The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-04-11

precede the punishment Of wickedness to
regard the things around him and Nan
as insenslble as the boy was wishing only
that the journey was over because she
was horribly cold and getting tired
The boy led them by that wonderful in
stinct up the slope of the hill to high
level where the wind was keeneI and the
rain colder He kept as nearly as possible
20 the same level leading them round the
middle heights upon the slopes of the
great Fells and above the dales The di
rect distance is not more than eight miles,
tut 10y reason of the winding of the way
suppose they must have doubled that
distance 1t was O'Clock when they left
Alnham behind them. and it was already
before they came down the hill on the
north side of Wlndgate
Master said the boy at last. point slg
at something invisible. wonders Yetholm.
and you are in Scotland
Mathew started and sat upright in the
saddle throwing back his cloak He was
IN Scotland. Why then. his work was
done He laughed and laid his hand upon
us pTiSOIltI di III
NV wife, he cried. Bear witness.
Dan my WIFE ! say
"Ay ay master Give ye Joy. miss
Master. another dram to drink the leddy's
health"
Mathew gave him his bottle. Dan took
deep draught. and then wiping the
mouth OF the vessel handed it to the lady
an Il,
gour blood after that long ride"
Then followed so prolonged draught
Of the brandy that Dan. too. as Mathew
had done i've hours ago looked to see the
girl. unaccustomed to strong drink. fall
from her saddle But she did not And
honest Dan marveIed, remembering. be
sides the vlgor of her heels and the un
expected reality of that clout. wife so
gifted with manly strength of heel and
hand who could also drink so fair. seemed
TO this simple fellow thing to be envied.
indeed
As regards the run. let me say at once,
so as to have done with it at once, that it
was quite successful. and proved profit
able venture to all concerned. though
Mathew for his part never showed any
Joy when the work of the night was
spoken of 1t was bold thing to venture
acroos the moors on so dark night; no
one in office looked for such venture in
the little village of Yetholm: and the
stuff taken in the farmers carts to Kelso.
was all sold of at once therefore Mathew
might have been proud of his exploit
But he was not and when the old woman,
accompanied by the bow came home two
days laLer and brougLe the news Of what
had happened. the success of the venture
lost all its interest in presence of the won.
derful tale they had TO tell.
They rode into Yetholm a good while
before daybreak. and the people of the
little more than village ale house
were still in their beds 1t was now rain.
ing again. with a cold wind. while they
waited for the house to be reused and the
fire to be laid Nan began now. indeed,
though she had borne bravely the rough
journey of the night. to feel the keen
morning air and the fatigue of the long
ride Her limbs were numbed. and when,
at last, the door was opened and the fire
lit. Dan had to lift her off the pony an
carry her in They placed her in a chair
before the fire. where she sat huddled up
in her cardinal and hood. refusing to take
them off
When all was safely bestowed. Mathew
thought him of his bride. and came into
the parlor. now bright with a cheerful fire
and candle. He threw of hat and cloak
with Sigh Of relief.
Come" he said. 'let US be friends,
Drusilla. since we are married. Yes,
child. married. You would have me no
other way Let us have no more skulk.
ing"
She answered nothing.
well. 1t matters not" Here the land
lord and his wife with Dan and a servant
wench. came in together. Something TO
eat. Mathew ordered Anything that
you have My wife is tired with her ride
over the moors
lover the moors7" This was the land
lady "You haven't surely brought
eddy over the moors on sic night as
thisf'
Indeed but have" he replied
Come madam He seized her by the
arm and dragged her of the chair-oh
he gentle wooeri-so that she stood be
!ore him Bear witness. all OF you" he
aid. taking her gloved hand This il
TO BE CONTINUED