mair than yin. Sae if ye're agre

you like it so well, that I cannot part with it;

s broke. Its nae wonder-his wife wearing silk gowns, and gowd earrings ilka day, less wadna ser her, and her was only a ewemilker fr? the Lammermuir! Sae George thinks we micht maybe

home who have been long absent, and this house is not plea

could, and did all in her power to prevent their visitor from recurring to the death of Patrick, Mrs. Brock at last inti

ed to bring a glass of wine, and

ll, I will have a pleasure in it. It is the first time I have said that word since yon June day

Anne in alarm, "wh

hear no sound of my footsteps; when I breathe, I think the air seems to cleave before me; when I speak, the voice has a dull, cold modulation, that is not human. I can

s but the reaction of stillness after all your la

d guidance: striving to hide it-to keep it from the knowledge of the bairns-the two that were depending more upon me, their sister, than upon him their father; striving, too, with weary cares of poverty, to keep them from want-real want and not mere meagreness. From that a death relieved me-and then, with only eighteen years over my head, I was left the mother of these two; to protect, and defend, and bring the

an. I would not have your sky overcast with this dull calm; I would have it fr

I should shut my eyes to His sunshine, or sin His mercies; only I am blinded with this cold calm, and my heart is dead within me. When I am in my own house, bring the ch

Brock, should be sooner completed-whenever Christian had regained possession of the old home cottage, Anne was to visit

is mother waiting to meet her. Mrs. Aytoun gave her a tremulous welcome, which was half an embrace, and would have been wholly one, had Mrs. Aytoun been at all a demonstrativ

y soon again. They were to watch for your coming, but I fear the

" said

en before," said Mrs. Catherine, "be patien

-is Lewis her

un. "I am afraid, Miss Ross, I can hardly thank you for the barrier

milingly to a window. He saw that a consulta

iages," said Mrs. Aytoun, shaking her head. "Why, many girls are

rbarous people to show kindness to the bairn. There is no fear of her-I warrant her in as careful hands, when she is in Lewis's, as she could be under the shado

She did by no means perceive any connexion, logical or otherwise,

ing upon the care of a house-the management of a family-besides the pain of losing her. If it had no

ea of Alice entering another family, not as its mistress, but as a younger daughter. S

ne, "but, of course, whether we remain in Merkland or not, i

t venture, but to send her into the rule of a husband's mother, while even the husband himself was comparatively unkno

therine. "Well, I do not marvel; but a month or two can make l

ith Alice; and part I must one time or other, that is true, but still-a little longer, I think, she may be left to me. Your brother has been pressi

we may expect him at the end of the year. I should like exceeding

s and blushes, looked in at the door. "Oh! Anne is here-she has c

y forces into alliance with the active, serviceable, energetic troops whom Lewis himself brings into the field. We are by no means pleased to have our little Alice carried off from us so rapidly. I begin to fea

o you, Anne, sit still and hear? you are an irreverent generation! Never you heed, Alison. It is bec

say a good word for you to Marjory Falconer. By the bye,

abou

hts of women, instead of setting her off at a tangent, as such a thing used to do, threw her into an agony of blushing, and made her dumb. That i

s and his betrothed, had not got the slightest glimpse of Marjory Falconer yet, well though they

o is it?" crie

his name upon her lips. It seems my

, "it is rather a wish than a guess with me. Marjory do

, rebelled, and had a swearing fit when he heard of it, which Marjory promptly checked, however, and sent him down stairs to the congenial socie

o drawback; one can feel that Marjory, with her strength and good sense, is safe no

exchanged glan

stature-to take heed that you meddle only with things within your power of vision. Ay! you are lowering your bit forehead on me, Alison Ayt

scences," said James, smiling. "To whom shall I apply for

erefore it is not likely he can tell; but truly, I think you would be better employed telling my Anne, whom y

as proclaimed free as the sunshine to all and sundry, its natural proprietors and heirs. Henceforward the pulling down of barricades was a legal and proper enforcement of the law, and the erection of

lansman has the same natural right of possession as his chief; that it comes to him by the same inheritance; that in no way is the laird more certain in his tenure than the humble man, except in so far as he is chief of both land and men, natural protector, ruler and guardian of the same. You forget the ancient right and justice in this drift

the theoretic justice of it approved-bu

it's a poor work that is not worth that. I know not but what for the sake of the coming race, there is a clear call to try it. If the first bit petty tyrant that took their right inher

ur lands by the strong

etter, and what they won by their sword and by their bow, was well won I say! won by clansmen and chief together, and by clansmen and chief, in their degree, to be lawfully and justly held-in peace, if the Almi

