The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1850-11-07
CHAPTER TX.

"Time rolls its ceaseless course,n
and yet no news from Heron. Each
day Amy watched the sun decline and
hoped against hope; there was neither
dependency nor pining, but she did
say to herself, "Ah, Heron, If delay fills
me with such intense anxiety, what
would become of me were l to lose
youw
At length the fatal post brought a
letter from Edinburgh. 1t announced
two events: FIRST the death of Major
Fame, who was thrown in leaping
five barred gate, and killed on the
spot; the next Amy hurried over with
which seemed to pierce the very walls,
she fell senseless on the floor. Her IA
ther, who was sitting at the bseakfast-
table, rushed towards her and raised
her in his arms, while the servants en-
deavored to restore animation for long
time without success.
At last she woke TO life; but alas
the idol of his heart his beautiful Amy,
was nothing but raving maniac.
The particulars of the sad affair were
given in detail by Jessy. In a state
bordering on distraction, MIR. Douglas
wrote to his brother to see the sexton,
but unfortunately the man was dead.
At this crisis Maitland arrived from
long absence abroad, and hurried to
the north, to afford all the aid in his
power, and after long and tedious de-
lay of nearly two years, the marriage
of Earl Dacre with Lady Catharlne
was declared null and void, and his
children illegitimate-Amy being the
true and lawful Countess of Dacre, un-
til divorce was obtained after the case
was decided. Throughout the proceed
ings Maitland acted with more than
the tenderness of brother, and her
father was alive only to what affected
her. The noble stag-hound crouched
beside him, and his fayorite hunter no
longer paved the ground and pricked
his ears as the well-known hand stroked
his name.
Stiffness reigned at Glen Tarvit: the
unfortunate sufferer had been removed
to different part of the house, and the
old servants, treading with -nolseless
steps, attended to the family, as if Their
fair mistress were there to command.
The drawing-room and library remain
ed unchanged since she last resorted
to her books or harp, whose broken
| chords, alas! domestic's hand could
not stay, and there it stood, a miserable
memento Of by-gone days, when al.
ways in tune it was ever ready to re-
spond to touch, sunrivalled in patho.
and expression. If sacred music wa:
the theme, her whole soul was there
| if her native melodies drew a tear from
those around, she would quickly change
through a succession Of brilliant har
monies, and while her fairy finger,
swept the chords all confessed tina
whateyer she touched breathed thu
spirit of the minstrel. The exquisitl
little clock, with its silvery chime, haS
long been silent; the eye Of the fairy
Douglas no longer watched the house
for some messenger of love, and thu
flower vases were all empty.
| After considerable lapse Of tim
i her mind became calmer, her bodil,
health weaker. Maitland fattere,
himself that she might yet be restored
He pslsed much Of his time at Glel
i Tarvit, and frequently cheered the IA
iher, and read aloud, at Amy's request
i passages from the Bible, which scenes
10 afford her peace Of mind and com
fort.
With the assistance of the faithful
Jessy, she one day visited the old fam
liar drawing.room, long, long shut fror
lher sight, and the first object tina
caught her eye was her harp, and lool
!, Ling at it intently she burst into tear
the first she had shed since grief ha
: withered and blighted every feeling I
; her heart. Jessy, with her usual afie'
finn. tried her humble efforts to soothe