Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1867-06-26


was not until some days afterwards, when the Braes
were ringing with the mysterious disappearance Of
Neil Lesley, that a full significance Of that look
was revealed 10 her.
Many and various were the reports circulated.
until by the expiration OF four days they an settled
down into one strong judgment against Nei-i
judgment which lI'lens outburst of grief and pale
stricken face unwiuingy strengthened; and twas
firmly believed that Neil, having won her love,
had grown tired of her and. 20 rii himself of her
and his debt of gratitude o. her father 40 once had
made a moonlight atting. Duncan openly took
li'tle part 10 all that was said, so mleh Sd, that
those people who always, in all ranks, looking
after fhsr neighbors affairs. began 90 hold him
mp as an example Of unseldih generosity. There
was one, however. to whom his silence had DIFF
ierent ignii alton, and that was Helen. who from
the day ths alarm wl, given, Ia rem 'm5sred that
afternoon when she saw, plainly if written in
black and white, the hatred unto death stamped in
/ Duncans face. She alone, watching as none 9TH
/ er could, heard tha inpatient manner of speech
and saw the strange look that hal come upon the
mans face and horrible suspicion and dread filled
her mind, harder 20 bear than all the cruel things
raised against Mods character. There was one
small ray of comfort leG.-1 colley dog sh- bad
given Neil hal d'sappearel the same day be- was
missed. lie must be alive il Moss was with him;
ani it he had run away as the people said, he
would scarcely take such a continual sting 90 his
conscience as the faithful dog must be-. So. in
spite OF the deadly fears that wouli at tunes over
wulelm her, Helen held last by hope, hiding her
anxiety as best she could by getting away amIngs.
the hills, and wandering about where She wol,l
meet no one 20 pity or conlole with her
The fijh day had come; 10 was a busy time too.
for they were gathering the hjcks Oft the hills
previous 30 the shooting season, and SO it GYMS
about that Helen fell in with tl1 sS in a lonely
pass on the ROAD TO Ben Led, and, eager o. es-
cape the shepherd, she scrambled up the banks
ami hil herself among She whins.
Down the pass came the sheep, filling the air
with eirvoices, stopping now aud then 90 snatch
mouthill Of heather. Presently, glancng away
10 the hillside, Helen caught sight Of dog bom l.
ing down over scaur and bush; but not until it
was nearer and diverted by the sounds OF the glen
hal turoei aside anI tax IN lis stand mon a ro,l
alonr the foot of which th, sheen ware pastn,
did She recognize her Old collsv. the very Moss
she had given Mel. Helen's heart leapt to her
mouth a., she leaned forward to watch the dog
which, falling iltl hi, Oil trade stool vaipinr All
bowling over ths a5ss. waxing every eeh5 IN the
pass. anl ror3iar a Derf-,t storm of bleltinr
Helen tried 90 whistle. but her lips wst. shaking
AMI dry. Then she called him by mana. rne
dog came rushing no to her. and WIS soon whin-
Ing by her side kissing her hands and face As
soon as she coad see anvtbin, clearly through the
tears thlt were bin ling her. -hs saw that blue
ribbon was tied round Mos5's neck, nearly hid len
amongst the thick wool Helen raeotnizel the
ribbon. it hal once been hers; ani She knew no
hand but Nisrs could have ptesl IL there, and
- but SUD ienlv she ceased thinking She
had untisteuei the string. aud fonnd a little Bit of
white calico and read ou it, written in blood, the
words " HsfDi Rsissr's C-agn
Helen cannot tell TO this dtv how She got hone:
but in little more than half an hour tie clachin
was deserted. and nan aud women were au on
their wiy TO R.iver's Graz. a barren rock am1nr
the m3uatiins. from whici i, was slid c lmbsr-
land rsiyer had been alnr in the Old d.ys The
miles of moss and mairlul wsrs som crossed.
and bv evening Mel Lesley was rescued from
living death. anil safe, but not sound. AZ Tam NJ
G-sgors S1unl NOR l,1l they ,gbisn.r.d be
would never be astin
"H, hlI sIjp,sl over the Crar. and ia goinr
dlwh hal eau yhl at whin-bnsi, ,,hirn rnesxsi
the impetus of his dlsceut, an Instead of going
to thu bottom of fhe cleft h. had flllsn on ledge
Here Mos had followed him, bnt it was the fourth
day before h. could gs the faithful ami ui to leave
h'n, aud bslr some hdings that might save
him"
Such was the account Mel gave, anl such was
the story that mst Duncan as h. returned fclm
Chlpdlr, whittier he had gole early in the day.
Time passed on. and che shooting season
brought many visitor to Tam, cottage, for Niers
story was the romance OF the year lie was still
unable to walk. but hts health was all right, and
the doctors said he might get along again in time
Mel never complained, nor could he with such
a nurse nj Helen Auttering round him pr1pping
him up with trtg'ant pillows stuff II with fresh
gathered heather ani bracSen, gathered, too, by
the ltle hands that we're 50 strong aud ready with
their labor OF love. 10 was only when pain kept
him restless at night that tue though, Of being a
cripple for life crushed him and brought out all
the training given by good mother. aul the
stinch religious feeling Inherent in almost every
Scottish heart, the spirit thai gave the world what
Alexander Peien called the praying folk" who
carried their religion triumphintly through those
terrible days when bloody scafold WAS thoughta
good shelter
+ 1t was nearly month since the day Mel had
been carried home from the Cag nj ght had
Just come, still, warm and almost ike twilight
Tam was smoking his pipe. preparatory to his car
~ bedtime, the women folk were knitting, aud
Mel, lying upon a couch the lairds sister ha sent
him, was reading " Rob Roy aloud, much to
Tams perplsxty who interrupted many times
with denuaeiations against the text. Sad euly
the open doorway darkened, and Duncan stood in
the entry.
Welcome, lai' cried Tam. " Ie're jist in
time to hear the hiyers they nix folk pit in prent
aboot the NrGregors. Read that again, Mel, that
where he says"
But Duncan interrupted him.
81 didna cross the door TO hear lees read.
cam TO speak about lee, 20 tell yen-anl his
voice grew louder and hoarser as he spoSe-'to