fc
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 AT LOS ANGELES
 
 GLENNAIR; 
 
 OR, 
 
 LIFE IN SCOTLAND. 
 
 BY 
 
 HELEN HAZLETT, 
 
 AUTHOR OP ' HEIGHTS OP EIDELBEK 0," ETC. 
 
 ' Let us walk together as friends, in tbe shaded paths of meditation, 
 Nor judgment set his seal until he hath poised his balance; 
 That the chasteuiugs of mild reproof may meet unwitting error, 
 And charity not be a stranger at the board that is spread for brothers." 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 CLAXTON, EEMSEN & HAFFELFINGER, 
 
 819 & 821 MARKET STREET. 
 1869.
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1869, by 
 CLAXTON, REMSEN & HAFFELFINGER, 
 
 in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the 
 . Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 
 
 J- FAQAIf * SON, 
 STEREOTTPERS, PHII.AD'A. 
 
 MOORE BROS., PRINTERS.
 
 en 
 
 I 
 
 T5 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 complaint has been made of late, perhaps not 
 without reason, that distant lands are portrayed 
 and antique subjects chosen, when the pen of the 
 author would glide more smoothly and be more 
 acceptable to the community, if confined to familiar 
 home scenes. The apology offered in thus braving 
 the literary world is, that the authoress has been 
 led to wake up in memory those who lived among 
 Scotia's hills, the home of her own ancestry, and 
 from whose lips much of ' Scottish life ' has been 
 gathered. 
 
 410748
 
 GLENNAIR. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 " Now courage again ! 
 
 And, with peril to cope, 
 Gird thee with vigor, 
 And helm thee with hope." 
 
 I SHALL assuredly enroll you among the insane, 
 if you insist on braving this tempest, Duncan ; 
 and must exert my influence with your sister, to pre 
 vent her accompanying you." 
 
 " My father's note admits no option, uncle," re 
 turned the young man addressed. " His charge is, 
 to bring my sister home, regardless of the storm, 
 or Mr. and Mrs. Rushbrook's importunities. The 
 bearer was a stranger ; it was handed to me as I 
 was leaving the bank, toward evening. Father has 
 entire reliance on my obedience ; would you have me 
 lessen his future confidence, Uncle Ralph ? " 
 
 A faint smile played for a moment over the fea 
 tures of the youth, as his dark-gray eyes rested in 
 quiringly upon Mr. Rushbrook. 
 
 " It would be difficult to arouse distrust in you, 
 Duncan, in the family or community ; but does it 
 not appear to you singular your father gives no 
 reason for his peremptory summons ? " 
 
 2 13
 
 14 GLENNAIK. 
 
 " I do not doubt, uncle, my father's explanations 
 will be quite satisfactory ; he is never unreasonable. 
 But here is Amy, equipped, and, has she convinced 
 Aunt Louisa, though against her will, that we are 
 right if perversely so ? " 
 
 " Aunt Louisa pronounces father intensely absurd, 
 and is equally complimentary to his son and daugh 
 ter for following his mandates," replied a bright, 
 happy-looking girl of apparently eighteen years. 
 " I have no idea of the why, but the motive must 
 be cogent to induce father ever to allow us to battle 
 with this storm. We are ready, Duncan ; good 
 night, Uncle Ralph. Aunt Louisa looks determi- 
 nately opposed ; you will at least exchange a part 
 ing kiss, auntie ? " 
 
 " I would I had power to oppose this rash step, 
 Amy," said Mrs. Rushbrook ; " remonstrance has 
 failed." 
 
 " And I have expended all my arguments, and 
 shall not urge another word," pursued Mr. Rush- 
 brook. " Will has been trying various ways of 
 getting the carriage out for you, children, but the 
 drifts are so heavy he cannot succeed ; and, indeed, 
 it would be quite impossible and useless to attempt 
 to drive any vehicle to-night. So, Duncan, if you 
 are resolved, there is no choice you must walk" 
 
 " Father writes that Lochiel will meet us with the' 
 sleigh the other side of the brook," replied the young 
 man, calmly. 
 
 " Your brother will manifest less wit than has 
 usually been ascribed to him, if he ventures such a 
 risk; yet, you are all young and strong, and the
 
 GLENNAIR. 15 
 
 elements are under the direction of a merciful God. 
 May He be your covert this night, children." 
 
 After a few inquiries respecting the security of 
 his sister's apparel against the anticipated contest 
 with the northern blast, and an interchange of kind 
 adieus, Duncan Graeme and his sister Amy set 
 forth. 
 
 " How dark and dreary it is, Duncan," she mur 
 mured, when with difficulty they had gained about 
 a quarter of a mile. " My courage would fail were it 
 not balanced by our experience of father's unerring 
 judgment." 
 
 " How I wish I could carry you, Amy," said the 
 brother, gently, " but these drifts half bury me. Cling 
 close to my arm, and I can then lift you as often as 
 I extricate myself. Cheer up, Amy, it is only one 
 mile to the Grotto ; Loch, is not one to disappoint us." 
 
 " The Grotto ! Not Elfin Grotto ! " she exclaimed, 
 half releasing the arm she held. " Why appoint 
 that place, Duncan? a night among these drifts would 
 be preferable to such a refuge." A strong blast at 
 that moment separating and whirling them at a dis 
 tance from each other, all else was forgotten in the 
 strenuous efforts to recover a footing. 
 
 " I am almost exhausted, Duncan," Amy ex 
 claimed, when her brother had once again joined her, 
 and the fierce wind had in a measure subsided, " and 
 I do not hear the bells of Lochiel's sleigh." 
 
 " And will not, this night, Amy. It would be 
 utterly impracticable to reach us the roads are 
 impassable." 
 
 " Oh ! brother, what will become of us ? "
 
 16 GLENN A IK, 
 
 "Had- we ottr father's hope, faith, and assurance 
 of a heavenly home, or mother's unwavering trust 
 and confidence in the Scripture promises, we might 
 follow your suggestion, to sit down passively, and 
 yield the victory to King Boreas. " 
 
 "Is there no alternative except " 
 
 " The Grotto is our sole security, Amy. "We have, 
 to the letter, obeyed our directions ; further we can 
 not proceed. The foot-bridge is carried away, Amy." 
 
 Amy had the arm of her brother in a close clasp, 
 but she answered not. " There is no prospect of an 
 abatement of the storm," he continued. "Choose, 
 Amy, death, or the haunted cavern. I shall not 
 leave you, whatever may be your decision." The 
 wild sighing of the winds through the forest, the 
 crashing of the limbs and bending of the surround 
 ing trees, were fearful. " Here, Amy, we are exposed 
 to the fury of the hurricane ; we can but die, should 
 we realize all you fear, in the cave." 
 
 " Lead where you will, Duncan ; in a very little 
 while I shall be unable to follow you." 
 
 He waited for no more. Quickly passing his arm 
 round her, and lifting her over the low brushwood, 
 he glided with his precious burden down a narrow 
 by-path, to the much-dreaded and ever-avoided 
 " Grotto of the Elfin." 
 
 " I had not supposed the wild legends and dark 
 doings of the Glenlock fairies could have taken pos 
 session of the strong mind of Amy Graeme," her 
 brother observed pleasantly, as he placed her before 
 the door they were now to enter. 
 
 " I would disabuse your mind of any such belief,
 
 GLEXXAIR. 17 
 
 Duncan," she replied. "I have no fear of other than 
 incarnate spirits ; I do believe some of the worst of 
 the human race infest this spot, and have never 
 thought otherwise. The land of spirits or fairy- 
 laud has in it nothing terrible for me." 
 
 " Perhaps hospitality may be the redeeming trait 
 of this band of savages," said her brother, laugh 
 ing. " We will hope so, and make our entrance." 
 
 The door opened as though by a sesame, at the 
 first touch. After passing down a short flight of 
 steps, the brother and sister found themselves in a 
 large room, partially lighted by a swinging lamp, 
 and warmed by a large coal-stove. The apartment 
 was furnished, too, rudely, but comfortably. Miss 
 Graeme could not repress an exclamation of amaze 
 ment on entering. 
 
 " A very unique style of banditti, we must con 
 fess, Amy," observed her brother ; " not a weapon 
 of offence. Let us take advantage of their com 
 forts," he added, taking from his sister her cloak 
 and hood, and hanging them near the fire. " I would 
 advise a rest upon that divan, until claimed by a 
 fairy or a felon ; and I will usurp this chair, and 
 play monarch for the time there, really, you might 
 pass for an Elfin Queen, so delightfully enveloped in 
 those cushions. But what have we here on these 
 shelves ? Books, some scientific, some poetic, and 
 a Bible!" 
 
 " How strange ! Duncan. Who can the inmates 
 be, and why not here on this inclement night ? " 
 
 " This is obviously not the only apartment, and 
 our host has too much propriety to intrude upon his 
 2 * B
 
 18 GLENNAIE. 
 
 guests. "With your consent, Amy, I will touch this. 
 It mayhap be a wand to gather the family in groups." 
 
 "It is a bell, Duncan. Not for the earth," she 
 whispered, eagerly. 
 
 "Who knows but his Majesty might furnish some 
 mode of our getting home? Had I not better seek, 
 if I may not summon him ? " 
 
 "What is the hour, Duncan? " 
 
 "Half after nine, cne hour and a half since we 
 left Uncle Ralph's, a twenty minutes' walk, ordi 
 narily." 
 
 " Hark ! " exclaimed Amy, in a hushed voice, 
 " what was, what is that, Duncan ? " 
 
 " Only the wail of the winds, my nervously excited 
 sister." Yet he drew nearer the corner from whence 
 the sound proceeded. " We might imagine all the 
 goblins from all lands ; or that the inmates of Pan 
 demonium itself held a convention at this spot to 
 night. You are pale and exhausted, Amy ; I won 
 der if to sleep were quite impossible." 
 
 The only reply was a nervous shake of the head. 
 Amy sat intently listening. " I cannot be mistaken," 
 she said at length ; " there are human voices min 
 gling with the noises of the elements." 
 
 "When similarly situated, Amy," he returned, 
 " I have been almost inclined to answer to my own 
 imaginings. Depend upon it, Amy, those voices 
 will subside with the gale." 
 
 " Duncan Graeme ! there are human footsteps ap 
 proaching ! " she almost shrieked, burying her face 
 in her hands in terror. 
 
 " Amy, dear Amy ! " whispered her brother, sitting
 
 GLENN A IE. 19 
 
 down closely beside her ; " whatever your eyes or 
 ears may witness here, you and I are perfectly secure. 
 Have I ever deceived you, my sister ? Further reve 
 lation would be perjury." 
 
 The hands fell from her face. Amy lifted her 
 eyes to her brother in astonished inquiry, while the 
 compressed lip 'and ghastly cheek evidenced the an 
 guish his words had occasioned. 
 
 " Amy," he said, placing his arm caressingly 
 around her and speaking cheerfully, " my associa 
 tions with this place do not render me unworthy of 
 your affection and confidence ; my reputation would 
 remain unsullied were it proclaimed .throughout our 
 country ; yet, so peculiarly am I circumstanced, that 
 even you may not yet listen to the detail of events that 
 link me, for the present, to the tenant of the ' Cav 
 ern.' Shall I ask my sister's silence, and also that 
 she will remain satisfied with mine until the period 
 arrive when I may, without injury to others, reveal 
 all?" 
 
 Amy raised her head from the shoulder upon 
 which it was resting, and faintly asked, " Is Edith 
 Lincoln in possession of your secret, Duncan ? " 
 
 There was a sudden start, yet as suddenly checked. 
 Leaning down and fondly kissing her forehead, he 
 replied, " She is aware of my frequenting this 
 Grotto, and holds me guiltless. Can not you, Amy ? " 
 
 A burst of bitter weeping was the answer. " For 
 give me, Duncan," she murmured, after a long inter 
 val, dashing back the tears as she spoke ; "it would 
 be difficult to convince me there could be anything 
 censurable in your motives, but I was so startled, so
 
 20 GLENXAIK. 
 
 stunned. Yet, Duncan, it is passing strange that 
 Edith never herself ventures near this Grotto, nor suf 
 fers others to do so. She has frequently obstinately 
 persisted in riding several miles out of the way, rather 
 than cross Elfin Bridge. If conscious of security, 
 why is this, Duncan? Edith is incapable of du 
 plicity" 
 
 " I do not consider my accountability embraces all 
 the fantasies of others, Amy. Edith Lincoln is be 
 yond even the suspicion of insincerity ; whatever be 
 her reasons for concealment, they must not suggest 
 an evil thought of her." 
 
 " I love Edith, Duncan ; we all love her, and deeply 
 mourn the unhappy occurrences which have sepa 
 rated her from us so irretrievably. "We only do not 
 often speak of her, Duncan, because we know how 
 intensely you suffer." 
 
 " Do not use the word irretrievably, Amy dear ; 
 the reputation of Hugh Lincoln is not a total wreck. 
 There are many as sanguine as myself that his char 
 acter will be re-established, and he reinstated in his 
 position in society and in the Bank. The time may 
 not be near ; I do not think it very far distant. 
 Edith, and her Aunt Cameron, bask in the hope ; 
 they are perfectly assured of his innocence, and 
 
 " But, Duncan, the proofs of his guilt are so obvi 
 ous ; and his mysterious disappearance reflects only 
 culpability anything, surely, than conscious inno 
 cence. Father thinks him a bad, designing man ; 
 and father has considerable discernment, Duncan." 
 
 " No question of it, Amy ; yet ray intimacy in the 
 family has given me special opportunity of watching
 
 GLENNAIK. 21 
 
 his traits of character. Religion sits so naturally, 
 so easily upon him ; his amiability is so winning, 
 such a father could not be a bad citizen. I suppose 
 it was known his disappearance was owing to the 
 perilous threats of the populace. Should his life 
 now be sacrificed, he will lie forever in a dishonored 
 grave, and the name of Lincoln be branded infa 
 mous ; but credit me, Amy, there are those who can, 
 who must, and who will shed light on this dark 
 affair. These proceedings against poor Lincoln will 
 yet be stayed ; he will stand as honored and respected 
 throughout his country as now defamed." 
 
 " Poor, dear Edith ! Father has not prohibited 
 your visiting there, although he has Lochiel and me." 
 
 " I should have a terrible conflict with the Fifth 
 Commandment, in such a case, Amy. I fear there 
 would be only nine left on the decalogue for me." 
 
 " Why is the house so entirely deserted, if others 
 hold your good opinion of Mr. Lincoln, Duncan?" 
 
 " Public sentiment keeps his friends politically 
 silent. The favorable day is yet to dawn, but it will 
 dawn, believe, my Amy." 
 
 " There is that singular noise again, dear Duncan ; 
 it cannot be the wind ; it is enclosed with us," inter 
 rupted the sister, tremblingly. 
 
 Removing a stone, young Duncan revealed a small 
 black cord. Drawing the end, hastily, he again 
 closed the aperture and resumed his seat. " Our 
 host supposes strangers have been driven in by the 
 storm, and is trying the effect of his music. It will 
 cease now ; they will not molest us." 
 
 Miss Graeme saw and heard her brother in amaze-
 
 22 GLENN AIR. 
 
 ment. " Why, Amy," lie resumed, " I should be 
 dismissed from the Bank did I give public expression 
 to my opinion, to father, I have he thinks me 
 excessively sanguine, and believes it is entirely on 
 account of my position in the family but it is not. 
 I would defend him as an innocent man had he no 
 daughter." 
 
 " Some little influenced by that, nevertheless," re 
 turned his sister. " Edith's loveliness is very attrac 
 tive. Even father, when he forbade my intercourse 
 with her, said with tears, 'It is a sad necessity, my 
 child ; I think I am as much attached to Edith Lin 
 coln as Duncan himself.' ' 
 
 A smile of momentary brightness played over the 
 features of the youth, but the voice was sad, and in 
 broken accents he said, 
 
 " Only I could not have deprived her of the solace 
 and companionship of an almost sister. She admits, 
 the, propriety ; I have never been reconciled to the 
 withdrawal of our family ; only a thistle-hedge has 
 divided our homes since infancy ; that should have 
 been thrown down in this ordeal, rather than a 
 greater barrier placed there ; but father acts from prin 
 ciple ; he does not intend to induce sorrow. Father 
 cannot do wrong wittingly, nor would Mr. Lincoln. 
 Edith is supported by a large proportion of pride, in 
 the neglect of her former associates. She receives 
 very few visits, and makes none. But, dear Amy, 
 how weary and pale you are ; let me arrange your 
 cushions once more, and oblige me by trying to sleep. 
 I shall resort to the soldier's custom when I see you 
 more composed."
 
 G L E N N A I K. 23 
 
 In a little while he had the satisfaction of seeing 
 her yield to " tired nature's sweet restorer." Throw 
 ing his own cloak upon the floor, he was himself, in 
 a short time, profoundly sleeping. Whatever might 
 have been the strife of the elements, the silence of 
 death reigned in the cave. For hours there was no 
 sound save the breathing of the sleepers. 
 
 The flicker of the expiring lamp awakened Dun 
 can. None but the initiated could have procured a 
 substitute. Removing a stone from the side of the 
 wall, from a shelf behind he produced candles and 
 matches. Lighting and introducing one into the 
 nock of an old bottle, he extinguished the lamp be 
 fore the smell of the smoking oil should arouse his 
 sister. The fire required fuel, but that could not be 
 replenished as noiselessly, and was allowed to tarry. 
 His watch told the morning dawn. Through no 
 crevice in the mystic cave could the day break ; no 
 sunlight ever shed a gleam of brightness there. 
 While his sister still slept, young Graeme passed a 
 slip of paper through another secret opening. Iii 
 reply, a stone was removed from the opposite side, 
 and crackers, cheese, dried mutton, ham, nicely 
 chipped, and milk, were handed through into the 
 apartment, then all silently closed. Having spread 
 the articles over the table, near the light, Duncan 
 Graeme sat down by the side of the couch of his 
 sister. It was not long before she raised her head, 
 and glancing around in slight alarm, said, 
 
 "Where? yes, yes, I have been sleeping, 
 Duncan dreaming. Where is mother, Duncan?
 
 24 GLENN A IE. 
 
 She was here, surely, or was it the cry of the Ben- 
 shee ? No, no ; that is fabulous ; I was only dream 
 ing." With a strong effort to smile, she asked, 
 " What have we here, Duncan ? The Elves have 
 not heen sleeping." 
 
 The thoughts of the brother had kept pace with 
 the words of Amy. He, too, had dreamed of their 
 mother. He felt that she was somehow certainly 
 connected with their night wanderings ; yet he re 
 plied with well-feigned cheerfulness, 
 
 " The Benshee did better than cry ; she has pitied 
 our condition and brought us food." He filled a 
 glass as he spoke, and Amy drank the milk only 
 because he held it to her lips. A bright fire once 
 again lighted the room ; and except for the time- 
 riveted associations- of the " haunted Grotto," and 
 the peculiarity of their sojourn there, it might have 
 been deemed cheerful. Breakfast was very soon 
 over, and now the possibility of reaching home was 
 discussed. Refusing to listen to reason while her 
 brother took an observation from the door, Amy 
 accompanied him up the steps, and through the 
 passage they had entered the preceding night. A 
 scene of desolation presented itself. The storm was 
 still raging ; the winds howled over and around 
 them ; broken branches lay heaped up on all sides, 
 obstructing the pathway. 
 
 " Effectually blockaded !" exclaimed young Graeme, 
 " and a question whether the larder of the Elves will 
 stand a siege ! Shall we return to our quarters, 
 Amy ? There seems no other resource." 
 
 Amy stood with folded hands, gazing wistfully
 
 GLENN A IE. 25 
 
 upon the prospect. " "We can only go back and bide 
 our fate," she replied, after a lengthy pause. " Our 
 anxiety cannot exceed theirs at home. Oh, Dun 
 can, what could have happened to have rendered this 
 disastrous journey necessary ?" 
 
 " I dread to learn, Amy ; yet, as this result could 
 not have been foreseen by father, we may greatly 
 exaggerate the occasion. Let us endeavor to hope 
 so, Amy dear. The team will be sent in quest of us 
 so soon as there is a possibility. Shall we go in ? 
 The wind is too keen for you here." 
 
 Miss Graeme turned mechanically. " Is there no 
 other way of egress ?" she inquired, after they had 
 been some time sitting silently by the fire. 
 
 " Not by land, Amy ; and there would be more 
 risk than I would like you to encounter, as the pas 
 sage to the sea is very dark and dangerous to other 
 than Elves," he added, pleasantly. 
 
 " I would hazard all the dangers. The anticipa 
 tion of reaching home banishes every fear, Duncan. 
 I could brave the tempest of last evening again, to 
 look upon mother's face once more, and to know I 
 have a mother still." 
 
 " Still wandering over the regions of superstition, 
 Amy. You cannot give credence to the laments, the 
 wails and the waifs, the legends repeated around 
 Scottish hearth-stones ? " 
 
 " Perhaps not actual belief, Duncan ; but my 
 nerves are weakened by the singular adventures of 
 the night, and my mind, too, probably," she said, 
 mournfully. 
 
 " I do not blame you, Amy," he replied, soothingly.
 
 26 GLENNAIR. 
 
 " No wonder your imagination has been wrought 
 upon by the seemingly strange proceedings of the 
 night. I much regret the necessity that led to your 
 witnessing them. Yet, Amy, there is nothing mys 
 tical here ; nothing superhuman acted in this place. 
 As it has been our refuge for one night, so the refuge 
 of the unfortunate it has been and will be, I trust, 
 ever. It certainly never was my intention to intro 
 duce my sister into the cave, or to its inmates, but 
 it seems I am driven to both. For a few moments 
 he stood irresolute, then suddenly, with an evident 
 effort to appear calm, he stepped forward, and strik 
 ing a spring-bell, placed it again on the ground, and 
 sat down on the couch near his sister, who was in 
 tently watching his operations. The vibrations of 
 the bell had not ceased when the same large stone 
 through which had issued the provisions an hour 
 before, was slowly removed, then one below it, then 
 another and another, until an aperture was made 
 sufficiently large to admit the person of a robust, 
 athletic man. His countenance bespoke the extreme 
 of sadness as he stood mutely awaiting orders. 
 
 " The boat and a torch, Roger ! My sister cannot 
 be wanted at home any longer. Speed you, my good 
 fellow." 
 
 " Nae morrow for the ain that wull fly the oar the 
 morn ; for me 'tis nae muckle ill, yet the bairns might 
 bide life for the love of it." 
 
 " The distance is short, Roger, and the barque 
 stout. "We shall skim round the Lynne and over 
 Loch Muir speedily, and safely, too. Is Norval 
 here?"
 
 GLENN A IE. 27 
 
 " I need not ISTorval, if I gang ; the wind drives. 
 ~No oars will be needed, I trow." 
 
 " My sister cannot walk, and no wheels could find 
 passage. Roger, we have no choice ; by driving out 
 we will be safe." 
 
 " I trow not, Maister Duncan ; but I bide your 
 bidding." 
 
 " The torch, then, good Roger. We will walk to 
 the outlet and view the dangers first." The sturdy 
 Roger disappeared only a minute, returning with a 
 lighted torch which he handed to the youth. He 
 remarked, " / maun guide the leddy through the 
 pass. Amy instinctively followed. She noticed in 
 the next apartment three cot-beds, and that two 
 figures stood in the shadowy niches. There was no 
 word spoken until they reached the bottom of a 
 flight of steps formed of stones of various shapes 
 and sizes, when her escort said, " I maun carry 
 you, lassie, it is sae slippy here." Unresistingly, 
 Amy was borne through the dismal avenues, her 
 brother cautiously bending the light into the diffi 
 cult windings, obviously himself perfectly familiar 
 with the way. After an irksome travel of half an 
 hour, the light suddenly broke upon them, and they 
 stood before the broad ocean ; but the rocks shel 
 tered them securely from the strong blast. A heavy 
 boat rocked at the mouth of the cave. 
 
 " Oh, Duncan ! " whispered his sister, shuddering ; 
 " is it well to venture ? yet how can we return ? " 
 
 " Even this contrasts favorably, Amy dear. We 
 will choose the least evil in your view," he answered 
 affectionately. " The boat, Roger ; we can put in 
 at Maelaine inlet if we are conquered."
 
 28 GLENN A IR. 
 
 "It is nae far frae the manse of Maister Graeme, 
 the hame of your father, Maister Duncan ; yet I 
 trow there is aneither hame we '11 nae miss if we 
 meddle with the billows this morning. "Will I loose 
 her? The surges will he doubtful anchorage." 
 
 " Launch her, Roger ; I feel we shall arrive safely. 
 We must get home ; by land is impracticable for my 
 sister. The sea is not so much troubled, and the 
 wind has lulled considerably since dawn." 
 
 " Ye ken, Maister Duncan, I dinna," returned the 
 man, swinging the boat from its moorings with the 
 same nonchalance. Young Graeme lifted his sister 
 over, stepped in, and the three commenced the haz 
 ardous enterprise. Amy sat in the centre of the 
 boat, her head resting on her hand, watching the 
 movement of the oars with mingled hope, fear, and 
 occasional despair, as the strong man struggled with 
 the angry waves. 
 
 " "We maun drift into smoother water ; the under 
 flow is powerfu', the air strong an' the Lynn yawn- 
 in'. Mair than ane of my name ha' gane there, 
 nor shroud, nither coffin. An awfu' coast on a foul 
 morn, Maister Duncan, but 
 
 " There is a gun, hark 1 Neilson, another and 
 another ; throw up the oar for a flag-staff ; Amy's 
 scarf will serve for an ensign." 
 
 " The Lynn afore the maircy of Glennair's Laird," 
 he bitterly ejaculated as he obeyed, " he wull hae 
 nae muckle for Roger Neilson ; yet sae let it be, twa 
 for the ane." 
 
 In an instant the scarf was torn from the pole. 
 " Forgive me, Roger," said young Graeme, " I
 
 GLENXAIIi. 29 
 
 thought only of home, and judged the firing pro 
 ceeded from thence. Are we nearing the Laird's 
 inlet?" 
 
 " is"ae, nae, Maister Duncan, there 's a heavy bal 
 ance of blessin's fa' ye, agin a' I ha' to forgie, but 
 ye canna ken, nor I canna speak the hate of the 
 mon fa' the name of Roger Neilson. Lincoln is nae 
 mair to his mind. I would nae like to luke him in 
 the een." 
 
 "And shall not, good Roger," replied the youth 
 warmly. "Yet, Roger, the Laird errs ignorantly; 
 the development of the truth will send him to seek 
 your pardon for his part in the transaction turn, 
 quickly! Roger!" he exclaimed, suddenly rising, 
 "there is a heavy swell on us northward, or we 
 will be bilged." Seeing their danger at a glance, 
 the skilful pilot threw his boat over the wave, and 
 the next moment she glided into the inlet of Glen- 
 nair. 
 
