Year: 1869

citation of the latter, and consented to
join him in plan for making it the
avenue of daily communication with
little Mary.


He then transferred Robbie's boat to
the little cove at the foot of the path,
where it was left moored, ready for use.
Early each morning, then, the young
master and his faithful attendant, might
have been seen at the top of the cliff,
waiting for the appearance of the little
girl, when, at the first sight of her boat
around the point, the youth would care
fully yet e2gsrly descend the cliff and
j Din her, taking his own boat in tow, in
which to return.


As far out in the channel as the cliff
would hide them from view from the
plateau of the estate, the young people
would continue on in company, but no
farther. There, after brief dallying,
the interview was terminated, Robbie
returning to the cove to rejoin the old
gamekeeper, who awaited him on the
brow of the cliff, and Mary continuing
her cruise to Sheppey Island, after her
daily stock of spillets.


1t was in this manner that the painful
accident Of which we have been the un-
willing spectators had been brought
about. The old gamekeeper com muni-
Gated these particulars very briefly, as
we were proceeding toward Tandauk,
behind the litter on which rested the
wounded and bruised form of the youth
ful heir.


Our sympsthies were strongly aroused
in behalf of the sorrowing old man. His
remorse of conscience was deep and
poignant, as he confessed the wrong he
had committed in countenancing a
scheme so full of peril to the rash lovers.
Yet it was observed that he did not con-
fess to a consciousness of having erred
in sanctioning Robbie's disobedieuce of
his mothers strict Injunction. he had
his own notion of that.


The poor man confidently expected to
be dismissed from the household of Tan
dauk Place, now, after twenty-eight years
Of faithful service; yet for this he seemed
to care little, his great source of anxiety
being the welfare of little Robbie, and
his cause of deep regret being the loss
of Lady Anna's confidence and good
will.


"Aweel, aweel ~ he said, shaking his
head sorrowfully, I" if only my Teddy will
allow me 'bide till the laddie's as good as
himself again, which, please God mayn't
be so o'erlong, I'll go right willingly,
and thank the good Lord it was ma
worse"


When we drew near to the grand old
mansion of Tandauk, approaching by
Hhe carriare drive leading through the
garden to the park, that the manner of
our coming might not be observed from
the house, old John FASTENED on in ad-
vance, to break the painful news to Lady
Anna before cur arrival with her wounded
boy.


My friend here left me to return to the
boat, not caring to meet Lady Anna
under such distressing circumstances,
while, too, as he considered, his presence
was not at all necessary.


The sight Of her wounded and helpless
boy, who scarce more than an hour be-
fore had left her side in youthful vigor
and health, but now returning to her,
borne as the dead are borne, on litter
carried by rough and bearded strangers,
was a sudden and severe shock to the
fond mother; yet she was thankful that
he was not indeed dead.


In less than half an hour, the lads in
juries having been properly attended to
and gentle palliative administered to
allay his pain, be was tenderly placed
upon a soft couch; where, with a fair
prospect of speedy recovery, we will
leave him for the present.