The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-07-28

now. never nau Elsle SHOWN nersell SO
implaoable. Her anger was not wholly
unreasonable, for Duncan had done heI
grievous wrong. He had seen his be-
trothed in earnest conversation with the
laird Of Ferniehurst for an hour together
in the cleaning. He had not been able
20 overhear their words as they paced the
burnside, but he had seen Ferniehurst
put into her hands something made o.
gold. which glittered brightly in the
moonlight-of that he was certain AND
then speed away, while Elsie put the
love. token in her bosom and took the patti
to their old trysting-placo by the well a.
if nothing had happened
Aye, sol thought Duncan; she
thinks to meet me there, and to beguil,
me With her fine words while she ha
Ferniehurst's love.token on her very
heart. But she shall hear my mind Oh
it ere we part
And so it came to pass that when FL
sic, in the innocence of her heart, came
gaylv forward to meet her lover, she was
assailed by torrent of accusation and re
proaches. Elsie answered him coldly
and sternly, with face that CLEANED
white as marble in the moonlight.
Duncan Scott, ye have dared to light.
" speak of me-me Halbert Of Craig
ends 1aughter-on whose fair fame nc
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 born brother. If
were to tell my father or my brothers, or
Ferniehurst himself what you have said
no hole in Craigburn moss would be deep
enough to hide you from their wrath. But
l wish you no ill. You may go your own
gate aud keep your own counsel, but rev-
er dare, by day or by night, to speak to
me again With that she drew from her
betrothal ring, and throwing it on the
ground at his feet, she passed from him
like shadow and was gone.
This quarrel had taken place week
since. aud not once had Duncan found q
chance to speak to Elsie alone. This
evening, however, believing him to be
still at work in the harvest. field, she had
oentured once more to the well for water
and here Duncan had surprised her and
peladed his cause, uusucccssfully as VIC
have heard.
The well was hidden 10 little reces,
of the hills, behind great protesting
crag. AS Elsie turned round this crag
she uttered vehement exclamation o.
surprise and terror, and casting away hel
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 a mo
ment rooted to the spot A sorrowfu
procession had entered the valley at it.
lower end, aud was vending its way tow
ard the tower. Foremost came Ambrose
Of Craig-cnd, supporting on weary ano
travel.worn horse an elderly lady, wht
seemed ready to drop FROM her seat
Three or four men and women followed
on foot, carrying some bundles apparent
ly snatched up in haste, and inally came
Davie, mounted on mother horse his arm
and head bound up, with many a bloody
stain on horse and armor. Duncan de
layed not long. but, descending the brat
like wild buck, he joined the party jus
as it passed before the door Of the tower
where old Halbert, apprised of its ap.
proach, was already standing.
'Aack and woes me = exclaimed th'
old mau. My dear aud honored lady
has it come to this? p
Even as you see. my good friend an
swered the lady sadly.
But how ? But when p
'Dacrc, with his Englshmen, came up
on us at daybreak,' answered the lady o
Ferniehurst Our men fought 5ravely
none could do better; but the enemy
were in overwhelming force.
My son is prisoner most of our brav'
kinsmen aud servants are slain, aud there
is not left one stone upon another a
Ferniehurst. But for these, your brav'
sons, l had not been here to tell the tale
and fear that Davie is wounded t.
DEATH
He could never die better answere,
the old man, giving his hand to the lady
whom Ambrose had by this time lifted
from the horse. You arc most welcome
lady, to my roof, which may be safer il
these times than many lordly ball. Th
English will scarcely win this length, AM
if they do, there are the caves in the hill
to which we may retreat till the storm b
overpast.'
All was now hustle in and around tn
tower. The best accommodation the plac
afforded was hastily provided for the oil
lady Of Ferniehurst and her womeu ,whil
the men found scarce roughcr shelter il
the barns and outhouses. A sheep wa
quickly killed and dressed. the hurts o
the wounded were attended to, and SOM
degree OF quiet began to be restored ,whe
Elsie, passing from the house to the COW
shed, came upon Duncan Scott, bringing
in with his own manly hands the ful
pals OF milk.
Many thanks but you need ma hav
flashed yourself, was the lofty answer,
Elsie, will nothing | can do win you
forgiveness ? asked poor Duncan.
'Aye' answered Elsie, turning swift
upon him. Bring back my foster,broth
or to his mothers arms-my foster-broth
er, who was taken bravely fighting Will
you were hiding here, aud | will forgiv
you
AS soon us the words were spoken
Elsie wished them unsaid, She kne'
that they we're cruelty unjust and unkind
that Duncan had stayed at home sole
that he might help hcr father to secur
their scanty harvest of oats She kne'
that no braver man than Duncan eve
came Of the name of Scott. But she wa
too proud to take back her words, an
she passed on. She returned 10 hall "a
hour to SEQ her rejected lover standing i
the same place aud attitude 10 which sh
had left him. She would have passeC
but he laid OBTAINING hand on her aru
Elsie = said he. in voice which treu