Year: 1870

(CONTNUED.)


Nelly was really distr to think
that this gloomy presentiment had taker
such firm hold of her neigbbor's mind: but
fancying that it had been in some measure
suggested by their former conversation
and hoping thst it would soon pass of, she
promised to comply with her wishes, and
then urged her to join the company within


They accordingly went into the house
where they found the little party which, in
their absence, consisted Of only three-en,
gagged in a cheerful conversation. Freed
at length from that embarrassment which
they had experienced while alone, the others
soon recovered their spirits and their free
dom of speech. Margaret, however, could
not so easily recover her former cheerful
ness. She strove, indeed, to appear as
merry as the rest but herlate indisposition,
though only Of momentary nature, seemed
to have left an effect upon her spirits which
did not Immediately pass away. There was
also something in the 6tfulness of her man
ner, and the expression Of deep solemnity
into which her counteOance frequently re-
lapsed after laugh. which told too plainly
that her merriment came not from her heart
These symptoms were soon observed, and by
degrees her sadness appeared TO communi-
cate itself to the rest of the company.


In this state Of things, they seemed to
feel as if an early separation would have
been q relief and almost the only relief of
which the case would admit. When the
propriety of a measure is felt by whole
company, some one or other of their num-
Der in general stammers upon the wishes Of
the rest; and here, shortly after the
aforementioned feeling had begun to pre-
vail, Margaret Crawford said that" As
the nicht was dark and micht end in rain,
she thought it would be best for her and
Sandy to gang hame afore it was late" To
this proposal Nelly and her husband made
a friendly show of resistance such as is com
mon on these occasions, and urged, as rea-
sons for delaying their guests, that " it was
not late yet," and that " they would be
hame in Draw time, though they staid
anither hour" But this resistance, though
reiterated, was so faint, that it was once felt
to be formal and Margaret, who had no
very great temptation to do otherwise,
seemed inclined to adhere to her first inten-
ton. She therefore repeated her reasons
for going home and, at the same time ex-
pressed hope, naething ertraOrdinar
cam i the way, that she would see John and
Nelly, and Jenny too, at Gsiryburn, some
NIGHT neist week, to spend the e'enin wi
her"-after which, the little company
broke up.


The night was far advanced before Jenny
could close her eyes; and when at last sbe
did sink into the arms of the leaden god
it was only to dream Of having lost her way
along with Sandy Crawford, in some wide
and wildering desert which she had never
seen before. AT first the scene seemed
solitary, shaded with lofty yews, and trail
ing shrubs dark clouds spread a gloon
over it mists rested on the top Of every
rock and the night-dews hung heavily
from every branch and every blade of grass
Then the prospect appeared to brighten the
landscape to have a variety of charms !; very
hour disclosed some new beauty, or opened
up some glowing vista which she bad no
before seen The sun gradually dissipateC
} the clouds which hitherto had concealed
him, and, bursting through. dried up the
superfuOus moisture from the earth th'
air became pure, and the day delightfully."-
warm and, though as vet she had discover
] ed no road by which she could return, sh'
did not feel greatly perplexed. But th'
pleasing prospect was soon overcast clouds
appeared to gather round them amor
q she was separated from her companion b.
: rocks and unfathomable gulfs, the nature
and extent Of which she could not distinctly
see. At times she fancied be was lost, anC
: felt inclined to weep at the thought that sh'
Z should never sec him more then she oh
? tanned glimpse of him, as if be still waiteC
k for her, and then her heart painted to com
up with him; then he disappeared, and sb


knew not which way to turn. At last SD
n thought Betsy Braikens came up to.her
q and offered to conduct her to where he was
but at that moment the sky grew dark, ant


the storm ragged so terribly, that she coul'
e not stir a step to follow her. 1t soon ceased
:. however; the day again cleared she seem
l. ed to see him advancing to meet her, with


smile Of welcome upon his countenance


and, just as nc was about to throw hi
|, arms around her waist, she started aside


avoid his embrace, struck her arm upo


the post of the bed, and the pain which th
rs circumstances occasioned, aided by an in
e Fortunate knocking at the door, awakene
. her. On being thus made aware that som


one wanted admittance, she started uE
,. threw on part of her clothes, suatched q


the poker, broke the gGthering-cOdl, an


st rred II e fire, which instantly burst fort


in blaze and then she FASTENED to Ope


the door.


:. The present visitor was Sandy Crawford
y in most respects the very same as she ha


seen him in her dream but the smile wit
y which that illusion had presented her WI
(. wanting, and in its stead she thought 81


could discover, by the light Of the FIR
d d marks of anxiety, perturbation, and fea
N m upon bis cOuntenance. The contrast was
d. striking, that she almost forgot one part
or or it was only a dream. AT the very fir


glance, she felt certain that something WI
re wrong and she would have inquired VIII
m. it was, but, before she could speak, be to-
At I -