Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-08-12

Il
he had not been consulted when she was W
POUND, while yet child, to the Marquis, al
md with the true feminine spirit of con- I
.radiction, she resolved to choose for her. Fl
self, and accepted the addresses of Ken W
elm Hamilton, who, by some unlucky b
chance, had fallen in love with his rivals e
bride. Their wedding was even now d
fixed to take place in few months, and c
this circumstance, no doubt, explained Il
the last words of Argyle, which were a
destined to be the means ofone day bring i
ing his enemy to the arms of this same
cruel maiden, whom he himself had en- {
braced with so much feryor. And now |
the recollection of that last bloody scene :
was, doubtless, heavy on the heart of I
Hamilton as he rode down the mountain
path which led to Inverary Castle and
the little village that lay at its foot. 1t
was cold and gloomy winter night, the
darkness was intense, and the wild north I
wind went shrieking and bowling through
the pass as if it bore upon its wings souls
of those who had expired in some great
agony, while the dark Scotch frs stood
up like speetres among the bleak rocks.
Truly it was an evening on which the
stoutest heart might gladly seek shelter,
and Hamilton was fain, though sorely
against his will, to rest for the night in
the domain of his enemies. This had
been no part of his intention when he set
out on his journey; he had then been ac-
companied by two of his retainers, and he
designed to have passed at little distance
from Inverary early in the day, and to
have lodged for the night in castle at
: some distance, and belonging to kins-
man of his own; but, unhapily that morn
r ing one of his guides had been thrown
: from his horse and injured so severely
t that his life was despaired of. Some
:. hours were spent in conveying the woun-
S ded man TO resting place; and Hamilton,
= whose mission admitted of no delay, was
y obliged to leave him in charge of his COM
/; rade and push on his road, although the
is short December day was already closing
n in when he started again.
$, He rode on as rapidly as he could, but
( the darkness soon became SO impenetra.
< BILE that he repeatedly lost his way; and
er when at last, the lights of Inverary gleam
IN ed through the driving mist and rain, h'
d. felt that it had become matter of neces
ne sity that he should rest there for the night
ed as his jaded horse was stumbling at ever.
lie step from sheer fatigue.
oi' In these turbulent times, when ever.
'i' mans hand was against his fellow, ther
nu would have been considerable risk in
,er Hamilton venturing into Inverary and e:
Il pecialIy this particular Hamilton, had b
al been known; but Kenelm trusted that th
y darkness of the night would prevent b
being seen by any but the landlord of tt
ev- inn where he meant to sleep, to who
'ie, he was personally unknown, and wi
ied would not be likely to suspect that SC
the itary horseman, unattended by sing
lar retainer, could bear so proud name.
i"i' In this supposition he was proved
0''' have judged rightly. Kenelm rode u
molested and unobseryed through the !
'cu- tie town, the streets of which were, in fa
iose almost deserted as the tempestuous weat
oi er had driven all the inhabitants into tn
ie houses, and he saw, to his great satisf;
usi- ton, that even the door of the inn "
n of .b,+ sufficient nrooe that no one
gnl- were expected at the " Argyle Arm
had that night. The landlord, Campbell
course, and as sturdy Scot as one COZ
bach wish to see, himself came to the door
will welcome the stranger, and after send
,ung his tired horse to the stable, he ushei
uous him into the huge stone kitchen, brie
said remarking that he must be content W
like such cheer as the family provision co
mate afford, for that he little expected any
son itors on night so uncanny."
be- Hamilton assured him he was not
had posed to be fastidious, and having thrc
tions off his dripping mantle and disencumbe
more himself of bis heavy riding boots, he
/ we down on the oxen settle opposite the h
epre- fireplace while Campbell went out to
been if the horse was attended to.
t the Left to himself, Kenelm began to
wild around him, and be was struck by
other scene which presented itself within
title, room. The huge fireplace, which
honor filed up with wood, sent bright
E hate ruddy glow over the whole room
which lighted up with brilliant glare the e.
orrne- of woman, who sat in one corner
addi- the ample hearth, and who was the
a pri- other occupant of the apartment b
b had himself. There was someth'ng yer
rv ba- culiar in the appearanceof this girl, "