The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-06-21

never complained, nor could he, with
such nurse rs Helen hut 'ering round
him, propping him up with fragrant
pillows stuffed with fresh gathered
heather and bracken, gathered, too,
by the little hands that were so strong
and ready with their labor of love.
1t was only when pain kept him rest
less, at night, shat the thought of
being cripple for life crushed him,
and brought out all the training
given him by good mother, and the
stauch religious feeling inherent in
almost every Scottish heart. the spirit
that gave the world what Alexander
Peden called "the praying folk,
who carried their religion triumph
antly through those terrible DAYS
when bloody scatfold was thought q
good shelter.
1t was nearly month since the
day Mel had been carried home
from the Crag. Night had just come,
still, warm, and almost like twilight.
Tam was smoking his pipe prepara-
tory to his early bedtime, the women
folk were knitting, and Mel, living
upon II couch the laird's sisters had
sent him, was reading ''Rob Roy"
aloud, much to Tams perplexity,
who interrupted many times with
denunciations against the text. Sud
denly the open doorway was dark
cned, and Duncan stood in the en-
try.
"Wclcome lad, cried Tam. "Ye're
jist i'll time to hear the hayers they
bulk folk pit in prcnt aboot the
MGregors. Read that again, Mel,
that whar he says"
But Duncan interrupted him.
Il didna cross the door to hear
less read. cam to speak aboot Il
lee, to tell ye'-and his voice grow
louder and hoarser as he spoke
''to tell ye that ane yc liked weel
Is a lcer. We're a frien's here" he
said, i'll Il different voice, looking
round.
CAY, ay, man. Sit down." said
Tam, taking his pipe out of his
mouth, and turning to have better
look at Duncan. why, what ails
yo man?"
'Mickle ails me, Tam M'Gregor,
and cam on grOusome crrand. l
hac come to tax ava yc're faith in
man for evermair, and to shame q
hypocrite wi the fair truth"
Helen laid down her knitting and
drew nearer Mel; Tam glanced ut
him too. Niel's face was crimson,
and his eyes, all dilated eager, stared
up at the great Withholding man
glowering down upon him, who went
on speaking.
"Niel says he slippet doom the
Crag. He didna slip. An enemy"
stop him, Helen" shouted Mel,
trying to get up, but failing, lie
pushed the girl towards Duncan.
Stop him, for Gods sakel The
lads mad. He doesn't know What
he's saying. Don't listen to him,
Tam. He's Il fine fellow, and you all
hear me say it. Duncan, man, shake |
hands with me, and do go quietly
away, and let well alone"
Duncan's S answer was to drop down
upon his knees by Niel's side, and,
covering his face with his hands, sob
aloud.
"Na, Ia, Mel, I Gamma let alane.
[ maum tell them. Let me bidc,
lad; it's the tittcst place. And whan
L hae your forgiveness I'll gang on
my knees to the Almighty; but L
Gamma ask Him till 1 hae confessed
my sin"
"Well, let me tell it, Duncan"
said Mel, gently laying his hand
upon the kneeling mans shoulder.
"No." cried the other, sternly;
"I'll no get the warst. Tam and
Helen, L ana murderer, or as bad,
for had the thocht in my heart to
take his life. Mel cut me oft wi
you, Nelly. Mad wi jealously, L
said we'd gang to the Reiver's Crag
and fight, and the best man shall
win We. Mel wad hardly gang till
l telt him I'd ca him through the
for a coward, and then
he went. But whan 1 got to the top
of the Crag the diel got possession
O me, and catchin' him unaware
hurled him over, thinking deed men
tell nae tales. 1 never thocht O. the
colley. Whan L hcered tell he
was fund, [ was like to gang
mad. Every fut / thocht was a
polls; but Whan the days passed,
and Mel never tauld, it was war
than a. The hot burnin' Goals were
hcaped on my heed, burnin' and
smotherin' j. the brain, tell this
cleaning the thocht cam to make
clean breest, and than gang ava
1vbor I'll npvpI 600 81 lnn,nI fooo