, 1864-02-06

pear like the lost son. For moment Mrs.
Elliot apparently partook in the restoration
Of cheerfulness; but a low sigh at her elbow
again drove the color from her rosy checks.
Her eye wandered to the farther end Of the
table, and rested on the unoccupied seat Of
her husband aud the vacant chair of her
frstborn. Her heart fell heavily within
her; all the mother gushed into her bosom;
and, rising from the table, "What in the
world can be the meaningo' this !" said she,
as she hurried, with troubled countenance,
towards the door. Her husband met her
on the threshold
"Where hae yc been, Peter?" said she,
eagerly; "hae 70 seen naething o him ~
Naething naething" replied he; "is
he no cast up YETI" And, with a melan-
choly glance, his eyes sought an answer in
the deserted chair. His lips quivercd-his
tongue flltered. :.
@Gudc forgic me ~ said he; and such
day for even an enemy to be out in! I've
been up and doun every way that l can
think on, but not living creature has seen
or heard tell o him. Yen excuse me, nee
bors," he added, leaving the house; ~ must
ava again, for l Gamma rest" .....-
al ken by myself, friends" said Adam
Bell, adecent-loOking Northumbrian, "that
a fathers heart is as sensible rs the apple
o his e'e; and / think we woull show a
want o natural sympathy and respect for
our worthy neighbor if we didna every one
get his foot into the stirrup, without loss o
time, and assist him in his search. For, in
my rough, country way o thinking, it must
be something particularly out o the common
that could tempt Thomas TO be amissing.
Indeed, I needna say tempt, for there could
be no inclination in the way. And our
hills" he concluded, in lower tone, care
not owre clancy in other respects, besides
the breaking up o the storm"
"0hw said Mrs. Elliot, wringing her
hands, 81 have had the comingo' this about
me for days and days. My head was grow
ing dizzy wi happiness, but thoughts came
stealing upon me like ghosts, and felt a
lonely soughing about my heart, without
being able to tell the cause; but the cause
is come at last And my dear Thomas
the very pride and staff o my life-is lost !
lost 10 me foreverl r. aa
al ken, Mrs. Elliot," !" replied the North
umbrian, il is an easy matter to say CON-
pose yourself, for them that dinna ken what
Il is to feel. But, at the same time, in our
lplsin; country way o. thlhking, we are al-
ways ready to believe the worst." /" :
Time stole on towards midnight, and one
by one the unsuccessful party returned. As
foot after foot approached, every breath was
held to listen. +" No, no, mop cried the
mother, again and again, with increasing
anguish, "it's no the foot o. my ain bairn !"
while her keen gaze still remained riyetted
upon the door, and was not Withdrawn, nor
tho hope Of despair relinquished, till the
individual entered, and, with silent and
ominous shake Of his head, betokened his
fruitless efforts. The clock had struck
twelve; oil were returned save the father.
The wind howled more wildly; the rain
poured upon the windows in ceaseless tor.
rents; and tho roaring Of the mountain
rivers gave character Of deeper ghostliness
totheir sepulchral silence; for they sat, each
rapt in forcbodings, listening to the storm ;
no sounds were heard save the groans Of the
mother, the weeping of her children, and
the bitter and broken sobs Of the bereaved
maiden, who leaned her head upon her faith
er's bosom, refusing to be comforted.
At length the barking Of tho farm dog
announced footsteps ut q distance, Every
ear was raised TO listen, every eye turned to
the door but, before the tread was yet au-
dible 70 the ilsteners-Vh, u = only re
ter's toOtFt said the unhappy mother, as
she rose g meet hun. ;ss W
Janet! Janet! ne exclaimed, as ne en-
tered, and threw his arms around ner neck,
whats tins come upon US at last =,
The morning came, but brought no tld-
ings Of the lost son. Afser solemn iare,
vel, all the visltants, save Adam pen ana
MS daughter, returned every one otnelI own
house ana the dlsconsola'e .l IaIner, n WIN ms
servants, again renewed theis searcn among
the hills and surrounding villages. -
lays, weeks, months, ana years roi,eo On.
Time had subdued the anguish Of the pa
rents into Q hoiy calm; put tner iost nrsl-
born was not forgotten, although no trace Q,
ms tate had been discovered. Inc general
belief was that he had persisted on the break
ing up OF the snow and the lew IN whose
remembrance ne stu lived merely spoke Of
his death as . very extraordinary circum-
stance remarking that me was wild,
ventureeome sort o lad.Y