In consideration of the six months' delay to which Lewis had reluctantly submitted, Mrs. Aytoun as reluctantly consented that

aged in superintending the collection of boxes belonging to an elderly woman, who stood with a slightly fluttered, agitated look upon the pavement below. The large Paisley shawl, the mighty leghorn bonnet-Jacky threw over them a glance of hasty recognition. Their owner turned her head. The thin, long upper lip was not quivering now-a glance of troubled joy was in

trange place, where he had nae mother's e'e ower him, nor onybody to keep him right. Sae what did they do-the young doctor and the auldest o' the students, but they said, that if Andrew would get his auntie to come in and take a house, they would a' bide wi' me, and that they would be mair comfortable a'thegither, and could help ane anither in their learning. Sae ye may think Andrew was blythe to come out to tell me, and seeing I'm wearing into years, and a'body likes to have a house o' their ain, and in especial for the laddie's sake, that he may be wiled to

, looking over, through the golden air, to the quiet house of Merkland, with no phantom of grief or pain or sorrow, throwing

no means given to any great consideration of other people's anxieties, and therefore he had suffered the paper which Anne sent specially for her, containing the first public notice of Norman's innocence, to lie use

ible air of timidity hanging upon her, with a singular grace. She was a little afraid of Anne's r

wing Anne's arm within her own. "I want to see littl

t," said Anne, smiling; "but I do think, Marjory

er violent blushes, "you would not have had me sp

ovels speak very sensib

own matters, Anne-you have not returned to Merkland as you we

and honor of its new, grave, happy household life, the mention of these agonies came with strange power. Nothing like them, as the fair promise of her future went, should ever enter the healthful preci

and a considerable amount of blushing laughter, inevitable in the circumstances. "The only thing is," said Marjory, with a look of comical

to be greatly puzzled with those speeches of Marjory's, and q

nsible thing for you, little Alice Aytoun, to have fallen in love with my poor brother Ralph, who needs somebody

to be angry; but glancing up to Marjory's fac

inly thirled to Falcon's Craig to take care of you both-to see that Ralph was not too rough with you, and that you were too gentle with him. No, we must have

ill," suggested

aged! Little Alice, with a touch of girlish generosity,

a horsewoman; besides I won't endanger a friend's interest,

by this same want of an engagement for Anne, and had even been secretly cogitating, in her own mind, whether it migh

e married next week-and then yourselves-if I do not hold my ground, there will not be a single representative left of the young womanhoo

by, regarding the little black frock, in which she was dressed, with a look of childish gravity. The mourning chilled the little heart, though after being convinced that nothing ailed papa, mamma, or Lawrie, Lilie, in Anne's bed-chamber, the previous night, had heard of her uncle's death, with only that still awe natural to th

the door, the child ran to meet t

uzzled-she had not heard

a slight tremor. "This is Lilias Rut

ent, "what do you mean?" Mrs. Melder

and, "is the daughter of my brother Norman, of whom you

ith her into the open sunlight, as if to satisfy herself that Anne's new-found niece was indeed the

ed Mrs. Melder, anxiously, "it's only a jo

Mrs. Melder; the daughter of a brother who has bee

ve killed anither man-and ye wad aye ken it, Miss Anne? Keep me! To think of

that time I had not the slightest idea who Lilie wa

has friends o' her ain, that can be better for her than me-and it's like ye'll do taking her to Merkland, M

