The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1874-07-30

HaaN Nf.aN..t AANt atfHHAa q" tHhfF " AfAtFFN
unreasonable, lor DaHgan had tiono hog
grieYous wrong. lie had seen bis be-
ibtothcd Ia earnest conversation with the
laird ol Fcrniohurst lor an hoar together
lu tbc gloaming. lie had not hecu able
60 0verheBr their words as they paced
the burnside, but ho had seen Fernlehurst
put into her hands something made Of
gold which glliterod brightly ia the
mooDIigh that he was certain and
then speed away, while Elise put the
love token iu her bosom aud took the
path to their old lrYstiug-pIa.e By the
we'll As II nothing bad happuod
Aye. 50! thought Duncan; she thinks
TO meet me thorc, and so boguile me
with her hue words while She has Foruie-
bursts loye-tokcu resting on her very
heart. But she shall hear my mind on it
ere we part.
Aud 30 It came to pass that when Elise
iu the innocence OF her heart ca,no gayly
forward to meet her lover, she was as
sailed by a torrent Of accusations aud re-
proachcs. Elsie answered him coldly
aud storny, with a face that CLEANED
white as marble in the moonlight,
Duncan Scott, ye have dared to lightly
meme, llalbert of Craig ends duugh-
ter--on whose fair name no man nor
woman ever breathed before. And
wherefore Because you saw me in talk
with my foster brother, as near OF kin to
me as my own brother. Ii were TO tell
my father or my brothers, OF Fernehurst
himself what you have said, no hole in
Craigbun moss would be deep enough
to hide you from their wrath. But
wish you no I'LL. You may 90 youl own
gate aud keep your own counsel, but
never dare, by day or by night, to speak
to me again With that she drew from
her finger her bethrothal ring, aud throw
ing il on the ground at his feet, she
passed from him like shadow and was
gone,
This quarrel had taken place week
since, and not once had Duncan found a
chance to speak to Elise alone. This
evening, however, believing him to be
still at work in the harvest field, she had
yenturcd once more to the well for water
and here Duncan had surprised her and
pleaded his cause, unsucccssfully as we
have heard.
The well was hidden in little recess
OF the hills, behind a great projecting
crag. As Elise turned round this erag,
she uttered a vehement exclamation of
surprise aud terror, and casting away her
pitcher with little regard for its safety,
she started to run down the steep path
which led to the burnside. Duncan ar
rived little later, and stood for mo-
ment rooted to the spot. A sorrowful
procession had entered the valley at its
lower end, and was vending its way to-
ward the tower. Foremost came Am
brose Of Craig-end, supporting on a
weary and travcl-worn horse, an elderly
lady who seemed ready to drop from her
seat. Three or four men and women fol.
lowed on foot, carrying some bundles APP
parently snatched up in haste, and finally
came Davie, mounted on another horse,
his arm and head bound up with many q
bloody stain on horse and armor. Dun
can delayed not long, but descending the
brae like a wild buck, he joined the
party just as it passed the door of the
tower, where old Halbert apprised of its
approach, was already standing.
Alack and woes me! exclaimed the
old man. My dear and honorcd lady has
come to this?
Even as you see, my good friend, ans.
wered the lady sadly.
But how? But when?
Dacre, with his Englishmen, came up.
on us at daybreak, answered the lady oi
Fcrniehurst, Our men fought bravcly
none could do better; but the enemy
were in overwhelming force. Ny son is
a prisoner; most OF our brave kinsmen
and servants arc saiH, aud there Is not
left one stone upon another at Fernie.
hurst. But for these, your brave sons,
had not been here TO tell the tale, and !
fear that Dayie is wounded to death
lie could never die better, answered
the old man, giving his hand to the lady
whom Ambrose had by this time lifted
from her horse. You are most welcome,
lady, to my roof which may be safer in
these times than many lordly hall. The
English will scarce win this length, and
II they do, there arc the caves in the bill
to which we may retreat til the storm be
oyerpast
All was now hustle ia aud around the
little tower. The best accommodation
afforded was hastily provided for the old
lady Of Ferniehurst and her women,
while the men found A scarce rougher
shchcr in The barns aud 0utnOuses. a
sheep was quickly killed aud dressed the
hurts Of the wounded were attended to,
aud some degree Of quiet began 10 be
restored, when Elise, passing from tho
house TO the eow.shed, came upon Dan.
can Scott, bringing IN with his own man,
Iy hands tie fail pals OF milk
have sorted .he cows for you, Elise,
said be-, hunblY enough.
Many thanks; bat you need ma have
asbed yourself, was tie lofty answer.
Elise, will nothing | eau DO win yout
forgiveness asked Duncan.
Aye, answered Elise, turning swiftly
upon him. Bring back my foster brother
TO bic mothers arms-my foster brother
.-8.. sr-.- F-f.... T.saaa-s.F.r