Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-07-17


if to beat back some burst Of angry indigna-
ton. But the flush faded the next moment
and a shudder shook her from head to foot.
for Neil came in from the hill. and rs 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 ike knotted cords, and the strong
teeth set hard in the neither lip. She saw
this. and even then her heart sank with and
underlined fear, but it was not until some
days afterwards, when the hraes were ring
ing with the mysterious disappearance Of
Mel Lesley, that the full significance of that
look was revealed To her.
Many and various were the reports circu-
lated. until by the expiration of four DAYS
they all settled down into one strong Judy
ment against Nel-a Judgment which llelen's
outburst Of grief and pale stricken face un-
Willingly strengthened and it was firmly be-
lieved that Neil, having won her love, had
grown tired Of her, and. 70 rid himself of her
and his debt Of gratitude TO her father. at
once. had made moonlight fitting. Dun
can openly took little part in all that was
said. 50 much SO. that those busy people who
are always. in all ranks, looking after their
neighbors' affairs, began to hold him up as
an example Of unseltsh generosity. There
was one, however, to whom his silence had a
different signifcati0n, and that was Helen.
who, from the day the alarm was given, had
remembered that afternoon when she saw, as
plainly ar if written in black and white the
hatred unto death, stamped in Duncan face,
She alone, watching as none other could.
heard the impatient manner OF speech and
saw the strange look that had come upon the
mans face and a horrible suspicion and
dread filed her mind, harder to bear than all
the cruel things raised against Niels
character. There was one ray Of comfort
lelt-a colley dog she had given Mel had dis
appeared the same day he was missed. He
must be alive if Mos. was with HIM; and IL
he had run away. as the people said. he would
scarcely take such q continual sting % his
conscience as the faithful dog must be. 50.
in spite of the deadly fears, that would at
times oyerwhelm her, Helen held fast hv
hope. hiding her anxiety as lest she could
bv getting amongst the hills, and wandering
about where she would meet no one % ritv
or c0niole with her.
The fifth day had come it was a busy time
too. for they were gathering the locks OF the
hills. previous to the shooting season. and So
it came about that Helen fell in with flock
in a onely pass on the road To Ben Ledi, and
eager TO escape the shepherds, she >cnhbed
up the banks and hid herself among the
wnins.
Down the PASS came the sheep. filling the
air with their voices. stopping now and then
u snatch momthful Of heather. Presently
gaucing away 10 the hill side Helen caught
sight of dog bounding over scaur and bush
but not until 1t WAS nearer. and diverted By
the sounds in the glen. had turned aside and
taken It's stand upon a rock along the foot Of
which the sheep were passing, did she rccog-
nze her Old colley, the very Moss she had
given Mel. Ilelens heart leaped % her
mouth as she leaned forward 20 watch the
dog, who, falling into his old trade. stood
yeping and bowling over the flock, waking
every echo in the pass and rousing perfect
storm of bleatine.
Helen tried to whistle, but her lips were
shaking and dry. Then she called him by
name The dog came rushing up 10 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 We're
binding her, she saw that blue ribbon was
-
amongst the thick wool. Helen recognized
the ribbon, it had once been hers; and she
knew no hand but Neil's could have tied it
there. and. But suddenly she ceased think
ing. She had unfastcncd the string. and
found a little bit of white calico, and read on
it, written in blood, the words, '' Help
Ricver's Crag.'
Helen cannot tell to this day how she got
home but in little more than haitian hour
the clachan was deserted, and men and wo-
man We're all on the way to the RIcyer's
Cag, barren rock among the mountains.
and from which it was said a Cumberland
ricver had been flung in the old days. The
miles Of moss and muirland were soon crossed
and by evening Mel Lesley was rescued from
a living death, and safe, but not sound. at
Tam McGregor's. Sound, poor lad. they
whispered he never would be again.
He had slipped over the Crag. and in 20
ing down had caught at a whin-bush which
checked the impetus OF his descent, and ms
tead Of going to the bottom of the cleft he
had fallen on a ledge Here Moss had fol-
lowed, but it was the fourth day before he
could get the faithful dog to leave him and
bear home tidings that might save him ''
such was the account Mel gave, and such
was the story that met Duncan as he came
home from Callander, whittier he lad gone
early in the day.
Time passed on, and the shooting season
brought many n visitor to Tam's cottage. for
Niel's story was the romance of the wear.
He was still unable to walk, but his health
was all righ', and the doctors said he might
get strong again in time Mel never COM
planned, nor cuuld he, with such a nurse as
Helen auttering round him, propping him up
with fragrant pillows stuffed with fresh-gath-
cred heather and bracken, gathered, too, by
the little hands that We're so strong and ready
with their labor Of love. Ii was only when
pain kept him restless at night that the
thought of being cripple for life crushed
him, and brought out all the training given
him 10y good mother and the staunch re-
lgious feeling inherent in almost every Scot
ush heart. the spirit that gave the world
what Alexander Pcden called :" the praying
iolk' who carried their religion triumphant
" through those terrible days when a bloody
scanod was thought good shelter.
II was nearly month since the day Mel
had been carried home from the CIag. Night
had lust come, sull, warm. and almost like
twilight. lam was smoking his pipe ure-
paratOry 20 his early bed time. The women
folk were knitting, and Mel. lavino upon a
couch the laird's sister had sent him. was
reading "Rob Roy aloud. much To Tam's
perplexitv, who interrupted many times with
denunciations against the text. suddenly the
open doorway was darkened, and Duncan
stood in the doorway.
Welcome. lad, = cried Tam. ''Ne're jist
in time to hear the hayers the bulk folk pit
in prent aboot the M'Gregors. Read that
again, Mel, that whar he says
But Duncan interrupted him
Il didna cross the door to hear lees read.
| cam To speak aboot lee, to tell ye' and
his voice grew louder and hoarser as he
spake-''to tell ye that ane ye liked well is a
leer. We're a frien's here" he said, with
4 different voice, looking round.
.'Ay, aye, man. Sit doom" said Tam,
taking his pipe out of his mouth, and turn
ing to have better look at Duncan. "Why
what ails ye, man p
''Mickle ails me, Tam M'Gregor, and can
ON greusome erand. hae come TO tax
ava ye're faith in a man evermair, and to
shame a hypocrite wi the fair truth.
Helen laid down her knitting and drew
near Mel. Tam glanced at him too. Niel's
face was crimson, and his eyes, all dilated
and eager, stared up at the great wild-look-
int man glowering down upon him, who went
onspeakipg.
- Mel says he slippet doom the Crag. lie
: didna slip An enemy"
&" Stop him, Helen - shouted Mel. trv-