Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1874-07-06

the place afforded was hastily provided
for the old lady of Ferniehurst and her
women, while the men found scarce
rougher shelter in the barns and out
houses. A sheep was quickly killed and
dressed, the hurts of the wounded were
attended to, and some degree of quiet
began to be restored, when Elsie. pass
ing from the house to the cow-shed,
came upon Duncan Scott, bringing in
with his own manly hands the full pals
of milk.
81 have sorted the cows for you, El-
sic, said he. humbly enough.
"Mony thanks but you need ma
have flashed yourself" was the answer.
"Elsie, will nothing l can do win
your forgiveness ?" asked poor Duncan.
"Aye !" answered Elsie, turning
swiftly upon him. Bring back my fos-
ter-brother to his mothers arms-my
foster brother, who was taken bravely
fighting while you were hiding here,
and l will forgive you
As soon as the words were spoken,
Elsie wished them unsaid She knew
that they were cruelty unjust and un-
kind that Duncan had stayed at home
solely that he might help her father to
secure their scanty harvest Of oats. She
knew that no braver man than Duncan
ever came of the name of Scott. But she
was too proud to take back her words,
and she passed on. She returned in half
an hour to see her rejected lover stand
ing in the same place and attitude in
which she had left him. She would have
passed, but he laid a OBTAINING hand on
her arm.
"Elsie !'' said he, in voice which
trembled at first but grew stronger as he
proceeded. "Elsie, we are now even, for
if called you an i'll name, as I did to
my shame, you have evened me to cow
ard. You bid me bring back your fos-
ter-brother. l will bring him back or
never return more Fare you we'll, and
if you never again hear of Duncan of
Eldin, think that he is dead, and that
he died blessing YOU
Before she could answer, if, indeed,
she had made up her mind what to say,
he had kissed her forehead and was gone.
The next morning Duncan was missing.
A shepherd on the hills had seen him
early in the morning striding down the
glen. Day after day passed, and yet he
did not return.
- - 81 - u -
Surry was still encamped near jed
burgh. Daere had just returned from
his successful foray, after three or four
days absence, bringing great store of
booty in sheep and cattle, and many
prisoners, among them the lord of Fer
niehurst, a near kinsman of Buccleugh,
and a prize of no mean value Lord Da-
Gre had not chosen to join his forces to
those of Surry, but lay encamped on the
hillside at some little distance, the
horses of his troop being together in a
field close at hand, and under proper
guard The prisoners, carefully watch
ed, occupied tent by themselves. Lord
Dacre himself, having left everything in
perfect security, was supping with the
Admiral Thomas Timms, keeping watch
over the aforesaid horses, was listening
to the adventures of his bosom friend
and boon companion, John Davis, who
had been out with the marauding party,
when he suddenly made the latter sig
nal for silence.
"What now % asked the latter, in a
low tone.
'Didst ever hear that the men of
these parts had horns like a hart 2" ask
ed Thomas Timms, in somewhat trcm-
ulous whisper.
mo what means that fool ors-question p
Because here in the last five minutes
have l seen a pair of horns raised above
yon wall, and the last time there was a
mans head under them-and there
again Jack, the devil is among US %
"More likely some Scotch spy" an
swered the more valiant Davis. 81 will
try if his devilship's hide will turn a
cloth yard shaft Where did you see
him ?''
"Over right the thorn wonderland
there-see, by the thorn wonderland
again"
Davis raised his bow and fitted his
arrow, but before he could draw it to a
head, a wild yell rose from the quarter
to which his attention was directed, and
three or four wild-looking figures with
horns and other strange disguises sprang
into the inclosure The horses, terrified
by the strange sight and sound, burst
away in a body, and rushing headlong
through the camp and down upon Surry'
quarters, swept all before them in indis.
criminate confusion. 1.-The Scots - was
the cry. Arrows and guns were dis.
charged at random, still more alarming
the maddened horses, which ran through
the camp overwhelming beasts and men,
and finally disappearing in the darkness.
1t was long ere order was restored, and
| when things were once more quiet q sad