e, "and we can arrange about that afterwards. Lili

take ye away frae me, my lamb! but ye'll aye mind us, Lilie? and when ye're a grand laddy, ye'll no forg

ome down every day-me and Jacky-and when mamma comes, she'll come and see you. Eh!" cried Lilie, forgetting her s

n, "ye dinna think how we'll miss ye here. There'll aye be the wee bed emp

mamma comes, I'll bring her to see you, and papa, and Lawrie; and Jack

nne and Marjory, and skipping gaily between them. Marjory F

about within, "redding up" the lightsome clean apartment. The old woman looked very cheerful, neat and comfortable, her snow-whit

ut her face darkened with disappointmen

sther," said Anne, "but that

r head firmly between her hands. "For guid sake, Miss Anne, say it out, whatever it

o, in the face of all men, free to return to his own house and name, in honor and peace, and good fame. A

covering they could see the motion of her hands, the bowing of her head. Prayers innumerable, offered by night and day for eighteen years, that had lain unanswered till this time, before yon Throne in Heaven, were pouring back upon her n

fell upon the child. She had seen Lilie once or twice before, but never before in this strong light which tinged everything with

most as Christian Lilie had been wont to look-Anne placed her in the arms of her father's devoted, loving friend. "Esther, you have

that Psalm, the blessing of the good man, sung by the Hebrew people in the old time, as they jo

man that fe

ssed sha

hall out o

ssing u

Jerusalem's

on earth

y children's

ce on I

TER

the stranger Lilie, now living at Merkland, in her full dignity as Merkland's niece; and with his first knife had already constructed, with mighty deliberation and care, a splendid model of a patent plough, to be laid at the small feet of his liege lady, who unfortunately had no manner of appreciation of patent ploughs, and greatly preferred Charlie Ferguson's present, a boat-a veritable boat with little white silken sails, elaborated in the Woodsmuir nursery by Mary Ferguson and Flora Macalpine, and which could actually, with a fairy cargo of moss and ruddy autumnal wild-flowers, make genuine voyages upon the Oran, to the delight of Lilie and the Woodsmu

ht and common comment, did not prevent this. It was not meet that the griefs of such a spirit should pass lightly away, or was it possible; but bordering the deep stillness of that lasting sorrow were other holds on life. Hope for Marion, the little sister of her happier days; reverent enjoyment of God's mercies, which one who had bo

arted with her, it was in the confidence of meeting her again in the end of the year, when Norman and Marion should have returned; a light passed over the wan face, as Christian said th

ighty man in an obscure Fife parish, lying on the south side of the Tay-a wondrous visionary man, who seeing the first experiments made with gas in the streets of the mighty cities, had tubes laid for the conveyance of the same to the pleasant parlors of that rural Manse of Kilmany, had discovered a mighty truth by that time, and was beginning to throw the rays of it from that marvellous lamp of his, over the Tay, to be over all Scotland ere long. The truth that preaching proprieties would not do; that ministers of Christ's holy evangel must preach Christ-nothing less, and that the name of the Lord was the strong Tower-it and no other-in which purity of soul and life could be kept unsullied and undimmed for ever. And

still disconsolately, and in vain, looking out for some

ith her girlish kindness of heart, had put a decided negative upon Lewis's proposal, that his mother should leave Merkland. Surely they could all dwell together in unity. Alice had considerable confidence

es of hers to Anne, and Anne's to him. It by no means succeeded.-They were the best friends in the world, but clearly, eve

n itself, those roofless walls stood still desolate and silent, the end of many a stern pilgrimage made by the ejected Macalpines, who from their cottages in the low-country, and fro

abor, his hope swelling within him, in a burst of force which made it almost painful-for them-also like himself heirs of the soil-and for

more instinct with chivalrous honor and energy than this, though the batt

nvince his Lordship of the insupportable ennui of this out-of-the-world place of his. His Lordship was more than half convinced; nevertheless there was excellent shooting, and Lord Gi

hers seated by the firesides; mothers stirring with care and pains-taking the mighty pot of wholesome "parritch" for their evening meal; elder sisters, eager to be out upon the slide, rapidly, and with much noise, putting upon the table bowls and plates to receive the same; while some who had finished the process stood at the door calling impatiently to boys and men, to "come in afore the parritch cules." Through this peaceful plac

er, adding also the latter line of the pr

na hae lain still, and gotten my he

and dumb with rage; in the midst o

known as "a randy" beyond the precincts of the Brig

nd who was privileged as an original, "grown again!" and she lifted her quick little withered hand to Fitzhe

