The workingman's advocate., 1870-11-05
TALES OF THE B0KDERs
THE KATHERAN.
az ALsNAsDER CAMPBELL.

The objections of the party, however,
were politely, but peremptorily ovcrruled
by their guide, who reconciled them to bis
determination Of escorting them, by re-
IL king that, without his assistance, they
wor never find their way amongst the
hills, and that, moreover, be was going at
an, rate several miles in the very direction
in which their route lay. These assurances,
particularly the latter, left no room Sor
farther debate, and the party proceeded on
their way; the guide and Ellen, as before,
leading the march. But, as it was row
daylight when any little chance distance
that might occur between the parties was Of
less consequence and less attended to, they
were always much farther in advance than
on the preceding night; indeed. frequently
so far as to be for a considerable time out
Of sight Of their companions. In this pro.
ceeding, Ellen had, of course, no share
whatever. 1t was solely the result of
certain little course OF management on the
part Of her escort, who availed himself of
every opportunity of widening the distance
between lis fair companion and the other
members Of the party. 1t was on one of
these occasions, when the lovers-for we
may now without hesitation call them such
bad turned the shoulder Of a hill which
Ellen's guide knew, calculating from the
distance which the party were behind,
would conceal them from the view of the
latter for a considerable time-it was on
this occasion, we say, that no suddenly
seized Ellen by the hand, and, ere she was
aware, hurried it to bis lips but, as quick
ly resigning it
"Ellen," he said, looking up to her with
an expression Of tenderness and contrition
that instantly disarmed the gentle girl Of
the resentment into which the freedom he
had just taken Lad for an instant betrayed
her-"forgive me-will you forgive me
That cursed impetuosity Of temper-the
failing of my race, Ellen-has hurried me
into an imp-opriety. have ctFended you.
| see it-but do forgive me.
Son condition that you do not attempt
to repeat it" said Ellen, smiling, though
there was evidently much agitation in her
maoner.
! 81 promise, replied the offender. A
pause ensued, during which neither spoke
At length, Ellen's guide, who seemed to
have been struggling with somo powerful
and oppressive motion, suddenly, but gent
ly arrested the progress of the pony on
which she rode, and said, in voice altered
in tone by intensity of feeling
"Enen, | wish to God we had never
metz t-.
"Wby should you entertain such wish %
inquired Ellen, timidly, and blushiDg as she
spoke.
because then | had not been broken
hearted" said her companion, with sigh
Il bad still retained my peGca Of mind
my step should st;ll have been light on the
heather, and my thoughts free and careles:
as the wind upon the mountains"
you speak in enigmas," replied Ellen
blushing deeper than before. II do moi
understand you" she added, but with a
manner that contradicted the assertion.
, Then | will be more plain with you,
Ellen" replied ber companion II love
you, ] love you, fair girl, to distraction"
( This declaration was too unequivocal to
} be evaded yet poor Ellen, though heI
heart responded to the sentiment, knew not
what reply to make in words. Her asita-
ton was extreme-so great as almost "a
impede her respiration.
1--WE are strangers, sir, she at length
said-''total strangers and sush language
as this should, if spoken at all, be spoken
only when it is warranted by longer and
mere intimate acquaintance. Ours is lit.
orally but Of yesterday, although you have
certainly crowded into that short space as
much Kindness as it would possibly admit
! Of; and and my friends are grateful for il
sincerely grateful. Still we are but stran-
, gers"
Strangers, Ellen. :" replied her lover,
getting more and more energetic and i'm
{ passioned as he spoke-''no, we are not
strangers-at least you are none to me.
From the first instant saw you. you we're
! no longer a stranger. From that instant,
you had home in this heart, and on
that instant you stood before me confess
ed one Of The loveliest and gentlest Of your
, sex. What more would an age Of acquain-
: tance have discovered What more is
4 there need to learn"
, At this instant, a shout from one o. the
gentlemen Of the party interrupted the en-
thusisstic speaker, and put an end, for the
! time, to the conversation Of the lovers The
call, however, that bad been made on theiI
attention by their friend, being merely in
! tended to intimate that they bad them 10
! view, Ellen's guide soon found another op
pOrtunity Of renewing bis suit. We do not,
however, think it necessary that We should
' renew a description Of tedious as the
E conversation Of all lovers is to third parties.
We shall only say, then, that, long ere Eli
len aud her handsome and accomplished
guide parted, the affections Of the simple,
confding girl were unalterably fixed
Whether they were happily disposed Of, the
sequel will show
After having crossed ''muirs and noun
tains mOHy o." Ellen and her lover arri 7ed
on the ridge Of hill, which commanded a
distinct, Though distant view Of the town o.
Bantf, when the latter suddenly stopped,
and-"Elen," be said, "here we must
. part. / can proceed no farther with you
but it viii 60 hard with me if I do not see
| you very soon again.
"Nay," said Ellen. ''since you have
a come SO far with us,you must 60 yet little
farther. You must 60 on to the town, and
afford us an opportunity Of acknowledging
the obligations under which we lie to you.
Nv father will be most happy to see you.
The expression Of a sudden pang crossed
the fine countenance of the stranger. Hit
lip quivered, and his brow contracted into
momentary gloom but, with what was ap
parently strong effort, he subdued the
feeling, whatever it was, which had caused
this indication of mental pain, and replied