 "We are here, an' maun make the best of it ; 
 we had nearly toppled. It is cauld for the bonnie 
 lassie; spring up, Maister Duncan, an' I will hand 
 Miss Amy tae ye." 
 
 "And yourself, Roger? " 
 
 " Tak' agin to the waters. Loch Muir is nae far ; 
 unco' kind wull be the greetin' o' Allen Dhu an' his 
 auld wife, an' our ain cave will nae want me the 
 eve, if my oar ha' its strength." 
 
 "My kindest wishes will accompany you, Mr. 
 Keilson," said Amy, offering her hand, which was 
 warmly clasped. " I have reason to be thankful to 
 the cave, to the boat, and to its owner. May you 
 
 3*
 
 30 GLENN AIR. 
 
 be as safely delivered from all your trials as we 
 from ours, of last night and this morning." 
 
 " Many thanks, leddy. Ye wad nae ha' had the 
 racket we gie to the foe an' the stranger, if Maister 
 Duncan had nae forgot the signal ; it was nae 
 meant for ye." 
 
 "It was only a momentary shock." 
 
 " I could not have struck the gong, without occa 
 sioning greater terror, Roger. It was not remiss- 
 ness ; it was the choice of evils your goblinism 
 seemed preferable ; but pass up my sister, and take 
 to your craft, before the brighter light of morning 
 tells the tale we would fain keep from the ear of 
 Glennair's proprietor." 
 
 As K"eilson lifted Amy, he whispered, "Mind 
 Roger Neilson in your prayers, leddy: at the askin' 
 of some, the light may gleam through even sic' as 
 covers Hugh Lincoln an' mysel'. Bonnie lassie, 
 farewell," he added, as her brother received her on 
 the beach. " Gude bye, Maister Duncan ; when ye 
 stumble on us agin,' gie us the signal." 
 
 " Good bye, Roger," returned the youth ; " a 
 summer day will be dawning." Neilson, raising 
 his cap, looked an almost smiling adieu upon his 
 young friends, and turned his boat silently from the 
 spot, as the two stood as silently gazing after him. 
 
 " Amy" the brother spoke huskily. She looked 
 up inquiringly. " No mention of places or persons 
 you have unwittingly encountered since yester's 
 sunrise." 
 
 " Concealment with mother I have never prac 
 tised, Duncan ; mother will disclose nothing that I 
 would not."
 
 GLENNAIR. 31 
 
 " To none else, Amy ? " 
 
 " I promise you, Duncan. Why should I desire 
 to reveal that I would so gladly be ignorant of my 
 self? " 
 
 " Undeniably, Amy, appearances against Lincoln 
 are as dark as the cave, and nothing has occurred 
 to strengthen your confidence in his guiltlessness. 
 Mayhap your mind is disquieted concerning your 
 brother, also, Amy? ISTo marvel it were." 
 
 " Duncan, dear Duncan," she replied with energy, 
 yet falteringly ; " might I ask why you, of all others, 
 are so connected with these fugitives from justice ? 
 and why you, and no other, regard them innocent 
 of such widely credited accusations ? and why rigidly 
 honorable persons, as Mungo Robertson and Robert 
 Dunbar, have not a sparkle of lenity toward him 
 or his family ? " 
 
 "Universally, Amy, those who suffer in their 
 coffers from the supposed delinquency of a fellow- 
 man, are the last to inquire into his relative virtues. 
 Men of as firmly established reputation as either 
 Dunbar or Robertson, may as readily become the 
 victims of designing villains, in an unguarded hour, 
 as Hugh Lincoln or poor Roger." 
 
 "How is Neilson implicated? What situation 
 had he in your banking-house ? " 
 
 " A very inferior officer ; yet, although subordi 
 nate, his undoubted reliability gave him free access 
 to every part of the building, and he is suspected of 
 affording Lincoln opportunities of executing his 
 infamous purposes, in the absence of the other 
 officers. Certainly Mr. Lincoln could have accom-
 
 32 GLENNAIR. 
 
 plished nothing without an agent ; arid on account 
 of his gigantic physical strength, suspicion has fallen 
 upon Neilson as his abettor. As if to confirm this 
 opinion, bolts and bars have been proved no bar 
 riers, and a large chest was conveyed away without 
 any extraneous aid. Yet, Amy, all this is pre 
 sumptive evidence, and on only such the voice of 
 the community utters its maledictions against men 
 who were never known to deviate from the very 
 straightest path of rectitude. I dare not openly, 
 but secretly I will defend and succor them while I 
 have breath. I feel sanguine the hour is not far 
 distant, when the hills and rocks of our beautiful 
 Caledonia will echo and re-echo their triumphant 
 acquittal from all participation in this mysterious 
 affair ; the heartless perpetrator will be brought to 
 justice, and his deeply laid villany proclaimed from 
 our lofty towers. But here we are, Amy, and the 
 gates are barred." 
 
 " I saw Miss Gertrude appear at a window for a 
 moment. I am convinced she recognized us, and 
 will doubtless have us admitted immediately." 
 
 " Miss Amy Graeme ! " exclaimed the young lady 
 who had accompanied the servant she had sum 
 moned to give them entrance ; " why so early, so 
 far from the manse, and why but let all your 
 reasons rest for the moment you are cold and 
 weary; Kenneth, add logs to the fire." (There 
 was always a noble bank of ashes from the preced 
 ing evening.) " ISTow, Amy, sit you down on this 
 couch, throw off your camlet. Master Duncan, 
 take father's arm-chair; Kenneth, hasten break 
 fast, and tell father."
 
 GLENNAIR. 33 
 
 " No, no ! Lady Gertrude," interrupted Mr. 
 Graeme, " do not, I beseech. Former experience 
 induced us to expect a hospitable reception ; but we 
 shall regret this step, if you swerve from your cus 
 tomary regulations. The snow-drifts- have pre 
 vented our reaching home. After we have rested, 
 and- partaken of some refreshment " 
 
 " Very questionable hospitality that would defer 
 either rest or refreshment to this chilled mortal, 
 Mr. Duncan. You miscalculated your strength, 
 Miss Amy, when you ventured a contention with 
 the drifts this morning ; but place your feet upon 
 this cushion, and give me your mufflers, and all 
 discomforts shall be forgotten." 
 
 " Your kindness, Miss Gertrude, would thaw an 
 iceberg," returned Miss Graeme, as she gave her 
 hood and cloak into the young lady's hands. 
 
 " With the auxiliary of one of Kenneth's fires," 
 she said, laughing and pointing her little dimpled 
 fingers in that direction. "Nine logs, only ; it is a 
 pity the size of the chimney-place should restrict 
 him ; papa is sure he would pile in a whole fir-tree, 
 but for lack of space. Percy suggests an enlarge 
 ment." 
 
 " Kenneth's fire is refreshingly comfortable to 
 half-frozen wanderers," Miss Graeme observed, 
 " and so totally unexpected as we were, it seems 
 the production of magic." 
 
 " No, Kenneth always has a tower of coals, in 
 case of sickness in, or surprise outside the house. 
 We have so long laughed at his preparations, that 
 he is in a state of excited exultation at having occa- 
 
 C
 
 34 GLEXNAIR. 
 
 sion to open the hall, and his ashes, for the perish 
 ing stranger 1 " 
 
 " Good morning, Amy ; good morning, Mr. Dun 
 can. Was it you firing us up at early dawn ? " 
 These inquiries and salutations were made by a 
 bright, sweet-looking girl, a brunette of about fif 
 teen, who entered the apartment with a gleesome 
 laugh, first kissing Miss Graeme, then cordially 
 shaking the hand of her brother. 
 
 " Not quite so discourteous as that, Lady Ellen, 
 although we have laid siege at no timely hour, and 
 have made no apology " 
 
 " And will leave it unmade, Mr. Duncan," inter 
 rupted Miss Ellen ; " what is inevitable needs none, 
 neither what is agreeable, and your visit combines 
 both. Perhaps my undue curiosity may demand an 
 apology indeed, I cannot restrain my inquisitive- 
 ness to learn why you selected such a morning and 
 such an hour to visit Glennair ? " 
 
 " Ellen ! " whispered her sister, rebukingly. 
 
 " Necessity, Miss Ellen," replied young Graeme. 
 " I cannot tell you how, or why. Amy and myself 
 have yet to be instructed in the reason, or the rea 
 sonableness, of being summoned from Everbright 
 on this inclement night. You shall be among the 
 earliest initiated nay, Miss Gertrude, I consider 
 the question perfectly natural, reproof is need- 
 
 " Ellen is so thoughtless ; she is invulnerable to 
 reproof: yet, Ellen, I did not fear you would be 
 regardless of others' feelings." 
 
 " Nor has she, Lady Gertrude," interposed the
 
 GLENNAIR. 35 
 
 youth, rising, and drawing her arm in his, in 
 answer to the sound of the breakfast-bell. 
 
 " The Laird is ready for breakfast," said a voice 
 at the door ; " shall you be ready to have it served, 
 my ladies ? " 
 
 " Now for questions, and no apologies," said the 
 lively little lady, " but you understand papa, Mr. 
 Graeme ? " 
 
 Duncan inclined his head, but the sad expression 
 that fell upon her from those deep gray eyes sur 
 prised Ellen ; she meant what she said, playfully. 
 Silently they followed the others to the breakfast- 
 room. 
 
 " I hope we have not interfered with any of your 
 arrangements, my Lord Glennair," Duncan observed, 
 advancing to receive his graceful welcome. 
 
 "You could not, Master Duncan Graeme ; the son 
 of your worthy father could not be intrusive, no 
 matter what the hour. And Miss Amy," he con 
 tinued, taking her hand in both of his, " is a plea 
 sant substitute for the sunbeam we lack this morn 
 ing. I hope to learn our pastor, and your excellent 
 mother, are enjoying a large measure of health; 
 and Lewellyen no, Lochiel, you call him I ven 
 ture to say he is enjoying all he can of life, if at the 
 expense of all others ; his best friends, I believe, are 
 no surety eh, Miss Amy? " he asked, as he drew 
 the chair nearer himself, which was placed for her. 
 
 " Lochiel has no better reputation than he merits," 
 laughed Miss Graeme ; " and my Lord Glennair 
 has a worse opinion of him than he really deserves." 
 
 " I am not in the minority, Miss Amy ; yet he is
 
 36 GLENNAIE. 
 
 a favorite, too. He is brave, even to daring ; noble- 
 hearted, generous, but reckless. Were he here, 
 instead of conversing as Duncan is, and eating his 
 breakfast, some misdemeanor would have enraged 
 me, and sent him from the table ; this, Miss Amy, 
 has occurred several times." 
 
 " His parentage has not so effectually rendered 
 him innoxious to the Laird of Glennair," she ob 
 served, archly ; " but, indeed, Lochiel's frailties 
 spring from an overflowing mirthfulness, and his 
 better feelings are quite accessible. These annoying 
 propensities, I am confident, will die out with his 
 years. I have entire reliance in the strength of 
 character of both my brothers." The color mounted 
 as she met the glance of Duncan, who had heard, 
 and been arrested by the last sentences. His face 
 reflected her own ; the confusion was momentary 
 and unnoticed the Laird immediately replying: 
 
 " Do not quarrel with mutton hash, Miss Amy," 
 lie said, helping her plentifully, and then himself; 
 " it is very wholesome, and so are Mrs. Carter's bis 
 cuit. As to the lad Lochiel, there is little need to 
 battle for him ; I am sure as yourself he will out 
 grow his quirks ; but I had as leave bide his absence 
 till he do. Gertrude, dear, replenish Miss Amy's 
 cup before you send mine ; and, Kenneth, learn what 
 prevents Master Percy's more timely compliments 
 to our guests." 
 
 " He was disturbed by the firing, papa, or rather 
 by the inquirers about it. His apartment," she said, 
 turning again to Mr. Graeme, " is the only one over 
 looking the sea, and we were anxious to ascertain
 
 GLENN AIR. 37 
 
 whether some fellow-being required assistance. Did 
 you notice it, Mr. Duncan ? " 
 
 ' I heard the gun, but supposed it proceeded from 
 the shore." 
 
 " Some fool firing at gulls, I warrant," rejoined 
 the Laird. 
 
 " So Percy suggested in no meek spirit or voice," 
 remarked the younger lady, " and would give none 
 of us admittance." 
 
 " It is said evil spirits always appear when their 
 qualities are being discussed, which 'of mine are 
 worthy of the remarks of Ellen Dunbar ? " inquired 
 the young man in question, entering the room. 
 With perfectly easy address, he bowed generally to 
 the group, and then cordially welcomed the visitors. 
 
 " You were perversely determined there should be 
 distress upon our coasts this morning, Ellen," he re 
 marked playfully, as he took his accustomed seat by 
 her side ; " I would not have delayed giving the 
 alarm, had your aid been required, my dear little 
 sister." 
 
 " You might have opened your door, and not have 
 resisted all my importunities," she said, half petu 
 lantly, pushing his hand from her head and bending 
 low to prevent his intended kiss. 
 
 " Was there nothing to be seen, Percy Dunbar ? " 
 asked his father ; "your eyes were our only medium." 
 
 " Dreaming ears, eyes, and lips, I do trust, are irre 
 sponsible agents, father, or I have much incivility to 
 answer for. Ellie here is totally unforgiving, and 
 no doubt thinks I deserve the tower for not spying 
 a wreck, and not illuminating the observatory to 
 4
 
 38 GLENNAIE. 
 
 help the sun-rising ; and sister, her sentence is no 
 breakfast for her heartless brother." 
 
 " You may be the best judge of your delinquencies 
 and deserts, brother," returned Gertrude, laughing. 
 " but I have sent for coffee and hot cakes for you." 
 
 He playfully bowed his thanks, and addressing 
 Miss Graeme, said courteously, " he flattered him 
 self she was to be their guest several days ; the 
 weather certainly is propitious to that happiness, 
 Miss Amy." 
 
 " Such an arrangement would be very agreeable 
 to me," she answered ; " but it is necessary we should 
 be at home even now, Mr. Dunbar'." 
 
 " How ! what ! " exclaimed the Laird ; " you 
 must not think of travelling where a vehicle cannot. 
 "Who talks of venturing on foot, to-day ? " 
 
 " We must do other than talk, my Laird," inter 
 posed Duncan. " We are needed at home, and 
 speedily. The drifts prevented our reaching there 
 last night." 
 
 " And will prevent your sister to-day, also. If so ' 
 determined, tramp it alone or with Percy. Amy 
 Graeme is my guest until she can leave here with 
 comfort and in safety." 
 
 " My father " . 
 
 " Say to him I am surety for every inconvenience 
 I may occasion ; and I tell you, Duncan Graeme, 
 your sister is the captive of Robert Dunbar so long 
 as the roads between here and the manse are inac 
 cessible to a horse and carriage. Are you going 
 home, or to the Bank ? " 
 
 " I will be there in the course of the day. Our
 
 GLENNAIR. 39 
 
 operations are suspended until the officers examine 
 the papers." 
 
 " I believe it is fully ascertained half a million is 
 irretrievably lost." 
 
 " Robertson's estimate is 300,000. He advises 
 les's harshness with regard to Lincoln ; he proposes 
 to delay the confiscation of his property until it is 
 known how far available, his library especially." 
 
 "Humph ! Though the blood of the Camerons 
 flow in my veins, nevertheless I say to the death ! 
 and to the last farthing ! and both speedily ! Ex 
 tension, forsooth ! has Robertson a watchword to 
 stay the clamors of creditors, too ? Will he have me 
 part w T ith Glennair to save Thistle-hedge Hall ? 
 And will he have the miscreant, the felon Lincoln, 
 go free? Hugh Lincoln was not ignorant of the 
 penalty ; the sin of a man has ever been and must 
 ever be the inheritance of his children. Edith 
 Cameron Lincoln must wear the brand her father 
 has imprinted upon her ; she will sink into obscurity 
 somewhere far from her native place ; mayhap will 
 change her name and be, with her father, forgotten. 
 He has escaped to the Continent, I presume." 
 
 " Father ! " observed young Dunbar, after a long 
 interval of silence, " the exalted virtues, the beauty, 
 the gentleness, the purity, the Christian forbearance 
 of Miss Lincoln, will never, can never fade from the 
 remembrance of Glennair and its vicinity." 
 
 Every eye, save that of Duncan Graeme, was 
 turned toward the Laird. The gathering wrath left 
 his son a few moments unanswered. At length, in 
 tones deep with contending emotions, he returned,
 
 40 GLENNAIE. 
 
 " Percy Dunbar ! as you value my affection and 
 dread my resentment, never, in my presence, men 
 tion any one of 'that doomed family with respect, or 
 even with lenity. I lament, I pity the poor bairn ; 
 yet had I the authority, the death-warrant of the 
 father, for forgery and defrauding, would have my 
 seal fixed to-day. I am glad to know, children, that 
 our pastor has laid his interdict also upon all com 
 munication with the family of this infamous man." 
 
 " I would disabuse your mind on that point, my 
 Lord," returned Duncan, raising and dropping his 
 spoon repeatedly into his cup while speaking. " Miss 
 Edith Lincoln declines almost any intercourse with 
 the human family ; my father has recommended a 
 cessation of my sister's visits for a* time ; Lochiel 
 has imbibed the universal impression ; I cannot, my 
 self, understand how it can be salutary to the guilty, 
 to ourselves individually, or to the nation, to thus 
 confound the innocent with the criminal." 
 
 " Human nature has not been very extensively 
 studied by my opponent," answered the Laird, 
 haughtily. " Man would be encouraged to trans 
 gress under your lenient policy. Depend upon it, 
 young man, the more stringent the law, and the 
 more rigid its enforcement, the stronger the barrier 
 to these outbreaks. Strange such a man as Lincoln, 
 such a father, could have plotted so much criminality, 
 knowing his family would be involved in his dis 
 grace ; strange that had not deterred him." 
 
 " How terribly Edith must feel, as being the inno 
 cent occasion of fastening suspicion upon her father," 
 observed Miss Gertrude. " The notes found by
 
 GLENN AIR. 41 
 
 Edith were confirmatory of his guilt ; a correspon 
 dence between him and Neilson about the removal 
 of the trunk, and all those checks, failing to coun 
 terfeit correctly the signatures of father and Mr. 
 Robertson. Poor Edith, little supposing papers di 
 rected to the bank porter could involve her father 
 in any trouble, innocently gave them into the hands 
 of the Bailie." 
 
 " Yes, it was to support her own firm conviction 
 of his ignorance of the whole affair which led to 
 the production of the papers confirming his guilt. 
 Has it yet been discovered what became of those 
 documents, papa ? " 
 
 " Very well- known, Gertie, but never proved. 
 They disappeared with Lincoln. Of course, they are" 
 in his possession, or his daughter may " 
 
 " No, my Lord, no ! " burst from the lips of young 
 Graeme. " That name and reputation has hitherto 
 been unsullied, and I trust ever will escape the voice 
 of calumny." 
 
 " Mayhap the father may find an advocate in the 
 assistant cashier of our wicked bank ; can a syllable 
 be written in extenuation or palliation of his guilt, 
 Duncan Graeme ? " 
 
 " Possibly, many, my Lord, were permission given 
 to investigate the whole business, and placed with 
 judicious, unprejudiced persons." A touch under 
 the table from the boot of Percy, checked Duncan. 
 Smiling, he gravely added, " From childhood, our 
 families have been almost as one ; it is difficult to 
 awaken or harbor a thought derogatory to so early 
 a friend. Time will make its own developments." 
 
 4*
 
 42 GLENNAIR. 
 
 " Time will, no doubt, and will exhibit unequivo 
 cally the real villain ; and it will be prudent to spare 
 the espousal of his cause till those he has wronged 
 discover they have erred most singularly in their 
 judgment. Personal interest has. misled you, young 
 man. Be cautious where you utter such sentiments ; 
 you may become entangled in' the net this early 
 friend has woven ; but no more of it." 
 
 He pushed his chair back hurriedly and arose. 
 
 The cheek of Duncan paled with indignation, but 
 an entreating look from his sister, and the hint from 
 the monitor beneath the table, held back his re 
 sponse. 
 
 " Kenneth," inquired young Dunbar of the per 
 son removing the chairs from the table, " could the 
 horses be possibly attached to the heavy wagon this 
 morning ? " 
 
 " iNaithing mair possible, Mister Dunbar ; but 
 how muckle mair I dinna ken ; hae ye a mind to 
 try?" 
 
 " Yes, yes ! let us all try, papa ; do permit us," 
 exclaimed Miss Ellen. 
 
 " /must go too, then, Ellen " 
 
 " You ? oh ! no, dear papa, some evil might befall 
 you ; I could not hazard that," she said, throwing 
 her arms caressingly around him. 
 
 " What greater, dear, than happening to one of 
 you ? Suppose I were bereft of my second Ellen, 
 what would life be to Robert Dunbar ? Let Duncan 
 Graeme and your brother take each other for com 
 pany ; the steeds may have more wit than to trifle 
 with their own necks."
 
 GLENXAIE. 43 
 
 " I cannot bear to vex you, my Lord," said Amy, 
 meekly, laying her fingers on his arm, " and am 
 really loth to leave you all ; yet I feel so apprehen 
 sive of some calamity at home, that every moment I 
 linger seems an age. I would not incur your anger 
 willingly, but how can I remain ? " 
 
 "Take the risk, then, Miss Amy," he replied, 
 gently, patting her hand ; " but say to your mother 
 you were carried away by your own waywardness, 
 disdaining my dissent. Go find your trappings ; 
 mind they be warm ; and take my forgiveness," he 
 added, kissing her forehead. 
 
 " I declare, they are nearly ready," cried Gertrude 
 from the window. " The young gentlemen are di 
 recting Kenneth, and he is evidently protesting 
 against it, though harnessing with all his might. 
 Nymph stands gently enough, but Pitt is restive." 
 
 " Restive ! " exclaimed the Laird, advancing has 
 tily and throwing open the casement. " Out with 
 Pitt," he commanded, " and bring Leon. Miss 
 Graeme's neck is worth the saving, if her wits have 
 followed the sun this morn." 
 
 The exchange was made ; Laird Glennair was 
 summoned to a private interview with a man in the 
 library ; so, without further interruption, Amy was 
 equipped for the journey of seven miles, and bade 
 farewell, for a season, to the daughters of the haughty 
 yet kind, inexorable yet just, stern yet tender-hearted, 
 Laird of Glennair.
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 " Angels are 'round the good man, to catch the incense of his prayers, 
 And they fly to minister kindness to those for whom he pleadeth; 
 For the altar of his heart is lighted, and burneth before God continually, 
 And he breatheth, conscious of his joy, the native atmosphere of heaven." 
 
 ABROAD glare of light gleamed from the manse 
 upon the road through which the travellers 
 were to pass. Lamps had been placed in every win 
 dow as beacons to guide the missing ones. A young 
 man, apparently about sixteen, with hurried and 
 excited step, paced the hall, repeatedly opening the 
 front door, anxiously endeavoring to scan into the 
 distance ; but the violence of the hurricane hurling 
 myriads of snow-flakes against him, obliged him to 
 seek a retreat within. The wind, whistling around, 
 shook the house to its centre, and an old tree that 
 had graced the ground for centuries, moaned and 
 shivered, and bent its huge frame as though it felt 
 and acknowledged its danger. 
 
 , "Duncan Amy!" he murmured, clasping his 
 hands in agony. " Where are you ? where, oh ! 
 where ? And my precious mother ! " Throwing 
 himself into the corner of an old settee, his head 
 bent low upon his knee. There was a footstep upon 
 the stairway ; it was unheeded. A hand was laid 
 upon his shoulder. 
 
 "Your mother mentions the name of Lochiel 
 
 44
 
 GLENNAIR. 45 
 
 inquiringly. She evidently desires your presence, 
 my boy." 
 
 The youth started to his feet. "What of my 
 mother, Dr. McMillan ? Will she live ? "Will she 
 be spared us ? Tell me, oh ! tell me, must I be 
 bereft of hope ? " 
 
 " While life continues, the Great Shepherd suffers 
 us to hope, Lochiel." 
 
 " But what is your candid opinion? " he inquired, 
 fixing an intent gaze upon him. 
 
 The head of the physician was shaken despond- 
 ingly. His eye sought the floor, as, for a few 
 moments, he stood in silence. 
 
 " Tell me the worst, doctor ; suspense is intoler 
 able." 
 
 " It is your mother's wish, and, I believe, her 
 Saviour's will, that she should soon enter her eter 
 nal rest." 
 
 A burst of grief followed uncontrolled, violent; 
 the frame of the youth trembled with emotion. 
 
 Again the kindly hand rested upon his. " Lochiel, 
 my boy, your mother anxiously awaits you. Delay 
 not for Duncan and Amy ; this tempest renders 
 their return impracticable. They doubtless are still 
 under the shelter of your uncle's roof. The storm 
 must have been pending when the message was 
 received." 
 
 " They have set out," replied the boy vehemently, 
 at the same time dashing his cap heavily upon the 
 floor, " or my name is not Lochiel Graeme. The 
 message was peremptory ; and when did Duncan 
 disregard the slightest wish of his father? Would
 
 46 GLENNAIR. 
 
 that I could bear the same testimony to his bro 
 ther's obedience," he added, mournfully. " I will 
 follow you, doctor." 
 
 " And promise composure ? Agitation might 
 produce serious results." 
 
 The head was bowed in acquiescence, although 
 the lip quivered while the promise was given. Both 
 entered the chamber. 
 
 The stillness of death was there. Mr. Graeme, 
 bowed with grief, was seated at the side of the bed, 
 the hand of his wife resting within his own. A 
 faint smile played over the countenance of Mrs. 
 Graeme as Lochiel approached. Throwing himself 
 impetuously upon his knees beside her, he silently 
 bathed her hand with tears. 
 
 " My beloved, precious boy," she murmured. 
 
 " Can you forgive me, my darling mother ; forgive 
 my waywardness, my disobedience ; forgive the 
 many cruel pangs I 've cost you ? " 
 
 " All, all," she answered feebly, " and love you 
 with all the strength of a dying mother's love. But 
 Duncan, Amy ? " 
 
 " The storm has prevented their return, my dar 
 ling," Mr. Graeme replied. 
 
 A shade of disappointment crossed her pallid 
 face. "May the blessing of the Triune God be with 
 my precious ones," she ejaculated. 
 