's lip. We cannot tell what dread revelations might have followed, had not Lord Gillravidge's unfortunate friend dashed the old woman aside, and saved himself by flight. Poor old Nannie paid for her boldness by a s

and finding likewise that Mr. Whittret turned out by no means the most honorable of stewards, and that this great house was enormous

e anxious and uneasy; but Christian's letters said, and said with reason, that the delay of a

uncertain arrival of Norman. So the day was determined on at last; the ceremony was to be performed at the Tower, by Mrs. Catherine

al visit to Mrs. Ross. Anne was at the Tower with Lilie. She had been there of late, even more than usual. It was Mrs. Catherine's desire that her favorite should remain with

pirits, a little tremulous and even something exc

ny grave things to speak of, while the younger, leaning on her in graceful dependence, listened and assented reverentl

Anne, news worth hearkening to. Did I not know the cattle would not be suffered to do their evil pleasure long in the house of a

nce, the beauties and eligibilities of the desirable freehold property of Strathoran, which w

e land-a land that it is my hope will be polluted with the footsteps of the like of them never more in my

Anne, eagerly. "It may be bought

er will aye be to the fore, whether I am or no, and think you I will ever stand by again, and let a strange man call himself master of Strathoran-the house that Isabel Balfour

said Anne, with

f have, or have not, sufficient siller is another matter. There are folk in Scotland, who know the word of Catherine Douglas, and can put

claimed little Alice: "we shall

ed upon to express gladness, but she looked

It is not meet he should come back unscathed to this leisure and honor; it is right he should clear himself by labor and toil, not of the sin before God, which is atoned for in a holier way, but of the sin in the sight of man. I say, I also would be sinning against a justice, which neither fails nor alters, and discouraging strong hearts that held upon their warfare manfully, when he fell under the han

acquiescence: she did not sp

ile the gloaming shadows gathered darkly in the room; "we must buy his land back for him now. I will speak

d glow of the fire flickered ruddy on the stately form of Mrs. Catherine, bringing out with momentary flashes sometimes the shadow of her strong face in bold relief against the wall. Still more in th

weary, thy c

kindred, w

of the famous Mrs. Euphan Morison. Mrs. Euphan herself had gone to Portoran, to make provision of many things necessary for the jubilee and festiviti

calpine. There was to be a quiet reunion in the Tower that night, and Flora came, in attendance upon little

nture of Sir Artegall, which ended in his captivity to the most contemptuous of Amazons, the warlike Ra

r, was tumbling along the high-road in the same direction again. At some little distance from the en

d-at a light in a high window there, which he fancied he knew, and still more eagerly at Strathoran in the dim distance. Its name had rung strangely in his ear from

Sutherland! i

ly either his face or form; he was tall, with an elastic buoyant footstep, and was l

gered and seemed to wish delay. Archibald was entirely in the dark as to the reason. There was a ruddy l

merry youthful people about the fire. Some one had slightly opened the window a little while before, f

Sir Artegall. The woman's weedes put upon him by the disdainful Amazon; the white apron-the distaff in his hand, "that he thereon

hrough penu

orks to their

s given them

s could earn by twi

Flora Macalpine, too kindly and good-humored to hurt Jacky's feelings, had bent her head down upon her knee to hide her laughter; Johnnie Halflin leaned against the mantelpiece, shaking with secret earthquakes; Bessie had her head turned to the door, and was gazing at it steadily, and biting her rosy lip. The

ception of the allegory, and was hurt and wounded at its reception, as we see greater people so

ned her head resolutely away. Flora drew near to her in de

had begun to weary of his station here, at the window of the housekeeper's room. His friend and employer, Mr. Si

