, 1877-07-29

LulOHNt H6uNE9 LIemUun4lF.
"Yes, sister," replied Brownie; and rcmem-
ber that other people have eyes besides me. Oh,
pray, don't let me interrupt you, sis! only
wanted to warn you, dear. Ta-ta!"
And she turned of into the bayfield,, singing
in her shril1 tones favorite verse, which ran
thus:.
Oh. cold Is the river. and dark, and deep,
And stony the bed where the maid doth sleep;
Upward she stares with her wide blue eyes,
But the sun never wakes her or bids her aF3se.
from that day Brownie began to watch on
behalf OF her sister. Owing to that superior
shrewdness and quickness Of observation which
she concealed under the garb Of halfidlocy,
she had long ago become aware Of the waV IN
which Mary was spied upon by her uncle
Brownie had never liked this man, aud her
evident aversion, which she did not try to con-
eeal, was returned with no lack OF interest BY
DENLY. The greedy, narrow-1nindcti farmer
was no stranger to the terrors OF superstition,
aud the sense Of something ''uncanuy" in
Brownie had always led him to avoid her Is
much as possible. Like all knayes, he could not
help feeling that those bright little green eyes
looked into his very soul and read all Its scesets
whilst tie girl, for her part, experienced half
malicious delight in seeing him shrink before
her steady gaze, and start with sudden fright
when she now aud then drew near 70 him u1l-
observed and burst all ut once into avid
strain. II he doggeh her sister, she was de-
termiuel that SHE would dog bin, and it was
often with positive terror that DENLY found her
looking at him at times when he had fancied her
far away off.
As the lovers grew more and more fond Of
each other they naturally began to be less cau-
tious with regard to secrecy in their meetings;
and at length MaTy's uncle found them together,
aud discovered their sccret. They diu not know,
however, that he. had seen them, and it was far
from his purposes to let the1n know it. He Oh
served them from secret hiding piace, he
listened for some moments to the childish,
heartfelt confession Of love that fell from. their
lips, he heard them vow eternal cunstanev, and
then turned away with hitter hatred and desire
for vengeance in his heart. As he turned, be
saw Brownie standing before him. She looked
into bis ewes for u moment, seemed unconscious,
however, of anything unusual. and, twir1in.
about on her heel, in fairy-lke manner peculiar
to her, ran off singing. Denby's brow grew
darker and darker as be walked homewards; but
when he gained the farm-yard gate bis fncs was
smooth. He had taken his resolve.
"Marv, my chid,'' sail the farmer to his
niece, about fortnight after the above event,
II want YOU to take message for me to the
lawyer at B.. don't like to trust any on
else with it, and no doubt the walk will do you
good There will be no need TO hurry the
nights are tue, though there isn't much moon.
and dare say you are tatraid Of alf-an-hour's
walk in the dark!"
Mary smiled at the question, but felt ut the
samc time Some surprise. 1t was not lutte iii the
to walk il all; besides which she felt it SO
unusual to be intrusted with an important com
mission.
Il would let your sister go with you," added
her uncle," but know her aunt wants her in
the dairy just now. dare say, you won't mind
going a1one!"
o, not At all, uncle" replied Mary cheer
fully, as she proceeded to make herself ready
for setting out, To tell the truth, she was glad
to 90 for another reason besides obedience to
her uncle's wish, she knowing that her road
went past her lovers home. Dcnhy knew this
we'll enough, and had had it in mind when he
gave Mary the message to take So the girl set
of quite cheerfuIly on her evening walk, and
WAS soon out Of sight Of the farm-
as she had expected, she met Philip on the
road, and be accompanied her for short way.
Wien they were obliged to part he promised
| to be waiting for her on her return, and
| Mary hurried on With a glad heart,
| thiDSIne every moment an hour till she was
once more walking in the direction OF home.
] She had had to wait solnc time before she could
see the lawyer, and it was all but dark when she
set out to return Philip, growing impatient,
] had walked sonle distance to meet her, aud,
| when at length he joined her, the two proceeded
| in the most leisurely manner towards the 1arin.
| They had quite forgotten that It was night; the
| only feeling indeed Of the darkness was one Of
security from observers; and it was only when
] Mary heard the village clock far OFT pcalln-
| across the silent fields that she started and de-
| clarcd that she must hurry lomewaris. Philip
| wished much to be allowed to accompany her
/ still further, hut in vain. Mary dreaded meet
| ing her uncle or eome cn.tssary Wnom he might
have dispatched to meet her, The lovers took
IN aHectionate leave Of each other, and the girl
hurried along the road alone.
As ret there was no moon visible. aud the
! night was growing dark. As she left the road
and stepped over q stile into the meadows,
Mary. spite Of her haste, became sensible OF thu
beautiful calm all around her, the rich, sweet
odor that rose from the ground, the gradual
| appearance here and there OF q glistening spot
| in the shrouded heavens. and her heart over
| flowed with all unutterablc feeling OF joy- The
| sadness which had ensucd upon leaving fnllip
/ Was now gone, and she could think with hope
| of the future. Almost Ills last words had been
! n promise to speak openly to his father, md do
! his utmost to overcome the obstinate hostility
existing between the two farmers; and now the
calm, beautiful spirit OF love that breathed over
| the face OF the earth seemed to presage success
Alas, our hopes are not always prophecies!
| At the bottom Of the last meadow to be Cross
| ed before reaching the farm ran the river. Mary
Lad been following j footpath, and, before she
could reach the bridge, she had to walk short
distance along the river side. Just here the
! bank was steep and abrupt, and the water was
very deep. The footpath ran along between the
| edge and thick row Of hazeis and willows,
which, not more than hundrc4 yaEus below,
! merged intoa rather large wood Was it the wind
| that seemed all at once to rustic the bushes
| shortwav ahead OF hcra Not only did she hear
the rustling, but it was not so dark that she
| could not see the branches waving slightly.
| StfAuEef II mNuE NcI Auit MI At+*iS
| faster, with just slight quick
| euing of heart-beats- She was now WITHIN
a very few Yards Of the bridge The bushes
| were nearer to the bank, leaving onlY just
room for tue path, and the shadow they cast
| was dense. She was just cheering herself with
| a clear sight Of tho arch Of the bridge, When
/, suddenly she felt strong arm grasplng her,
| and the same moment she was hurleu violently
over The edge into the deep, black. silent water
| One piercing scream rang from her lips ere sne
sank
uark! Was that the echo oniyo the scream
| Was that the echo Of the splash! William
| Denby did not wait to see. With the speed OF
race-horse be had gained the bridge, passed It.
| and gained the farm. Then nc called loudly
| aud repeatedly to his men. 49,
0Hcipi help!'' be shouted. There are
cries from the river! There is some one in the
water! Help, men! There is some one drown
ing. Oh, It it should be Mary! Hetp!"
| And he started to run towards tue s7Fef,
| Though in quite wrong direction, and was fol.
! lowed Quickly blythe men. Twice they all heard
| the screams repeated, and it seemed as though
I there were two Voices. Then there was dead
| silence. The farm-laborers were out OF theii
| wits with fright, aud found it we'll impos-
| siblc to command their presence OF mind. IN
| mindful Of their own ears, they followed their
master whittier he chose to lead them, and this
was far away from the place whence tue cries
/ had sounded. Before many minutes hau passed
| women catne hurrying down across the meadow,
bearing lanterns and improtnptu torches; Inc