The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1859-09-09

INC etVuttst nceft mHlt gladly seek q
shelter, and Hamilton was iain, 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 been ac-
companied by two Of his rctainers, and
he designed 70 have passed at a little dis-
tRnce from lnvorary early in the dav, and
10 have lodged for the night in a castle at
some distance, and belonging % a kins-
man Of his own; but, unhsppily that NOR
ming one of his guides had been thrown
from his horse, and injured so severely
that his life was dcspaired. Some hours
were spent in conveying the wounded
man to resting-placei and Hamilton,
whose mission admitted Of no DELAY, was
obliged to leave him in charge Of his com
rade, and push on his road, although the
ehort December day was already closing
In when he started again.
He rode ON 0s rapidly a. he could, but
the darkness soon became 40 impenetra-
bic that he repeatedly lost his way and
lwheni at last the lights of Invorarv rleam-
cd through the driving mist and rain. he
felt that il had become a matter Of neces-
sity that he should rest there for the n;ght.
az his iuded horse was stumbling at every
step, from sheer fatirie.
In these turbulent times, when everv
mans hand was against his fellow, there
would have been considerable risk in
Hamilton venturing into Inyerary and es-
peoially this particular, Hamilton, had he
been known; but kenelm trusted that the
darkness Of the night would prevent his
being seen by any but the landlord of the
inn where he meant 10 sleep, TO whom he
was personally unknown, aud who would
not be likely to suspect that a solitary
horseman, unattended by a single rotain-
er, could bear so proud a name.
In this supposition no was proved to
have judged rightly. Konelm rode unmo-
Tested and unobserved through the little
town, the streets of which were, in fact,
almost deserted; as the tempostuous wealth
or had driven all the inhabitants into their
housesi and he saw, 20 his great satisfuc-
ton, that even the door Of the inn was
shut--a sufficient proof that no guests
were expected at the e"Argyle Arms" that
night. The landlord, a Campbell, of
course, and as sturdy Scott as one could
wish to see, himself came to the door 20
welcome the stranger, and after sending
his tired horse to the stable, he ushered
him into the huge stone kitchen, briefly
remarking that he must be content with
such cheer as the family provisions could
afford, for that he little expected any vis-
itors on night 80 "uncanny."
Hamilton assured him he was not dis
posed TO be fastidious, and having thrown
off his dripping mantle, and disoncumber-
cd himself Of his heavy riding-boots, he
sat down on the oakcn settle opposite the
huge fireplace while Campbell went
out to see that the horse was attended to.
Left to himself, Kenelm began to look
around him, and he was much struck by
the scene which presented itself within
the room. The huge fireplace, which was
filled up with wood, sent bright and rud-
dy glow over the whole room, and light
ed up with brilliant glare the figure Of
young woman, who sat ut one corner of
the ample hearth, and who was the only
other occupant of the apartment besides
himself There was something very pc
culiar in the appearance of this girl,
which riyeted Hamilton's gaze in spite of
himself. She sat perfectly motionless,
excepting for the rapid movement of her
fingers, which she was employing i'm knit
ting, her plaid thrown back from her head,
left pale face exposed to view, which
was marked by singularly frigid and yet
by no means vacant expression. This
was caused in part, no doubt, by the fixed
stare Of her light-bue eyes, which never
moved in their sockets nor frightened
with a sparkle Of life; it was evident that
she was stone-blind, while there lurked
certain lines round the thin compressed
lips which seemed to indicate that she had
all the acuteness, amounting almost to
cunning, which often characterizes per-
sons thus afflicted.
The countenance was far from beauti-
ful-scarcely even pleasing-yet it im-
pressed Hamilton with a sense Of power
such as we often feel and yet cannot de-
fine in the presence Of persons unknown
to us. She gave no sign Of being con-
scious of his presence, but he felt she was
aware that he was in the room; and as he |
continued TO watch her sitting there in |
her strong impassiveness, an indefnable /
feeling of shrinking and dread took pos
session Of him, for which he could not ac-
count. He had been thinking of his ri /
vaPs bloody death, aud il struck him that /
the implacable maiden" who had taken |
Argyle's young life might have been ftly |
represented by this weird damsel who sat |
there 30 like blind inexorable fate weaV-
ing web Of inevitable doom.
The gallant knights Of those times, who
feared neither death nor danger, were
greatly prone 10 superstition; and Hamil- /
ton, hot-blooded and impetuous as he was,
proved no exception 20 the rule. He was
therefore heartily glad when the innkvep-
returned and broke the ominous silence |
which had so oppressed him.
f'Iere, Elspeth," said Campbell, adj
dressing the figure in the broad Scotch OF I
those days, which we will not attempt 10
reproduce, "Here's gentleman, cold and
hungry come and see what you can find
Of his supper"
Hamilton listened anxiously for the
sound Of her voice, feeling as II It would
be relief TO hear her speak, but she new
eF opened her lips; she rose up however,
at once, and began to move about Ia
strange mechanical manner, her blindness
becoming more apparent as she guided .
herself by the touch, while the staring
classy eyes seemed TO him absolutely /
ghastly as she passed near him. She !
placed some oatmeal cakes and dried fish
on the table, along with jug Of whisky,
and then returned TO her place by the fire,
where she sat immoyable as before.
ais that your doughterip said Hamilton
70 the innkeeper, as he invited him 70
draw near and eat
"My only child; and blind from her
birth, was the reply, uttered almost with 7
sternness, as if the subject were painful.
HElspeth's not like other folks, and you
had better take no heed Of her"
Hamilton took the hint, and said no
more, while he applied himself TO the rude /
fare set before him with keen-set appe- 1
tite. Nor did he epare the whisky. which /