Year: 1859

gyle and Hamilton, which the new-Shed blood
of the former had not avaled to quench for,
in addition to the old clan feud, there was
private quarrel between them which had fear
fully embittered their traditionary hatred
The MARQUIS Of Argyle had been betrothed al
most from boyhood to his cousin, the lady
Ellen Graham, and although their engagement
had been a matter of family arrangement, he
loved her we'll aud truly not so the lady,
however She had not been consulted when
she was bound, while yet a child, to the Mar
uuis. and with the true feminine spirit of coz
tradicton she resolved to choose for herself,
and accepted the addresses of Kenelm Hamil-
ton. who, by some unlucky chance, had fallen
in love with his rivals bride. Their wedding
was even now fixed to take place in few
months, and this circumstance no dOnbt, eX-
planned the last words Of Argyle, which were
destined to Ue the means of one day bringing
his enemy to the arms of this same cruel maid
en-, whom he himself had embraced with so
much feryor. And now the recollection of
that last bloody scene was, doubtless, heavy
on the heart Of Hamilton as he rode down the
path which led to Inverary Castle and the lit
tie village that lay at its foot 1t was a cold
and gloomy winter night; the darkness was
intense, and the wild north wind went shrek
ing and bowling through the pass rs if it bore
upon its wings the souls OF those who had eX
pred III some great agony, while the dark
Scotch frs stood up like SpectreS among the
bleak gray rocks. Truly it was an evening on
which the Stoutest heart might gladly seek
shelter, and Hamilton was fan though Sorely
against his will, to rest for the night in the
domain of his enemies This had been no part
of his intention when he set ont on his jour
ney /; he had then been accompanied by two of
his retainerS, and he designed to have passed
at little distance from Iuverary early in the
day, and to have lodged for the night in cas-
tie at some distance, and belonging to kins
man of his own but, unhappiIy that morning
one Of his guides had been thrown from bis
horse and injured so severely that his life was
deSpaired Of Some hours were spent in con
yeyng the wounded man to "a resting place !;
and Hamilton whose mission admitted Of no
delay, was obliged to leave him in charge of
his comrade and push on his road, although
the short December day was already closing in
when he started again.


He rode on as rapidly as he could but the
darkness soon became so mpenetrable that he
repeatedly lost his way aud when at last, the
lights Of Inverary CLEANED through the driy
ing mist and rain he felt that it had become
a matter of necessity that he should rest there
for the night, as his jaded horse was stumbling
at every step from sheer fatigue.


In these turbulent times, when every mans
hand was against his fellow, there would have
been considerable risk iu Hamilton veuturIng
into Inverary, and especially this particular
Hamilton, had he been known &; bur kenelm
trusted that the darkness of the night would
prevent his being seen 10y any but the landlord
OF the inn where he meant 10 sleep, to whom
he was personally unknown, and who would
not be likely to suspect that a solitary horse
man, unattended by single retainer, could
bear so proud a name.


In this suppositon he was proved to have
Judged rightly Kenem rode unmolested aud
unobseIved through the little town, and the
streets of which were in fact, almost deserted;
as the tempestuous weather had driven all the
inhabitants into their houses, aad he saw, to
his great satisfaction, that even the door OF
the inn was shut-a sufficient proof that no
guests were expected at the Argyle Arms s"
that night The Landlord q Campbell, Of
course, and as sturdy a Scot as one could wish
to see, himself came to the door to welcome





to the stable, he ushered him iLto huge
stone kitchen, briefly remarking that he must
he content with such cheer as the family pro-
visions could afford for that he little expected
any visitors on night so nucanny."


Hamilton assured him he was not disposed
to he fastidious and having thrown off his
dripping mantle and dScumbered himself of
his heavy riding boots, he sat down on the oak
en- settee opposite the huge fireplace while
Campbell went out to see that the horse was
attended TO-


Left to himself, Kenelm began to look
around him, and be was much struck by the
scene which presented itself within the room.
The huge Fireplace, which was filed up with
wood, sent bright and ruddy glow over the
whole room, and lighted up with a brilliant
glare the figure of young woman, who sat
at one corner Of the ample hearth, and who
was the only other occupant of the apartment
besides himself. There was something very
peculiar in the appearance Of this girl, which
riveted HamiItouS gaze in spite Of himself
She sat perfectly motiomleSS, excepting for the
rapid movement of her fingers, which she was
employing in knitting her plaid thrown back
from her head left her pale face exposed to
view, which was marked by a singuarly va
cant expression. This was caused in part, no
doubt, by the fixed stare of her large blue eyes
which never moved in their sockets nor bright
ened with a sparkle Of life +; it was evident
that she was stone-blind, while there lurked
certain lines round the thin compressed lips
which seem to indicate that she had all the
acuteness, amounting almost to cunning, which
often characterizes persons thus afflicted.


The courtenance was far from beautiful
scarcely even pIeasing-yet it Impressed Ham
iIton with sense of power such as we often
feel and yet can not define in the presence Of
persons unknown to us. She gave no signs Of
being conscious of bis presence, bat be felt she
was aware that he was in the room and as