The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-08-12

In these turbulent times, when every
mans hand was against his fellow, there
would have been considerable risk In Ham,
ilton venturing into lnverary, end especially
this particular Hamilton, had he been
known but kenelm trusted that the dark.
ness OF the night would prevent his being
seen by any but the landlord Of the inn where
be meant to sleep, to whom he was person
ally unknown, and who would not be likely
to suspect that solitary hOrseman, unat-
tended by single retainer, could bare so
proud name.
In this supposition he was proved to have
judged rightly. Ksnelm rode unmolested
and unobserved through the little town, and
the streets Of which were, in fact, almost
deserted as the tempestuous weather had
driven oil the inhabitants into their houses,
and be saw, TO his great satisfaction, that
even the door OF the inn was shut--a sufli.
cient proof that no guests were expected at
the argyle Arms" that night. The Land
lord, Campbell, Of course, and as sturdy a
Scot as one would wish to zee, himself came
to the door to welcome the stranger, and
after sending his tired horse to the stable, be
ushered him into the huge stone kitchen,
briefly remarking that he must b. content
with snch cheer us the family provisions
could afford, for that he little expected any
visitors on night so "uncanny.'
Hamilton assured him be was not dis
posed to be iastdious and having thrown
of his dripping mantle and disencumbered
himself OF his heavy riding boots, he sat down
on the oaken settee opposite the huge fire.
place while Campbell went out TO see that
the horse was attended TO.
Left to himself, keneim began to look
around him, and he was much struck by the
scene which presented itself within TIE room
The huge fireplace, which was filled PUP with
wood, sent a bright and ruddy glow over
the whole room, and lighted up with q
brilliant glare the figure Of young woman,
who sat at one corner of the ample hearth
and who was the only occupant of the
apartment besides himself There was some
thing very peculiar in the appearance Of this
girl, which rivcted Hamilton's gaze in spite
of himself. She sat perfectly motiOnless,
excepting for the rapid movement Of her
fingers, which she was employing in knitting;
her plaid thrown back from her head left her
pale face exposed TO view, which was marked
by singularly frgid and yet by no means
vacant expression. This was caused in part,
no doubt, by the fixed stare Of her large blue
eyes, which never moved in their sockets
nor Frightened with sparkles Of life il was
evident that she was stone.blind, while there
lurked certain lines around the thin com.
pressed lips which seem to indicate that she
had all the acutencss amounting almost 10
cunning, which often characterizes persons
thus afflicted.
The innkeeper soon returned and broke
the omlnous silence which had 80 oppressed
him.
Here, ElsIeth,' said Campbell address.
ing the figure in the broad Scotch OF those
days which We will not attempt 10 reproduce,
Here is a gentleman, cold and hungry,
come and see what you can find for his sup
per-" T&W
Hamilton listened anxiously for the sound
Of her voice, feeling as II it would be rc.
lief to hear her speak, but she never opened
her lips she rose up however, at once, and
began TO move about in a strange mechani.
cal manner, her blindness becoming more
apparent as she guided herself by the touch,
while the staring CLASSY eyes seemed to him
absolutely CHASTITY a. she passed hun. she
placed some oatmeal caScs and dried fish on
the table, alosg with jug Of whisky, and
then returned to her place by the fire, where
she sat imm0veable AZ before.
"Is that your daugb,efs said Hamilton
to the nnkeeper, as he invited him 10 draw
near and eat.
My only child and blind from her birth, "
was the reply. muttered almost with stern
ness, a. If the subject were painful. "Else-
beths not ike other folk, and you had better
take 10 heed Of her"
K.nem mentioned tina, be had been at
Holyrood, the day before.
"Ye came from Edinboro then" said the
innkeeper, kindling with sudden 6erceness,
and. ciinching his 6st, be struck il Oh the
tables with a violent blow, exclaIming ::
Cures on the bloody city the city Of
murderers and may the fire from heaven
come down upon II
Amen" SAID deep stern yolce, almost
at Kenelrns ear, and be started lnvOluntariiy
A. be saw that II had come from tie blind
womsn's lips. Something too IN the pas
sion Of the Campbell had stirred the angry
blood within himself. and whilst an volun-
tary ipstinc, told him what tram OF thOught
hai thu. fired the retainer Of Argyle, be had
much ado u hide hIs own a,agOuis,ic iesi-
ibgs. 49,
~Yoa spak sharply, Master Campbell.
he .a,d. ai last Il be capital Of Scotland
Is behoIden oyoa IN truth.
"Ay," SAID lae highlander. his brow grow
ing red with suppressed rag "bu, Why
.bO1d curse tbs -enses-- s,Ons,, thoogh
they we're stained With blood Of tie nooae
Lord Argyle. RatbT iet Ds cire h's ens-
miss. xbo drove him b. ,he death- hi. bitter
los, sho made b. Ia. dars To ham that h.
va fam 10 Drsk -ows p.,,y As that h.
might de Clr-d then, ! "a uppa ,ha
,-.l,.r li.ml'iDn N1o stOi. be- b'is