The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-01-29

against the sky.
'IIe has come from his grave" she
cried, glancing around 81 dare ma, daro
na do it. Oh! forgive me, Jamie, that
ever thought O. it,"
Sho drow silken cord, which cncircled
her throat. from her bosom as she spoke,
and kissed the slender hoop of silver which
suspended from it. "rll never ha' peace
il marry the SQUIRE" she said; "and 1
ought not to ha' it; shall feel Pm traitor.
And poor Jamie. after all love no one but
you, and never can" And she broke down
in passionate weeping.
81 can't" she sobbcd; 'T can't keep my
promise. would sooner die first. am
just like sAuld Robin Grey Oh, Jamie,
forgive me that l ever thought of it,"
Tho sunset fires died out, and tho wind
began to chill, yet she sat there STILL un-
conscious alike of her neglected pitcher and
Of her pet dog, who watched her 80 wistful
ly. The twilight itself failed; the crescent
moon came out above; and the bubbling Of
the Highland spring filled all the silence
Suddenly she arose with resolution
stamped on every feature.
81 must give the squire his ring again"
she said, brushing the last tears from her
eyes. at is hard for him; bu, there is no
other way. Then, Jamie, then you will
forgive me"
Leaving her pitcher there SHE tossed back
her abundant locks, as she finished this ad-
juration, and went speeding away, through
the falling darkness, with the light foot of
the Chamois.
When she reached the Red Pass, the
bright glow of the inglesidc lit the windows.
She approached the nearest one, and placed
her sad, tired, yet resolutc face against the
glass.
The squire sat within, pretty, tasteful
things all around him, happy musing ex-
preston on his plain, fatherly face. Bes-
sic watched him for minute, choking
down fierce sob.
'1Ic'd be as good to me as 'Auld Robin
Grey" she said, half aloud; but I-i-oh!
Heaven help me, can't bear to think of
A minute, and she tapped lightly against
the glass The squire turned quickly,
stared and then started to his feet.
"Wcll, now, well, now, what's the mean
ing of thisl' he cried, rushing across the
room and throwing up the window. sBes-
sie What has happened?"
Something that never should ha' hap
pcned, " she answered, looking at him with
sort of desperate defiance, and drawing
Ihe gold ring from her finger, as she spoke.
'Pve come to give this back to you, Squire
Rcnfrcw. l was wrong over to let you put
1t on."
why, child, what do you meant"
Take your ring. You have heard of
'Auld Robin Grey maybe, have you not?"
"lcs l have. But what then?"
"Well, had Jamie once" she went
on, clutching at the little silver ring sus-
pended from her neck, a great throb Of
pain shaking her. he gave me this and
cannot wear any other ring. He-he-went
off to seek his fortune" with another sup
pressed sob, "and lie was lost at sea. [
tried to forget him, but cannot. can't
keep my promise to you. Squire Renfrew
ii couldn't feel like she did to Auld
Robin Grey should hate you'll should"
And here sho broke down completely.
He took tho ring she offered ana paused
for moment. A look of unutterabe pain
and regret came into his kind eyes,
$50 you have como to tell me this, and
to ask for your freedom. And you really
think. too. you have seen James ghast2"
eyes, and shall never return to grand
mother again. dare not. So am going
away"
Ho laid his hand on her head.
81 am glad you came to tell me, he said;
cit Is better that l should know this now
than later. am sorry, Bessie. had set
my whole heart on making you happy
But bird, against its will, hates cage and
keeper. You are frec."
GOOD bless you, and goodbye" she
sobbed.
'Nay, nay," he said tonderly, snot good
bye. Go back to the fold, my poor, pretty
lamb: 60 back to the 'auld grandmother
l will mako it all right for you. Never
you fear"
Greatly wondering the girl rctraced her
steps to Black Linn. The morrow camo
and with it appeared the squire.
II have como to beg your PARDON" he
said, addressing Bessie, but taking care to
do it in the presence of tho ''grandmother,
and to ask my liberty back again. l have
changed my mind about taking wife,
Mither Burns" and he turned to the old
lady; 81 am better as am:' r
lie took his leave, after few more words
and then the old woman, not for ono mo-
mont deceived by his generous conduct,
turned on Bessie savagely.
''It is all your silly capers see it all.
lie loves you so that he takes the blame,
when it is wholly your fault. Oh! me.
YIN IIe. tllouSnI W Spcuu lily Ola ngc
in peace and plenty, and now I am left
to starvc, and all because Of you, you un-
grateful child"
All that night and all the next day, the
reproaches went on. Towards the gloam-
ing, Bessie took up her pitcher to go to the
spring for water, glad to escape, for even
quarter Of an hour, from her grandmothcr's
rage.
She had half filled her pitcher again, and
was again tripping across the little brock,
her dog following her, when she was
startled once more: this time by Squire
Rcnfrew, however. ljaEu - re"
''IIe is coming TO take back his words,''
she said to herself; and she trembled so
that she almost lost her footing.
"Don'L look frightened" said the squire
kindly. II come with good news--news
you never expected to hear. !" q
She looked at him breathless, palpitating
and unable to speak2 What could he mean2
'"The seaman has been heard from, at
last" lie said, with sad smile as tonder as