The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-02-06


came, you know you came, TO contrast
this misshapen form with your own
beauty, this age with your youth, to see
a monstrosity. 1t was an object worthy
of the daughter OF your father, but not
the daughter OF your mother. Isabel
We're"
| 1t was, indeed, Isabel We're to whom the
recluse addressed his remarks. and the
more composed of her companions was
her friend, Lucy Ilderton, and the other
Lucys sister, Nancy. Lucy and her sis
ter were visiting at Ellieslaw, and Lucy
was Isabel's confdant regarding her love
for Earnscliff. Lucy was a spirited girl
and urged Isabel to take her fate into
her own hands and marry the young and
penniless laird anyway. But Isabel feared
her father, who had declared that If
she did not marry Sir Frederick Lang
ley he would use all the power over her
the law gave him and send her to her
aunt, who was prioress of a convent in
France, where she would be forced to
take the veil. Isabel was startled that
Elishie should know her name, but the
recluse was credited with so many
strange powers that the fact did not i'm
press her as it otherwise would. As
the young ladies turned to ride away
and Isabel made some apologies to Elishie
he called upon her to stay, and, she re-
naming behind the others, he went into
his garden, picked a rose and came back
with 1t. when you are in dire trouble,
and l fear you will soon be, bring me
this rose, or a single leaf of it ever so
faded, and / will help you at your need"
Isabel took the rose, thanked him and
rode off much impressed by the earnest
words of the hermit.
AS the sun was setting that evening
amid the rolling clouds of a gathering
storm rider, tall. thin and slender but
remarkably athletic rode up to Ellshie
who was still sitting upon the fiat stone
before the hut. The riders face, sharp
featured and sunburned. had a look of
violence, imprudence and cunning. He
carried arms and wore an Iron headpiece
and a buff jerkin of antique style. 80"
said the recluse, ''rapne and murder once
more on horseback" The horseman was
the-Red Reiver, and after some scornful
words from the recluse and replies from
the Reiver which were half conciliatory,
half impudent, the latter confessed that
he was bound with some followers upon
an expedition against the Hughfoot to
revenge himself against the Hughfoot to
an old feud and suddenly rode away to
him at a distance. THAT villainy' ex-
claimed Elshie; "but why do I compassion
any of the hateful race of man or do
aught but aid those who work the race
misery? Yet that Elliot-this Hobbie--so
young; so gallant, so frank-I will think
of 1t no longer" And he retreated from
the storm to the shelter of hsi hut
The morning was just breaking when
another horseman came riding by the
hermitage of Elshender. 1t was I1obbe,
who had been away all night hunting,
and now, with his dogs, was returning
joyfully to the Hughfoot He drew rein
to greet the recluse, when one OF the
dogs, leaping over the wall, caught by
the throat and killed a pet goat which
Elshie had for some time had in his pos
session. and which he loved The rage of
this killing of his pet and he heaped
imprecations and prophecies of evil upon
the head of the regretful Hubble, who
stroye in all ways to pacify him, but
being UNSUCCESSFUL. rode away. leaving the
recluse burying the goat in the midst of
his garden.
AS Hobble was riding up the hill from
the top Of which he was accustomed to
catch the first view 'of Hughfoot upon his
homecoming. he saw. running toward
him, his old nurse, Annaple, who. as she
approached, wildly begged him not to go
on and chung to his horse with such a
grip that Hobbie, in alarm. and with the
foreboding of some great disaster, and not
being able to shake on the old woman,
sprang from his saddle and ran to the
summit Of the hill. Below him in the