nd ruddy, with radiant golden hair. The other paler, with a little f

acky?" said

said Bessie eagerly, "we werena

rted her head, and whispered in her ear-the arm of Mr. Sinclair qui

u to say Alice Brand. Mary never heard it; ne

nd Johnnie together, "say Alice

er golden hair, stood, leaning on the shoulder of her favorite Flora. Lilie was at Jacky's knee, lifting up her face of earnest childish

land stood still, but with eyes that wandered somewhat, and a considerable weari

pired her. She rose as it swelled

ween the ni

airy folk

down in a

and death was

yless, el

I of a wo

my brow d

gain my mo

a form a

m once, she cr

dy was

r grew his

r turned

im thrice, th

beneath

knight on Sc

her, Eth

is merry, in g

of young Strathoran! Jacky steadily finished the verse-committed Lilie into the hands of Flora Macalpine, and sh

her still. Mr. Sinclair grasped Archibald's arm, as they reached the door of the inner room, and held h

labor o'er

red are waiti

tranger, Jacky when she brought the lights, had thrown a long, keen scrutinising glance. There seemed an agitated uncertainty about him, which contrasted strangely with his firm lip and clear eye. They were seated again at last. A mysterious agitation had fallen upon them all, which Archibald could not comprehend. To this new-comer Mrs. Catherine's large gray ey

in high spirits, great in hope, and with prospects more cheering than he

is he?" exclai

riend, Mr. Sinclair, Anne. What is the matter? I have co

p to the door where they were standing, and looke

is it,

n the stair, and put her hands up to her face, a

hands nervously. "Jacky," she whispered in h

, "something ails you. I be

id Anne, hastily. "Go in no

lent amazement, went in again to the inner drawing-room. Anne fol

stranger in clear shadow on the wall-she was looking with a singular scrutiny on the face, and on the

ome remembrance of having seen him before; behind her

hildish earnestness. The time-the distance-the slight child's-memory-these did not make darkness enough, to veil from her remembrance the well-known face. The child sprang forward

dicial dignity, and advanced to the side of the father and child, "I bid you joyous, rig

-an assumed name, a strange country, a toilsome life-in joy and peace

e not such as we can dwell on. The serenity of deep and holy happiness, the exuberance of new-found blessings!-we cherish

darkness in her father's arm, pouring forth a stream of questions about mamma and Lawrie. All the three were half weeping yet, in the tumult and excitement of their joy. The past, with all that was dark and painful in it, was lost in the present brightness; peace, security-the bond of tender and near relationshi

restrained by a grave dignity; the memory of the dead hung over these walls-a thousand sad and potent remembrances were rising in the in the exile's heart-but withal he

could not run to the wondering grand-mamma, who sat there staring suspiciously at the new comers. Mrs. Aytoun rose-neglected wives, sad and sorrowfu

Lewis had both risen-so did she. "Who is this, Ann

advanced before either Anne or Lilie could answer. "It is your b

nerous heart, thinking he had done her wrong, he forgot the dark wedding-day long ago which had brought her, a strange ruler, to Merkland, and which he spent by his

heir son. The old house would hold them all. Norman's dark eyes brightened int

there was neither pause nor doubt. The manly bronzed cheek, the dark hair with its streaks of grey-she did not linger to look at these. She heard the light elastic step, the voice so dearly known of old-and it

in which the strength of Christian and the weakness of Patrick were singularly blended, for she was like them both. The plough of sorrow had not carved its iron furrows on her fair brow, as i

husband looking upon them with tremulous delight and pride-had all a share. Christian too, whose heroic work was done, and the new-found sister Anne; there was warm room for them all in the large heart