 The head of Lochiel was buried in his hands ; a 
 low sob only broke upon the stillness of the apart 
 ment. The hand of the invalid was slightly raised. 
 Mr. Graeme, reading her wish, gently placed it 
 upon the head of Lochiel.
 
 GLENN A IK. 47 
 
 " May the star of Bethlehem guide my latest- 
 born," she almost whispered ; " and may he take 
 refuge under the shadow of the cross. May his 
 parents' God be his God, and may he experience, in 
 a dying hoar, the same perfect peace he has vouch 
 safed me at this moment." 
 
 " I will, mother ; I will," gasped the youth. " I 
 will be all you wish, wish " The power of utter 
 ance failed ; a gush of feeling followed. 
 
 Gently, very gently, the hand of the kind physi 
 cian was laid upon his shoulder. " Lochiel," he 
 whispered, " have you forgotten your promise ? " 
 
 There was no reply ; but rising immediately, he 
 busied himself arranging the pillow for his mother. 
 
 " Have you no blessing for me, Agnes ? " inquired 
 Mr. Graeme, again taking the hand he had relin 
 quished. 
 
 The countenance was almost beaming as she 
 faintly replied, " Those who turn many to right 
 eousness, will shine as the stars in the firmament. 
 Many jewels you have been* permitted to place in 
 the diadem of your Redeemer. Do you need a fur 
 ther blessing, my Malcolm ? " 
 
 " Yes," he murmured, in broken accents ; " grace 
 and strength to bow to this sore bereavement." 
 
 There was a radiant smile as she pointed upward, 
 saying, " Home, home, Je " The smile remained, 
 but the word died upon the lips ; the spirit, without 
 a struggle, had winged its way to the home, where 
 Jesus was awaiting, with hosts of angels, to wel 
 come it. 
 
 Mr. Graeme arose, and laying his hand upon the
 
 48 GLENNAIR. 
 
 polished forehead, beautiful even in death, meekly 
 said, " The Lord gave, the Lord has taken " His 
 voice faltered. " Blessed be his name," added Dr. 
 McMillan, as he gently closed the eyes of his beloved 
 patient, and drew the arm of his pastor within his 
 own, to lead him from the room. 
 
 With a loud wail, Lochiel threw himself upon 
 the body. "My mother, oh! my mother!" he 
 exclaimed. " Speak but one word to your boy, 
 your son, your Lochiel." 
 
 A deep groan told the feelings of the father, as 
 he bent his head upon the shoulder of Dr. McMillan. 
 
 " The Lord loveth whom he chasteneth," whis 
 pered the physician in the ear of the boy. " Can 
 you not put your trust in so good, so merciful a 
 being, dear Lochiel ? " 
 
 " What is mercy ? " he inquired, sullenly. " The 
 exertion of power to bring blight and ruin in our 
 midst?" 
 
 " Do not arraign the Almighty, my darling son," 
 said Mr. Graeme, as tears, unbidden, coursed down 
 his face. " "What I do, thou knowest not now ; but 
 thou shalt know hereafter." 
 
 At the sound of his father's voice, the youth 
 raised his head reverently, and meeting the heavenly 
 expression upon the face of his mother, his attention 
 was riveted ; he gazed gazed intently. 
 
 " May God forgive my rebellious spirit," he said, 
 mournfully, as he rested his cheek upon that of his 
 mother, and wet her face with his tears. " Your 
 God shall be my God, mother ; your slightest wish 
 shall be laid up in my remembrance, and I here sol-
 
 GLENNAIK. 49 
 
 emnly vow to honor your religion for your sake. 
 So help me, my mother's Redeemer." 
 
 Dr. McMillan was about replying, but checked 
 himself, merely remarking, " It would be her wish, 
 Lochiel, that you would now endeavor to be the stay 
 and solace of your bereaved father." 
 
 The lad immediately arose and silently laid his 
 arm around the neck of Mr. Graeme. 
 
 The doctor led the way into the adjoining apart 
 ment. 
 
 "With countenances in which the deepest sadness 
 was depicted, two faithful domestics performed the 
 last rites for all that remained of their beloved mis 
 tress. 
 
 " There will be monny a sair heart to mourn her 
 loss, Kathleen," the elder woman remarked. 
 
 " But nan sae sair as our ain Mr. Lochiel, Mag 
 gie," was the reply ; " it near breaks his heart, this 
 partin' ; " then lowering her voice, she added, " and 
 a mighty thorn he was in his mother's side, bein' 
 sae awfu' wilful." 
 
 " He's a bonny bairn, Kathleen," her friend re 
 turned, warmly, " though as wild as the rocks 
 around him ; but frae the time his mouth first lisped 
 the name of Margie, to this melancholy day, he has 
 never crossed the path of his old nursg, Margaret 
 MacDee." 
 
 " And has Margaret MacDee e'er said nae to her 
 bonnie bairn ? " Kathleen inquired, pleasantly. 
 
 " It wud nae be the kind thing o' ye, Kathleen," 
 she returned with an offended air, " tae think he 
 6 D
 
 50 GLENN AIR. 
 
 put a nail in his mother's coffin. After all the sights 
 and sounds afore her death, nothin' could hae saved 
 or harmed her. Did Rob Roy howl for naethin' ? I 
 trow nae. And did the auld clock's weight fa' like 
 a death damp, an' nae bidden either, Kathleen ? " 
 
 " I dinna ken, Margie ; I trow our blessed Lord 
 dinna need dumb creturs to speak his will. When 
 he sends swift messengers, is it auld clocks and 
 howlin' dogs that does his biddin'? " 
 
 " Twenty winters passed o'er my head afore ye 
 were rocked upon yere mither's lap, Kathleen Mac 
 Leod ; and is n't the Benshee's cry that came to my 
 ears sae often, and the monny deaths that's came 
 after them, of hae account wi' ye ? And dinna them 
 of your own clan that 's came afore ye, tell ye the 
 same truths that I tell ye at this moment ? Yere 
 ain gude Book says, ' Be not faithless, but be 
 lieving.' ' 
 
 " Truly it does, Margie ; the words of our ain 
 Redeemer. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and 
 all faith in sights 'ill flee awa'. We are not to add 
 or take from that gude Book." 
 
 " Ye are a puir MacLeod, Kathleen ; the first hea 
 then e'er raised among them." 
 
 A sad smile passed over the face of Kathleen. 
 " Would that ye would study yere Bible, Margie," 
 she returned ; " that Bible tells " The door opened, 
 and Dr. McMillan entered. 
 
 " The^ light is just dawning, my good women," 
 he remarked ; " you must take some rest for a few 
 hours ; nothing is needed for the present. I will 
 remain, and my man is here to answer any necessary 
 calls."
 
 GLENNAIR. 51 
 
 With a lingering look toward their mistress, they 
 quietly, but with evident reluctance, withdrew from 
 the chamber, and the Doctor threw himself upon the 
 couch in the same apartment. Lochiel had left his 
 father's chamber, and his hurried step might now 
 be distinguished pacing the hall below. A fervent 
 petition was offered by Dr. McMillan, that this 
 heavy bereavement which now pressed with such 
 weight upon the spirit of the youth, might tend to 
 attune that heart to gladness, and enable him to 
 praise and magnify the name of his Redeemer, and 
 find a radiance shed over his now darkened path. 
 
 The gray dawn had scarcely appeared ; the white 
 and heavy clouds moving rapidly over the moun 
 tains, tokening another fall of snow. The wind had 
 partially lulled, but a dreary waste lay before the 
 vision. 
 
 The Doctor arose, and stood viewing the gloomy 
 prospect, when the hall-door, closing heavily, arrested 
 his attention. On hearing his name mentioned at 
 the chamber-door, he immediately opened it. A 
 tall, brawny Irishman stood before him. 
 
 " What is it, Bernard ? " he inquired. 
 
 " It 's a dreary marnin' for Misther Lochiel, I 'm 
 afther thinkin', yere honor, an' he '11 be head over 
 hales out of his depth afore he can make a calkila- 
 tion. 'Now I could n't make free to spake, but may 
 be a word frum yere honor would do the thing, and 
 kape him frum reskin' sich a wa bet of a neck in sich 
 elements. He 's got the strength of a giant packed 
 up in a wa bit of a frame that would n't do much 
 wark in this hurricane, I'm thinkin'."
 
 52 G L E N N A I R. 
 
 Before the door was reached, Lochiel had pro 
 ceeded some steps, and was carefully picking his 
 way toward a drift at the side of a mountain. His 
 head was almost buried in a high coat-collar with a 
 felt hat drawn about his ears ; a gun was carelessly 
 laid across his shoulder. At the voice of Dr. Mc 
 Millan, he turned. " You will accomplish nothing 
 by this risk, Lochiel," he called ; " and your father 
 will be rendered yet more unhappy from the sus 
 pense he will endure for your sake." 
 
 His eye rolled wildly as he replied, " I will bring 
 Duncan and Amy to him. They can comfort where 
 I cannot." 
 
 " But your own precious life, my boy ? " 
 
 " That is valueless ; if I cannot save, I can only 
 perish with them." 
 
 " And are you ready to yield that spirit to your 
 mother's God, young man ? " asked the Doctor sol 
 emnly, as he came forward and laid his hand upon 
 his arm. 
 
 A blast of wind moaned past them, almost over 
 turning the slight frame of the youth, who was 
 forced to cling to a jutting rock for support, and 
 with bended form await until it had spent its force. 
 When he again arose, he threw his head impetuously 
 upon the shoulder of his friend, and gave way to a 
 torrent of grief. 
 
 " Can any future woe surpass my present suffer 
 ing ? " he inquired. 
 
 The head was drawn very closely, as the kind phy 
 sician returned gently : " ' Come unto me all ye that 
 are weary, and I will give you rest.' Return with
 
 GLENNAIR. 53 
 
 me, dear Lochiel ; you. are not fitted this day to 
 brave the hardships before you. And your efforts 
 would not avail." 
 
 " No, Doctor, no. Do not detain me ; I must 
 atone for the trouble I have caused my now only 
 parent. I will restore to him his children ; I will 
 render his declining years comparatively happy. I 
 have trodden every foot of ground and rock for 
 miles around, and can with " A sudden thought 
 seemed to pass through his mind ; a low whistle 
 brought an immense dog to his side, bounding joy 
 fully upon the shoulders of his young master. 
 
 "Hist! Rob," he whispered. "Lost, lost." The 
 dog looked intelligently, then darted forward, re 
 turned, wagged his tail, growled, again darted for 
 ward, and was soon lost to view. At a signal from 
 the Doctor, Bernard disappeared, and returned 
 equipped with a large coat, flapped hat, and gun. 
 There was a glance of gratified surprise as the man 
 joined him, but no word passed, and they hastily 
 pursued the way down the road, while the Doctor, 
 with a sad heart, retreated into the house, and 
 joined Mr. Graeme in the sitting-room. 
 
 Lochiel and Bernard had proceeded but a short 
 distance, when a tall, slight female figure, wrapped 
 in a large plaid shawl, turned the corner of the rock. 
 She started, and the deep color mounted to her 
 cheek as they approached ; but the cap, slightly 
 raised, was the only recognition, and the head of 
 Lochiel again sank upon his bosom. With a defer 
 ential bow, Bernard advanced to meet her. 
 
 5*
 
 54 GLENNAIR. 
 
 " Is it aftlier the Doctor ye are, Miss Edith ? " 
 he inquired. 
 
 " Yes, Bernard, little Helen is quite ill thip morn 
 ing, and Aunt Cameron wished to see him immedi 
 ately. Is he still with Mrs. Graeme ? " 
 
 " An' it 's a long time I 'm a-trustin', Miss Edith, 
 afore he reaches that same home where her spirit 'a 
 now a-restin'. He '11 give many a d'rap o' comfort 
 to all around him afore that day arrives, I 'm 
 thinkin'." 
 
 "Bernard!" exclaimed the young lady, claspmg 
 her hands together, " Mrs. Graeme is not dead ; 
 surely you are mistaken." 
 
 The man shook his head. " It 's too true, Miss 
 Edith ; I had it from the Doctor's own lips, and 
 Margie and Kathleen." 
 
 With her face buried in her hands, she stood 
 silent a few moments, then hesitatingly inquired, 
 " Has Miss Amy yet returned ? " 
 
 " JSTo ; nor Mr. Duncan nither, Miss Edith ; the 
 Docther 's afther a-thinkin' it will be an awful blow, 
 if they ever rache the manse, which sames rather 
 doubtful. And for the raisin we are now in sarche 
 of them, I can't be afther tellin' the Docther you 
 nade him." 
 
 " They were yesterday at Mr. Rushbrook's," she 
 replied, with forced calmness, though her voice 
 trembled with agitation. " Why do you suppose 
 them in danger ? " 
 
 " I don't know the grounds of the case, Miss 
 Edith ; but Mr. Lochiel is on a wild-goose chase, 
 an' I 'm a-follerin' afther him, with my ordthers, to
 
 GLENN AIR. 55 
 
 peck the wee tiling out when he 's head over haels 
 in snow ; but we '11 soon be brought up by the sae, 
 I 'm thinkin'." 
 
 " But would it not be possible to force a way to 
 Mr. Rushbrook's ? " she inquired, with a face of 
 ashy paleness. " The teanr? " 
 
 " He 's a manin' for all his doin's," he replied, 
 pointing his finger toward the now almost invisible 
 figure of Lochiel. " He has his own plans laid, I 'm 
 thinkin' ; and I '11 follow him through arth and 
 wather, always provided he steers clare of the Elfin. 
 I 've pretty strong nairves, Miss Edith ; but a stout 
 heart might be afther quakin' at the unarthly sights 
 in that quarter, fet to make the hair of one's head 
 stand upright, and fasthen in the other end. But 
 we '11 musther strong, if there's a nade be, and drive 
 out all the men, an' sperits, too, afore Mr. Duncan 
 and Miss Amy shall be the worse." 
 
 An involuntary start was not noticed by Bernard. 
 
 " But it 's quite and intirely time I was kapin' in 
 the wake, Miss Edith, for Misther Lochiel might 
 be buried up, for all the care I'm takin' of him." 
 
 So saying, with another low bow, he left her, and 
 hastened to rejoin the young man, who was entirely 
 out of sight. 
 
 " Will yees be afther cuttin' across to Misther 
 Rushbrook's, Misther Lochiel ? " he inquired. 
 
 "The snow would prevent the possibility. We 
 will take MacLoughlin's boat, and endeavor to find 
 some safe landing-place." 
 
 " A man bred to the sae would kape clear of the 
 shore, instead of venturing on it, Mr. Lochiel."
 
 56 GLENNAIR. 
 
 " We may possibly throw up the boat upon the 
 sand beach to the right of the Elfin. The forests in 
 the neighborhood may afford them shelter, though 
 no sustenance." 
 
 " The Elfin ! " exclaimed Bernard. " A sorry 
 place to enter for safety ; we nade a sarch-warrant 
 from the divil for that expedition, I 'm thinkin'." 
 
 " If you and John have any fear, you can remain 
 in the boat, while I enter the forest in search of 
 them. There are many caves beside the Elfin ; I 
 scarcely think, myself, that Duncan would venture 
 there." 
 
 " Sich a cowardly step 's not in my natur, Misther 
 Lochiel. No, no, my strong foot may do some sar- 
 vice, if his riverence does n't interfere on the side of 
 his friends ; at any rate, it sha'n't be said that Ber 
 nard O'Dougherty desarted a bet of a streplin' in his 
 utmost nade." 
 
 There was a flash in the eye of the youth ; it was 
 momentary ; for despair, which had set its seal upon 
 that brow, resumed its place. 
 
 " I will never return without them," he mur 
 mured ; " never, never." 
 
 The tone, rather than the words, fell upon the ear 
 of Bernard ; feeling that they were not addressed to 
 him, he forbore reply. 
 
 After much difficulty, they at length reached the 
 hut of the fisherman, which stood upon a bluff, 
 about a quarter of a mile from the ocean. A loud 
 halloa brought him to the door of his cabin. 
 
 " Misther Graeme is wantin' your services, John 
 MacLoughlin," called Bernard ; " jist step this way, 
 man, and don't be sleepin' to 'tarnity."
 
 GLENNAIE. 57 
 
 The person addressed, a sour, crusty-looking man, 
 came forward, having evidently just risen at the call 
 of his friend. 
 
 " Yere makin' an unco' noise aboot naethin', Ber 
 nard O'Dougherty," he growled. " I '11 rise wi' the 
 sun, or when it's gaun awa', an' nae settlement wi' 
 ye, nither." 
 
 " Well, come, be afther makin' a sittlement with 
 Misther Lochiel, who 's down on the wather's edge 
 a-waitin' to strike a bargain wi' yees. You always 
 was good in that line, Misther MacLoughlin," he 
 added, slapping the ill-natured man upon the 
 shoulder. 
 
 "Ye 'd mickle better make a settlement wi' yere 
 own tongue, Bernard O'Dougherty ; there 's nae mon 
 but myseP wad hae carried Norval Neil son far frae 
 danger, an' the tender mercies o' my Laird Glennair." 
 
 " And were ye afther doin' the thing handsome, 
 John, an' did n't ye grip the last bawbee from the 
 poor divil's pocket? I'd hae been the last man 
 would cast it up in yere tathe, but it was a mane 
 pace of business, ye can't deny it, can ye ? The stuff 
 would burn in my pocket, I tell ye." 
 
 " Make yere ain bargains, and mind yere ain af 
 fairs," he remarked, breaking from' him angrily, and 
 advancing to the spot where Lochiel was standing. 
 
 " "Wull ye aught wi' me, Maister Graeme," he 
 inquired. 
 
 " Let your boat be launched at once, John, and 
 provide me a strong oarsman." 
 
 " In sic a blaw, Maister Lochiel ? and the puir 
 auld craft is sae ailin' ; she canna hauld water, salt
 
 58 GLENNAIR. 
 
 or fresli ; she 's mickle the waur for the last wurk 
 she tried upon the waters." 
 
 A shade of bitter disappointment crossed the face 
 of the young man. " And can no boat be obtained ? " 
 he inquired. " Where is Aleck Edgar ? " 
 
 As he spoke, his eye carefully scanned the waters. 
 A small speck at some distance .met his view. It 
 was pointed out to Bernard. 
 
 " It 's nae mair than a sea-bird, dippin' for its ain 
 dinner," MacLoughlin remarked.. 
 
 The practised eye of Lochiel saw differently, as 
 much of his leisure time had been passed in watch 
 ing boats and shipping as they gradually neared the 
 shore. Taking a small glass from his pocket, he 
 brought it to bear upon the object. 
 
 " There is a boat," he observed, after a few mo 
 ments' intent gazing, " evidently endeavoring to 
 effect a landing. Their danger is imminent ; here 
 the waves are comparatively smooth ; fire quickly, 
 Bernard ; let them know they are observed." 
 
 The order was immediately obeyed, and the echo 
 reverberated from rock to rock. 
 
 Suddenly the glass was grasped tightly, while an 
 exclamation of horror escaped him. 
 
 " It is it is ! " he gasped. 
 
 The glass was grasped by Bernard, as his strong 
 arm was placed around Lochiel to support the trem 
 bling boy. A signal was plainly seen a curiously 
 wrought crimson scarf, which Bernard well remem 
 bered having seen upon the neck of Miss Graeme. 
 
 " Another look, in mercy ! Bernard." 
 
 The glass was again placed to the eye of Lochiel.
 
 GLENNAIR. 59 
 
 For a moment the scarf fluttered upon the breeze, 
 then suddenly disappeared, as though intentionally it 
 were carefully removed from view. 
 
 The strained eye of Lochiel intently watched the 
 boat, as he clung to the arm of Bernard for sup 
 port ; an immense surge rose higher and higher, be 
 coming more terrific every moment, then bursting 
 upon the little boat, engulfed it within its bosom. 
 
 Lochiel saw no more, but with a wild shriek, fell 
 senseless upon the ground. His faithful dog who 
 had been scenting every nook throughout their jour 
 ney, and as often returning to the side of his master, 
 eagerly watching every movement threw himself, 
 with a piteous whine, upon him. 
 
 " John MacLoughlin, if ye have any pity in yere 
 heart," shouted Bernard, as he gently raised the un 
 conscious boy, "let your boat lake or no lake 
 be launched, and save the precious lives of Misther 
 Duncan and Miss Amy. This moment, or ye will be 
 'too late," he added, with feverish impatience, as he 
 saw the man still linger. 
 
 " And wha wi' ha' a care for the risking of the 
 life o' John MacLoughlin ? " he inquired, sneeringly, 
 " and wha wi' hae a look tae his bairns, if the morn 
 see him in the bottom of the Lynn ? Tell me that, 
 Maister Bernard O'Dougherty." 
 
 " Launch at once, MacLoughlin," he shouted, as 
 (taking his cloak from his shoulders, and gently lay 
 ing the youth upon it, under shelter of a rock) he 
 advanced and seized the side of the boat, while great 
 drops stood upon his forehead, from the excitement 
 of the moment. " Lend a hand, man, and throw
 
 60 GLENNAIE. 
 
 her into the dape, and I '11 take all the risk, if you '11 
 lend an eye to the lad yonder." 
 
 " And wha wuld be the profit of that, wi' a dead 
 boy to scare the auld woman and bairns." 
 
 " Then handle the oar," he cried, impatiently, as 
 he almost threw the man into the boat, now floating 
 upon the angry billows, " and I '11 promise you a full 
 pocket for all your trouble." 
 
 . The man surlily obeyed, and in a few moments 
 was springing the breakers and breasting the waves 
 in a manner that showed him no novice in his voca 
 tion. 
 
 " And y'ere childer might be more scared with 
 yere ugly visage, you craven," Bernard murmured, 
 as he resumed his burden and proceeded to the hut 
 of MacLoughlin. 
 
 The tap at the door being unanswered, the latch 
 was lifted and he entered. A dirty bundle of straw 
 in the corner of the room appeared to have been 
 just vacated, and a tall, lank, bony woman was 
 crouching over some smouldering embers, which she 
 was endeavoring to light by the aid of some chips 
 which lay beside her. An infant a few months old, 
 wrapped in a tattered spread, was lying upon the 
 floor, feebly making known its wants, while several 
 children the eldest not over six were clamor 
 ously surrounding their mother for something to eat. 
 A dirty table, devoid of cloth, was standing beside 
 the wall, with a few fragments the remnants of 
 last night's meal. Crumbs and grease had fallen, 
 and were scattered in various directions around. 
 
 " Out upon ye, every mither's son o' ye," she
 
 GLENNAIR. 61 
 
 shouted, seizing an old shoe, and testing its strength 
 over the back of the eldest. " Can't ye hould yere 
 eilly tongues, an' not be draggin' sowl andr body 
 apart wi' yere clamer ? " 
 
 The youngster thus suddenly attacked, sought 
 refuge under the table which being rather totter 
 ing, finding support, in the absence of a fourth leg, 
 against the wall, suddenly up-turned, scattering tin 
 and earthen dishes to the farthest corner of the 
 room. In a moment a cold potato was seized by one, 
 the tongue of another applied to a molasses-dish, the 
 baby's cries increasing with the vociferous noises. 
 
 Bernard, almost unconscious of the scene around 
 him, had seated himself on an old stool, and was 
 bathing the temples of his precious charge with cold 
 water from a tin cup which he had seized on enter 
 ing. An occasional moan manifested some sign of 
 returning life* 
 
 The woman, whose warm temper was now thor 
 oughly roused, sprang from the corner, and was 
 about wreaking her wrath upon the first object she 
 might encounter, when her eye, for the first time, 
 fell upon the new-comers. For a moment she stood 
 mute with astonishment and rage, then placing her 
 hands upon her sides, she made a sudden descent 
 upon them. 
 
 " And wha may ye be ? " she inquired, with 
 clenched teeth, " a-makin' sae frae in the house of 
 anither ? " 
 
 " Lave the lad brathin'-room, woman," exclaimed* 
 Bernard, passionately, as she attempted to push them 
 both toward the door. A low moan and slight 
 
 6
 
 62 GLENNAIB. 
 
 movement arrested him. " Misther Locliiel," he 
 said, gently. A hand was partially lifted, then all 
 was again still. " Will you kill the lad the son of 
 the good ministher, too, you old hag ? " he inquired, 
 fiercely. " His life shall be laid at your door if you 
 stir a step toward the harmin' of him." 
 
 " And do you trow I care that" snapping her fin 
 gers, " for a' yer preachments an' ministers a'thegi- 
 ther ? An' wi' ye scare awa the Benshee the night 
 at the bringin' of death among us ? Allan MacLough- 
 lin ! " she vociferated, opening a small back window. 
 
 The sound of the chopping of wood ceased, the 
 axe fell heavily, the door opened, and a young man 
 entered. His kind, benevolent countenance at once 
 attracted Bernard. 
 
 " I nade some help here, young man," he re 
 marked. " Can you get any conveyance to the manse, 
 at once ? " 
 
 Hesitatingly the door was opened, and a very 
 small room appeared to view, in which was a wooden 
 settee with some old clothes lying upon it. Casting 
 a doubtful look at the woman, he inquired, 
 
 " Could n't he lay here for a wee time ? " 
 
 " Out upon ye ! " she exclaimed. " It's nae i' my 
 house he '11 find a footin'." 
 
 " Ye dinna ken mickle of the gude Book," he re 
 plied, sadly, " or ye wuld hae mair kindliness in yere 
 heart, Katy." 
 
 " And lose my sowl by turnin' heretic, like yer- 
 sel', ye fou' ! Ye'd mickle better git the priest to 
 shrive the heathen, and nae stan' parlyin' 'bout 
 naethiuV
 
 GLENNAIE. 63 
 
 There was no reply, but the young man disap 
 pearing for a moment, returned bearing the little cot, 
 upon which were arranged smoothly two small, 
 soiled blankets the sole bed-clothing he possessed. 
 Over this the cloak of Bernard was laid, and ?, tat 
 tered plaid belonging to Allan arranged for a pillow. 
 
 " I '11 aid you wi' him mysel'," he said, as Ber 
 nard, with a heart-felt " God bless you," lifted his 
 charge upon it. Allan passed his arm carefully un 
 der it, to raise it more steadily. 
 
 " And wha '11 be cuttin' the wood in the time ? " 
 inquired the 'woman, angrily. 
 
 " Get your cuttin' done by some of your own 
 stamp, who are worth nothin' betther," Bernard re 
 plied, impatiently, throwing a piece of silver toward 
 her. 
 
 Silently pocketing the money, somewhat mollified 
 at the sight of it, she permitted them to leave the 
 house without further molestation. 
 
 " A warm house there, I guess, without the nade 
 of asking," Bernard remarked with a shrug, point 
 ing his thumb backward in the direction of the lot, 
 as they carefully picked their way toward the manse. 
 
