The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1902-03-28


"a were beginning to speak Of the
Il "a return Of my master and his
lady, and In another week we
were all busy at Glcnhaugh in getting
everything In order to receive them
back to their own house and hall and
were expecting every post chaise that
came through from the north to land
them ut Abbeyfont, the nearest posting
town, where Hughie McNaughton was
waiting with suitable conveyance to
take them up and hiring them home.
We had made our preparations for
their homecoming with not little
pride, and We looked forward to q very
gladstone time. Wee Marion was not
behind In the spirit Of the occasion, but
was all happiness and anticipation, and
Esther and she had been UP to the
abbey glen, and the two had brought
home wealth Of late wild flowers and
green vines, which were disposed about
the house to evidence the beauty Of
the welcome we had to offer Espe-
cially In my lady's apartments we had
decked the walls and over my lady's
cabinet had banked wild flowers till
the place was q fairy bower.
When the post chaise passed through
Abbeyfont. there was my laird, but not
my lady. Hughie McNaughton and
the laird were not long In coming to
the point on the situation of things,
and the laird was sorely harassed, hav-
ing not set eyes on his wife or heard
| of her since the day he left Glenhaugh.
He came on to the house with haste,
and was the first to meet him there.
He was terribly wrought up and anx-
ious, putting me to my mettle to an.
swer all his questions.
'The lady left packet for ye," said
]. ut wasna left in my hands, but she
said ye'd find it on the cabinet"
well read the packet" said he, land
We'll get the mystery solved frae that"
He went to my lady's room and
searched high and low, but no packet
was there and nothing that would tell
him aught Of the cause of his wife's
journey.
81 Gamma understand the loss o. the
packet" said he. "There's n mystery
about it, and cursed be evil fortune for
that"
'"Ihe words she spoke to me were,
mS laird" I said, "'Ye'll just say to
him that he maun bide till come
back"
He only replied: II Gamma under
stand it. I dinna like the look o. it,"
And | thought / saw in him an awe
some terror and misgiving that trouble
was coming upon him.
My laird searched every place where
letter might be concealed, and gave
him my help. We ransacked every
shelf and drawer and disturbed every
corner, but no paper or packet could we
find 10 throw light upon my lady's jour.
pey
In two days, no word coming Of my
lady and no packet coming to light, my
master set out diligently to make in
quiry and search, and I did all could
to help him, but nothing could we learn.
The laird went back to Stirling, search
ing step by step, and posted letters to
every quarter where intelligence would
be like to be had.
At Stirling. after keen inquiry
naught was learned beyond the fac
that my lady had not been there. Ali
the way back, at every town and hos
telry, the most faithful inquiry failed
to give clew to her presence. though
thSiS NSiS TWO Va thiSc cflucuCeS VI
my lady's having passed through the
first stages Of her journey, but these
evidences were indeed so vague and
contradictory that they brought no re.
suit of Importance that could be of
service or that could brinr bout any
tangible outcome.
We failed not to post letters to every
place where my lady had friends, and
answers came back that gave us no
hope or clew, but my laird was like n
ferret ard tracked every path, and s.
from. one quest to another he went
seeking her In many quarters, but still
without avail.
A fortnight went by. and fortnight
after that. and we had been busy in
search of my lady without rest. and all
the people of our side of the country
had heard Of the story and had lent
their powers to discover her where
abouts. but still no track or trace of
her could be got
My master was now worn out by his
search and his sufferings 1t had been
weeks Of anguish md ovcrstrain that
he had seen. Every hope that had
arisen had failed him; every journey
- al AA ma