, 1864-03-26

there was uncO littlt OF, think, in his treat
ment o his sister; his conduct to that poor
woman has been most unnatural, most saw
age, selfish, and unfcelin'. That's my opin-
ion OF, and its the opinion o mony u ane
besides me-"
"Wcel, weel, every ane has his ain mind
o thae things, Mr.. Clinkscales," replied the
first speaker; "but, for my part, l'llayc ride
the ford as find it; that's my creed"
"IIas ony o ye heard" here interposed
another of the party, % that cruel case o
HamiltOn's o Bothwellhaugh! Ane o the
Queens Hamiltons," added the querist.
Some said they had, others that they had
not. For the benefit Of the latter, the speak
er explained, lie said that Hamilton of
BOthwellhaugh was one Of those who had
been forfeited for the part he took at the
battle of Langside. That the person to
whom his property was given by the Regent
had turned lIamiltOn's wife out Of her home,
unclothcd, and in wild and stormy night
and that the poor woman had died in conse-
quence of this cruel treatment.
San what's Hamilton sayin' to that 2"
inquired one Of the party.
"They say he's in an awfu' takin about it"
replied the first speaker, can threatenin'
vengeance. RIGHT an left, particularly against
the Regent
al think little wonder OF" said another
of the party. ats shameful business, and
aneuch to make ony man desperate.
"But is't true!" here inquired another.
The reply to thisqucstion came from very
unexpected quarter; it came from the stran-
ger, who, starting ficrcely to his feet, and
stretching towards the company with a look
and gesture Of great excitement, exclaimed
=" Yes, gentlemen, true it is-true us God
is in heavcn-true in every particular! An
eternal monument to the justice and Glenn
ency of the tyrant, Murray! The wife Of
Bothwellhaugh was turned naked out of her
own house in cold and bitter night, and
died Of bodily suffering and broken heart.
She did--she did. But'-and the stranger
ground his teeth and clenched his fist as he
pronounced the word" there will be day
Of count and reckoning The vengeance, the
deadly vengeance Of ruined, deeply injured
and desperate man will yetovertake the ruth
less, reinorselcss tyrant."
Having thus delivered himself, the stran-
ger again retired to his former place, rescated
himself, and relapscd into his former silence;
although the deep aud labored respiration
of recent excitement, which he could not
subdue, might still be distinctly heard even
from the flrthest end Of the apartment.
II was some time after the stranger had
retired to his place before the company felt
disposed to resume their conversation. The
incident which had just occurred, the energy
with which the stranger had spoken, and the
extreme excitement he had eyinced, had had
the effect of throwing them all into that
silent and reflective mood which the sudden
display Of anything surprising or interesting
is so apt to produce even in our merriest
and most thoughtlcss moments.
AT length, however, the chill gradually
wore off; the conversation was resumed, at
FIRST in an under tone, and by fits and starts !;
by aud by il became more continuous, and
finally began to flow with all It's original
volume and freedom. No more allusion,
however, was made by any Of the party to
the case Of Bothwelihaugh. This was a
subject to which, after what had taken place,
none seemed to care about returning. Nei-
ther did the stranger evince any desire to
hold farther correspondence with the revel-
lcrs; but, on the contrary, appeared anxious
to avoid il; nay, one might almost have sup
posed that he regretted having obtruded
himself upon them at all, and that he could
have wished that what he had uttered In
an unguarded moment had remained unsaid.
Be this as il may, however, he sought no
farther intercourse with the party, but, hav-
ing hastily dispatched the supper which was
placed before him, and finished his measure
Of wine, he glided unobserved out Of the
apartment, and, conducted by his host, re-
tired to the sleeping chamber which had
been appointed for him.
On the following morning, the stranger,
whowas s9journing ut the Stag and Hounds,
went out to transact, as he told his landlord,
some business in the town; saying, besides,
that he would not probably return till even
ing. 9
Strongly impressed by the manner and
appearance Of his guest, and not little awed
by his grim and fierce aspect, the landlord
could not help following him to the door
when he departed, and furtiyely looking
after him as he stalked down the main street
Of the town, and much, as he looked at him,
did he marvel what sort Of business Il could
be he was going about. This, however, was
a point on which the worthy man had no
means Of cnlightening himself, and he was
therefore obliged to be content with the priv
ilegc Of muttering some expressions Of the
wonder he felt.
In the meantime, the stranger had turned
an angle Of the street and disappeared-at
least from the view Of the landlord Of the
Stag and Hounds. Not from ours; forwe
shall follow and keep sight Of him, and en-.
dcavor to make out what he was so curious
to know.
Having passed about half way down the
main street Of the town. the former sud
denly halted before a largo unoccupied house
with balcony in front Il was residence
Of the Archbishop Of st. Andrews. Stand
ing in fruit Of this house, the stranger
seemed to scan it with earnest scrutiny. lie
looked from window to window with the
most cautious and deliberate vigilance, and
appeared to be noting carefully their various
nights and positions. While pursuing this
inquiry, he might also have been frequently