 " I look far awa', " he replied, meekly. 
 
 " Far awa' ! " exclaimed Bernard ; " I should 
 think your wits would be naded nare home, to kape 
 your head upon your shoulders, gran tin' any may be 
 left in such a brawl." 
 
 " It is n't my hame. I sit content at the Maister's 
 feet, an' he points there," (raising his forefinger im 
 pressively,) " to anither an' a better hame. Eye hae 
 nae seen, nor ear heard, nor heart conceived the glo-
 
 64 GLENNAIR. 
 
 ries " Overcome with timidity, the words died 
 upon his lips. 
 
 Bernard's heart was touched ; he made no reply, 
 but glancing toward his companion, he saw his coun 
 tenance beaming with a heavenly radiance. Silently 
 they proceeded until they drew near the manse. 
 Bernard paused. 
 
 " I 'm just a-thinkin', Allan," he remarked, " there's 
 trouble enough at the minister's for one day, so we '11 
 take Misther Lochiel to the Hedge. The lady has a 
 big heart, and we'll be sartin of a kindly gratin'. 
 
 " Wha' is the trouble at the manse, sair ? " 
 
 " ISTo sair for me, if you plase ; I am plain Bernard 
 O'Dougherty, no betther no, nor half so good as 
 yourself; but our kind leddy at the manse has gone 
 to her long home." 
 
 An involuntary start shook the hand of Bernard ; 
 he turned inquiringly. Every feature in his com 
 panion's face was convulsed, and the heaving bosom 
 told that a chord had been struck of which he had 
 not the slightest apprehension. A gush of feeling 
 followed, and uncontrolled sobs and tears relieved 
 his pent-up anguish. 
 
 " Then you knew Mistress Graeme, Allan ? " his 
 friend inquired, kindly. 
 
 " She ha made me all I am. Twa year since, she 
 took me by the hand, and led me right to Christ 
 my Saviour ; and he said, ' Come unto me,' and I 
 came right awa', and since that time, on the eve of 
 every holy Sabbath, wi' three other puir lads nae 
 better than mysel', she gie us an hour's blessed 
 counsel at the manse."
 
 GLENNAIR. 65 
 
 A fresh gush, of tears followed. 
 
 " And a good cup of tay in the bargain ? " Ber 
 nard inquired, desirous to divert the current. 
 
 " Ah, Kathleen's kindness was gude to think 
 upon ; alway a hearty welcome and good cheer i' 
 the kitchen afore we parted." 
 
 The house now stood full in view, the closed win 
 dows mournfully telling that death had set its seal 
 upon it. There was a shudder passed through the 
 frame of Allan. 
 
 Bernard turned, and leading the way to a side 
 door of the neighboring house, entered without ask 
 ing permission. 
 
 A tall, dignified, sad-looking lady was sitting in 
 the dining-room. She started and advanced, pale 
 with alarm. "JSTot Dr. McMillan, Bernard? He 
 left here only a few moments since." 
 
 "Misther Lochiel, Mrs. Cameron. Thenking there 
 was grafe enough at the ministher's, I madefrae " 
 
 " Hold, good Bernard ; no words are necessary ; 
 the sufferer will always find a welcome here." 
 
 The door to a small apartment, nicely warmed, 
 was thrown open, and after freeing him from use 
 less clothing, and wrapping him in a flannel morn 
 ing-gown, Lochiel was placed in a comfortable 
 couch. 
 
 " The Doctor, Bernard, immediately," said Mrs. 
 Cameron. " Then return for refreshment, with 
 your friend, in the kitchen. But the poor lad is 
 pale from exhaustion," she remarked, as for the 
 first time she glanced toward Allan. Bringing a 
 cup of warm coftee, she bade him take it, and be 
 
 6* E
 
 66 GLENN AIR. 
 
 seated. With a grateful and a full heart, Allan 
 partook of the beverage, and with feelings such as 
 none could appreciate but those who knew not the 
 name of comfort, in a very few moments sunk into 
 the soundest slumber. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 " He stealeth all goodly names, 
 As wealth, as value, and substance." 
 
 DARK and gloomy as had been the ushering in 
 of the morning, at noon, in all his glory and 
 brilliancy, the sun burst forth over the hills and 
 lochs of Glennair and its surroundings. Loch 
 Leighton, bound in a coat of mail, reflected glitter- 
 ingly every ray, while the tall firs and eaves, hea 
 vily hung with icicles, in allegiance to the King of 
 Day, offered no quarter to the unfortunate wayfarer. 
 Thus far, the only exhibition of the power of his 
 majesty was to throw a shower of crystal drops, 
 pendent upon each point, upon the old cap of John 
 MacLoughlin, as he beat with his heavy stick against 
 the kitchen-door of the dwelling of Dr. Graeme. 
 
 " Can ye nae tap mair gently at the house of 
 mournin', friend?" asked Kathleen, opening the 
 door, and still holding the ladle with which she 
 was dipping the fritters she was preparing for din 
 ner.
 
 G L E X N A I E . 67 
 
 " If ye kenned the news I hae fetched yer mis 
 tress, ye wud gie me room to come in, and gie me 
 summat to eat, too, for I hae tramped mony miles 
 to tell it to the parson, and am starvin' as a crow 
 for carrion." 
 
 " If ye ken anything of our missing anes, tell us 
 in maircy, for our hearts are sair to their core, and 
 the minister is wellnigh spirit-broken." 
 
 " !N"ae, I will tell nain but the parson or his 
 woman ; to them I be sent, and ye can gae fetch 
 them, mistress." 
 
 " Our minister is wi' his younger son at the hall, 
 nae far frae this ; the lad is mickle hurt ; we fear he 
 maun follow his mother." 
 
 " His mother ! " echoed MacLoughlin ; " Mistress 
 Graeme hae nae gane, is she ? " 
 
 " Our leddy hae gane where nae tidings will vex 
 her mair. The body is still waiting the gathering 
 of the bairns." 
 
 " Weel, weel," returned the man, lifting up the 
 cap he had thrown down between his feet, arid 
 moving nervously upon his chair, " she wa' delicate, 
 an' summut gane in years ; sic maun expect to die ; 
 she is nae near, is she, mistress ? " 
 
 " In the ither room ; would ye look on her? She 
 is like to life." 
 
 "Nae! nae!" he exclaimed, arresting Kathleen 
 by the dress. " I hae nae fondness for seeing sic 
 sights ; there was nae need for the ither woman tae 
 gang for Dr. Graeme. I wull tak a mouthfu', and 
 gae to the hall mysel'." 
 
 At this juncture, Margaritte burst into the apart-
 
 68 GLENN A IE. 
 
 ment, and, almost breathless from haste, delivered 
 the direction from the minister, that the messenger 
 from Duncan and his sister should come to Mrs. 
 Cameron's, as he could not leave Lochiel. 
 
 " I wud hae been the ane to have fetched him, 
 but Bernard O'Dougherty sent me for the ithers. I 
 maun say I hae ben the savin' of them a'. I hope 
 the parson's purse-strings 'ill nae be tied in knots," 
 he added, while he diligently manifested his appro 
 val of Kathleen's fritters. " Rough journeys helps a 
 mon's appetite," he remarked, pushing his plate to 
 be replenished the fifth time. 
 
 " I wull gie ye a steak frae this mutton venison 
 and some bread, friend, for Dr. McMillan, and may 
 be ithers," she sighed, " will be here to dine, an' 
 my fritters will nae hold out." 
 
 Without a reply he devoured the slice of meat 
 and several rounds from a loaf, not sparingly but 
 tered. Margaritte, who had been serving him, 
 thought proper to wrap up the remainder, remark 
 ing as he passed out of the door, in an undertone of 
 disgust, "I will leave ye to scald and scour the 
 plates and things, Kathleen ; I maun run and fetch 
 you what he kens." 
 
 Margaritte followed the man to the hall of Mrs. 
 Cameron. On reaching there, she passed in before, 
 and noiselessly opened the door of the little room 
 where was Lochiel, and the father, with Allan, anx 
 iously watching. 
 
 " The mon hae come," she was whispering, when 
 John MacLoughlin caught a glimpse of his brother. 
 
 "Allan MacLoughlin," he surlily demanded in a
 
 GLEXNAIE. 69 
 
 loud voice, f ' why are ye nae at yer ain work, in 
 stead of wha ye are nae wanted, ye idle poltroon ? 
 Ye hae left yer wages wi' yer choppin, I can tell ye, 
 Allan MacLoughlin." Before he could say more, or 
 all of this, Mr. Graeme had come out of the room 
 and Margaritte had prudently closed the door. 
 
 " Ye wull undo all the gude ye brag of, if ye wake 
 our lad frae the sweet sleep we hope in " 
 
 " Hold, Margaritte," interposed her master, "there 
 is no- harm done. "YVe will go with this friend into 
 the north room, and when he tells us all we shall 
 love to learn, amends shall be made for all he has 
 lost in our service." In this apartment were found 
 Mrs. Cameron, a little, delicate-looking child coiled 
 up in a large chair, and Edith Lincoln. Even the 
 obdurate spirit of John MacLoughlin seemed sub 
 dued; his muscles relaxed into something like an 
 inclination of the body, as he entered and stood 
 before this family. Edith arose from a reclining 
 position on a sofa, passed her fingers over her 
 slightly disarranged hair, settled her comb, but the 
 color suffused her usually pale cheek as she met and 
 re-met the earnest, continued gaze of the stranger. 
 
 " I know'd her mither when I wa' a youngster, 
 and all of us ca'd her 'Angel Helen o' the Hall ; ' as 
 like are ye as gulls twa wings ; yere een are blacker, 
 and trouble hae taen awa' tfre dance frae them ; ye 
 be Hugh Lincoln, the Robber's daughter, beant ye?" 
 
 " We acknowledge no such appendage to that 
 name, John MacLoughlin." Dr. McMillan had 
 entered unobserved, and had heard the last sentence. 
 Drawing the large chair between the sofa and Mac-
 
 70 GLENNAIR. 
 
 Loughlin, lie lifted the little girl from it into his lap, 
 and continued : 
 
 " Now, out with what brought you, man, and 
 nothing false. Be speedy ; where are, and what do 
 you know of the son and daughter of Mr. Graeme ? " 
 
 The man quailed for a moment before the steady, 
 honest eye of his querist, and answered, " Safely 
 harbored in the Castle of Glennair ; the young man 
 would hae come in my boat, but the Laird forbade 
 the risk." 
 
 " He said he tramped all the distance, when he came 
 to the manse," Margaritte quietly remarked. 
 
 " The truth, John," rejoined the Doctor ; " no 
 truthtelling, no pay." 
 
 " We would know all you know, friend," said the 
 pastor, " and please be speedy." 
 
 "All I ken is that they started for hame this 
 morn, but the wagon stove an' the beasts wad nae 
 haul, an' they are baith waitin' for anither chance, 
 an' I wa' sent to see arter ye all, and if all wa' well." 
 
 The head of Mr. Graeme fell upon his clasped 
 hands ; Mrs. Cameron, beckoning to Margaritte, 
 withdrew. The Doctor, without appearing to notice 
 the anguish of his sorely bereaved pastor, said, 
 " Go prepare your boat, MacLaughlin ; in five min 
 utes I will be ready to go with you to Glennair, and, 
 according to your deserts, you shall be recompensed," 
 he added, seeing the man hesitated. 
 
 " Are you going away, too ? " asked the little 
 Helen, with earnestly appealing eyes. 
 
 " Not long, tiny Fawn," he replied, caressing her 
 tenderly ; " only to bring Duncan and Amy back to
 
 GLENNAIR. 71 
 
 their father. Cannot you and cousin Edith take 
 care of him while I am gone ? " 
 
 Clinging to him, she waved her curls from side to 
 side, to testify her inability and unwillingness. " Sis 
 ter, maybe, can, but how can little Helen talk to Mr. 
 Graeme ? " she whispered. 
 
 " Will you try if I tell you ? " the Doctor whis 
 pered in return. 
 
 She nodded a reluctant consent, while the tears 
 gathered in her eyes. 
 
 " Well, then, when I have gone, you go and sit on 
 the small cushion near him, and lay your hand upon 
 his knee ; that will soothe him." 
 
 Rising, the Doctor placed her in the large chair, 
 and after a few comforting words to Miss Lincoln, 
 left the three alone. Soon after, Helen, slipping 
 from the seat and looking timidly toward Mr. 
 Graeme, said softly to her cousin, " Sister, will I 
 go stand by him ? " 
 
 "Do, precious, if you wish," she answered, releasing 
 the little hand she had linked in hers. Softly the 
 child approached the mourner and sat down upon 
 the cushion. Not only the hand, but the cheek, was 
 laid against his knee before Mr. Graeme was aware 
 of her presence. 
 
 At length, raising his eyes and perceiving her, he 
 stroked the fair hair, and murmured, " Dear little 
 one, you have but just entered upon a world of sor 
 row ; may you be kept from the coming evils. 
 Edith ! do you find strength equal to your trying 
 day, my child ? " 
 
 " Would I could ever trust the blessed promises,
 
 72 GLENN A IE. 
 
 Mr. Graeme," she answered, vainly attempting to 
 restrain the gushing tears. " My agonized spirit 
 often cries loudly for relief, and rebelliously pre 
 scribes the method. The mercies of the last hour 
 must help pur unbelief, and we shall find his grace 
 sufficient hereafter, yet " 
 
 " Heavy have been your trials, Edith," interrupted 
 Mr. Graeme, " and unmitigated by the voice of kind 
 ness or affection. Keenly have we all felt our una 
 voidable (as we supposed) desertion, in this your 
 hour of sore trial. That our course toward you has 
 been erroneous, the providences of the last two days 
 have clearly witnessed. To you, whom we have all, 
 save Duncan, deserted in your sorrow, are we brought 
 for succor in our extremity, and thus taught that we 
 are henceforth to aid you in bearing your burden. 
 We have acted from expediency not scripturally, 
 Edith ; a heavy chastisement has shown me my 
 duty." 
 
 " I could scarcely receive sympathy, Mr. Graeme, 
 from those who believe him culpable." Miss Lincoln 
 moved to give the minister the seat beside her, which 
 he had advanced to take. 
 
 " It is very difficult to give it credence, Edith ; 
 and his daughter could not support the supposition. 
 Leaving that subject, my love, I claim for Amy your 
 former sisterly affection, and sue for forgiveness for 
 all our delinquencies." 
 
 " Will heaven ever espouse the cause of other *han 
 the innocent ? " inquired the weeping girl. 
 
 " Never ! my child ; and how obvious the divine 
 interference to prevent your suffering from the alien-
 
 GLENN AIR. 73 
 
 ation of your earliest friends and nearest neighbors ; 
 yet, Edith, how generally, 
 
 ' Behind a frowning Providence, 
 He hides a smiling face.' 
 
 My Locliiel is recovering, his sister and brother are 
 returning home, and you, and your aunt " 
 
 " We '11 forget the past, Mr. Graeme ; most keenly 
 have we felt your withdrawal." 
 
 Mr. Graeme laid his hand upon her head, as he 
 fervently and humbly besought Heaven's blessing 
 upon that household ; then, raising the little Helen 
 in his arms, from Miss Lincoln's side, where she had 
 been closely nestled during the while, he blessed 
 her ; also beseeching that " this lamb of the fold 
 might be the light of the family, their prop in de 
 clining years, their aid in the Christian life ; that 
 light might be brought out of darkness, and their 
 latter days be bright." 
 
 It was enough for the child to know her cousin 
 was in tears. When Mr. Graeme put her down, 
 throwing her arms around her, she begged her not 
 to cry, saying in her childish innocence, that nobody 
 should hurt her, and that she would always be good 
 and mind everybody. Her cousin held her in a close 
 embrace and endeavored to wipe away the tears. 
 Mr. Graeme smiled on the little girl, and said he 
 and Allan were now to convey Lochiel to the room 
 Kathleen, and some of his parishioners, who had 
 been unremitting in their attentions, had prepared 
 for him. 
 
 " Edith," the minister spoke hesitatingly" Edith, 
 7
 
 74 GLENNAIE. 
 
 is it too much to ask that you would be at the manse 
 to receive my Amy ? You would have more power 
 to comfort her in the bereavement than any other 
 being in the world." 
 
 Edith made an effort to say she would be there, 
 but the words died upon the lip ; she bowed an as 
 sent. Pressing her hand gratefully, Dr. Graeme left 
 the room. 
 
 " You look so tired, dear," said Miss Lincoln, " I 
 would like you to lie here and sleep while I go to 
 the manse ; but first, I must kiss away every tear 
 from these cheeks. Dr. McMillan must not see his 
 4 tiny Fawn' grieved." 
 
 " Sister, my Doctor says he has not room in his 
 heart for Aggie MacAlpin, I take up so much 
 space," sighing heavily, while her cousin kissed and 
 dried away the tears. 
 
 " I think you might move a little and let her in, 
 she is such a nice little girl." 
 
 " I would, sister, but the Doctor says his heart is 
 so crowded up, nobody else can creep in." 
 
 " He knows differently, Helen ; his heart will hold 
 all the people in the world who deserve a place there. 
 Aggie, dear little Aggie, will not be left outside ; so 
 now go to sleep and dream she is safely there." 
 Edith arranged her comfortably, remained long 
 enough to give a parting kiss to the sleeping child, 
 and then sought Mrs. Cameron to advise her of her 
 
 o 
 
 promise to Mr. Graeme. 
 
 " I decidedly disapprove of your going, my dear, 
 as would your father," Mrs. Cameron replied with 
 some asperity, when Edith had finished her report,
 
 GLENNAIR. 75 
 
 " and. am more than a little Surprised, Edith, that 
 you are willing to enter the manse, while the pastor 
 is unwilling to recognize you as the daughter of an 
 injured, honorable man. You have been commend- 
 ably prudent hitherto, and why would you now haz 
 ard meeting many who are the declared foes of your 
 father ? Indeed, Edith, I cannot permit this undig 
 nified step." Rising quickly and taking from a 
 bureau-drawer a large shawl, she unfolded and threw 
 it around her shoulders. " I will go myself," she said 
 emphatically; "Edith Cameron Lincoln shall be 
 guilty of no act derogatory to her own or her father's 
 name, defamed as his may be by others. The grief 
 of Amy Graeme will be terrible ; none will be able 
 to check it for a time ; better, too, you should not 
 encounter that, dear ; you can hardly bear your own, 
 sweet bairn." 
 
 Tears started as Mrs. Cameron looked up and saw 
 the face of her niece covered with both hands. 
 *' Surely, you will prefer not to see them just now, 
 Edith, my child ? " she asked, softly. 
 
 Withdrawing her hands from a face bathed in 
 tears, she said bitterly, "Nothing, no, nothing 
 .could add to my sorrow ; I might possibly mitigate 
 theirs ; I might be able to soothe Amy, aunt ; and 
 perhaps," she added, hesitatingly, after another 
 pause, " Duncan may think me unkind, and that 
 will give poignancy to bis grief. Aunt Edith, father 
 would almost confront the people himself .to comfort 
 Duncan Graeme; but I. will be satisfied with your 
 decision, and Duncan will with my reasons." 
 
 She said no more, and Mrs. Cameron was silent
 
 .76 GLENNAIR. 
 
 until, when about to leave the room, attired for the 
 visit, she kindly laid her hand on' Edith's as they 
 lay clasped over the back of a chair, and said ten 
 derly, " / know this is the wisest course, dearest, 
 and Duncan will acknowledge its propriety. I am 
 sure he would suffer any privations rather than have 
 you subjected to the invidious remarks of those who 
 will collect on this occasion, and so would I. My 
 Edith is as the apple of my eye." She folded her to 
 her heart and left her. 
 
 Placid and beautiful in death reposed the clay 
 tenement of Mrs. Graeme in the darkened room 
 where sat the minister, when Mrs. Cameron entered. 
 The watchers had retired, leaving the mourner alone 
 with his dead. Without speaking, he clasped her 
 proffered hand and led her to the side of the sleeper. 
 Mrs. Cameron, bending over the face, w^ept for a 
 time uninterruptedly. 
 
 " In the slumbers of the grave there are no dreams 
 of evil, no heart-burnings ; in death there are no 
 divisions, we sepulchre no separations; beyond it, 
 alienated friends all are reunited." Thus murmured 
 the pastor, in a hushed, broken voice. 
 
 " She was universally beloved, and dearly prized 
 by her friends, by none more than the family at 
 Thistle Hedge ; nor were we requited by her ungrate 
 fully," replied Mrs. Cameron. 
 
 " Circumstances have separated us for a little 
 while," responded the pastor. " I have been severely 
 rebuked, my friend ; I have sinned, I have been 
 chastened, I repeat. God has in mercy withdrawn
 
 G.^ENNAIR. 77 
 
 his wrath, and restored my children. He has again 
 lifted upon me the light of his countenance, here 
 beside " 
 
 "Believe me," interrupted Mrs. Cameron, "I 
 cherish no enmity, Mr. Graeme, and am rejoiced to 
 be able to befriend you, and deeply have sympathized 
 in your sorrows ; yet I cannot feel entire friendliness 
 with him who does not recognize or acknowledge 
 his belief in the rectitude of Mr. Lincoln ; but this 
 is not the spot for discussion, nor the advocacy of 
 my brother, Mr. Graeme. We shall all soon be 
 where there is no controversy, no root of bitterness, 
 but where there is one love-cemented circle." 
 
 " Yes, oh ! yes, my dear friend, how insignificant 
 do the affairs of such vast earthly importance ap 
 pear, when we have a glimpse of an eternal home. 
 May we all henceforth hold transitory things more 
 loosely." 
 
 " I have frequently observed," Mrs. Cameron w,as 
 about resuming, when she was interrupted by Mar- 
 garitte, who whispered, as she passed through the 
 room greatly excited, to open the front door, " Dr. 
 McMillan's carriage is coming up from Fir Grove." 
 
 " Precious bairns ! " she exclaimed, as the Doctor 
 lifted Amy from the chaise, and Duncan, passing his 
 arm around her, almost carried her into the house. 
 
 " Take me, take me to her ! " she cried in anguish, 
 as Mrs. Cameron received her from him. " Why, 
 why was I separated from her ? Dear, dear mother ! " 
 
 " Be composed, my love," Mrs. Cameron whis 
 pered. " Try to be calm before you meet your father. 
 Your grief will be more than he can bear."
 
 78 GLEN X AIR. 
 
 Amy raised her eyes, looked earnestly at Mrs. 
 Cameron, then at Margaritte, who was in tears ; 
 turning to the Doctor, whose countenance could not 
 conceal the truth, she shrieked, " Mother is dead ! 
 Mother is dead ? " she reiterated inquiringly. The 
 averted faces of the others, and the bowed head of 
 the Doctor, told all she dreaded to hear. With a 
 deep groan, she fell senseless into the arms of Mrs. 
 Cameron. Every effort to restore consciousness was 
 for a long time unavailing, and even then her eyes 
 wandered listlessly from face to face, her fingers occa 
 sionally creeping over or resting upon her forehead, 
 as though she would recall her roving thoughts. 
 "Daughter, dear daughter," said her father, tenderly 
 drawing her head against his bosom and kissing her. 
 
 She raised her head, and, shrinking back, surveyed 
 him earnestly. " Amy, my own Amy, do you not 
 know your father ? " he asked softly. 
 
 " Yes," was the laconic answer, and she laid her 
 head with apparent confidence upon his bosom. 
 
 " Do not disturb her," said the Doctor, as her 
 father was about to speak again, " the restoration 
 will be very gradual present scenes are unfavor 
 able ; the mind must be led back to earlier and hap 
 pier hours to restore its tone ; she neither recog 
 nizes nor realizes anything yet." 
 
 "Hark ! " she murmured, "hark ! Lochiel is sing 
 ing Lochabar; it is so sweet, hark!" and she 
 lifted her head in an attitude of listening. " Edith, 
 call him back to sing again ; I love to hear Locha 
 bar" 
 
 With grateful emotion the little group listened
 
 GLENNAIR. 79 
 
 with Amy to the deep, musical voice of Dr. Mc 
 Millan, as he sang the exquisite stanzas to encourage 
 the delusion. She was obviously soothed ; a sad 
 smile overspread her countenance, and the big tear 
 stood in her eye. Again the voice of the singer fell 
 upon her ear ; the rich melody of the Psalm selected 
 told upon the heart of Amy : there was not that 
 unearthly brightness in the eye that met his own, 
 as the Doctor resumed his seat near her, when he 
 had finished. 
 
 " Praise, praise, it is all praise that beautiful 
 Psalm," she said, placing her hand in his, " and 'we 
 will praise Him again as we pass over Jordan.' Sing 
 that, James ; I always love to hear you sing ; but 
 where is Lochiel ? " 
 
 " Not very far away ; shall I sing, Amy ? " But 
 the eyes of Amy were closed, and her head had 
 sought its resting-place against her father. 
 
 At a pleading look from Mr. Graeme, the mellowed 
 notes once more flowed from the lips of the Doctor, 
 but it was only to lead ; Mrs. Cameron united with 
 him, and the sweet blending of the voices reached 
 the fountain of grief. Amy Graeme, when the 
 music ceased, was weeping. The father's coun 
 tenance bespoke his gratitude ; of utterance he was 
 incapable. Silence reigned ; there was not a sound 
 in the house of death and mourning. 
 
 The door of the apartment was opened by Kath 
 leen. Mrs. Cameron touched the arm of the Doctor, 
 who was sitting abstractedly, his head resting upon 
 his hand, and both upon his knee, " Kathleen says 
 Lochiel requires you," she whispered. " I know he
 
 80 GLENNAIR. 
 
 has been in impatient expectancy for the return of 
 Duncan and his sister." 
 
 " We must endeavor to keep Miss Amy tranquil," 
 he replied, in the same subdued voice ; " and unless 
 very urgent, it is decidedly better to keep her from 
 the study until to-morrow." 
 
 "Far better, Doctor; but I doubt if she will be 
 prevented. There is need of special influence to 
 dissuade a Graeme." 
 
 " The genuine Highlander, Mrs. Cameron," was 
 the response. "I will go to Lochiel ; what of 
 Duncan ? " 
 
 " He*.went immediately to the study, and is prob 
 ably still there ; he was overwhelmed to find her no 
 more." 
 
 " Heavily, heavily stricken," sighed the kind 
 physician, as he repaired to the chamber of his 
 patient. 
 
 " What now ! " he exclaimed, on entering the 
 room. " Margaritte, what are you doing with this 
 clothing? Not for LochiePs present use, cer 
 tainly?" 
 
 " I am trying what I can do, Doctor." 
 
