, 1864-02-06

the spirit Of youth glowing in his veins, and
"Ohp muttered he, in bitterness, chad
my Thomas been spared to me, he would
hae thrown his hearts bluid after the ham,
mer, before he would hae been beat by e'er
johnson in the countiyw
While he thus solilotuized, and with diff
Guilty restrained an impulse to compete with
the victor himself, dark, foreign.lOoking,
strong-built seaman Auhceremoniously ap-
preached, and, with his arms folded, cast q
look Of contempt upon the Boosting con-
queror. Every eye was turned with scru-
tinizing glance upon the stranger. In hight
he did not exceed FIVE feet nine, but his whole
frame was model Of muscular strength /;
his features were open and manly, but deeply
sunburnt and weather-beaten; his long,
glossy black hair, curled into ringlets by
the breeze and the billow, fell thickly over
his temples and forehead; and whiskers Of
a similar hue, more conspicuous for size
than elegance, gave character Of ierceness
to countenance otherwise possessing astrik-
ing impress Of manly beauty. Without
asking permission, he stepped forward, lifted
the hammer, and, swinging it around his
head, hurled it upwards Of five yards be-
yond Johnson's most successful throw.
swell donew shouted the astonished
spectators. The heart Of Peter Elliot
warmed within him, and he was hurrying
forward to grasp the stranger by the hand,
when the words groaned in his throat I" It
was just such throw as my Thomas would
have made my own lost Thomas r. The
tears burst into his eyes, and, without speak
ing, he turned back and hurried towards
the house, to conceal his emotion.
Successfully, at every game, the stranger
had defeated all who ventured TO oppose
him; when q messenger announced that
dinner waited their arrival. Some Of the
guests were already seated, others entering ;
and, as heretofore, placed beside Mrs. Elliot
was Elizabeth Bell, still in the noontide Of
her beauty; but sorrow had passed over her
features, like q veil before the cOuntenanee
Of an angel. johnson, crest-fallen and out
Of humor at his defeat, seated himself by
her side. In carly life, he had regarded
Thomas Elliot as rival for her affections
aud, stimulated by the knowledge that Adam
Bell would be able to bestow several thou
sands upon his daughter for dowry, he yet
prosecuted his attentions with unabated as
siduity, in despite Of the daughters aversion
and the coldness Of her father. Peter had
takcn his place at theesMblsj and still- BY
his side, unoccupied and sacred, appeared
the vacant chair, the chair Of his tirst-born,
whereOn none had sat since his mysterious
death or disappearance.
BARNS" said he, "did name O. ye ask
the sailor to come up and tax a bit o dinner
wi usW
1--WE were afraid II might lead to quar-.
rel with Mr.. Johnson" whispered one OF
the sons. =, e
He is come without asking" replied the
stranger, entering; "and the wind shall
blow from anew point If destroy the mirth
or happiness Of the company"
"Ye'reastranger, young man, said Peter,
rye would ken this b mo meeting o mirth-
makers. But, l assure ye, ye are welcome,
heartily welcome. Haste ye, lassics," he
added TO the servants; "sOme o ye yet 4
chair for the gentleman"
"Gentleman, indeedF muttered johnson
between his teeth. .
"Never mind about a chair, my hearties,
said the seaman "this will do" And,
before Peter could speak to withhold him,
he had thrown himself carelessly into the