Middlesbrough & Stockton Gazette and General Advertiser. — 1870-04-22 (Stockton-on-Tees, Durham, England)

ROHN LONGINGS. LORD keep us el' This ejaculation was suddenly uttered by Watty, as he sat on a round stone in the tent, reading Maggie's  letter. Over against him sat Willian and Robert, waiting in breathless suspense till he had silently spelled through the sweet and tender portion, and reached a part whose interest was general, and which, therefore, be could read aloud. Scarcely able to restrain their impatience, they bore in torture the minutes consumed by Watty's slow progress. William feverishly anxious to learn if anything was said of Jeannie Sinclair, and Robert almost devoured with anxiety to know if his Ellen was still faithful to her rromise. Things were in this position when Watty suddenly burst out with the above ejacuMtion—, Lord keep us  a'!' 'What is it?' asked the others, in a breath. Mercy me, what a dreedfu' job!' continued Watty, whose consternation was as yet too great to allow him  to inform his companions of cause.' Is it about Jeannie V faltered William. 'Or Ellen V exclaimed Robert. And the youths sat gasping for the answer, judging they had something fearful to learn, from the extraordinary expression of Watty's countenance. ' Awfu'l awful ' interjected the latter, still in the extremity of horrified amazement. Good gracious ! tell us the worst at once,' adjured William, in a broken voice. I declare I hinna the po'er tae believe it,' was Watty's vague and tantalising observation. This was to much to endure, and Robert, rushing forward, seized him by the collar and shook him violently. 'You stupid idiot, will you tell us what it is P he shouted. ' Murder ! murder P roard Watty at the utmost pitch of his voice, and looking round scared and terrified, as if he did not know where he was. The sight of Robert and William recovered him somewhat from his fright, and made him conscious of the duty of giving them information. Lord help me P he exclaimed. 'The news clean bumbaized me, and I forgot a'thegither where I was. But nae wonder, for murder it is sure eneuch, Meister Lynedoch has killed his cousin, Sir Fergus.' What ?' ejaculated Robert, loosing his hold, and  staggering back. 'Killed him!' cried William. 'Did you say Sir Fergus is killed—positively dead?' I fancy sae. But we'll see what Maggie says for the first sentence knockit me down like a shot, and I hadna pooer tae read a word mair. Let me see— whaur's the place? idy hand is trumlin, sae I canna see the vrritin'. Ay, here he is. "An awfu' thing has happened here sin ye left. Meister Lynedoch has murdered Sir Fergus. He followed him up the Falcon's Clench tae the Reiver's Peel, and flung him doen the waul." 'Oh, the monster!' interpolated Wady, as he paused and looked up from the letter. I judged him capable of any crime,' remarked Robert. But was the Baronet killed, or drownded in the well—is he positively dead 7' asked William, who, Heaven forgive him, was chiefly concerned to know this one fact. And will Lynedoch be convicted?' inquired Robert as eagerly and breathlessly—this being the point of most interest to him. Watty could answer the questions only by going on with the reading of the letter, which he did forthwith. Naebody wad hae kenned onything aboot it if it hadna been for a gipsy callant that was up amang the ivy seekin for hoolets, and saw and heard everything and cam' and tell't the folk that was seekin for the missin' Baronet. They got ropes and geed doon the wanl, and got Sir Fergus lyin' there 'Dead?' burst in William impetuoasly. Lord, boo ye fricht a body!' cried Watty, starting so violently as to drop the letter. For heaven sake, be quick and let me know if he was dead,' said the agitated youth, snatching up the paper, and handing it to its owner. A minute of intolerable suspense, which to William seemed an age, elapsed ere Watty could again find the place and resume— got Sir Fergus lyin' there, bashed and stiff, and deid." 'Ah!' ejaculated William, with a long breath—and again we require to say Heaven forgive him, for the feeling which accompanied the sigh was not a feeling of sorrow or disappointment.