 " Trying what you cannot do, rather. Insane 
 boy, I had credited Margaritte with more sense. 
 Lie down quietly and patiently, and wait the move 
 ments of others wiser than yourself. Death, my 
 dear Lochiel, would probably result in an incautious 
 physical effort ; for the sake of those who are ten 
 derly fearful of exciting you, be satisfied to remain 
 alone until your sister is prepared to meet you.; 
 Great prudence is required in telling her the condi 
 tion of her beloved brother."
 
 GLENNAIR. 81 
 
 " It was to Duncan I desired to go, Doctor ; they 
 told me he was alone with mother. The watchers 
 had left him to grieve alone. I wanted to tell him 
 I would try to he to our father the son he had been 
 to both. She gave me her blessing, Doctor ; but her 
 blessings upon Duncan were for the past. Duncan 
 was all her heart desired ; but I, how often I have 
 grieved our mother's heart. Help me, oh ! help me, 
 my mother's God, to be all my mother would have 
 asked." 
 
 His head sank wearily upon the pillow, the long, 
 dark lashes laid upon the pale cheek ; any other 
 than the practised finger that touched that pulse, 
 would have supposed the spirit had passed away. 
 Such was the thought that startled Duncan on 
 entering the chamber ; but the hastily extended 
 hand and smile of the Doctor reassured him. 
 Silently he bent over his brother, kissed his fore 
 head, and for a long time stood sadly gazing upon 
 the much changed face. " He is very, very ill, 
 Doctor," he said, huskily. 
 
 " He has been, Duncan ; but this is prostration ; 
 he will live. Your Epaphroditus will not be taken." 
 
 The lip of Duncan quivered, and he walked to 
 the window to conceal his emotion. When he 
 returned to the bedside, the Doctor remarked : 
 
 " I know of no more potent elixir than your pres 
 ence. When Lochiel revives, Duncan, take my 
 seat ; hold his hand ; speak when he speaks, not 
 sooner. I will leave you now ; Amy may need my 
 services." 
 
 Laying the hand of Lochiel gently down, and 
 F
 
 82 GLENNAIE. 
 
 warmly clasping that of his brother, the Doctor 
 withdrew. There had been no moment for expla 
 nation, anxiously as the. heart of Duncan yearned to 
 learn the circumstances attending his mother's- last 
 hours, and the wherefore his brother was in this 
 condition, if either had occasioned the other. From 
 Margaritte he could obtain no satisfactory informa 
 tion ; with wringing hands she told him of the fore- 
 shadowings of evil ; she perplexed and annoyed him 
 by her recountings of Benshee cries, and other 
 omens, to her mind certainly portentous of great 
 calamity. There had been little opportunity of 
 communicating with Dr. McMillan then only in 
 the presence of his sister ; in their last interview, 
 inquiry was impossible. He at times conjectured 
 what might have been, and as often vainly imagined 
 the very contrary. The clock told one hour his 
 anxiety, several, before his brother manifested any 
 symptoms of returning consciousness. Opening his 
 eyes languidly, he turned his head slightly, but did 
 not at first notice Duncan ; once again he turned, 
 sighed heavily, and rested his eyes upon his brother ; 
 his lips moved, and a faint smile spread over his 
 pale features. 
 
 " It is best to be very quiet now," Duncan whis 
 pered, bending over, and caressingly laying his face 
 against his forehead. 
 
 "The boat tell me of the boat of Amy," he 
 faltered. 
 
 " Amy is safe, and our boat was in no danger ; 
 when you are well, all shall be explained." 
 
 Lochiel looked satisfied, and lay quietly for a
 
 GLENN AIR. 83 
 
 long while, with his "brother's hand clasped tightly 
 between his own. " Duncan," he murmured. 
 
 " "What is it, Lochiel ? " 
 
 " Mother forgave me in all that I had grieved 
 her freely forgave, and left me her blessing, Dun 
 can ; you also have a large debt of waywardness 
 against me, Duncan. I remembered all bitterly 
 remembered all, when the billows rose over the 
 boat, Duncan." 
 
 " Let us both forget every past unpleasantness, 
 Lochiel. I can recall instances in which _T, not you, 
 might be the forgiven. Lochiel, shall my page of 
 grievances be cancelled also ? " 
 
 " You, Duncan," he feebly ejaculated. " Mother 
 distinguished me by ' my erring boy ; ' I hate myself, 
 that I ever could have grieved my mother or my 
 precious brother." 
 
 "Let by-gones be as though they were not, 
 Lochiel ; you are nervously alive to all your frail 
 ties. I never thought your ' terrible misdeeds' 
 merited a harsher name. My affection for you now 
 is the same I felt for that baby-boy I was called to 
 see lying in Amy's cradle ; I could not have loved 
 anything more, and I love you no less now, my 
 brother." , 
 
 The tears coursed over the pale cheeks, as Duncan 
 again and again stroked back his -hair, and pressed 
 his lips to his forehead. 
 
 "When is mother to be carried away, Duncan? " 
 he whispered. 
 
 " The ground is unfit to-day; therefore, to-morrow 
 noon is named."
 
 84 GLENNAIR. 
 
 " Is Edith with Amy, Duncan ? " 
 
 " Better she should not be, Lochiel ; shall I 
 bring Amy to you ? " 
 
 " I have often distressed Amy also ; can " 
 
 " Let that subject rest, Lochiel : comfort me with 
 the promise you will discuss the past no more ; you 
 would greatly pain our sister by any reference to 
 former misdoings. She views them in the same 
 trifling light I do. Our field is the future ; you and 
 I are to be the support, the staff of our father and 
 sister. Let us endeavor to vie with each other in 
 our kindness and attention to them ; we are indebted 
 to them both a weighty debt of gratitude. Rest 
 now, Lochiel ; if you are worse, Doctor will accuse 
 me as the cause. So soon as you can bear it, you 
 shall hear the occasion of our absence, and I will 
 gladly listen to an account of the incidents of home 
 during the time." 
 
 "Mother " 
 
 " Nay, Lochiel, nay, no more now, or I must leave 
 you." 
 
 " Duncan, I would like Amy to come to me," he 
 said, after a very long interval of entire silence. 
 "Without replying, the brother left the apartment. 
 He found Amy where he had anticipated. She was 
 not weeping, but as calm and placid as the form be 
 fore her. She was supported by Mrs. Cameron, who 
 was soothing her by repeating appropriate texts of 
 Scripture in the gentlest tone, mingling them with 
 the praises of the friend she had always highly re 
 spected. Duncan entered unobserved, and stood 
 by his sister. Mr. Graeme had thrown himself upon
 
 GLENN AIR. 85 
 
 a coucli, entirely overcome ; lie had been sustained 
 by excitement, and the reaction was great. As one 
 after another came into the room, Duncan suggested 
 to Mrs. Cameron they should withdraw, and after 
 speaking a few words with his father, gently forcing 
 Amy from the side of their mother, retreated to the 
 chamber of Lochiel, accompanied by Mrs. Cameron. 
 Mr. Graeme very soon followed his children, leaving 
 the unconscious sleeper to the care and watchful 
 ness of endeared friends and sympathizing parish 
 ioners. 
 
 " It is lang syne Mistress Cameron ha' graced 
 the manse," was the remark of Mrs. Finley, after 
 the family had retired. 
 
 " Death gives a check to all dissensions," was the 
 reply, " yet I mistake if there has been any between 
 these neighbors ; the inmates of Thistle Hedge avoid 
 all their former friends, unless they are quite confi 
 dent of their belief in the innocence of Hugh Lin 
 coln." 
 
 " They will number a select remnant in that case," 
 responded another. " Few doubt his guilt, who are 
 acquainted with the facts ; even Doctor McMillan, 
 who always speaks the best he can for his fellow- 
 mortals, is silent about this villain. I am sure his 
 daughter herself must believe him one, for you 
 know it was she found the papers confirming his 
 guilt." 
 
 " I ken only what I do ken," returned Mrs. Finley, 
 " and I ken Mr. Lincoln maun hae been sorely 
 tempted by Satan himsel', to hae fallen frae his 
 piety in sic a strange way, sae sudden, and sae far."
 
 86 GLENNAIR. 
 
 " No, no, Mrs. Finley," replied her auditor, " the 
 fall of Lincoln was not so sudden. Robert Tra- 
 quair had suspicions of wrong doings, and had 
 been narrowly regarding his movements months 
 back ; he warned the president, who was slow to 
 credit any reports against Lincoln's honor and hon 
 esty. If ever the hypocrite is taken, there will be 
 astounding developments. The proofs of his guilt 
 are too glaring to be dimmed, or the Doctor would 
 find his tongue in his defence." 
 
 " Yet, Fariss, did not McMillan once rebuke your 
 abuse of him ? " 
 
 " Not exactly, Mrs. Finley ; he only said, ' Leave that 
 to the court ; better not anticipate what cannot be 
 averted then ; ' but the court that tries Hugh Lin 
 coln will wait long for the sitting. He is far enough 
 from these parts, and some say the bankers have 
 helped him off." 
 
 " "Weel, weel, the Doctor's was good advice for us 
 all, an' I for ane will nae condemn him till the judge 
 pronounces his sentence ; an' for all I ken it is nae 
 right to aid the wicked to flee from justice, I rejoice 
 Hugh Lincoln is gane, for the sake of his puir bairn, 
 puir Miss Edith. She is sometimes seen wander 
 ing among the rocks, carrying a little basket over 
 her arm. How canny she is, and how bright she 
 used to be ; but she never sings or laughs more. 
 Some say," she added, lowering her voice, " Edith 
 is daft." 
 
 " Nae doubt of that, an' nae marvel either, Mis 
 tress Finley ; the child hae been followed round the 
 lower bridge, an' seen fra the distance crossing the 
 rickety bridge on wizard's stream."
 
 G L E N N A I R. 87 
 
 " Maircy, maircy, gude Mistress MacClain, ye 
 dinna say Elfin Bridge ! Puir chiel, she maun be 
 clean daft ; it may be she wi' take her ain life some 
 day the canny, canny bairn:' she maun be well 
 guarded. My heart sored to look on her yester- 
 morn, just when the big clouds were clustering an' 
 the heavy storm comin' on she wa' standin' 
 lookin' out far over the distance for somethin', or 
 some one to come : I could nae but stop, she looked 
 sae like ane of anither world sae pale, sae pitiful, 
 yet sae heavenly. The wind had tossed off her 
 mantle, and her throat, sae white, was bared ; her 
 dark hair, too, was blawn back, an' I ne'er saw her 
 een sae bright, but nae wild at all. I said aloud, 
 and did nae ken it, ' Angel of the hall ! ' It wa 
 that they ca'd her mither. She heard me, and sae 
 sweet she turned, an' in her ane auld winsome way 
 she said, ' Come in, or hasten home, friend Finley, 
 or the storm will overtake you.' I did nae say ane 
 word ; I went awa, and my heart just broke, an' my 
 een told the tale when I got hame. Yes, I do hope 
 he will escape the findin'." 
 
 "Miss Lincoln has been much admired. Her 
 beauty and her character are quite in unison, I 
 believe, although I never was acquainted with the 
 family," observed Mr. Fariss. 
 
 " Evans Traquair wa' her humble servant till now ; 
 he has withdrawn his suit." 
 
 " Evans Traquair ! don't tell me, Mistress Fin- 
 ley. Hugh Lincoln came near blowing him into 
 the channel, on the mention of his views to him. 
 A Cameron listen to the overtures of a Traquair !
 
 88 GLENNAIE. 
 
 A McMillan, a MacAlpin, or the young Laird, it 
 may be, might get a hearing ; but such a proposi 
 tion from a Traquair made the proud blood of Lin 
 coln boil in his veins. But now, good lack, his 
 bairn is weak, and her beauty marred." 
 
 " Her beauty marred ! nae, nae, not a whit ; 
 she is as queenly and beautiful as Venus herself, 
 Mr. Fariss." 
 
 " Hoot awa'," joined in an old man, who had 
 been an attentive listener. " The beauty of the 
 bairn will deaf the voice of justice, I trow ; it vexes 
 mony to see how ye and ithers are overreached, an' 
 how ye let this Lincoln gie ye the partin', cause of 
 the canny face of the lassie." 
 
 " Ye ne'er heard hard word agin ither, neighbor 
 Mitchell, afore the robbin' of the bank, an' few '11 
 forget the mony gude deeds of Hugh Lincoln and 
 Miss Edith," responded Mrs. Finley. 
 
 " Weel, I say again, Mrs. Finley, it vexes me that 
 all sic men, ither high-born, or in lofty stations, 
 when they act the wrang, they are holpen off, or 
 the gettin' awa' is connived at. On'y a puir fellow 
 who steals a shillen, finds his way to the lock-up ; 
 ye canna' gie the nae to that, Mrs. Finley, or ony 
 of ye, neighbors." 
 
 " We are aware you are right, Mr. Mitchell, and 
 the principle wrong, yet Mrs. Finley has been mis 
 informed in this instance. Hugh Lincoln has not 
 been befriended : we all are so well convinced of his 
 frauds, and the multitude so roused against him, 
 that let who will have compassion for his daughter, 
 he will be brought to justice and the gibbet, and I 
 for one "
 
 GLENNAIR. 89 
 
 The face of Dr. McMillan appeared at the door. 
 He bowed gravely to the group, yet was evidently 
 seeking some one not there. 
 
 " Doctor," said Mr. Fariss, " if disengaged, I 
 would speak with you." 
 
 He came forward, and stood before Mr. Fariss, 
 with his hat in his hand. 
 
 "Doctor," continued that gentleman, "there will 
 be watchers required to-night, and I promised my 
 wife to return after dinner. Who will remain ? " 
 
 " Mrs. Cameron, myself, and one of Mr. Graeme's 
 family, who is now taking rest to facilitate that 
 intention. No other friends will be.requisite." 
 
 A young man, whom the Doctor had not noticed, 
 and who had taken no part in the previous conver 
 sation, then arose. Lifting his cap, he stood a few 
 moments reverently beside the dead, then followed 
 the Doctor from the room. Again he raised his 
 cap, as Dr. McMillan turned at the call of his name, 
 and revealed the head and features of Norval Neil- 
 son. 
 
 " Venturesome, truly, young man," remarked the 
 Doctor, sternly. 
 
 " I would take the place of Maister Duncan this 
 night ; he had little rest the last." 
 
 " He will not watch, and the one who designs so 
 to do, will not permit a substitute. Be assured, 
 young man, this hour or spot would be no security, 
 if this temerity lead to the discovery of the haunt 
 of your father. Will you not be advised to leave 
 here without delay ? " 
 
 " Hardly worth the hindrance," returned the 
 8*
 
 90 GLENN A IE. 
 
 youth, bitterly ; "it is but a living death they lead 
 there." 
 
 There was compassion in the eye that met Nor- 
 val's, as he said : "Go over to the hall ; Miss Edith 
 will advise you what is best. I am of those who 
 believe one of your name has done much mischief ; 
 yet fear nothing from me ; I have been hitherto 
 and will remain neutral." 
 
 The cap was lifted, and the head bent low, as the 
 youth passed the Doctor, who closed the door after 
 him. Never thereafter was Edith Lincoln seen 
 among the rocks, or upon Elfin Bridge. 
 
 " At what hour will be the gathering," inquired 
 Mr. Fariss of the Doctor, when he reappeared in 
 the study. 
 
 " Noon had been suggested," he replied ; " but 
 Lochiel has inadvertently been told, therefore it is 
 thought best it should take place at early morning, 
 without his knowledge." 
 
 " "Will Lochiel's mind ever oe restored, think you, 
 Doctor ? " 
 
 " The slight aberration was produced by fever. 
 He is perfectly himself at present, and will be in his 
 usual health in a few days, unless unduly excited." 
 
 "And Miss Amy? " continued the querist. "She 
 was distressed to derangement when she first came 
 home ; is she more resigned ? " 
 
 " Miss Graeme," replied the Doctor, " is power 
 fully sustained by grace: she is quite calm, and has 
 been ministering consolation to her father and bro 
 thers." 
 
 "I always kenned she wa' pairfect," said Mrs.
 
 GLENN AIR. 91 
 
 Finley. " She and Edith Lincoln seemed born for 
 sisters." 
 
 To this Dr. McMillan made no answer. Calling 
 the attention to the life-like appearance of Mrs. 
 Graeme, he descanted upon her loveliness and her 
 Christian character. When the current of conver 
 sation turned upon the Bank and Lincoln, he ex 
 cused himself, and withdrew.
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 
 " The tide is strong against us; 
 Good oarsmen, pull or perish." 
 
 AT the dawn of the following morning, Mrs. 
 Graeme was silently and solemnly committed 
 to the tomb, to await the resurrection of the just, 
 by a few friends who deeply mourned their loss, and 
 sincerely sympathized with the bereaved pastor and 
 his children. The sound of footfalls, at this unusual 
 hour, attracted Lochiel. " Look from the eastern 
 window, Duncan," he called to his brother, who had 
 remained with him during the night, and was still 
 sitting by the side of his couch. " I have been lis 
 tening to the continued tread of feet upon the frosted 
 ground ; a sound I had not anticipated till noon." 
 
 " Other arrangements were made since your in 
 quiry, Lochiel." 
 
 There was no other question, no other remark ; the 
 grief of the brothers was noiseless. It was their 
 first bereavement : they mourned their mother. 
 The sound of footsteps ceased ; all was still. 
 
 ""Who is with father, Duncan? " murmured his 
 brother ; " I am selfish to keep you from him." 
 
 "Father is in Amy's room, with her and Mrs. 
 Cameron." 
 
 92
 
 GLENN A IE. 93 
 
 " Strange tliat Edith Lincoln absents herself, Dun 
 can: she would be a comfort to sister, and need 
 encounter no others." 
 
 " I will go over for her myself, this evening. I 
 would not have Edith compromise her dignity, even 
 to comfort our sister, Lochiel." 
 
 " Mother loved her, Duncan." 
 
 "Did mother name her in her parting remem 
 brances, Lochiel ? " 
 
 " She did. The evening before she directed a 
 keepsake to be made for Edith similar to Amy's, 
 a brooch with her hair, and name engraved on the 
 counter side." 
 
 " Was there no message? no wish? " he asked, 
 with a quivering lip. 
 
 " Yes, Duncan ; but father requested it might not 
 be repeated to you.' 
 
 " Do not, then, I enjoin you, Lochiel: I conjecture 
 the purport dear mother " 
 
 " Dear ! dear mother ! " was reiterated from the 
 lips of the invalid, and a long silence ensued. 
 
 Mrs. Cameron opened the communicating door, 
 and, with an effort to appear calm, beckoned Dun 
 can to her. 
 
 " I have a note from Edith, my dear," she fal 
 tered ; " something dreadful has occurred." He 
 glanced over its contents. 
 
 "Can Duncan come? Oh, no, he cannot. Come, aunt, 
 quickly. Not Helen, no, no E. C. L." 
 
 Duncan hurriedly passed back the paper ; throw 
 ing his camlet around him, he seized the nearest 
 hat, and rushing down the stairs, was half-way to
 
 94 GLENNAIE. 
 
 the hall before Mrs. Cameron had time to declare 
 her intention to accompany him. His heart sank, 
 and a groan escaped him, as a new-made grave, in 
 a small enclosure, rose suddenly before him. " My 
 mother ! my precious mother ! " he murmured ; 
 " would that thy last blessing might have rested 
 upon thy eldest boy also." 
 
 In the hall, Miss Lincoln was anxiously awaiting 
 him. " My Edith 1 " he exclaimed, encircling her 
 in his arms, " what new sorrow has been added to 
 your woes ? " He kissed the brow of the agonized 
 girl, and led her to a sofa in the parlor ; then bend 
 ing down to the proifered lips of the little Helen, 
 raised her upon his knoe, as he drew a chair near 
 Edith. 
 
 "Duncan," she gasped, after several efforts to 
 speak ; " oh ! Duncan, Duncan, hope is buried for 
 ever." 
 
 He only looked an imploring inquiry. 
 
 " The Fawn and Jessie MacAlpin found some 
 printed papers in the garret while playing there, 
 Jessie filling her little pocket with them. In wash 
 ing the skirt, the servant drew them out, and at 
 the request of John Daley who was making a visit 
 in the kitchen at the time gave them to him. 
 They were given to Mr. Traquair as entirely cor 
 roborative of father's guilt, and somehow impli 
 cating Norval Neilson and and Korval is 
 taken! " she shrieked, throwing her head upon his 
 shoulder. 
 
 " Impossible, Edith," replied the youth, in as 
 composed a voice as he could command ; '.' Norval is
 
 GLENNAIR. 95 
 
 at their retreat : you are misinformed, depend upon 
 it, and nothing additional would give greater con 
 firmation to their guilt in the community." 
 
 " No, no, Duncan ; ISTorval is here is in custody, 
 and the officers have come to examine for other 
 proofs." 
 
 " Did you see any of the papers the children 
 found, Edith?" 
 
 She drew from her pocket a small roll, and with 
 a trembling hand resting upon his arm, she anx 
 iously watched the countenance of Duncan Graeme, 
 as he unfolded the first paper. 
 
 "This is preposterous, Edith, a check to the 
 order of Norval, signed by Traquair ! Who will be 
 next implicated ? " he said, bitterly staggered 
 himself to recognize the familiar scrawl of Norval 
 Neilson on the counter side. 
 
 " It cannot, cannot be ! " She asked beseechingly, 
 " You do not doubt, dear Duncan you still believe 
 them " 
 
 " What a net is woven about them ! No, my 
 Edith, I will never believe otherwise. I must see 
 the officers ; where is ISTorval ? Helen will remain 
 with you," he continued; "and. your aunt will not 
 be long absent." 
 
 Edith bowed her face upon her hands ; tne child 
 stood by her, one arm thrown around her neck, and 
 her head resting against her cousin's cheek. Cast 
 ing a sorrowing glance upon them, Duncan left the 
 room. 
 
 In an ante-chamber the reception-room of former 
 days days of happiness and of gayety he was
 
 96 GLENNAIR. 
 
 introduced to the two officers from the bank, with 
 authority to examine the house for papers similar 
 to those sent to Mr. Traquair, which he perceived 
 were like that shown him by Edith. 
 
 " We have secured the young forger in one of the 
 outbuildings, and will take him with us to the 
 city," the elder officer remarked, to which young 
 Graeme made no reply. 
 
 " I had, perhaps, better conduct you," he said, 
 coldly; "there are some windings in this house, 
 with which I am more familiar." 
 
 There were no further discoveries, nothing more 
 revealed, and the gentlemen, thanking Mr. Graeme 
 for his attention, intimated their design to take 
 Norval. To this Duncan merely bowed. 
 
 Returning to the parlor, he found Mrs. Cameron 
 weeping, with her niece, over her recital. It was 
 pitiable to witness the tearful earnestness of Helen, 
 as she entreated her " sister to forgive her for finding 
 the wicked papers, and giving any of them to Jessie." 
 
 " Is the search completed, my dear ? " Mrs. Cam 
 eron inquired. 
 
 " Yes, without any more developments. ISTorval 
 Neilson is their captive: I might not interfere, 
 dared not rescue, and could not endure to witness 
 the conflict." 
 
 The words had scarcely passed his lips, when a 
 tap and the hasty opening of the door announced 
 the presence of one of the officers. " Young Keilson 
 has escaped, sir," he said, touching his hat to the 
 ladies ; " have we permission to go through the cel 
 lars, where he is probably secreted ? "
 
 OLENXAIB. 97 
 
 "The power with which you are invested will 
 meet no opposition," replied young Graeme, closing 
 the door rather uncivilly and quickly upon him. 
 
 " This is an hour of deep sorrow, my children," 
 Mrs. Cameron groaned, rather than expressed. 
 " We may rejoice for those who slumber beneath 
 the turf, unconscious of the trials of those they have 
 left." 
 
 "Forgive me, Duncan," whispered Edith; "I had 
 almost forgotten your sorrow in my own anguish. 
 You know I sympathize mourn for you; but I 
 envy the undisturbed rest of the sleepers there my 
 own mother and yours. Would " 
 
 " Check the wish, Edith, for your father's sake at 
 least " 
 
 "For your sake, Duncan, I would suppress all 
 such selfish desires ; my interest in living had nearly 
 left me when you were missing : indeed, I will try 
 to be a comfort to you all to dear Aunt Edith. 
 Attribute all I say, all I do wrong, to a whirling 
 brain." 
 
 Mrs. Cameron, drawing her more closely to her, 
 endeavored to soothe her by endearing words. 
 
 " This is a dark hour, my Edith," Duncan whis 
 pered, as he bent over her. " There is brightness in. 
 the future. He who sees the end from the begin 
 ning will bring light out of darkness." 
 
 "We are forsaken forsaken of God, Duncan," 
 she cried. "I cannot I never pray 
 
 For some time there was no interruption to the 
 convulsive sobbing of the despairing Edith. Dun 
 can sat with his eyes resting upon the floor, holding 
 9 G
 
 98 GLENNAIE. 
 
 her cold hand between his. The little Helen, slip 
 ping down, had clasped her arms about her cousin, 
 hiding her face against her. 
 
 At length, most tenderly, and in tones of deep 
 humiliation, the voice of young Graeme arose in 
 prayer : 
 
 " Call back, God ! thy wandering, erring 
 child. She has thrown away her buckler, her 
 shield ; she has turned from the hills whence cometh 
 our help; she has gone aside from her rock, her 
 refuge ; she has restrained prayer ; she has forsaken 
 her God, and thy chastisement is upon her. Stay 
 thine hand, thine anger: let her hear the still, small 
 voice of love and mercy, recalling her to thy throne 
 of grace, and to Thee ; for the sake of Him thou 
 gavest for us, lift upon her the light of thy counte 
 nance, our Father." 
 
 Gently laying down the hand he held, he said a 
 few words to Mrs. Cameron, and raising the child, 
 he carried her with him from the room. 
 
 " Where are we going, Mr. Duncan ? " she in 
 quired, returning fondly his caress, as they passed 
 through the back entry. 
 
 " To ask if there are any tidings of our friend 
 Norval. Did you see him here, Fawn ? " 
 
 " Only a minute ; sister sent me to ISTanny, while 
 she talked with him: he always makes sister cry 
 so when he comes ; yet sister is always glad to see 
 him, too." 
 
 As they entered the kitchen, the officers came in 
 at an opposite door. Nanny was absorbed in her 
 baking; she had taken out some cakes, and was just
 
 GLENNAIK. 99 
 
 drawing out a large loaf; turning to look at her 
 
 visitors, she incautiously took the bread in her 
 
 hands ; instantly letting it fall, she uttered an ex- 
 
 jClamation of pain blowing her fingers violently, 
 
 I until the heat had somewhat abated. 
 