TER

mmediate counsel with May; she had fires lighted in half a dozen bed-chambers. Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant-a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"-and additiona

s, carrying in his arms a picture-the portrait of the lost son of the house of Merkland-the boy's f

to wait for her guests; the unclouded sunshine of the bold, frank, fearless boy's face shone upon her for the first time. It had enough of the indefinite family resemblance, to bring her own Lew

the portrait of her own bright Lawrie, and Norman himself heaping up in such generous measure his delicate amends of honor and attention to the ste

g manhood already powerfully attracted the boy: while on either side of Mrs. Ross herself sat Norman and Marion, and Lilie loyal to the newly-come mamma, joining her childish talk to theirs; and all so wil

him to the gate of Merkland-no further-came Marjory Falconer; she had one word to say to Anne. Anne w

distance a tall dark shadow fell across the Oran, which Anne smiled to see. "To wish you manifold j

said Anne, "but why

ing, "but as it is, a stranger must not intermeddle with your jo

, Mar

at last; I have fairly laid my hands upon her. To-mo

?-what do

er all safe, Anne. I invite you to a wedding at Falcon's C

time," said Anne smiling.-"Sh

f sorts for the want of you, Anne; and Alice is drooping as prettily as possible. Why did not

s superintending various domestic matters. Lewis was at the Tower. Norman had gone out with his son. Christian, Marion, and A

rland-of Merkland, of you, of ourselves. He told us our own story-so much as he knew of it, and

ould have spoken of a thi

must have at once opened our hearts, and our house to him. But we liked him for himself, and he seemed to like us; and then as we knew him better, the home he spoke of, the

was a

t Anne, he said, was convinced of the innocence of her dead brother, and was full of hope for the vindication of his memory. 'Who is Anne?' I asked. Mr. Sutherland looked astonished for a moment, and then slightly embarrassed. He seemed to think it strange that there should be any one who did not know. Anne; and, sister Anne, he did you justice. We were strangely excited that night,

s came into her eyes;

ning her head upon her hand. "Go on-

hteenth year was nearly past, Norman was afraid-Norman was full of terror, lest any exertion made for him should dis

l at peace now, Marion, living and dead; and he

, Anne, became attached to the little stranger child; and we listened, endeavo

never tell hi

to come here, but he did not ask. Norman regards him almost as a younger brother. He is very anxious that he should have a situat

no one knew

rmer days had known Mr. Norman of Merkland well. She had been an old woman when he left home-she was a very old woman, decrepid and feeble, now; yet on the first day after his

man, called proud by strangers, was very greatly at a loss how to account for these many friendships. The hearty kindliness of these old cottage people

ul wonder of their recognitions, they visited a grave-a grave which had received another name since Norman Rutherford left his fatherland, and on which Lawri

onference in the little room, Mrs. Cat

nclair at Buenos Ayres. Mr. Sinclair offers me Mr. Lumsden's situation in Glasgow, in the meantime, as he says, with a speedy prospect of entering the house. He himself intends to withdraw, and he talks of my chance of taking his place

uld leave your lawful labor is no desire of mine; but I have that to tell that concerns you

nged color, a

ur father's house is within your reach

ob, his heart to beat-within his reach and yet how very far removed,

you to that?" He did not say anything to it

our seat this moment, and heark

re is no possibility of recovering it now, and what chance is there of any

u lost Strathoran, for the sake of Isabel Balfour and him that was her trysted bridegroom.-Now, Archie Sutherland, it is my hope that your eyes are opened to see the right course of man; which is not idleset and the mean pleasures of it, but honorable work and labor that the sun may shine upon, and God and your fellows see. Think not that I mean the making of siller; I mean a just work, whatsoever, is appointed you, to be done in honor and bravery, and in the fear of God. So as it is my hope you perceive this at last, you shall have your lan

o Douglas, he is Isabel's son, and what would you have left undone for the bairn of Isabel?-and if he had been yours also, what is there within the compass of mortal might, that I would have halted at for him? H

therine, the Aytouns, Marjory Falconer; they met together

. The younger ones were for pressing forward; the most eager among them was Angus Macalpine, himself longing to become the head of

our right to have an answer. If he's no gaun to buy back the land, maybe we could make favor wi' whaever does. W

r to buy back Strathoran? I tell ye, lads, I ken the Laird, and if he's maybe wasted his substance like a prodigal-I dinna dispute he has, and we're a' bearing the burden-he keeps aye a kind heart. Now, here are we, coming to him, young men and auld of us, that have been hunted from our hames. He kens it's his

strong like himself-the men fell

day-aye, when he's no at his exercise-he's clear enough then; and if ye heard him, just to get hame that he may fa' asleep in peace, ye wadna be sae

