Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-09-07


The Marquis of Argyle, who was at his
castle on the fatal night, left no stone un-
turned in his efforts to discover the perpe-
traitor of the deed, being stimulated to un-
usual activity in the search, by the suspi-
cion he entertained that the assassin was
in some way connected with the family of
his foes, the Hamiltons. This he gathered
derer and his victim which Elspeth de-
tailed word for word, but it afforded no
clue whatever to the actual individual, and
Kenelm himself was never suspected.
After few weeks of useless investiga-
tion the search was given up; but the de-
tails Of the murder were carefully recorded
by the court of justice, and the Lord of Ar
gyle declared that if ever in his lifetime
the assassin was discovered he would bring
him to the scaffold, be the interval ever so
long. Elspeth found home in the Mar
quis' household, after the good old fashion
of these times, which recognized claim
on the part of all the helpless and afflicted
of the clan to find a refuge with the family
of their chief, and Kenelm had to all ap-
pearance, escaped with perfect impunity.
Yet he, gay and reckless as he seemed,
was secretly haunted by one dark forebo-
ding which never left him night or day
Campbell was not the first man he had
slainin the course of his stormy career but
he was the first he had murdered; the
! first whose life he had taken otherwise than
in honorable warfare; and already the
unfailing retribution of actual crime had
commenced in the deep secret of his heart.
Wherever he went, alone or in crowds,
from the hour when the low solemn warn
ing Of the blind girl came to him as he
stood with his feet dabbling in the blood
of her father, he heard that voice ringing
in his ears and telling him that vengeance
would surely find him yet, and the sleep
less justice of the Invisible track him out
when least he looked for it. Not even the
joy-bells' or his wedding morning, could
drown that ominous whisper in his soul,
nor the sweet tones of the gentle Lady El-
len, while she murmured her bridal VOWS.
Still was it sounding there, when the fee
bic cry of his first born spoke Of new ties
to make life sweet; and, later still, he
heard it through the firing of the salutes
that greeted him as ambassador on for
eign shore. Years passed on, most of which
were spent at one of the continental courts;
and when, at last, he returned with his wife
and family to Edinburg, the murder Of the
innkeeper had not been thought of by any
one for long time past.
One day, about month after his arrival
, in the Scottish capital, Hamilton was walk
ing along the most fashionable part of the
old town, where the houses of the nobility
were chiefly to be found, when his atten
tion was attracted by fray, which was 60
: ing on in the streets between two young
> men. Such sight was by no means un
: common in those days; but the fury of th
|, lads was so great that it was evident SOM
: serious mischief would ensue if they wer
! not separated. Hamilton, whose rank il
: the city entitled him to interfere, at one
rushed in between them, calling to then
in a loud voice to desst Immediately iron
= further quarreling, and with firm gras
: of his strong hands on the shoulder of eacl
6 he sent them reeling to the opposite side
e of the street.
d The affair had collected considerabl
T. crowd, and Hamiton's rank and positio
l. were well known amongst them, so ths
Of they all made way for MIN as he turned
As resume bis walk. One moment he stoo
IS there in all his proud prosperity, receivin
d the homage ofthe people as his right, an
scarce bending his lofty head in acknow
III edgment of 1.-THE Sunshine of a brigl
n summer sky streaming down upon his mob
s. and commanding form seemed but to typ
ID fly the brilliancy of his worldly prospect
r One moment he stood thus, and the mex
is the vengeance that had so long tracke
ut his steps unseen, laid hold upon him wit
ly a dead grasp, and the sun Of Hamilton
n career sunk down to setin blood A shrie
ID so thrilling and intense that it seemed
a" pierce his very heart, suddenly rung thr
ou the air, and all eyes, as we'll as his ow
were turned to the spot from whence
er seemed to have proceeded-and there
be sight presented itself which caused Il
d. stately Hamilton to grow pale and treml
10 like a,child. On the highest step of Il
ct, stone stair which led to the door of Il
he Marquis of Argyles town residence, a ia
ot haggard woman was standing-her arr
10 were outstretched towards Hamilton, a.
cr her eyes, whose CLASSY vacancy showed th
ot they were sightless, seemed to glare up
IN, him with horrible triumph asshe shrek
S. ont in tones that were heard far and nes
so "Seize him seize that man whoever he m
" be-he is the murderer of my father!
ce know him by his voice." Many Of Argyll
en- rctaincrs were amongst the crowd, and t
nc Marquis himself had been drawn to t
rv window by the noise of the quarrel. /
IT. knew Ellspeth Campbell, the blind WON;
ed and remembered her fathers mysterc
iy- murder-all could testify to the acuten,
his of her sense of hearing, and to the repe
Id ed expression other longing desire that s
mr. might hear the voice of the assassin
le- long sought in vain, for she remember
he the full rich tones that he had called
ext her father to unsay his words one insti
NO ere he fell corpse, and she felt certain
no could know them again if she could
nat hear the murderer speak; and now, al
he the lapse of all these years, the well-kno
nee voice had struck her ear, and again ;
,ws again she screamed out: "Seize him
nv know he is my fathers murderer" In
me other moment Argyle was confront
inc Hamilton, too thankful to have sucl
e charge established against his ancient c
as NV Tho people crowded round, an