 " Ye wald hae handled it mickle better wi' a cloth, 
 mestress," laughed old AVilly. 
 
 " Haud yer tongue, or be civil," she muttered, 
 with chagrin; "ye might hae given me a leetle help, 
 in place of grinuin'. Ye hae made the oven sae 
 ragin hot ye hae nae wit sometimes." 
 
 " I trow ye would hae growled mair if it hae been 
 too cauld for the large cake, Nanny." 
 
 " Weel, true ; the large cake maun bake a leetle 
 longer. Gang and fetch me some cauld water for 
 my fingers, Wully." 
 
 The man, with a provoking laugh, obeyed, and 
 the officers proceeded in their search in the cellars 
 of the main building. Duncan, with Helen, stayed 
 to learn the result. 
 
 " Entirely unsuccessful," one of them observed on 
 their reappearance ; " the fellow must be a wizard 
 to elude us." 
 
 "Swifter feet to him than to his hunters," ejacu 
 lated old Nanny. " He is a bonnie lad ; blessings, 
 and nae harm, come to him or his." 
 
 " We did not expect much aid in our search, old 
 woman," replied one of the men ; " and very little 
 doubt he has had help in his flight." 
 
 " That accusation must be well founded before it 
 becomes actionable, sir," rejoined young Graeme ; 
 " there has been no barrier to your official proceed-
 
 100 GLENN A IK. 
 
 ings, and nothing observable to warrant your sug 
 gestion. It is due to this family you should express 
 yourselves satisfied they have in no way thwarted 
 or frustrated your designs. Jfor one was not aware 
 Norval Neilson was about the premises." 
 
 The gentlemen declared themselves wholly con 
 vinced " the youth had himself planned and exe 
 cuted his deliverance, and was probably hidden 
 away among the fisher's huts." 
 
 " Ye wa' long fetchin' the water, Wully," said 
 Nanny, after a nervous look from the windows after 
 their guests. 
 
 " Cauld loaves misses the sting, and nae need the 
 water, Nanny ? " returned the old man, holding his 
 side, and suppressing the mirth he could scarcely 
 control. " Do look out, Maister Graeme ; see if 
 they be out of hearing ; I canna hauld in muckle 
 langer." 
 
 The first impulse of Duncan was to check his 
 untimely gayety ; but Nanny, respectfully touching 
 his arm, whispered, " Tarry a wee bit, an' ye will 
 laugh, too, for gladness, Maister Graeme. Maun 
 the tiny Fawn tarry, too, Wully dear? " 
 
 " Helen's lips are sealed, if needs be," answered 
 young Graeme, rather sternly. " Our little girl 
 never will tell tales, will she? " he added, turning 
 kindly to the child in his arms. 
 
 " No, Mr. Duncan," she said, softly, nestling her 
 head closely upon his shoulder. * 
 
 " We will trust the bonny bairn," replied Willy, 
 now giving way to a burst of laughter in which 
 Nanny joined. " I tell ye," he exclaimed, opening
 
 GLENN.AIE. 101 
 
 the oven-door which Nanny had closed upon the large 
 cake, " Norval Neilson is the only fuel and fire that 
 has been here to-day ; the burning bread was baked 
 yesterday." 
 
 The astonishment and gratification of young 
 Graeme was only equalled by the gratitude of Nor- 
 val. Little Helen was allowed to carry the pleasant 
 tidings to her mother and cousin, and many were the 
 praises and thanks bestowed upon Willy and Nanny. 
 
 " I shall be expected home to breakfast," said 
 Duncan, in reply to the invitation of Mrs. Cameron. 
 " We need not anticipate any further trouble ; I will 
 report, myself, from the cave this evening. Mean 
 while, Edith must take nourishment and rest ; and 
 endeavor to be comforted from my source, dearest," 
 he whispered, kissing her pale cheek. " It is the 
 only, the living fountain." Her hands were instantly 
 pressed over her eyes, to suppress or conceal the 
 tears. Young Graeme stood a few moments irreso 
 lute ; he sighed as he gave his hand to Mrs. Cam 
 eron ; gently caressing the little Helen, he was about 
 to leave the room, when Edith looked up with glis 
 tening eye, and called softly, " Duncan " 
 
 " What will you, my Edith? " 
 
 " I would love to go with you to father, to-day, 
 and remain with him until to-morrow. Why will 
 I not be permitted, Duncan ? Norval told me Amy 
 Graeme passed the night there." 
 
 " The stay of my sister was obligatory. Norval 
 Neilson was aware of that." 
 
 " He said she was storm-bound, and his father 
 conveyed you away by sea ; that was all he knew.
 
 102 GLENNAIB. 
 
 Will Amy ever Amy will never- Tears choked 
 further utterance. 
 
 " Amy is bound to secrecy, dear Edith. Edith, 
 your grief breaks my heart," he said, sitting down 
 once again by her side. " I have no words of conso 
 lation, but thre is balm in Gilead ; will you not 
 seek the Physician there? Will you promise me 
 you will make the effort ? " 
 
 I w iH I will, Duncan. Oh, that I should add to 
 your sorrow ! Indeed, I will try to do all you desire. 
 May I accompany you to the Grotto, Duncan ? " 
 
 " The bridge must be replaced before you can ven 
 ture. I will see you on my return." 
 
 She made an effort to repeat his farewell, but the 
 sound died upon her lips. 
 
 i<! Dear," called Mrs. Cameron, in a hushed voice, 
 following him out and closing the door, " what 
 shall be done with this roll of papers ? I do not like 
 the responsibility of destroying them neither to 
 retain them in the house." 
 
 " Most inexplicable tissue of discoveries," he re 
 plied, placing them in his coat-pocket without further 
 examination. 
 
 " Is your confidence disturbed, Duncan ? Could 
 Norval " 
 
 " No, no," he interrupted, bitterly, " Norval could 
 not, would not, dare not, so deceive us. Poor fel 
 low, it is sinful to harbor a suspicion against him. 
 Reputation seems no safeguard, Mrs. Cameron ; we 
 know not who may be the next suspected. I cannot 
 expect you to return to my sister to-day. Edith 
 needs you. She requires constant soothing ; her cup
 
 GLENNAIR. 103 
 
 of misery is overflowing. Amy and she might be a 
 mutual comfort." 
 
 " You will see my brother, dear ; existing circum 
 stances would lessen his objections." 
 
 " I shall not crave the visit as a boon, Mrs. Cam 
 eron ; it must be voluntary and proffered." 
 
 " A Graeme to the heart's core," said Mrs. Cam 
 eron to herself, after the exchange of " good morn 
 ing," " yet the death of the mother does, in a de 
 gree, alter the position of the two girls." 
 
 Duncan retraced his steps homeward. 
 
 " What had occurred at the Hall, brother," in 
 quired Amy, when left with him after breakfast ; 
 " your replies were unsatisfactory, I supposed 
 owing to the presence of the Doctor." 
 
 " Dr. McMillan is not the only one inimical to the 
 inmates of the cave ; some reserve is necessary in the 
 hearing of father ; and I rather conjecture my sister 
 is among the disaffected. I do not condemn you, 
 Amy ; I only grieve that you and Edith Lincoln are 
 so effectually disunited. I had a hope that the void 
 made in our family and the advances made by Mrs. 
 Cameron, after her kindness to Lochiel, would have 
 healed the breach." 
 
 " The opinion of the world is to be regarded, 
 brother, and the restrictions of a parent to be obeyed ; 
 yet neither has, in the least, estranged me from 
 Edith Lincoln ; my spirit longs for communion with 
 her. Duncan, I had expected that our dear mother's 
 death, under such aggravated circumstances, would 
 have brought Edith to me." 
 
 " I exert no influence there, Amy ; the withdrawal
 
 104 GLENN AIR. 
 
 was not of her seeking ; I judge the reconciliation 
 must be of yours." 
 
 " The estrangement was grievous to mother, Dun 
 can ; but father could hardly be censured ; his stand 
 ing in the parish demanded all he did." 
 
 " His reasons and his actions were no doubt gov 
 erned by his peculiar position, Amy ; he never sub 
 mitted either to my judgment: I have acted according 
 to my own, without opposition." 
 
 " Will you say to Edith, so soon as I have physi 
 cal capacity to do so, I will return to her without 
 the slightest abatement of my attachment. Will 
 you, brother ? " 
 
 " With father's acquiescence ; without it, I dare 
 not, Amy." 
 
 " The unprecedented kindness and forbearance of 
 Mrs. Cameron, and her Christian sympathy, cannot 
 but obtain that, Duncan. You may safely bear my 
 message." 
 
 " I will bring Edith here this evening, dear Amy," 
 he said, in subdued tones. " I am now going to the 
 cave ; has my sister no soothing words to gladden its 
 inmates? " 
 
 There was more than a slight tremulousness in 
 the vo;ce of Amy Graeme, as she raised her tearful 
 eyes and replied, " From my heart, I wish them a 
 full acquittal from all they are accused, and a sequent 
 redress of all their wrongs." 
 
 O 
 
 ' This, from you, will fall like balm upon their 
 crushed heads, my sister," he replied, kissing the 
 very words from her lips. She parted with him at 
 the front door ; he took the path toward the sea ; 
 Amy repaired to the couch of Lochicl.
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 The poor man counteth not the cost 
 
 At which wealth has been purchased ; 
 
 He would be on the mountain's top, 
 
 Without the toil and travail of the climbing." 
 
 was a short, quick step in the hall of the 
 J- Castle, and a servant ushered Mr. Robertson 
 immediately into the library, where the Laird was 
 sitting. 
 
 " My call has met a prompt response," he said, 
 shaking him warmly by the hand, and placing a 
 chair opposite to himself, at a small table. 
 
 " Where duty and pleasure combine, there is slight 
 temptation to procrastinate," he replied, bowing 
 upon the hand of his friend. " A visit to Lord 
 Glennair, under any circumstances, I should always 
 consider a privilege." 
 
 " And a greeting from the house of Dunbar will 
 always be tendered sincerely to my best friend. But 
 I have communications of a thrilling nature, Mungo, 
 and in you only can I repose confidence, being con 
 scious there will be no betrayal of the trust. Hugh 
 Lincoln is treading the same shore with ourselves. 
 No marvel you start and pale at such intelligence. 
 Unfettered, yet almost within the borders of my 
 own domain. Our only hope of the capture of the 
 villain is in proceeding with the utmost caution." 
 
 " It is not possible, Robert ; Australia is now his 
 
 105
 
 106 GLENN A IE. 
 
 home, if a guilty conscience, fearing detection, 
 may find a resting-place. "Who is your informant ? " 
 
 "John MacLoughlin, the fisherman, a source 
 by no means reliable." 
 
 " MacLoughlin ! He has twice perjured himself 
 in a court of justice. His testimony is valueless." 
 
 " Not worth a sous ; but self-interest alone gives 
 him the temerity to seek my presence. He knows 
 my opinion of him, and would not form a falsehood 
 and brave my vengeance. He saw the powerful arm 
 of Roger ISTeilson, which none could mistake, plying 
 the oar in the storm of the past week ; and he suc 
 ceeded in landing at MacLean's inlet. "Where Roger 
 is, his master will not be wanting." 
 
 " Ah ! Roger's home. His clan would follow him 
 to the death. I doubt they would ever credit an 
 evil report of Neilson." 
 
 " How difficult for any to view him in the light 
 of a villain," the Laird replied sadly. " I regarded 
 him as an humble friend, and trusted him with un 
 told gold. It remains for us to ferret out their place 
 of concealment, and let justice overtake them." 
 
 " He was but the tool of another, my Lord, and 
 succumbed to strong temptation. I would scarcely 
 wish to see him suffer the penalty of the law. Let 
 foreign lands cover their shame. The remorse of 
 guilty consciences will be sufficient punishment." 
 
 ' " Your mercy is poor, sickly sentimentalism, 
 Mungo Robertson," his friend replied, impatiently, 
 " You are a better friend than citizen." 
 
 " It was a moment of weak compassion, I confess, 
 Robert. I am ready to aid you in any measures for
 
 GLENNAIR. 107 
 
 their apprehension ; "but a retrospect of former days 
 almost unmanned me ; yet I always considered his 
 standard of excellence too high for mortals." 
 
 " Prior to this defection, a finger could not be laid 
 upon the first flaw in his character," the Laird re 
 plied. " The fall of the minister of our Kirk would 
 not have been more astounding." 
 
 " Let temptation but beset his path," Mr. Robert- 
 sou returned, sneeringly, " I hold that every man 
 has his price." 
 
 " I would scorn to place so low an estimate upon 
 my fellow-beings, Mungo ; arid you cannot speak 
 from experience on this subject. Has opportunity 
 ever seduced you from the path of duty ? I trow 
 not. Has not Providence smiled on every honest 
 effort, prospering speculation upon speculation, per 
 mitting you to live in princely luxury, and not a 
 whisper ever sullied your fair fame? With your 
 high sense of honor, I marvel to hear so absurd a 
 sentiment. Excuse my frankness." 
 
 A smile of gratified vanity played upon the face 
 of his friend. " Without boasting, my Lord, my 
 honesty has been pretty thoroughly tested ; but the 
 fall of our dear friend Lincoln has weakened my 
 faith in mortals, yea, has made me weary of life, 
 and ready to shun the face of man." 
 
 " Then while you are preparing a hemtage, I will 
 seek more efficient aid. I boast no more stoicism 
 than yourself ; but before we grant all villains free 
 dom because they once assumed the angelic garb, 
 before justice succumbs to mercy let every ensign 
 of our isle be laid low, and our beautiful thistle, our 
 national emblem, be erased forever."
 
 108 GLENNAIE. 
 
 " You misunderstand me, Robert ; tlie law shall 
 not fall powerless on the guilty, if in my power to 
 prevent it. The sudden disappearance of Hugh 
 Lincoln, independent of our clear proof, would he 
 sufficient evidence of his guilt." 
 
 " To that step he was driven. Clamorous cred 
 itors of the Bank, you are aware, demanded imme 
 diate redress, and his life would have been the forfeit 
 had he not sought refuge in flight." 
 
 " It was, indeed, a moral tempest ; with difficulty, 
 my hand stayed the tumult and no marvel ; sim 
 ple trust abused, and earthly hopes blighted. But 
 why, if innocent, did he not subsequently cast him 
 self upon the protection of the law ? But I detain 
 and weary you with idle words. Your plans, my 
 Lord?" * 
 
 " Simply these : Several officers, in the garb of 
 citizens, maybe stationed in the forest bordering the 
 home of the clan of Neilson, to report any seditious 
 movement, while you and I, accustomed to brave 
 the weather, may, in the shades of evening, lend an 
 observing eye also." 
 
 " Feasible and simple. Shall we this evening wend 
 our way to the forest ? " 
 
 At the close of that day, after partaking of a 
 hasty and simple meal, the two gentlemen, equipped 
 to defy the cold northern blast, set out on their 
 mournful errand. Few words passed; but the 
 strained ear was startled at the sound of their own 
 footstep, and in every falling shadow the form of 
 Lincoln was almost visible. Each twilight, for sev-
 
 GLENNAIR. 109 
 
 eral succeeding days, found them the same vigilant 
 watchers, at times approaching within the very pre 
 cincts of the far-famed, and no less dreaded, haunt 
 of the Elves, with feelings of undefined though un 
 acknowledged awe ; but all effort at discovery was 
 unavailing. 
 
 " A whisper of suspicion has driven him from 
 these shores," Mr. Robertson remarked, as with 
 wearied step they retraced their way homeward. 
 " The search may as well be relinquished." 
 
 " Feeling would prompt a ready assent to your 
 proposition," the Laird returned, huskily, " and I 
 confess I have almost feared his apprehension, when 
 I have imagined him within the pale, a culprit, a 
 felon, a forger, his life a forfeit to his country's 
 laws. His winning manners, his benign countenance, 
 his independence, his mild reproof, humbling with 
 out displeasing, notwithstanding every effort, stand 
 out so prominently to view, that it dims my sense of 
 right more than you can imagine." 
 
 " Hold ! Robert, hold ! my heart beats so much in 
 unison, and vibrates with every chord you strike, 
 that I cannot endure it. Shall we at once withdraw 
 the officers, and leave him to his conscience and his 
 offended Maker ? " 
 
 " I fear we are acting hastily. An accusing con 
 science might be our meed for misjudged mercy. 
 Let us on to-morrow's eve seek concealment among 
 the clump of fir-trees bordering the mouth of the 
 Elfin's cave. I have sometimes imagined something 
 more than the whistling of the wind within." 
 
 Mr. Robertson was silent. A faint smile played 
 10
 
 110 GLENNAIR. 
 
 around the mouth of his friend as he inquired, 
 " Have you succumbed to popular superstition ? If 
 so, we must cast salt in our path to guarantee our 
 safety." 
 
 " ISTot for a moment," he replied, with a haughty 
 curl of the lip ; " I believe philosophically we may ac 
 count for every unnatural sound there. The officers 
 will be stationed in the vicinity, of course?" 
 
 " Within sound of our watchword." 
 
 The sun had fallen far below the horizon, and 
 darkness was gathering rapidly around, when a 
 slight rustling from footsteps upon a fe~w frozen 
 leaves might be heard ; then all was silent, as the 
 two gentlemen nestled closely behind a clump of 
 lirs and a jutting rock, which aided in their con 
 cealment. The hand of each (unknown to the 
 other) was clasped closely upon a pistol within his 
 bosom, as their eyes wandered fearfully around. 
 Silence reigned. A dark mass of barren rock and 
 leafless trees alone stood before them. 
 
 An hour passed ; not a word was interchanged. 
 The moon arose, casting a lurid light upon all around, 
 rendering the scene still more dreary. Suddenly 
 there was a rustling sound ; it drew nearer. Was 
 it wrought imagination ? Was it the beating of 
 each heart become audible to the other ? The eye 
 and ear were strained to the utmost, but not a breath 
 escaped them. Nearer and nearer it approached ; 
 human footsteps and suppressed voices were heard. 
 A female form leaning upon the arm of a young man, 
 was now visible. A low sob broke upon their ear.
 
 t 
 
 GLENNAIE. Ill 
 
 " Speak not of blasted hopes, my Edith," her com 
 panion returned, in the lowest tone ; " a dark cloud 
 now covers your father's path, but the sun will burst 
 forth in all its glory and scatter it forever." 
 
 It was the voice of Duncan Graeme, his well- 
 known voice, not to be mistaken. A clasp of the 
 hand alone told both recognized it. Duncan Graeme, 
 the friend, perhaps the accomplice of the robber. 
 The big drops stood upon the forehead of the 
 Laird, as he listened eagerly. The young man pro 
 ceeded, 
 
 " But, my darling Edith, listen to my plea. You 
 need a protector in this dark hour ; let my arm shield 
 you. Eor the present, your father must absent him 
 self until his character is proved to be unsullied. Let 
 a tie be formed which will give me the right to say, 
 She is mine 1 " 
 
 " My father's consent to such a step could never 
 be obtained, Duncan ; on that point he is firm. 
 Hark ! I hear his step. He will convince you that 
 you err in the proposal." 
 
 Another footstep was heard ; Hugh Lincoln 
 stood before them. Was it indeed Hugh Lincoln ? 
 the erect, the robust, the bright Hugh Lincoln ? 
 Had the short space of a month wrought such a 
 change ? In return to the salute of Duncan, with 
 his usual grace the cap was lifted, bringing to view 
 a furrowed brow, over which some silver hairs were 
 now scattered in place of the dark chestnut locks, 
 which a short time since graced the polished fore 
 head that had scarce seen forty years. * 
 
 There was a wild burst of anguish as Miss Lincoln
 
 t 
 112 GLENNAIR. 
 
 threw herself upon the neck of her father. A warm 
 kiss was imprinted upon her brow, as he ejacu 
 lated, " May the Great Shepherd guard my lonely 
 one in my wanderings, and keep her safely from all 
 evil." 
 
 " Let me accompany you, dearest father," she ex 
 postulated, " you cannot go alone. Who, oh, who 
 will care for you ? "Who will soothe your lonely 
 hours? and I I cannot live separated from you," 
 she added, throwing herself again convulsively upon 
 his bosom. 
 
 Placing his arm gently around her, she was per 
 mitted to weep in silence, until nature resumed its 
 sway and she was comparatively calm. 
 
 "Your father needs you as a solace, Edith," he 
 at length whispered ; " you are only adding to his 
 cup of sorrow." 
 
 " Forgive me, dearest father," she said, as he placed 
 her beside him upon a jutting rock, " I was selfish, 
 supremely selfish." 
 
 " I shall not be alone, as you suppose ; friends will 
 be raised in foreign lands. Were I guilty, I should 
 at once deliver myself to justice to pay the penalty 
 of my crime ; but, innocent of every charge alleged, 
 and apparently proved, I must elsewhere seek shel 
 ter until the storm be overpast, and my non-partici 
 pation in any deed of infamy clearly proved. God 
 can bring light out of darkness." 
 
 " Grant but my request, Mr. Lincoln : let Edith 
 be mine," urged Duncan. " At my father's hearth 
 stone she will find a peaceful retreat, until we 
 together hail your return to our beloved isle."
 
 GLENNAIR. 113 
 
 will be found to harm this bairn, Duncan, 
 under the shelter of her aunt ; and," he added, bit 
 terly, " my dishonored name shall never sully the 
 escutcheon of the family of Graeme." 
 
 " The gratitude my father feels to Mrs. Cameron, 
 and the love he bears our Edith " 
 
 " Say no more, Duncan. "When Edith can resume 
 her place among her peers, as the daughter of Hugh 
 Lincoln, this hand is yours. Until that time ar 
 rives, she remains Edith Lincoln." 
 
 " "Would that your determination could be moved, 
 Mr. Lincoln," returned the youth, rising ; " but 
 your will shall be our law. Shall the first hour of 
 your glad return hail the union of Edith and Dun 
 can Graeme ? " 
 
 " She is as yours now, Duncan. "Watch over her ; 
 guard her as the apple of your eye. Let no evil 
 befall her, and may the Cross be the refuge of both 
 my children. But we must now part," he added, 
 clasping the hand of Duncan warmly. "You will 
 surely be required at the manse, my son. Your 
 absence might lead to some suspicion ; we must be 
 wary. MacLoughlin is prowling around, and a 
 missing oar of Roger's is supposed to be in his keep 
 ing. Even the watchful care of Allan will scarcely 
 protect us from his wily snares." 
 
 " Suffer me to be with you, dearest father, through 
 this night and to-morrow," urged the weeping girl ; 
 " it will be an unspeakable comfort to me. "Within 
 the cave we cannot be observed:" 
 
 " Be it so, daughter, my darling one. We will 
 now retire, and commend ourselves to Him who 
 
 10* II
 
 114 GLENNAIR. 
 
 (Tooth all tilings well. It is time Duncan had de 
 parted." 
 
 The unsteady foot of Lord Glennair, as he and his 
 friend arose from their place of concealment, and in 
 silence issued from the forest, told of excited feeling 
 somewhat unusual. No word was spoken, and at 
 the gate of the castle a pressure of the hand was the 
 only farewell passed between them. 
 
 At once seeking the privacy of his chamber, 
 when the door was closed upon him, he endeavored 
 to collect his scattered thoughts. "Was he in a 
 dream ? or was it indeed a dread reality ? Had 
 Lincoln stood before him ? Had he witnessed the 
 strong man bowed with sorrow, yet the same calm, 
 dignified, uncompromising Lincoln? The most 
 minute events of the evening passed vividly before 
 him. His parental affection and the filial love re 
 turned. And Duncan the chosen one of the for 
 ger's daughter ! Duncan Graeme the bosom- 
 friend of Percy. Was he aware ? Never ! not a 
 thought but was in unison with his own. A doubt 
 arose: Was Lincoln guilty ? Could such a hypo 
 crite mar the fair face of this fair earth? And am I 
 about to rend with agony that daughter's heart ? 
 Her throes of anguish, her despairing eye, all, all 
 were depicted upon his wrought imagination. His 
 breath became hot and stifled, his bosom heaved, 
 and he sought to recover himself at the open win 
 dow. Throwing off his overcoat, which, in the 
 tumult of his thoughts he had forgotten, he en- 
 deavored to obtain calmness. Suddenly there was a 
 revulsion of feeling. The forged papers, the same
 
 GLENNAIR. 115 
 
 writing as those found in the overcoat of Lincoln ; 
 notes in his hand, hinting darkly at the deed ; three 
 hundred thousand pounds gone and without his 
 knowledge? impossible! He is the guilty one, 
 the hypocrite, the deceiver ; only playing upon the 
 kindly heart of Duncan. His deeds shall be brought 
 to light," he exclaimed aloud ; " and his guilt or 
 innocence clearly proved." The morning light 
 broke ; and, forgetful that his head had not pressed 
 the pillow through that night, the Laird of Glen- 
 nair, as was his wont, descended to his library. 
 
 "I fear you are not well, dear papa," Miss Dunbar 
 remarked, as she opened the door to announce a 
 waiting breakfast. "It is full an hour beyond your 
 customary time for joining us, and Kenneth has 
 tapped repeatedly." 
 
 The Laird listlessly arose, and followed her to the 
 breakfast-room. A scrutinizing glance was cast 
 upon Percy, but his bright smile reassured him. 
 
 " No oaten cake, papa," exclaimed his younger 
 daughter, as she caressingly threw her arm about 
 his neck, and kissed his cheek, "your own penalty, 
 you know, for lazy folks; yet, for the first offence, 
 I will show clemency this morning. If in power, I 
 fear my want of firmness would weaken the arm of 
 the law, as papa says all pardons have that ten 
 dency." 
 
 "For a first misdemeanor, papa would be lenient 
 also," her sister replied, pleasantly ; " but your in 
 fringement of rules was so frequent, that it was 
 .necessary to enforce them." 
 
 " But in a court of justice, papa," inquired Miss
 
 116 GLENNAIR. 
 
 Ellen, " when there is something more "than an 
 imaginary offence, should not the previous charac 
 ter be considered ? " 
 
 " If sinning against light and knowledge, daugh 
 ter, greater should be the punishment," the Laird 
 returned, as he pushed from him his yet untasted 
 cake, and rested his eye upon Percy. "Is not that 
 your view also, my son ? " he inquired. 
 
 " Certainly, father : the servant who knew his 
 Lord's will, and did it not, should be beaten with 
 many stripes," he replied, as his eye fell before the 
 steady gaze of his father ; " but there may be cases 
 in which no proof could shake my confidence in the 
 honor of those suspected." 
 
 " Were you ever called to pass such judgment, 
 my son?" the Laird inquired, his eye still fixed 
 anxiously and intently upon him. 
 
