Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1896-10-23
cob. Mr.. Sircombe, +" cried Ulva look

entrance, that would amuse him. The
selI has been sealed up for o hundred
Years they say" (this to Edgar "th'nk
what interesting antiquities might be
lying there waiting for discover NO
body can find the entrance.
aShall l search for it?" asked Edgar
charmed with the idea Of do ng any
thing that might crafty her
ayes, and be sure and discover 1t, then
we shall always cal it 'Edgar's cell,
laughed Ulva, with innocent cation.
They explained that the ancient dun
geons OF Dunraven had been hewn out
Of the solid rock foundations OF the
tower, the entrances SO contrived as to
be difficult to discover. All the other
rock chambers had been found, and
cleared Of debris, bat the entrance TO
the dungeon of the southern bastion was
yet mystery.
"If may utter an opinion" inter
posed Lady Inchape, anxiously, 81 would
say that Mr.. Edgar Is not yet quite ro-
bust enough to undertake anything SO
laborious.
Ulva's anxiety awoke on the instant
ULet Ns defer the search then, she
pleaded, "but YOU must net GO without
making the discovery.
There is one thing you have not
shown me, that dare not ask to see, !"
said Cigars eyes, "yepr own sweet
heart
1--WE have not shown Mr. Edgar Sleat-
ha-Vrecken from the sea-, said Mr. Sir
combe, goaded by. that too eloquent
glance, to interposs his word, at the
risk of provoking one Of Lady Inch
cape's involuntary icy looks ~Ihe
water looks so calm this afternoon that
am sure 1t would he an agreeab time
to row round the isle. And Kenmore, l
know, is disengaged."
AS he said this rather eagerly, Edgar
could not help gazing curiousy at him,
and speculating as to how far mutual
sentiment might carry these two towards
becoming accomplices to get him away
from Sleat ma Vrecken.
Kenmore and Sircombe, banded to-
gether against the unwelcome guest
might very possibly proceed to take high
ground to get rid Of him, might even
carry him off In spite Of his remon-
strances and land him on the Scottish
coast
Edgar laughed at himself for this
wild fancy; yet Sircsmbs was strangely
pale.
Ulva's thoughts few to Kenmore and
ais vengeful threat, and, womanllke,
The did not laugh the fancy away. She
objected to the trip
sToo cold for an invalid" said she
"Merely bracing," smiled Mr.. Sir
,ombe sI am sure Mr.. Edwar is not
afraid?" and he darted taunting glance
1T him.
Poor Edgarl that settles it
@Afraid Of what, or OF whom?' asked
he. baughtily, and so little did he relish
the taunt that he did not even invl'
Ulva to be one OF the party, lest Sir
comba should think he meant to shelter
himself from possible unplessantness
cehind her presence. And she waited,
wondering and disappointed, to 6e
asked, and could scarce endure to see
aim go without her.
Mr.. Sircombe disappeared to make
the requisite arrangements with Ken
more.
Edgar seized the opportunity to ask
Ulva to walk part of the way down the
cliff with him; and so, with sweet,
kind smile and "bon yoyagel" from Lady
Inchcape, they started.
Oh. first lovel what sweetest poet
ever could paint you sweet or pure
enough?
They wandered down the precipitous
pathway; they were soon out OF sight OF
the Tower; then the way grew sleeper,
and what could be do bat take her lit
hand and nestle it on his arm to sup
port herp And when, with whirr and
a triumphant bird-scream Ulva's little
pet lark dropped down from heaven
into her bosom, and she covered it with
her lovely hand and called it her dar
ling, true heart, her little constancy-
what lover could have resisted the OK
ouisite delight of uttering the words
that filed his heart?
"That happy bird!" murmured Edgar,
dreamly. "a thousand tines a day
envy him. Our stories are so like each
other at first; you saved both our lives
and we both return you our whole souls
full of gratitude-and love. But you
have taken the bird to your heart, anc
="
"And YOU must not quote unknown
authors on a steep path, interrupted
Ulya, at last finding presence OF minc
to stop the passionate words. without
owning that she understood them. She
had grown very pale and the tears were
in her eyes, but she smiled for all that
and he was actually deceived. AS she
ian on q few steps with her lark flying
by her shoulder, Edgar almost curset
himself for the mad impulse which has
caused him so to forget duty and honor
He looked so pale and grieved when a.
last she turned round, that her hear
swelled with sud en- tender remorse
and she went back, and laid her bird II
mis- La ds, very trustfully; then moye'
| Of and gathered little knot OF blue
bells and white heather, which sh
| offered him next
"You must fasten it into my coat 70
me, then; you see both my hands ar
engaged in forming nest for True
| Heart" said he, almost humbly, for hi
conscience smote him again.
They stood to perform the operation
two happy, absorbed young creatures
tasting for the first time the most deli
eious draught this earth has to bestow
They had reached the base OF the cliff
and were in the edge Of thicket OF tn
hardy Scotch fir which girdled the rud
peak; still further down, but inyisibl
| from their position, the few huts olus
tered on the edge of the beach
Ulya's wide sleeves fell back as sh
raised her lovely arms to fast.n the will,
flowers on his breast, and rs she threN
back her head, her deep, velvety eye
looked upward-the most beautiful, tn
most dangerous look woman's eyes ca
give; while hNr milk-white throat an