The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-10-24
SELECTED TALES.
THE RUINED LAIRD.
BY THE HON. MRS. MORTON.
Continued.


Il. was many days after this event, that
the dark-eyed foreigner who nav govern-
ed all at the castle paused by the rapid
stream of Ben Cruach, here, lost in mis-
erabe thought, Creme of Aberfoy sat, un-
conscious of her presence. Crane said
she, in broken tones, | arm grleved for
your grief indeed: oh do believe that |
am. Aud came continued she, after
a pause, came 10 ask you whether |
could do any thing : her voice faulter-
ed as she attempted TO take his hand, and
the tears fell fast from her eyes, - that
that is, whether could not say any thing
to Sir Douglas for you.
The bereavcd father turned and looked
at her, as if seeking To read IN her counte-
nance the meaning of her words. His face
was drawn and haggard his hair was ms
gray as the locks of old Sir Douglas him
self lie gazed on the Italian for some
minutes and then, fixing his eyes vacant
ly OH the waters, he said. in lstIess tone,
: Tell my uncle Aberfoy's for sale hy pub
lie roup. I'll Just sell Aberfoy, and make
myself little comfortable. Maybe he'll
like to buy it;-ony way, yell tell him
AberfOy's to be sold
The day fixed for the sale of Aberfoy at
length dawned. Mrs. Crane had been
gradually sinking under the blow which the
loss of her young sons had inflicted. More
feeble, more stupifed than ever, she passed
the greater part OF her lime in bed, weep
ing alike from WEAKNESS and grief. AS
! little Jeanie stole down stairs thnt morning
TO her usual humble household tasks, her
fathers voice called her it was unusually
early for any bne but herself 10 be stirring,
and she turned, startled, 10 the door Of the
room whence the voice proceeded. GrTme
of Aberfoy called again, harshly and pas
siona,ely; and the little girl hurridly push
ed back the hali-opened door, and stood
waiting his further commands.
Is yere mother upf demanded he.
negative vas pronounced in a low,
timid voice.
Does she mind what day this is, my
lass =
One of the strange and unaccountable in
flectons which Jeane had laiterly observed
in her fathers voice, caused her suddenly
to lift the long black eyeIashcs which shad-
owed her meek eyes, eyes whose color or
expression few could tell, SO constantly
were they fixed on the ground, and look
in that fathers face. A chill passed over
her heart as she did so. GrTme of Abel
foy sat by a little oak table on which stood
a flask of whiskey and a tumbler his ell
bow leaned on the table, and his hand wns
thrust through his thick grizzlcd hair.
Jeanie remembered that so he had sat the
night before, and 1t struck her that her
father had not been to bed at all.
| am afraid, sir" she began, but she
was interrupted.
What are We afraid ofl-whatl But
girls and women are aye shrinking aud
fearing what's to conc. dare say now
yere mothers afraid (; but Fm not I've
just watched quietly for the day, and it's
come at last, and ] am not afraid to face it.
Nae doubt ye're afraid; but Douglas aud
Merry Malcom, ye'd no have seen dread
in their eyes this day. Weel, weel, IFS all
right that Heaven sends: and they're gone
first who should have stayed last; and may
be, when we're far away, the sound of their
voices i'll no ring round me from the hill,
nor glimpses of their wInsome, gleefu faces
shoot across my path; puir luddles, pur
laddles III stand the day better without
.hem.
Father dear father = said the weeping
girl, Pm not ufraid Of bearing nay share
Of any thing my mother aud yoJ must bear.
4 was only afraid you had not been IN bed
last night, or rested any way
Rested " the tone in which the word
was spoken thrilled through Jeanle's hear;
aud as her father turned his flushed cOun-
tenance and bloodshot eyes full upon her,
che shrank lnstincllyely from the glare Of
inloxlca,ion visible in his gaze.
DO you want my mother, sir inquired
she, after pause.
Deed, then, we've said it; it was for
that called ye, and no to hear tina, ye
we're afraid Of anything. Go to ycre moth.
err bid her make haste, aud dress brawly ::
she's fond Of gay shawl and grand cloth
ing let her take this opportunity, for I'm
,hnkin. it Ill be long before she secs ms
much guide company again as Ill be gath
cred here to day
Jeanie paused Que moment longer; her
fathers manner was so strange aud unnnt-
ural. and the desire to comfort and quiet
him 50 strong. that she dad what, uninVited
she had never done bcinre,-she stole up TO
hi. chair, and with o beating heart, she kls-