 The color mounted to the temples of the youth as 
 he returned, "As I have no power, father, my pri 
 vate opinion is of little moment." 
 
 " Your reply is indefinite and unsatisfactory, 
 Percy. Docs your mind revert to any condemned 
 by the community, with full proof of guilt existing, 
 yet possessing high-souled, high-toned honor, in 
 your estimation ? " 
 
 Percy was silent. There was evidently a struggle 
 between native independence and filial respect. The 
 compressed, quivering lip, the change from ashy 
 paleness to the deepest hue, showed the strife 
 within. 
 
 "Papa, permit me to explain," interposed Miss 
 Dunbar. " Percy is the soul of truth, and"
 
 GLENNAIR. 117 
 
 " Daughter," her father interrupted almost sternly, 
 " I cannot permit my question to remain unanswered. 
 Percy Dunbar, do you consider the former Cashier 
 of Glennair Bank among the honorable ? " 
 
 The eye of his son was slowly raised ; it met that 
 of his excited father. Determination only was now 
 visible in the countenance. In a low, but firm and 
 decided tone, he replied : " Were he upon the 
 scaffold, I would believe him innocent ; and," he 
 added, raising one hand toward heaven, and looking 
 upward, " I am confident it would only bring him 
 nearer to the portals of heaven, where angels would 
 await his spirit, to bear it to his Master, whom he 
 has served so faithfully." 
 
 The face of his father was blanched with amaze 
 ment. "And to whom are you indebted, young 
 man, for your novel estimate of this high-handed 
 villain," he inquired, his voice tremulous with 
 anger. " Has other than he become the object of 
 your censure? Has your father, or Robertson, 
 MacAlpin, or Monteith committed this deed of 
 infamy ? " 
 
 " Pardon, my dear father," the youth returned, 
 laying his hand gently upon his arm; "you are 
 excited, unduly so, perhaps. Would that my 
 father could view the matter in the same light with 
 his son." 
 
 " Would that your father were a dotard ! Would 
 that his vision were through so false a medium, 
 that high-handed villains might be considered mar- 
 tyrs!" 
 
 " Hot so, my father. Let me "
 
 118 GLENNAIR. 
 
 "Enough, Percy Dunbar," the Laird peremptorily 
 interrupted, as he arose to leave the apartment ; 
 " my patience is exhausted. May you have some 
 little judgment ere we again touch upon the sub 
 ject." 
 
 The door was closed. Percy resumed the seat 
 from which he had arisen. " Would that I were 
 arbiter," he murmured ; " the just, the innocent, 
 the injured, should be distinguished from the 
 guilty." 
 
 " I cannot imagine, Percy," his sister remarked, 
 " on what premises you found your opinion of Mr. 
 Lincoln." 
 
 " And before Lochiel was the professed admirer 
 and humble servant of Miss Lincoln," Miss Ellen 
 observed, with a slight toss of the head ; " before he 
 was 'nursed so tenderly and so faithfully,' as he 
 expresses it, he confessed to me that his father was 
 so persuaded of the guilt of Mr. Lincoln, that his 
 illness was altogether caused by the shock produced 
 on his nervous system. ]S r ow his lips are sealed in 
 regard to him, and I really tire of the praises of 
 little Helen and Miss Edith." 
 
 "A youthful admirer, truly," Percy returned, 
 glancing archly at his elder sister. "And does Miss 
 Lincoln smile upon her young and devoted suitor?" 
 
 "I am not the confidante of either party," she 
 retorted quickly ; " but my story only goes to prove 
 that others, beside Percy Dunbar, may be governed 
 by feeling, in the place of conviction." 
 
 " And the force of such an example may well 
 cause me to tremble. Poor, vacillating Lochiel,
 
 GLENNAIB. 119 
 
 his mood is seldom the same for two successive 
 days." 
 
 "My perception must be obtuse, indeed," she 
 returned, with an offended air, " as I have never 
 observed this fitfulness." 
 
 " What of his transfer to Miss Edith ? " inquired 
 her brother, playfully drawing her toward him. 
 " What of that faithless step, my little sister ? " 
 
 "Transfer of what?" 
 
 " Of admiration to Miss Lincoln, of course, as 
 cribed to tenderness. That tingles in my ear as a 
 tender word, Miss Ellen." 
 
 " Let his admiration yes, and ' tenderness ' also," 
 she returned, with a curl of the lip not to be misap 
 prehended, " be bestowed on whom he will ; it is 
 not of the slightest moment to me ; he is free as air 
 to seek his pleasure and bestow his attention on whom 
 he will. Why do you suppose I would cast a thought 
 upon the subject ? " 
 
 " Only apprehensive of his good citizenship ; fear 
 ful that his tender nursing would entice him from his 
 allegiance to his first lady-love," he whispered in 
 her ear, as he laughingly snatched a kiss and made 
 a hasty retreat. 
 
 On that night Laird Glennair entered the forest 
 alone, a pressing engagement preventing his friend 
 bearing him company. The same silence reigned as 
 on the preceding evening. Hour after hour passed 
 heavily along, but the stillness remained unbroken. 
 Was the Grotto indeed untenanted ? Notwithstand 
 ing all their vigilance, had Lincoln escaped when
 
 120 GLENNAIE. 
 
 almost within the arm of justice ? There was a sen 
 sation of relief, and buoyancy of spirit, which an 
 accusing conscience could not control. . He was 
 startled by the falling of a stone. There was a feel 
 ing of sore disappointment as the form of Edith was 
 distinguished issuing from the cave. " Remain 
 within, father," she said, " the air is keen, and your 
 breast will scarcely bear this exposure. Good night 
 again, dear father," she added, "Duncan will see 
 me safely home ; I hear his footsteps in the distance." 
 
 " Good night, beloved ; may Heaven protect you 
 from all evil," was the return. 
 
 In a few moments a figure was seen approaching. 
 As it drew near, Lord Glennair endeavored in vain 
 to recognize in the shadow the slight form of Dun 
 can Graeme. At this moment a heavy cloud ob 
 scuring the moon, cast all around in darkness. A 
 quick step caught his ear ; light, yet bold and con 
 fident. It was not the step of Duncan. No was 
 it ? He listened eagerly, breathlessly ; a film passed 
 over his sight, and a deep groan escaped him as the 
 voice of Percy reached his ear. 
 
 Miss Lincoln started. 
 
 " It was the mere whistling of the wind," Percy 
 remarked, " or a tendril disengaging itself." 
 
 His father, recalled to his wonted presence of mind, 
 drew back into the recess of the rock. 
 
 " Mr. Dunbar ! " exclaimed Miss Lincoln, " I sup 
 posed it was the step of Duncan. I am surprised to 
 meet you at this hour. Is Allan with you ? " 
 
 " At the foot of the bridge, awaiting us. Mr. 
 Robertson claimed the services of Duncan this
 
 GLEN3TAIR. 121 
 
 evening to examine with him some accounts at his 
 dwelling. A most reluctant assent was given, as 
 we intended visiting the cave together. A word 
 in the ear of your father, Edith ; I will then return 
 and see you through this gloomy glen." 
 
 " Shall I enter with you, Percy ? " 
 
 " As you please, Edith ; from you no secret need 
 be withheld," 
 
 For a few moments they disappeared ; then the 
 sound of voices low and earnest, at the mouth of the 
 cave, was heard, and a low " good night " followed. 
 Again ascending the steps, Miss Lincoln took the 
 -proffered arm, and silently they left the forest, each 
 retreating footstep striking as a death-knell upon 
 the ear of his father. "Who can picture the tumul 
 tuous passions that raged within the bosom of Lord 
 Glennair? "Was his ingenuous, his confiding, his 
 simple-hearted boy ensnared by the wiles of this in 
 sidious deceiver? " Face to face, I will charge him 
 with this foul deed ! " he exclaimed, starting to his 
 feet and rushing toward the cave. " His guilty con 
 science must quail before one whom he is seeking to 
 injure so irreparably." The mouth was reached, the 
 steps descended, and his hand upon the rugged stone 
 that impeded his entrance, when the voice of prayer 
 fell upon his ear. Clear, calm, confident ; pleading 
 humbly in this dark hour for grace and strength to 
 lay firm hold upon things eternal ; pleading all the 
 promises of God to the stricken in spirit. 
 
 "Thou, Lord, knowest the heart; my heart," 
 the voice murmured, " free from every stain alleged 
 by man ; but wandering, and prone to wander far 
 11
 
 122 GLENN A IK. 
 
 from the fold of the Redeemer. Recall rne by thy 
 love, and, as thy servant Moses of old, let thy good 
 ness pass before me, and cheer me with the certain 
 assurance that I am thine thine entirely and 
 that a crown of rejoicing is awaiting thy sorrowing 
 servant." The Lord's Prayer was then repeated, in 
 which ' the broad Scotch accent of Roger Neilson, 
 accompanying the first speaker, was distinctly heard. 
 Then all was silent, cairn, and hushed, as though no 
 being had found entrance there ; calm and hushed 
 as the bosom that a moment since had breathed only 
 vengeance against its inmates. A voice seemed to 
 whisper, "You are within holy precincts." 
 
 Falling upon his face, he lay almost unconscious 
 of surrounding things. At length, startled by a 
 slight movement within the cave, he arose, and 
 pursued with difficulty his way toward his home. 
 As he slowly ascended the steps, a voice pleasantly 
 remarked, " This is an unusual hour for my Lord 
 Glennair to desert his own fireside ; the occasion 
 must have been indeed pressing." 
 
 He turned ; the same bright smile of the morning 
 met his view. 
 
 " Have you been with Mr. Robinson this even 
 ing?" Percy inquired, as in the hall he took his 
 father's hat and cloak, and, with his own, handed 
 them to Kenneth. 
 
 " I had private business in a contrary direction," 
 he replied. The tone was such as forbade all further 
 inquiry, and in silence he followed his father to the 
 library, where the two young ladies were awaiting 
 them. A large arm-chair was wheeled by Kenneth
 
 GLENN AIR. 123 
 
 before a blazing hearth, and the heavy boots ex 
 changed for a pair of slippers, carefully warmed by 
 Ellen. 
 
 " You look worn, papa," she remarked, as she 
 placed a stool closely beside him, " as though your 
 journey this evening had been wearisome." 
 
 " And the rose will not long remain upon the 
 cheek of my little daughter if she seek no rest until 
 the midnight hour," he returned, stroking her hair 
 affectionately. 
 
 "Her vigils have not been painful, papa," Miss 
 Dunbar remarked, laughing ; " a pleasant slumber 
 has been enjoyed upon the couch since ten o'clock. 
 Lochiel was with us until that hour." 
 
 " And are the engagements of Percy Dunbar of 
 so pressing a nature," his father inquired, sternly, 
 " that the dawn must so nearly anticipate him, 'ere 
 he is enabled to free himself from their demands ? " 
 
 There was evident confusion in the manner of 
 Percy, as he endeavored to reply pleasantly. " The 
 hand of the old faithful timepiece only pointed to 
 eleven, father, when I returned ; but, learning from 
 Kenneth that you were still absent, and supposing 
 you were transacting some business with the Bank 
 directors, I desired to relieve the loneliness of your 
 walk home, and have spent the last hour in making 
 fruitless inquiry for you." 
 
 The eye of his father glanced toward Percy as he 
 spoke. He was about replying, but, checking him 
 self with a knit brow and deeply sad countenance, 
 with one palm placed upon the back of the other 
 hand as they lay upon his knee his head sank upon
 
 124 GLENN AIR. 
 
 his bosom he remained perfectly silent. Percy 
 slowly walked the floor, evidently ill at ease, occa 
 sionally stealing a glance toward him. The silence 
 was becoming painful, when Miss D unbar suddenly 
 inquired, 
 
 " Did you hear the absurd report relative to the 
 Elfin, Percy?" 
 
 " Reports regarding it are many, Gertrude," he 
 replied, carelessly ; "but little credence is given by 
 any but the vulgar herd." 
 
 " In regard to the past, it has been so, brother, and 
 the amount of salt strewn for defence, considerable ; 
 but Lochiel tells us there is some sensation among 
 the more intelligent classes of the community." 
 
 ".And what are the wonderful new developments 
 to cause the excitement ? " Percy inquired. 
 
 *' No developments whatever ; but some fishermen 
 are ready to make an affirmation that they were eye 
 witnesses to a phantom-boat, issuing from the cave, 
 guided by a figure of blue flame, the profile of which 
 bore an exact resemblance to the grandfather of 
 Eoger Neilson. Beside him sat a youthful female, 
 of the same ethereal appearance, upon whom he cast 
 dark and malignant glances ; a third form was also 
 visible, but could not be sufficiently distinguished to 
 be identified. Although in that terrific storm, it 
 skimmed the waves lightly, and reached the Glen- 
 nair inlet in safety, notwithstanding it had been 
 apparently engulfed a few rods distant." 
 
 " And why so tardy in recording their wonderful 
 vision ? " Percy inquired with a sneer. 
 
 " They were outward bound when it occurred,
 
 GLENN AIR. 125 
 
 were delayed fishing, and did not return until yes 
 terday." 
 
 " The present gloomy cast of Lochiel's feelings in 
 duces a belief in the supernatural that, if in health, he 
 would spurn at once, as unworthy the first thought," 
 Percy returned. 
 
 " It must have made its due impression upon the 
 mind of his paragon," Miss Ellen remarked, " as she 
 most strenuously advised him not to venture near the 
 cave, and to forbear making any inquiry relative to it." 
 
 " I suppose she feared his natural love of adven 
 ture would lead him into danger," her brother re 
 turned, " for if he were carried away by some sub 
 marine fairy, her loss would be irreparable." 
 
 " Lochiel remarked this evening it was strange 
 the Elfin's cave had not been termed Elves' cave, 
 the plural form. Why is it, Percy ? " 
 
 " It was named by the unlearned gentry, centuries 
 since," he replied, " and has, I suppose, become a 
 technic among us." 
 
 " I always thought some interest was manifested 
 by Duncan for the lady in question," Miss Dunbar 
 remarked. 
 
 " Only the highest esteem and regard, natural to 
 their close intimacy from childhood, I assure you," 
 Percy returned quickly, as the color slightly mounted. 
 " He has often told me he knew little difference be 
 tween Amy and Edith. Of late, we have not touched 
 upon the subject." 
 
 " You are certainly mistaken, sister," said Miss 
 Ellen ; " report gives Miss MacAlpin the palm over 
 a]] others, in the estimation of Duncan Graeme." 
 11 *
 
 126 GLENN AIR. 
 
 " Report speaks goldenly of her," returned Percy ; 
 " lie could scarcely make a more judicious selection. 
 Does she smile upon him? " 
 
 " Smile upon Duncan ! Let him but bend his pow 
 ers to win, success is certain." 
 
 " It is time my children were retiring," the Laird 
 remarked, rising. 
 
 " Let me see you to your chamber, father," said 
 Percy, playfully proffering his arm. 
 
 It was -gravely, very gravely, taken, and after bid 
 ding the young ladies good night, in silence they 
 proceeded to the chamber. 
 
 " My son," Lord Glennair inquired, as he closed 
 the door upon them, " do you remember aught of 
 that dreary morning when we laid your mother in 
 yon vault which this window now overlooks ? " 
 
 " But faintly, father. It is full sixteen years since 
 that sad event. I numbered but four summers ; but 
 I do well remember," he added, affectionately, " that 
 the duty of both parents has been fulfilled by you. 
 "What do I not owe you, father ? " 
 
 " Yes, Percy, I have devoted my life to the welfare 
 of my children ; and in my only son, my pride, the 
 inheritor of my name, I have reposed the most im 
 plicit trust. Has my confidence ever been misplaced, 
 my son? " 
 
 " Never s wittingly, father ; I have conscientiously 
 endeavored to fulfil my duty toward one who has 
 stood in the light of no common parent." 
 
 "And has confidence never been withheld, Percy?" 
 he inquired, as he gently laid his hand upon his arm. 
 
 For a moment the youth was silent, then firmly
 
 GLENNAIR. 127 
 
 replied, " Jsot in any manner that would bring dis 
 grace upon my name or involve my conscience. My 
 father's happiness is mine, and may my head be. pil 
 lowed in the grave ere I willingly bring a blight 
 upon it." 
 
 " Then beware, my son ; your too confiding nature 
 may be overreached. Your assertion this morning 
 has filled my mind with dread lest some temptation 
 should overtake you ; lest that villain may obtain 
 access to you, and yet silver my hair, not with age, 
 but sorrow." 
 
 The eyes of the youth fell, but he replied not. 
 
 " Leave me now, Percy," said his father, unclasp 
 ing the hand which he had firmly grasped, " and 
 remember that it is your father's desire not com 
 mand, (I trust that is needless) that no communi 
 cation be held with any one bearing the name of 
 Lincoln." 
 
 " Father ! " 
 
 " No more, my son ; retire to your chamber ; pon 
 der the question whether your father has ever en 
 joined upon his son any but wholesome precepts. 
 Good night, my boy." 
 
 The door closed, and Percy retired to his own 
 apartment ; but the morning broke ere either had 
 found, or even sought, repose.
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 "To be pained for a minute, to fear for an hour, 
 To hope for a week how long and weary ! " 
 
 rolled on, and daily, yea, hourly, the 
 -A- thoughts of Lord Glennair wandered to Elfin 
 Grotto, and his memory lingered on the scenes wit 
 nessed there. The past became again present to 
 him, and with his arm linked once more in that of 
 his once much-loved friend, he strolled along con 
 versing of by -gone days, or perhaps of the future 
 the world of rest. How written upon his memory, 
 and how vividly could he recall the very words, 
 the look, the eye gradually lighting with his sub 
 ject, until his whole soul beamed forth as he de 
 scribed the glories of heaven, the peace, the joy, the 
 purity of that abode. " Can oh ! can he be the 
 guilty one the hypocrite ?" he would often mur 
 mur, as with clasped hands he would hurriedly pace 
 his chamber. Then the proofs, one by one, would 
 stand in glaring array before him, shutting out 
 every avenue to hope in the possibility of his inno 
 cence. 
 
 Several jveeks elapsed. Rumors alone reached the 
 castle, of wonderful sights and marvellous doings 
 at the Elfin Cave ; but rumor whispered not the true 
 cause of the disturbance of the silence of the Grotto ; 
 and, notwithstanding every effort to suppress so im 
 proper a feeling, the desire was becoming more and 
 
 128
 
 GLENNAIE. 129 
 
 more intense that justice, in this instance, might 
 not overtake the guilty. To none could he unbosom 
 every feeling. His friend Robertson had left his 
 home, to seek a more congenial climate for an in 
 valid daughter. To his son his lips were sealed ; 
 doubt and distrust had taken the place of the most 
 unbounded confidence, and the name of Lincoln, so 
 fraught with interest, was never whispered. 
 
 A conversation between Duncan and Percy, in 
 the chamber of the latter, was accidentally over 
 heard by Lord Glennair. Seeking some papers in 
 the room adjoining, the voice of his son, in earnest 
 conversation, met his ear ; his own name was re 
 peatedly pronounced. His high sense of honor 
 would have induced an immediate withdrawal, but 
 paternal solicitude deterred him, and he listened 
 with breathless anxiety to catch the words of Percy. 
 
 " My mind is racked with torture, Duncan," he 
 remarked ; " do not render me more wretched." 
 
 " Your duty is plain, Percy ; the Lord prefers 
 mercy to sacrifice, and how can you ask his blessing 
 while withholding aid and sympathy, in its utmost 
 need, from his own chosen one, who is drinking 
 sorrow to its dregs." 
 
 " But my father's prohibition. Is not the fifth 
 command of equal force with other portions of 
 Scripture ? " 
 
 "And are you not following merely the letter of 
 the law ? Is it with his approval the wants of the 
 inmates of the cave are supplied from his abun 
 dance ? " 
 
 " My father gives direction to feed the hungry, 
 i
 
 130 GLENNAIR. 
 
 whatever be their moral delinquencies. But of that 
 matter I have taken little cognizance. Kenneth 
 being a warm friend of Norval, and one of the Mac- 
 Lean clan, leaves me small need to act." 
 
 " Yes, and if Lord Glennair were not blinded by 
 the misapprehension of the community, he would be 
 the last to hunt to the death such a man as Mr. 
 Lincoln." 
 
 " Has Mr. Lincoln made any mention of my with 
 drawal ? " 
 
 " Some time since he inquired for you with much 
 interest, but my reply being vague, and my manner 
 probably embarrassed, he only remarked, with a 
 sigh, 'Dear boy, his past sympathy has been indeed 
 precious. I shall never be able to repay the debt of 
 gratitude ! ' There was a flush upon the face of 
 Edith, who was present, but she made no remark." 
 
 " Edith was not wounded ? " he inquired, as his 
 eye bent anxiously upon his friend. " With Mrs. 
 Cameron I ha,ve had almost daily intercourse. 
 Edith surely cannot suppose me indifferent ? How 
 is it, Duncan, you were received, even before the 
 sickness of Lochiel, and I denied? " 
 
 " Almost brotherly intercourse, from early child 
 hood, gave me a claim which I at once asserted. 
 But time is waning, Percy ; the perilous situation 
 of our friends demands immediate action. Suspi 
 cion is evidently abroad. Report of policemen oc 
 casionally seen by Norval, almost in the vicinity of 
 the Grotto, tells upon the prostrate and nervous 
 frame of the poor sufferer. The Orion is now lying 
 out, ready to sail to-morrow. I have made every
 
 GLENN AIR. 131 
 
 arrangement with the Captain, a true friend of 
 Roger, and at dawn the effort will be made to 
 reach her. The state of Mr. Lincoln is pitiable in 
 the extreme. Debilitated and wretched, he can 
 aiford no consolation to Edith, who is agonized 
 with the apprehension of her father's danger, and 
 inconsolable at the anticipation of the separation. 
 A word of solace from your lips to Mr. Lincoln 
 would be as manna in the desert. You refuse it at 
 your peril." 
 
 " I will see him this night, cost what it may, 
 Duncan. Will Edith remain with him until the 
 morning ? " 
 
 " She pleads to be permitted to do so, and her 
 father cannot deny her. She will probably await 
 his departure." 
 
 "And who will accompany her on her return 
 home?" 
 
 "Allan and Isorval. She firmly declines my ser 
 vices, fearing to excite suspicion at the manse." 
 
 "Without permission, /will see her home. She 
 might refuse me the gratification, if I proffered. 
 None will be aware of my absence ; I will return ere 
 my father has arisen." 
 
 " There is one circumstance I withheld, Percy, 
 fearing it would excite pain and indignation. Mac- 
 Loughlin has closely watched the movements of 
 Nbrval, and his thefts have frequently produced 
 want within the walls of the Grotto. The coward 
 was bold because he was aware there could be no 
 redress." 
 
 "Wretch! miscreant 1 " exclaimed Percy; "Provi-
 
 132 GLENNAIR. 
 
 deuce will yet bring that fellow to condign punish 
 ment. Shall I go with you to the cave this even 
 
 ing? 
 
 " JSTot until nine ; before that hour, some evil 
 spirit might observe us : there is no moon now to ' 
 tell a tale." 
 
 There was a warm grasp of the hand, as with 
 some agitation Percy whispered, " Pray that I may 
 be forgiven for this first act of disobedience to my 
 only parent." 
 
 " A light conscience may follow this deed of 
 mercy," was the reply. 
 
 The door closed, and Lord Glenn air retired to his 
 chamber. 
 
 "Miserable delusion misguided boy!" he mur 
 mured ; " would that the grave had closed over him 
 ere his too confiding nature had been ensnared by 
 such foul spirits as Lincoln and Duncan Graeme. 
 Can he. be an accomplice? No, never " Such a 
 suggestion he would not harbor for a moment ; yet 
 it had arisen, and gained a prominence he could not 
 repel. " My noble, darling boy," he exclaimed, 
 " you shall not fall a sacrifice to your own kindly 
 feelings. I will anticipate the dawn, and, if neces 
 sary, unmask the villain who would be the destroyer 
 of your fair fame. But no " he said, rising has 
 tily, " I will see him now, I will tell him all my 
 conflicts, confess to him all my apprehensions, and, 
 if driven to extremity, I will command that all in 
 tercourse be suspended, even with Duncan Graeme." 
 
 On his way to the apartment of his son, Kenneth 
 met him. " Maister Paircy bid me say, my Laird,
 
 GLENNAIR. 133 
 
 that he would nae return tae dinner, as he had an 
 engagement." 
 
 " Did he say where he would dine, Kenneth ? " 
 
 " I believe a' the manse. I heard Mr. Duncan 
 tell him the hour for dinner." 
 
 Long and heavily passed the day with the Laird. 
 In the most agonized suspense, he in vain awaited 
 the return of his beloved boy, and, sick with disap 
 pointment, when the evening was far advanced, he 
 retired to his chamber. 
 
 The hand of the old clock pointed to eleven, ere 
 Percy returned home. The weary spirit of the 
 Laird sought to obtain some rest : at length he sank 
 into a dreamy forgetfulness of the present, but his 
 slumbers were disturbed and broken. Lost in the 
 intricate mazes of a thick forest, he saw in the dis 
 tance three figures : in the outline of one he dimly 
 recognized Hugh Lincoln. A female form was 
 walking beside him, with the arm of a youth en 
 circling her waist, his ear bent low in the act of 
 listening. 
 
 "'My boy my Percy ! " he shrieked. The effort 
 aroused him, and, springing from the bed, he, with 
 a trembling hand, hastily stirred the embers that 
 were just expiring upon the hearth-stone. 
 
 " It cannot, will not, shall not be ! " he exclaimed. 
 " Pshaw ! It is only the vagaries of a disturbed 
 imagination." Throwing himself into an old arm 
 chair, he endeavored to recall the truth: the 
 vision stood prominently before him. 
 
 " May not this be a warning ? " he inquired. 
 " No absurd fantasy ; my boy would not dare, 
 12
 
 134 GLENNAIE. 
 
 not wish, not I cannot tell. Why his evident 
 anxiety for her this morning ? Nay, he is safe. 
 The daughter of the robber is the betrothed of the 
 unfortunate Duncan. My name and house will still 
 remain unsullied. But should he proffer ! Might 
 she not yield to strong temptation ? His house and 
 lineage, his expectations, the Laird, the owner of 
 these broad lands. ISTever ! never ! " he exclaimed, 
 springing from his seat, and striking the table 
 vehemently. "I will arrest the evil; I swear it, 
 solemnly." His head sank upon his bosom, as he 
 added, whisperingly, " Or will renounce my boy, 
 my son, my loved one." 
 
