Year: 1874

or Halbert Of Craig g-end, q retainer of
the laird of Ferniehurst, who in his turn
owed feudal service to the lord of Buc-
cleugh. Halbert was an old man, una
Bile to bear arms, but his two sons, Am
brose and David, were with their lord,
helping to garrison the stronghold of
Ferniehurst. which lay but few miles
distant across the hills.


Duncan Scott was Elsie's cousin, and
her betrothed lover. This was by no
means their first quarrel, for Duncan
was jealous and Elsie was proud. but
never had matters gone so far between
them as now. Never had Elsie shown
herself 50 implacable. Her anger was
not wholly unreasonable, for Duncan
had done her grievous wrong. He had
seen his betrothed in earnest conversa-
tion with the laird of Ferniehurst for an
hour together in the cleaning. He had
not been able to overhear their words as
they paced the burnside, but he had
seen Ferniehurst put into her hands
something made Of gold which glittered
brightly in the moonlight-of that he
was certain-and then speed away, while
Elsie put the love-token in her bosom
and took the path to their old trysting-
place By the we'll as if nothing had hap
pened.


AYE, so p thought Duncan ''she
thinks to meet me there, and to beguile
me with her fine words while she has
Ferniehurst's love-token resting on her
very heart. But she shall hear my mind
on itere we part


And so it came to pass that when Ell
sic, il the innocence of her heart, came
gayly forward to meet her lover, she was
assailsd by torrent of accusation and
reprosches. Elsie answered him coldly
and s5ernly, with a face that cleaned
white as marble in the moonlight


duncan Scott, ye have dared to light
ly ne-me, Halbert of Craig ends
dauglter-on whose fair fame no man
nor woman ever breathed before. And
wherefore? Because you saw me in talk
with my foster brother, as near of kin
to me as mine own born brother. If [
we're to tell my father or my brothers,
or Ferniehurst himself what you have
said, no hole in Craigburn moss would
be deep enough to hide you from their
wrath. But [ wish you no ill. You
may go your own gate and keep your
own counsel, but never dare, by day or
by night, to speak to me again" With
that she drew from her finger her be-
trothal ring, and throwing it on the
ground at his feet, she passed from him
like shadow and was gone.


This quarrel had taken place week
since, and not once had Duncan found a
chance to speak to Elsie alone. This
evening, however, believing him to be
still at work in the harvest-feld, she had
ventured once more to the well for water
and here Duncan had surprised her and
pleaded his cause, unsuccessfully as we
have heard.


The we'll was hidden in little recess
of the hills, behind a great projecting
crag. AS Elsie turned round this crag
she uttered a vehement exclamation Of
surprise and terror, and casting away
her pitcher with little regard for its safe
ty, she started to run down the steep
path which led to the burnside. Dun
can arrived little later, and stood for
moment rooted to the spot. A sorrow
full procession had entered the valley at
its lower end, and was vending its way
toward the tower Foremost came Am
brose of Craig-end, supporting on wea-
ry and travel-worn horse, an elderly Ia
dy WHO seemed ready to drop from her
seat Three or four men and women fol-
lowed on foot, carrying some bundles
apparently snatched up in haste, and
finally came Davie, mounted on another
horse, his arm and head bound up with
many bloody stain on horse and ar
NOR Duncan delayed not long, but de-
scending the brae like wild buck, he
joined the party just as it passed before
the door of the tower, where old Hal
bert, apprised of its approach, was al
ready standing.


'.Alack and woes me l'' exclaimed
the old man. "My dear and honored
lady, has it come to this %


"Even as you see, my good friend, y
answered the lady sadly.


''But how /? But when %


"Dacre, with his Englishmen, came
upon US at daybreak," answered the la
dy of Ferniehurst 's0ur men fought
bravely, none could do better but the
enemy were in overwhelming force. My
son is prisoner most of our brave
kinsmen and servants are slain, and
there is not left one stone upon another
at Ferniehurst. But for these, your
brave sons, had not been here to tell
the tale, and I fear that Dayie is wound
ed to DEATH"


HE could never die better" answer.
ed the old man. giving his hand to the
lady whom Ambrose had by this time
lifted from her horse .sYou are most