, 1840-11-21

'"Su'y Nv years vi age; MS SunDuTnt vlSage,
black and piercing eye, added to the stern
ness OF a constant frown, which thick, black
haIr, and dark, heavy eyebrows gave to him.
When Efie was introduced to him his frown
relaxed, and he gazed on her for some mo-
ments in silence. The maiden welcomed
him TO the valley, and was turning to take
her station in the dance that was forming,
when the stranger Detained her with the se-
quest that she would be his partner.
May replied Ellie, sit may not be, accept
my thanks, but Roland Allison waits for me;
| am engaged to dance with him.
'The next dance, then,' continued the
stranger.
d cannot returned the maiden, 81 must
be excused you are a stranger to me-.
'lt is WE'LL said the young man, releasing
her, I'VE may yet be better acquaintedr
Efie trembled for an instant, but she knew
not why,-innocent herself. she never sus.
pected others, and she joined her impatient
lover in the dance, forgetting in a short time
the sigular department of the stranger.
The dance had concluded. and Efie, seat
ed by Roland, united her voice with his in n
duett, to which the stranger listened with
marked attention.
They love each other he said. swell, thew
are both young-both fair He left the
room unobserved, and returned as the song
concluded;-he approached Eflie, and pres
entlng her with 4 lovely rose, said, with en-
phasis:
Il am an admirer Of flowers, and you see
maiden | Gull the ~fairest. Is not this rose
beautiful! it is in the fulness of bloom-mark
ye-and he shook the flower So violently
that It's leaves fell to the ground, and the
bare stem remained-'So can beauty and all
MS hopes be desiroyedr He again arose,
left the room, and returned not,
lie is a strange creature said Efie; Il
know not why it is, but tremble when he
speaks; he is no ~sailor-they are generally
frank and generous-there is a mystery in this
mani
q knew not said Roland. that Rob
M'DOnald had Il son; often as | have Iabored
for him, he never mentioned it 10 me, and in
truth | do not believe this youth is in any
wise related to him.
Such was the general opinion, and in the
morning it was confirmed by Rob himself.
who said the strange man had GIN him nue.
kle gear to spread the tale AFRAID, and bring
him to a sight o the fair lass O. lnverhale.'
Many were the enquiries that Rob receiv-
ed. but he was unable TO say who the stran-
ger WIS or whence he came; he left the val
ley on the morning succeeding his introduce
ton 10 Ellie, and before the next evening his
existence was almost forgotten.
Some days had elapsed since the depart
ure Of the stranger from the valley, when
one evening 4 woman Of singular appearance,
entered the cottage of the widow Graeme;
the widow was busy at her spinning-wheel.
and Effie, pursuing her needle-work, listened
to Roland, who was reading to her some
tale, 'of other ages. long ago betide.' The
woman was very tall. she wore a mantle Of
varied hues, which entirely shrouded her form.
and a hood, formed of the same materials,
concealed her features. Seating herself bold
ly, To the establishment of the inmates of the
cottage, she SAID:
81 am an unbidden guest-aye, and an un-
welcome one ! know-never did welcome
smile on LIMA OF THE MoUNr-and ever
smiles have accompanied her departure
'What is the purport of your visit hereri
enquired EffIe.
To HUMBLE PRIDE was the laconic reply.
Then Iinger not here, good dame cried
Roland, sfor never did pride dwell in a cot
tage-nay, not in this valley; innocence and
humble retiring virtue, here reside
'An' We no need bide here,' said the wild
ow, I'VE dinna ken 9th holiday thing we ca
we maun gang your gate, for its over
ae' aboon BAUD To-
sPeacer' sternly cried the sibil-'beardless
boys nor vain girls can move me until | have
my mission-mark we, Roland ALI
son, and Efiie Graeme listen; tomorrow is
the eve of your bridal,
.sBut blood shall flow ere the vow be past,
And to morrow the lover shall smile his last,
For one who was scorn'd by the maiden's pride,
Has vow'd to win from the youth his bride"'
away cried Efie, mad woman, young
as | am you cannot terrify mel
Roland rushed forward, as though to seize
the sibiI, but she drew from beneath her man.
tie a pistol, which presenting, she Cried
Move not, youth, and provoke an earlier
DOOM have spoken truth, although yonder
vain girl affectsa courage which she does
not feel-and you assume valor which you
not possess-we meet again.
With these words, Lima Of the Mount left
Iha ~