"but for the auld man's sake we may wait a while here

d been before, he shrank back now. The man who had

ler spirits in the arrogance of their so-called equality would assert, but the independent respect of an honorable poor man

hall not be in my hands a moment sooner than the will, to make amends to you for your loss-the bitterest hour of all this bitter twelvemonth was the one in which I heard of your wrong. There are two months yet between us, and the time which sh

trations in Scotland-but their rough features moved and melted, a

his chief's hand last of all, could have thrown himself down at his feet, and craved his pardon. He did not do that; but would have rejoiced with mighty joy, as he flew down Oranside that night, to t

in the capacity of bridesmaid, while Anne and Marjory were merely lookers on; the latter not without consideration of the

sky," with any sportsman in the land. Poor Sophy was an only child-motherless from her infancy; the lands of her weak, boisterous, indulgent father were strictly entailed, and he seemed to have deadened any fatherly anxieties he might have had for leaving his daughter penniless, by fooling her to the top of her bent, so long as he remained lord of hi

roposed turning over his pony to his sister, little Sophy, who earnestly seconded the embryo sportsman. Their mother was dismayed. She resolved to have a solemn forenoon conference with her unpaid nursery-governess, to ascertain what all this meant. When she reached the schoolroom door, she paused to listen. Alas! it was not any lesson that kept that little group so steadily round their teacher. It was one of those barbarous ballads with which a "northern harper ru

remonstrances, and her twenty years, to a boarding-school in the neighborhood of Strathoran, the principal of which was info

end to the boarding-school. In these circumstances, Marjory Falconer became acquainted with her, and in a week thereafter, free from all governesses, or attempts to humanize, the bold Featherstoneha

d-she can hold the

with her intention; but she made much of the frank,

Ferguson, in the abscence of all competitors, joyfully redeemed the inherit

lawyer, emphatically. "We give t

or the justice sake, and to oblige the Laird, an equal extent of land elsewhere. In wild eagerness, the Macalpines threw themselves into their glen, and wrou

monial of their return. In the glen, beneath the soft, blue sky, and genial spring sunshine, they gathered together to thank God; and, with the blue heights rising over them, and the fair low

ast been our

eratio

ever hadst b

ins great

u hadst form

he world

from everl

rlasti

the while, Duncan Macalpine the elder

t with honest glee, and Mr. Lumsden from Portoran, his face covered with a dark glow of simple delight and sympathy. And there was little Lilie, and Mary Ferguson, solemnly invited to take tea with Flora and Angus, on

erred comfortably dwelling at home, greatly honored by his foster-brother, and very proud of the relationship, while, withal, his mother's little housekeeper-niece did so seriously i

heugh. Anne was with them. Little Alice, the blythest of young wives, kept Merkland bright and busy.

Lumsden, of Portoran, placed in the stout hand of Sophy Featherstonehaugh the reins of the ruder animal Ralph Falconer, of Falcon's Craig, and immediately thereafter submitted in h

e. She had a firm hand. The boisterous Ralph felt the reins light upon him, yet was kept in bounds, and by-and-by Sophy left the management of wild horses

the minister's stout-hearted and pure-minded wife. One hears no more of the rights of women now-bubbles of such a sort do not fl

igot, hypocrite, and pharisee. One could wish to have this same intolerant bigot world make a tour of these Scottish Manses, from which it might return, perchance, able to give a rational judgment on the doctrine and order of Christ's Holy Evangel, as we have

rried ladies do mightily stumble at, was read in regular course: on which occasion, says the mirthful Sister Martha of the Portoran Manse, one could detect the shadow o

unsophisticated glee. But we can vouch for it, that Mrs. Lumsden of Portoran has become a renowned church-lawyer, mighty in the "Styles," and great in the forms of process; whose judgment maintains

