Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1893-06-29

what a fate would that nave seemed 10
Grselda Fitz-James! She never knew
when her am bition died, nor traced the
cause OF it's deceased; but after Evans
death, her old longing that Angus
should make to himself name and po-
sition became chastened and subdued,
and in his successes and failures her re-
joicing and disappointment were only
sympathetic-sh hardly knew herself.
Angus was also changed, and the
wealth he had longed tor so eagerly
seemed to weigh Oh his spirits like lead.
The mother and son did nothing to
by.
'What o'clock is it now, Minister"
said Lady Grsel, breaking the silence.
Just 3-they should be here sooner;
not yet Lady Grisel,' he added; ''we
shall hear the shouts and the bagpipes
as they approach, and it will be time
enough then to go to the door"
''Poor bride! it is cold,' said Lady
GriseI, shivering.
'Cold without, but right warm within, p"
said the worthy Minister.
+ ''It will seem very strange to her; An
gus and have grown rusty together, y
said the mother anxiously. ''And when
l think of a blithe young girl coming to
share our quieJ life, | fear for her hap
piness l hope he will be kind to her,"
she said, nervouslY.
''She will bring sunshine to the old
place., said Master Malcolm. with sigh
and smile. sit will be good for all to
have the youth and sweetness of bon
ME lassie among us-Angus is far too
grave"
He is more than grave" she said;
che is gloomy, and easily irritated and
but seldom smiles or laughs-poor little
bridel but it will be different now, will
it not?'
EYES," answered he, smiling. Cali
cannot have the same spirits as poor
Evan; even now can fancy l hear his
clear ringing laugh and halloo to the
dogs on the brae'
Natures are different,' she said, very
low. ''But there was a time when
Angus also was gay. I have been but
bad companion; my company has sent
mirth flying with outspread wings"
"Yet Angus gravity has won him the
maiden Of his heart" said the Minister;
''and we hear that she is good, and low
, ing, and pretty"
God grant her happiness" said Lady
Grisel-"Hark! is that not music?"
Il think not; we will see." He opened
the door, and Lady Grisel went out on
the steps, and shading her eyes with her
hand, looked over the loch
Nothing was to be seen yet; but far
away sounded family the shrill music of
the bagpipes. She remained standing
on the steps, and the water washed al
most up to her feet; it looked very deep
and gray, and the castle threw dark
underlined shadow over it-only the scar
let flag rejecting blood-red stain.
THE day of our homecoming" said
Lady Grisel, dreamily, ''was all Joy and
sunshine; the loch sparl1led like da-
monds and the hills glowed with GRIM
many years ago, Minister, and the days
seem to me types of the life at Dun
monaigh then and now, and when I look
into my own heart. I read that the fault
is mine"
''Do not be afraid, Lady Grisel, said
Master Malcolm again. 1.-The bride will
bring with her her own store OF happiness,
and you must arouse yourselves, and be
gay for her sake; and by-and-bY when
she has taken root here, you will hear
her singing about the house as all happy
lassies do. Come in, it is very cold"
mo, no-listen!''
Now on the ear swelled the music
louder and louder, and the sound Of ever
increasing cheering. till round bend Of
the loch the fleet of boats swept swiftly.
Lady Grisel strained her eyes, till in the
most foremost boat she could see Angus
with his young bride. Flags and stream
ers flying from the boats, made the scene
brilliant with color, and the pipers PLAYED
with enthusiasm the welcome of Clan
Monach to their chief and his bride. On
ward, with long sweeping strokes, came
the foremost boat, and swept up to the
steps. The two first Of the men leaped
out, and crossing their dirks behind the
bride conducted her to Lady Grisel, who
received her into her arms.
Nv elcome welcome.'' was all she could
say, as she drew them in to the warm
fireside.
Her heart was so full, she could only
look at them, and hardly speak.
Angus cheek flushed, and bis restless
eyes were more restless than usual; he
grasped Master Malcolm's hand with a
pressure that was more convulsive than
atfectionate, and he walked up and down
the room.
Mabel sat by the fire with her warm
white furs all around her. She looked a
ldlI SWEEP SpGClncll VI o. SOuuS
girl; the color came and went in her
cheek, and her soft eyes followed every
movement of her husband.
Lady Grisels strong emotion puzzled
and confused her, and after the first
warm kiss she knew not how to act
At last the servants announced that
| the crowd had abandoned the boats. and
| gathered again: and Lady Grisel led the
way to the great door. She passed out
| first and then presented the bride to the
| people with a solemn movement, as if
| she went through some strange old cere-
mony. Then the Minister presented to
her the keys of the castle, and in the
sight of the crowd she handed them to
the new-wedded chatelaine.
The cheering and music began again,
louder and louder, only checked for
| Angus to utter few words of thanks.