Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1874-07-11

eu to run uoWh Ine steep pain Wnlcl
led to the burnside. Duncan or
rived a little later, and stood for 6
moment rooted to the spot. A sor
rowful procession had entered th'
valley at its lower end, and was nov
vending its way toward the tower
Foremost came Ambrose of Craig
end supporting on weary and
travel-wOrn horse, an elderly lady
who seemed ready to drop from hel
seat. Three or four men and wO
men followed on foot, carrying some
bundles apparently snatched up in
haste, and finally came Davie
mounted on another horse, his arm
and head bound up with many 6
bloody stain on horse and armor
Duncan delayed not long, but de
scending the brae like wild buck
he joined the party just as it passet
the tower, where old Halbert, ap
prised of it's approach, was already
standing.
"Alack and woes mel" exclaim
ed the old man.
"My dear and hOnored lady, has
1t come to this 2"
"Even as you see, my good friend,
answered the lady sadly.
"But how? But when 2"
"Dacrc, with his Englishmen
came upon us at daybreak," an
swered the lady of Ferniehnrst
"Our men fought bravely, none
coulddo better; but the enemy was
in overwhelming force. My son is
a prisoner; most of our brave kins
men and servants are slain, and
there is not left one stone upon an
other at Freniehurst. But for these
your brave sons, ! had not been
here to tell the tale, and I fear that
David is wounded to DEATH"
"He could never die BETTER" an
swered 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 a lordly hall. The Eng
lish will scarce win this length, and
if they do, there are the caves in
the hill to which we may retreat till
the storm be overpast."
All was now hustle in and around
the little tower. The best accom-
modation the place afforded was
hastily provided for the old lady of
Ferniehurst and her women, while
the men found q scarce rougher
shelter in the barns and outhouses.
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, passing from the house to the
COW shed, came upon Duncan Scott
bringing in with his own manly
hands the full pals of milk.
"I have sorted the cows for you,
Elsie,' said he humbly enough.
"Mony thanks; but you need ma
flashed YOURSELF" was the lofty an
swer.
-"Elsie, will nothing | can do win
your forgiveness p asked poor Dun
can.
"Ayc !" answered Elsie, turning
swiftly upon him. "Bring back my
foster-brother to his mothers arms
my foster. brother, who was taken
bravely fighting while you were
hiding here, and I will forgive you."
AS soon as the words were spoken,
Elsie wished them unsaid. She
knew that they were cruelty unjust
and unkind that Duncan had stay
ed 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 standing in the same place
and attitude in which she had left
him. She would have passed, but
he laid OBTAINING hand on her arm.
"Elsie y said he, in a voice which
trembled at first but grew stronger
as he proceeded. "Elsie, we are
now even, for if called you an ill
name, as l did to my shame, you
have evened me to coward. You
bid me bring back your ter-broth
er. will bring him back or never
return more. Fare you well, and if
you never again hear Of Duncan Of
Eldin, think that he is dead, and
that he died blessing YOU"