Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-09-10

burn side, but he had seen Ferniehurst
put into her hands something made OF
gold which glittered brightly in the moon
light--of that he was certain-and then
speed away, while Elsie put the love-
token in her bosom and took the path to
their old trystinc-pl by the well as il
nothing had happened.
AYE, sol" thought Duncan; "she
thinks to meet me there, and beguile me
with her fine words while she has Fernie-
bursts fine love-token resting on her very
heart. But she shall hear my mind on 1t
ere we part
And so it came to pass that when Elsie
in the innocence of her heart, came gayly
forward to meet her lover, she was as
sailed by torrent of accusation and
reproaches. Elsie answered HIM coldly
and sternly, with face that cleaned
white as marble in the moonlight:
Duncan Scott, ye have dared to light
ly meme, Halbert Of Craig-end's daugh-
ter-on whose fair fame no man nor wo-
man ever breathed before. And where
fore Because you saw me in talk with
my foster brother, as near a kin to me as
mine own brother. If / were to tell my
father or my brothers, or Ferniehurst HIM
self what you have said. no hole in Craig
burn moss would be deep enough to hide
you from their wrath But wish you no
i'll. You may go your own gate and keep
your own counsel, but never dare, by day
or by night, to speak to me again" With
that she drew from her finger a betrothal
ring, and throwing it on the ground at his
feet. she passed from him like a shadow
and was gone.
na1 fol- y,lann xypnt
since, and not once had Duncan found a
chance to. speak to Elsie alone. This
evening, however, believing him to be
still at work in the harvest-field, she had
ventured once more 10 the we'll for water.
and here Duncan had surprised her and
pleaded his cause, unsuccessfuly as we
have heard.
The we'll was hidden in little recess Of
the hills, behind great projecting crag.
As Elsie turned round this crag. she ut
tered vhement exclamation of surprise
and terror, and casting away her pitcher
with little regard for its safety, she start
ed to run down the steep path which led
to the burnside. Duncan arrived little
and stood for moment rooted to the spot.
A sorrowful procession had entered the
valley at its lower end, and was vending
its way toward the tower. Foremost came
Ambrose of Craig.end, supporting on
weary, travel worn horse an elderly lady
who seemed ready to drop from her seat.
Three or four men and women followed
on foot, carrying some bun
dies apparently snatchedup in haste, and
finally came Davic. mounted on another
horse, his arm and head bound up, with
many bloody stains on, horse and armor.
Duncan delayed not long, but descending
the brae like wild buck he joined the
party just as it passed before the door of
the tower, where old Herbert, apprised of
its approach, was already standing.
"Alack and woes mel" exclaimed the
old man. "My dear and honored lady,
has it come to this Pr
Even as you see, my good friend" an
swered the lady sadly.
"But how But when ?"
"Dacre, with his Englishmen, came up
on US at daybreak," answered the lady of
Ferniehurst "Our men fought bravely,
none could do better; but the enemy were
in overwhelming force. My son is pris-
0ner most of our brave kinsmen and SER
wants are slain, and there is not left one
stone upon another at Ferniehurst. But
for these, your brave sons. l had been
here to tell the tale, and fear that Davie
is wounded to DEATH"
TCONTINUED TOMORROW.