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

But the flush faded the next momenss,
and q asshudder shook her from head
to foot; for Mel came in from the
hill, and as he turned the corner of
the hedge, and Duncan's eyes fell
upon him, Helen saw the thick black
brows. drawn passionately together,
the big veins start like knotted cords,
and the strong teeth set hard in the
neither lip. She saw this, and even
then her heart sank with an unde-
fined fear; but it was not until some
days afterwards, when the braes were
ringing with the mysterious disap-
pearance of Mel Lesley, that the full
significance of that look was revealed
to her.
CHAPTER II.
Many and various were the reports
circulated, until, by the expiration of
four days, they all settled down into
one strong Judgment against Niel-a
judgment which Helen's outburst Of
grief and pale-strickcn face unwit-
tingly strengthened; and it was firmly
! believed that Mel, having won her
love, had grown tired of her, and, to
rid himself of her and his debt of
gratitude to her father at once, had
made a moonlight fitting. Duncan
openly took little part in all that was
said, so much so that those busy pco-
PIE who are always, in all ranks, look
ing after their ncighbors' affairs, be-
gan to hold him up as an example of
unselfish generosity. There was one,
however, to whom his silence had n
different Specification, and that was
Helen, who, from tho day the alarm
was given, had remembered that af-
ternoon when she saw, as plainly rs
if written in black and white, tho
hatred unto death stamped in Dun
cans face. She alone, watching rs
mono other could, heard the impa-
tlent manner of speech and saw the
strange look that had come upon the
mans face; and horrible suspicion
and dread filled her mind, harder to
bear than all the cruel things raised
against Niers character. There was
one small ray of comfort left-a col
ley dog she had given Mel had dis
appeared the same day he was missed.
He must be alive, if Moss was with
him; and if he had run away, as the
people said, would scarcely take such
continual sting to his conscience rs
the faithful dog must be. SO, in spite
of the deadly fears that would, at
times, overwhelm her, Helen held
fast by hope, hiding her anxiety as
best she could by getting aw'.y
amongst the hills, and wandering
about where she would meet no one
to pity or condole with her.
The fifth day had come; it was
busy time, too, for they were gather
ing the tlocks off the hills previous
to the shooting season; and so it
came about that Helen fell in with
flock in lonely pass on the road to
Ben Ledi, and, eager to escape the
shepherds, she scrambled up the
banks, and hid herself among the
whins.
Down the pass came the sheep, fill
ing the air with their voices, stopping
now and then tos snatch Il mouthful
of heather. Presently, glancing away
to the hillside, Helen caught sight Of
n dog, bounding down over scaur and
bush; but not until it was nearer,
and, diverted by tho sounds in the
glen, had turned aside and taken its
stand upon q rock, along the foot of
which the sheep were passing, did
she recognize her old colley, the very
Moss she had given Mel. Helen's
heart leapt to her mouth, asshe leant
forward to watch the dog, who, fall
ing into his old trade, stood yelping
and howling over the flock, waking
every echo in the pass, and rousing
perfect storm of bleating
Helen tried to whistle, but her lips
were shaking and dry. Then she
called him by name. The dog came
rushing up to her, and was soon
whining at her side, licking her hands
and face. AS soon as she could see
anything clearly through the tears
that were binding her, she saw that
Il blue ribbon was tied round Moss's
neck, nearly hidden amongst the
thick wool. Helen recognized the
ribbon; it had once been hers, and
she knew no hand but Niel's could
have tied it there, and. But sud-
denly she ceased thinking. She had
unfastened the string, and found n
little bit of white calico, and read on
it, written i'll the words, "HeLp. Reiu-
er'S Crag."
Helen cannot tell to this how she
got home; but, n little more than
half an hour, the clachan was de-
serted, and men and women were all
on their WaV to the Reiyol's Croor ~