art, exercises her capricious sway, and sovereign tyranny. They are growing up, all of them, to call Marjory blessed-already for their generous nurturing "known in the gates" as hers-and hereafter still more to rejoice in the strong, gladsome, sun

d to the well-ordered house in the vicinity of Blythswood Square, which had been occupied by his predecessor Mr. Lumsden. People said it certainly needed a mistress, and very wonderful were t

s oracular and mysterious were sometimes heard falling from Mrs. Catherine's lips, in which the names of "Archie" and "Anne" were conjoined. The house of Strathoran had been thoroughly purified. Mrs. Catherine had made sundry important additions to its pleni

nger gay and rejoicing. Lewis was in high spirits-under the regimen approved and recommended by Mr. Coulter, Lewis hoped to raise the rent-roll of Merkland a half more than it had ever been. You could see now in the large wistful dark eyes of Christian Lil

its to Redheugh; and Lawrie, growing a young man now, as he thought, and dubious as to the propriety of keeping company with lesser boys and girls, to whom he was very patronizing and condescending

sie, touching the welfare of Harry Coulter, w

Tower," said Bessie; "he's a lord noo h

t?" said li

g gentleman that was a lord's son, and now he's a lord h

ye please, Miss Lilie, naebody kens-only he's been twice at

nd they can't talk of a single thing at Harrows but fat pigs, and prize cattle, and ploughing matches. Why,

ood of Harry; and Mary and me might have played with it all our lane, and we would not hav

ricious liege lady, to efface if he could this unfortunate recollection of

iles," said J

folk say Mrs. Catherine's just waiting for't, and that it's to be in th

ut w

ut of yon muckle reekie Glasgow, hame to his ain house, and then he's to be married to Mis

knew this secret would bear telli

n's to be there too. And Miss Anne has gotten a grand goun, a' of white silk, shining like the snaw below the moon, and a shawl-ye never saw

E

rs corrected by th

=> Stratho

ere=> It's not so

=> hypochond

e=> Little A

don't

ter=> stranger's

ison=> Mrs. Euph

downfall {

it's {

land=> Archilbald

n=> Mrs. Mor

> perplex

> mement

ison=> Mrs. Euph

> downfa

=> consult

ng=> dried and

on=> Robert F

es=> with many

n=> Mr. Fer

ng man=> the sad wa

ruin=> and

=> her comm

ng=> were whis

ty=> original

!=> There! t

ed=> stange u

ing=> sick month o

sorrow

rtait=> kneeling befor

n=> Jacky Mor

> petulan

gain=> tremulously

go=> one little m

on=> solemn oc

cheeks=> the tears steali

=> since he

f=> sacrifice

=> Norman's g

s=> Catherine'

s=> whose very

ng=> possible

dged=> elementary

ng=> Lilie's l

try=> in a lowlan

=> Oransi

gy=> desperate

> househo

ose=> Young Sympe

> remembran

=> disagree

m her=> undeserved rep

s=> Mrs. Cathe

> Mr. Suto

=> well-dre

=> Mrs. Dunc

=> overbrim

s=> the macal

work=> Simpson, beg

ly=> leave it i

sitting

d off=> The chaise h

n=> Giles Symp

limits=> people confined

=> in ecsta

=> gaunt wo

household=> contained the books

elf=> having sett

st=> terminated

al=> complete a

> After a

=> Anne's he

l=> and uneve

> mahogan

y=> unceremon

blighted

> Fitzherbe

=> rustic w

last=> and when he

=> window-s

g=> Falcon's

> smiling

=> It's my h

les=> three or f

e=> would hav

> decent

cabbages

=> discuss

> betwee

silent=> on the shore i

e=> earthen

> separat

=> Christia

> Mrs. Yamm

little

n=> not come to

=> friend's h

soothe

en=> Thine own

=> young la

ce=> In the firs

nce=> the least r

calamity

had=> Christian L

=> Christ's

d=> the en

is arm=> An older man le

it=> as if he

eping ye=> All the three w

> nurturi