 The parish clock struck five. Hurriedly ar 
 ranging his toilet, and enveloping himself in a large 
 cloak and slouched hat, he bent his steps toward 
 the cave. Starting at every passing sound, fearing 
 observation, he at length reached the place, and, 
 almost spent with fatigue and excitement, he seated 
 himself in the crevice of a rugged rock, entirely 
 concealed from view. An hour passed, another, 
 and another. There was felt silence here : not a 
 movement, save the quick beating of the heart, in 
 unison with the heavy pulsations throughout the 
 frame. His eye was not once lifted from the en 
 trance to the cave, and the strained ear intently 
 sought the first advancing footsteps. Suddenly 
 there is a movement of the rude stone at the en 
 trance ; the blood recedes from his heart, a shiver 
 passes through the whole frame, and the Laird 
 sank upon the ground almost deprived of motion, 
 but his eye still intently watching.
 
 GLENN A IE. 135 
 
 The next moment Percy appeared, leading a young 
 lady, whose face was buried in her hands. For 
 some time a low sob only reached his ear. The 
 countenance of his son manifested the deepest sym 
 pathy. " Endeavor to regain some composure, 
 Edith, ere we proceed further," he said. Taking a 
 large shawl, which was thrown carelessly across his 
 arm, and placing it upon a stone, he drew her gently 
 to it, and seated himself beside her. " The Lord 
 reigns, Edith ; he doeth all things well." 
 
 " I know it, I know it, Percy," returned the 
 agonized girl ; " yet I am tempted sometimes to feel 
 he is forsaken." 
 
 "Say not forsaken, Edith. He is tried in the 
 furnace of affliction, but will escape unscathed." 
 
 " May the Lord forgive my distrust, Percy. He 
 has vouchsafed his presence peculiarly to father 
 since his misfortune, and his gratitude to you and 
 Duncan is unbounded. What does he not owe you, 
 Percy?" 
 
 " And why has the daughter of Mr. Lincoln de 
 clined all intercourse with her father's tried friend ? " 
 he inquired, laying his hand gently upon her own. 
 
 " Is not Lord Glennair's opinion of my father a 
 sufficient reason, Percy? Would not intercourse 
 with his daughter be inimical to his wishes ? " 
 
 " With a common friend there might be some 
 plausibility in your argument ; but, previous to this 
 sore calamity, was I esteemed so lightly that a 
 breath an idle tale, would drive me from your 
 remembrance ? " 
 
 " No, Percy, believe me, my mind often reverts
 
 136 GLENNAIE. 
 
 to you, and other esteemed friends, with whom I 
 once held pleasant intercourse in days, perhaps, 
 never to return." 
 
 . "And was I, and ain I still, regarded but as a 
 pleasant friend ? " he inquired, sadly. " For years 
 you have been dearer to me than life, Edith, and I 
 longingly desired to lay my wealth, my honors, my 
 all at your feet. Without you, the world 's a blank : 
 say this hand is mine, I am the most blest of men." 
 
 For a moment embarrassment and surprise held 
 her silent ; but the hand he had clasped within his 
 own she gently endeavored to withdraw. 
 
 " You have noticed, certainly, my marked atten 
 tion, Edith ? Have you not given me encourage 
 ment to hope, and will pride, self-respect call it 
 what you may lead you to dash from me the cup 
 of happiness ? " 
 
 " I am distressed, dear Percy," she at length re 
 plied, tremblingly, " that you should so entirely 
 have mistaken me. As a kind friend, you will per 
 mit me always to regard you ; but I should be un 
 worthy of your friendship, did I trifle with your 
 frank and kindly nature, and " sinking her voice 
 almost to a whisper, she added " my hand is 
 pledged to Duncan." 
 
 "Pledged! and to Duncan Graeme?" exclaimed 
 the youth. " Edith, do I comprehend you ? Is this 
 the kind return for years of entire devotedness ? 
 Have I not lived for you and would I not have 
 died for you ? And Duncan my friend my 
 dearest friend as I supposed, recklessly has he de 
 ceived me."
 
 OLENNAIE. 137 
 
 " Duncan is incapable of duplicity, Percy, and 
 from our childhood he " She hesitated. 
 * " I supposed it only brotherly affection," he re 
 turned, in a softened tone. " I have often heard 
 him speak of all his early associations being con 
 nected with Thistle Hedge and Edith Lincoln." 
 
 "And he has often spoken gratefully of the kind 
 attentions of Percy to Amy and myself. "We nei 
 ther felt you had any preference. Permit me again 
 to ask that the friendship that has always existed 
 may be continued." 
 
 " I thank you for your regard, Edith, but fear I 
 could scarcely sympathize with Duncan in his hap 
 piness. On the Continent, I will seek forgetfulness 
 of the past, and at the same time gratify my father's 
 earnest wish that I should visit other lands. You 
 alone have fettered me to my native shore." 
 
 " It is time, Percy, I was on my way homeward," 
 she remarked, rising and placing her arm within 
 his. " I feel, too painfully, I have unwittingly led 
 you into error." 
 
 They left the forest. 
 
 "Noble girl," murmured Lord Glennair. "A 
 powerful temptation offered and resisted, and my 
 dear boy spared a foul blot upon his escutcheon." 
 12*
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 " And if error cometh in like a flood, 
 It mixeth with streams of truth ; 
 And the adversary loveth to have it so, 
 For thereby many are decoyed." 
 
 IT was early morn, the sun had scarcely risen 
 upon the hill-tops, and the wind was whistling 
 drearily, when a dark, ill-looking man appeared, 
 skulking along a ledge of rocks overhanging the 
 ocean, carefully picking his way from stone to stone, 
 and stealthily peering around, as though fearful of 
 "being detected. Succeeding in reaching a point 
 which opened on a sandy beach, he was proceeding 
 toward another ledge, when a voice accosted him : 
 
 " Wha ho there, MacLoughlin, and wha's the 
 errand o' maircy that ha brought ye to cool yere 
 fingers this mornin' ? " 
 
 MacLoughlin started, but seeing his badge of 
 office, he forbore reply. 
 
 " It may be yere good conscience made too warm 
 a pillow for ye," he added, sneeringly, " or ye feared 
 the chilling the feet o' Allan by this exposure." 
 
 There was a scowl passed over his countenance as 
 he replied, " Ye maun inquire at the manse for that 
 gentleman ; he 's nae longer a fit companion for John 
 MacLoughlin. He 's nae use to me or mine since his 
 head was turned by his betters." 
 
 " Yere memory is somewhat treacherous, if my 
 
 138
 
 GLEXXAIE. 139 
 
 eyes and ears are not. Does a' the help in cleaving 
 boards for fuel count for naething ? and wha's the 
 first to lend a helping hand to yere gude wife, when 
 food for the bairns is wanted frae the Castle, and 
 she kens she darn't sae much as shew her nose 
 there? AYha's the mon to do a' this? Tell me 
 that, John MacLoughlin." 
 
 "And suppose ye the fine clothes- cast off by the 
 Doctor and Maister Duncan ha' naething to do wi' 
 the call at the Castle? Was he so frae to gang 
 afore he could hauld a sound cap, and jingle some 
 little siller to make himsel' welcome to the house 
 maids? Nae, nae, he is nae the same lad, or nae 
 the same use in the cabin, since the gentry and the 
 kin o' Hugh Lincoln the robber took him up, and 
 since he shared the bed and the breakfast of that 
 Bernard O'Dougherty. Hae ye any news o' him, 
 Maister MacFin?" 
 
 " News of wha ? Of Bernard O'Dougherty, who 
 rides wi' that fine young gentleman, Dr. McMillan ? ' 
 
 "Nae, nae," he returned, hesitatingly, and look 
 ing fearfully around, " the t'other the first miss 
 ing mon, ye ken." 
 
 " And wha hae ye or I to do wi' missin' men or 
 missing women ? We 'd better mind our ain affairs, 
 John MacLoughlin, and nae trouble our consciences 
 wi' men, mayhap, four thousand miles across the 
 waters. Yere nae sae sharp-sighted, are ye ? " 
 
 "A short line would measure the distance, I 
 trow." 
 
 " The length of an oar, think ye ? " asked Mac- 
 Fin.
 
 140 GLENNAIR. 
 
 "An' what of an oar? " he inquired, fiercely. 
 
 "Naethin' ; I only guessed it was yere measurin' 
 pole, when it and the boat parted company." 
 
 "An wha calls John MacLoughlin a thief? Let 
 the owner of the oar come face to face, an' I '11 gio 
 him the lie, direct." 
 
 " Take the short line, and measure the distance 
 wi' him ; mayhap he 's wi' in the hearinV 
 
 MacLoughlin started. " Wha's wi' in hearin' ? " 
 he inquired, with a face of terror. "Be Roger 
 Neilson in these parts ? " he whisperingly asked. 
 "Why would I touch an oar belongin' to anither? " 
 he said, more loudly. 
 
 " To mend yere fortine, an' make a little should 
 ye find a purchaser. Was the oar marked wi' the 
 name o' Neilson ? " 
 
 " An' if it wa'. It wa' cast away, wi' ain end in 
 the ocean." 
 
 He was interrupted by the sound of oars. A 
 boat drew near, and two men, also with the badge 
 of office, jumped on shore. There were some words, 
 in a low tone, passed between them, and some mean 
 ing glances cast toward MacLoughlin. "Whistling 
 with an air of pretended carelessness, with a hand 
 thrust into either pocket, he seated himself upon a 
 rock at some distance, carefully noting, however, 
 every word that reached him. 
 
 " Wha was the first to make the discovery ? " 
 MacFin inquired, with an arch glance toward Mac 
 Loughlin. " Did ye, say tae the Laird, Maister Lin 
 coln wa' here? " 
 
 Turnbull hesitated. " Wha is the reward ? " he 
 inquired.
 
 G L E N N A I R . 141 
 
 , nae ! " exclaimed MacLoughlin, starting 
 from his seat, " I liae tlie Laird's word, an' nain 
 ither 'ill ha the right tae a pound o' the siller." 
 
 "An' wha hae ye tae do wi' the matter?" in 
 quired MacFin, sternly. " Would the word o' sic 
 as ye be ta'en by my Laird Glennair ? " 
 
 " In a cauld morn I braved the storm, an' the 
 report I bare him led tae all the sairch, an' I 'm the 
 mon for the profit, if profit there be a his ta'en." 
 
 " And may the siller aimed in sic a deed," re 
 turned MacFin, seizing him roughly by the collar, 
 " be a curse an' not a blessing tae ye. May yere 
 bairns prove false to ye, as ye ha' played false to 
 yere friend Roger Neilson." 
 
 At this sudden and unexpected ebullition, the face 
 of the fisherman was blanched with terror. 
 
 " Loose your grasp, Mr. MacFin," he cried, en 
 deavoring vainly to free himself. " It wa' for the 
 Laird I did it, meanin' nae harm to Roger." 
 
 " It wa' a dirty business, ye craven, mak' the best 
 of it. When ye were hungry, wha fed ye? an' 
 when ye were naked, wha clothed ye ? " 
 
 " I warn't naked nither, an' his auld duds warn't 
 o' mickle account." 
 
 " An' when ye came near bein' houseless, wha 
 put it into the heart of Maister Lincoln tae stand 
 for ye ? Wha but Roger Eeilson ? " 
 
 " Allan hae tauld ye lies, an' I '11 mak' him suffer 
 fa' his fine tales o' me." 
 
 " Ye hae but little rule o'er Allan ; but if ye 
 touch but a hair o' his head, I '11 skin ye alive, an' 
 hang ye up in the mountain for a terror tae all the
 
 142 GLENNAIR. 
 
 like o' ye. Now tak yoursel' frae these parts, and 
 ne'er show yere nose among us, or I '11 teach ye 
 better manners than yere had o' late." 
 
 So saying, with a hearty shake of the collar, he 
 relinquished his grasp, and MacLoughlin, with a 
 low growl and a defiant scowl, slowly retraced his 
 steps, and was soon hidden from view. Crouching 
 down in the recess of a rock, he closely watched 
 the movements of two hoats below. 
 
 " Would that my tairm of sairvice had expired, 
 Turnbull," MacFin remarked, " ere I 'd been on 
 this hard duty." 
 
 "An' were it not I was sworn to do justice, I 
 wud now frae my hand from this unwelcome busi 
 ness," returned his friend ; " but the law wull nae 
 punish the innocent. At any rate, we are nae the 
 responsible anes." 
 
 ""We could nae save him if we would," replied 
 MacFin ; " the twa boats below are filled wi' deter 
 mined spirits, loth to credit good o' Lincoln or 
 Neilson. They'd follow them to the death wi' good 
 consciences. "Would that Maister Lincoln had an 
 inklin' o' the truth ; our skirts wud then be clean 
 tae our country, and " lowering his voice " our 
 ain friend safe." 
 
 " May there be a sore blight upon the man Mac 
 Loughlin," his companion returned, "an 'may his 
 ill-gotten siller be a curse, rather than a blessin' tae 
 him." 
 
 " Amen to that, Turnbull; but, hark," he whis 
 pered, as the sound of a heavy oar struck upon the 
 water; "it's nae ither than the oar o' Neilson.
 
 GLENNAIR. 143 
 
 The die is cast may heaven shield them from the 
 impending storm." 
 
 Pale and excited, he sprang into the hoat at a 
 signal from those already on the water, arid was im 
 mediately followed hy his two companions. 
 
 The measured sound of the oar drew nearer. The 
 lowering hrow of MacFin checked the exultant looks 
 of the remainder of the party. Every ear was bent 
 to listen, as suppressed voices were heard. 
 
 " The vigilant eye of the fisherman would soon 
 detect us, and the Laird of Glennair would not long 
 be wanting information," was almost whispered. 
 
 " The head o' MacLoughlin is scarce ta'en frae his 
 pillow, in this raw, airly morn," was the reply, in a 
 louder and more confident tone. It was the voice, 
 the well-remembered voice, of Roger Neilson. 
 
 The compressed lip and flushed cheek told the 
 tumultuous feeling within the bosom of his friend 
 MacFin. 
 
 " We will soon be within hailin' distance of the 
 Orion" continued Neilson, " and on her deck we 
 are in safety." 
 
 " May it be the will of the Lord we should reach 
 it," ejaculated Mr. Lincoln, despondingly. 
 
 The face of Mr. Lincoln was hidden, his head 
 resting upon his bosom, as they suddenly drew 
 within sight of the boats. The exclamation of Neil- 
 son startled him. Springing to his feet, he at once 
 realized the certainty of their fate, and falling back 
 upon the seat, he murmured, "The will of the 
 Lord be done." 
 
 " Slack yere hold of the oar," cried one of the
 
 144 GLENNAIR. 
 
 men insultingly, as he seized the prow of the boat, 
 " an' we will save you the trouble of rowing so fast 
 or so far. Will ye halt and bear us company 'the 
 while ? " 
 
 The collar of the speaker was seized instantly, and 
 the next moment he was struggling with the waves 
 and fierce passion. 
 
 The oar of ISTeilson was immediately extended, 
 and the man, clinging to it, was released by one of 
 his comrades, who put out in his boat to rescue him. 
 A scene of confusion would have ensued had not the 
 quiet dignity of Mr. Lincoln, and the stern, uncom 
 promising countenances of the two officers, held 
 them in check. 
 
 " Ye richly desairved yer duckin','' said Turnbull, 
 as he stepped into the boat of the prisoner, " an' 
 yere shiverin' an' shakin' is of your ain seekin'." 
 
 " I have an extra cloak here," Mr. Lincoln re 
 marked to MacFin. " Let the man make use of it, 
 or his death may lay heavily upon your conscience." 
 
 It was slowly and reluctantly taken by Turnbull, 
 who, tossing it to the man, remarked, " Mr. Lin 
 coln offers ye his cloak in return for all yer kind 
 ness. Shame on ye ; shame, shame." 
 
 A flush of confusion crossed the man's face, as, 
 receiving it, he muttered, "On'y a bit of a joke, 
 no harm." 
 
 " Then keep your jokes for them that understand 
 them, and lairn to haud yer tongue when yer betters 
 are concerned." 
 
 " Haud yer ain tongue, Turnbull," he returned ; 
 " I tell ye I thank him for his cloak, an' wad na do 
 the like agin tae the gentleman."
 
 GLENN A IE. 145 
 
 The concession was, however, lost upon Mr. Lin 
 coln, who, having resigned the oar to MacFin, 
 had again seated himself, his head resting upon one 
 hand, apparently absorbed in thought. 
 
 "Mr. Turnbull an' I will take charge of the 
 boat," MacFin observed to his comrades ; " the sair- 
 vices of nane ither will be required till we reach 
 the landing." 
 
 A nod of assent was given, and all resuming their 
 oars, silently accompanied the boat of Neilson. 
 
 The boat stopped, and for some moments the offi 
 cers rested upon their oars, irresolute how to pro 
 ceed, Mr. Lincoln still retaining the same motionless 
 position, the eye of Iseilson resting intently and 
 anxiously upon him. 
 
 " "WY ye take the carriage, Maister Lincoln ? " 
 Turnbull at length inquired, respectfully. 
 
 There was a quiver upon the lips of Roger, as 
 Mr. Lincoln calmly arose and prepared to follow 
 the officers. The boats being all secured, Turnbull 
 and MacFin entered the carriage with the prisoners, 
 the guard following at a respectful distance. 
 
 " A painfu' part we have performed this day, Mr. 
 Lincoln," MacFin observed, with much feeling. 
 "We would fain hae bid ye 'God speed' to the 
 Orion. Ye hae been a kind friend to me an' mine, 
 and it seems a strange retairn for all yer kindness." 
 
 " You have proved yourself faithful in the post 
 assigned you, David," Mr. Lincoln returned ; " there 
 is no reflection on my part, I assure you." 
 
 " Nae, nae, Mr. Lincoln, my vigilance was nae so 
 comiTiendable, an' the deck of the Orion would hae 
 
 13 K
 
 146 GLENNAIR. 
 
 received ye had my faithfulness alone been put to 
 the teat ; but there were eyes keen an' sharp, an' 
 hearts nae open tae trouble, that gave nae rest tae 
 their evil spirits till the evil wark was accomplished. 
 "Would they had yere clear conscience, Mr. Lincoln." 
 
 " May I mak sae bold," observed Turnbull, " the 
 law must an' will make a' good tae ye, or it 's nae 
 law that a mon can trust." 
 
 " Human tribunals cannot always shelter the op 
 pressed, my friend ; but there is a judgment where 
 all will obtain the just reward for every action, and 
 a Judge who will by no means clear the guilty. 
 May you and your warm-hearted friend seek to have 
 consciences void of offence, before you are called to 
 that dread bar." 
 
 " May the enemies of my Lord, and of my dear 
 Maister, a' be scattered," murmured Neilson, as the 
 carriage stopped before the jail-door. 
 
 "Amen, an' amen to that," returned both the 
 officers, earnestly. 
 
 A hand of Mr. Lincoln was kindly proffered ere he 
 alighted. " You may know the preciousness of the 
 religion of Jesus," he said, " when I tell you that 
 even while this dark cloud is resting over. my head, 
 ready to burst upon me, even while this terrific 
 storm is pending, the Lord has vouchsafed me hia 
 presence, and I have found a peace which passeth 
 all understanding, of which the world knows no 
 thing." 
 
 A tear was hastily brushed from the eye of Mac- 
 Fin, as he held in a close grasp the hand of his pris 
 oner. Mr. Lincoln, taking two small Bibles from
 
 GLENN AIR. 147 
 
 his pocket, and presenting one to each, said, " Re 
 ceive this parting remembrance from one perhaps on 
 the borders of eternity. That we may all meet in 
 that better land, will be my constant prayer." 
 
 " I thank ye frae my heart, Maister Lincoln," said 
 MacFin, "an' will try tae seek the way ye hae sae 
 kindly pointed out, an' when I hae lairned to pray, 
 I '11 ne'er stop for ye till yere out of all this trouble." 
 
 There was a warm shake of the hand, a fervent 
 " God bless you," and the. doors closed upon them. 
 
 Every sound had died away along the shore, save 
 a single footfall, jumping from rock to rock, loosen 
 ing in its way, at times, some stone from its resting- 
 place, as the foot slipped on the rugged and steep 
 .mountain, producing a slight ripple as it disappeared 
 in the water. The Glennair inlet was at length 
 reached, and a figure might be seen approaching the 
 gate of the castle. " The siller is mine, and I ha' 
 the Laird's promise o' it," he muttered, as he knocked 
 hesitatingly, " an' I '11 nae gie it up, for a' I 'm caud 
 a puir craven an' the like." 
 
 The gate was opened by Kenneth, who sullenly 
 demanded his errand. 
 
 " I maun see the Laird, at once," he replied ; " I 
 hae news for his ear tae please him." 
 
 "Ye can tell yer message, an' I'll carry it if it's 
 worth the trouble." 
 
 " ]STae, nae, Maister Kenneth, it 's for the Laird's 
 ain ear, an' he tauld me tae come an' tell him." 
 
 " Well, I dinna ken how the like o' ye can hae a 
 matter with my Laird, but tumble into the hall wi'
 
 148 GLENN AIR. 
 
 ye, an' dinna keep me starvin' wi' the cauld o' this 
 raw mornin', an' I '11 ask if ye '11 have a hearin'." 
 
 The tap of the door was answered by Percy. He 
 was alone ; and his heavy, soiled boots, not yet re 
 moved, showed that his step had been bent some 
 what beyond the precincts of the manor on that 
 morning. 
 
 " The mon MacLoughlin hae a message tae my 
 Laird. Is he risen, Maister Paircy ? " 
 
 " Send the man immediately to me," said young 
 Dunbar, " and, Kenneth, have some policemen in 
 readiness, should I need their service." 
 
 The arch and pleased countenance of Kenneth, as 
 he bowed a ready assent, showed there was no need 
 of a repetition of the order ; and with the utmost 
 alacrity, the next moment MacLoughlin was ushered 
 into the presence of his young master. Starting 
 back, as he was about entering,he said, hesitatingly : 
 
 " It 's nae the young Laird ; my message is tae my 
 Laird Glennair." 
 
 " The Laird cannot yet be seen," young Dunbar 
 returned, rising as he spoke and placing a chair 
 within the door, " but to me you can confide the 
 object of your visit this morning." 
 
 " An' it please ye, Maister Dunbar," he returned, 
 looking timidly around and lowering his voice to a 
 whisper, " I 'm the mon that's ta'en him, and nane 
 ither." 
 
 " Taken who, or what ? " inquired Percy, quickly. 
 " Why the mon, Maister Lincoln, an' Roger wi' 
 him." 
 
 The youth started from the seat he had resumed, 
 exclaiming, " Taken ! How ? By whom ? "
 
 GLENN AIR. 149 
 
 " By the Bobbies, but wi' my assistance," Mao 
 Loughlin replied, rubbing his hands with glee at the 
 anticipation of the promised reward. " They wad 
 nae hae done the business but for me, tho' they ca'd 
 all the curses on my head, for my treachery, as they 
 ca'd it." 
 
 The young man, making great effort to conceal 
 his agitation, when able to command his voice, in 
 quired with assumed pleasantry: "And in many 
 ways you were able to annoy him, were you not ? " 
 
 " Kever fear me, Maister Paircy," he returned, 
 thrown entirely off his guard. " i^ever fear a mon 
 wi' his wits at work all the time. Yes, yes, I well 
 kenned his doin's, an' mony's the nice meal my bairns 
 hae feasted on, meant for ither hands than mine." 
 
 " Ah ! " replied Percy. " Well, now tell me how 
 you managed matters ? It must have required a 
 close lookout." 
 
 " Close, indeed ; but the dyes an' masks of Nor- 
 val did n't hide his pretty face frae me, an' mony a 
 basket brought frae the castle " 
 
 o 
 
 " What ! Stolen from the manor here ? " 
 " The same thing, Maister Paircy, begged for rob 
 bers. An' there wa' many a wee bit fixed by Mistress 
 Cameron, that Mistress Cameron's brother neer had 
 a grip on. !Nae, nae, Maister Paircy," he continued, 
 now thoroughly excited by the interest manifested 
 by young Dunbar, " there 's scarce a mon o' the 
 country's side cauld hae managed matters sae nicely ; 
 for nane o' the group, nae ane o' them, dare tell the 
 tale." 
 
 A loud ring of the library-bell by Percy, startled 
 i;; *
 
 150 GLENN AIR. 
 
 him. The summons was answered by a hurried rap 
 at the door. 
 
 " Weel, I maun he goin '," MacLoughlin remarked, 
 rising hastily as Kenneth entered. " I canna he 
 longer wanted a' the cabin by the glide wife an' the 
 bairns. Wi' I ca' again tae see the Laird, Maister 
 Paircy?" 
 
 The eye of Percy glanced toward the door as sev 
 eral figures appeared there. 
 
 ." You will be some time wanted ere you will reach 
 them," he returned, coolly. " Kenneth, let the 
 police enter." 
 
 " Maister Paircy ! " exclaimed the terrified man, 
 " ye're nae surely goin' tae take hard all the words 
 o' an innocent mon ? I did it a' in the Laird's sair- 
 vice, an' nae for any ane else. Yet the mon 's caught, 
 an' maun I gang tae the prison for a' ? " 
 
 " Your thefts have been suspected, but could 
 scarcely be proved until now. You are condemned 
 from your own mouth. Commit him at once, my 
 men ; and in default of other evidence, I will myself 
 appear and bear witness to his guilt." 
 
 The officers came forward, and, notwithstanding 
 his protestations of innocence, secured him between 
 them. 
 
 "Alack! alack.!" he exclaimed, wringing his 
 hands, " wha' wi' the gude wife think o' a' this ? " 
 
 "Do not trouble yourself on her account. For 
 her petty thefts on our grounds she will this day 
 meet the same reward." 
 
 " But the bairns, the bairns, wha' wi' become 
 o' them ? "
 
 GLENNAIR. 151 
 
 "Placed under much better influence than ever 
 before, where they will be taught to respect the 
 laws, if, springing from such an impure fountain, 
 they can ever be brought to any moral sense." 
 
 With countenances in which there was little com 
 miseration, the officers led away their disconsolate 
 prisoner, and young Dunbar, without awaiting 
 breakfast, sought an interview with Duncan. 
 
 His ring at the manse was answered by young 
 Graeme, who seeing him from his chamber-window, 
 and alarmed at the untimely visit, hastily descended 
 to meet him. 
 
 " No tidings of evil, I trust ? " he inquired, seeing 
 the disturbed countenance of his friend. 
 
 Percy shook his head mournfully. 
 
 " You are the bearer of evil, Percy ; of that I 
 am assured ; but you have not yet heard from Mr. 
 Lincoln." 
 
 "All is lost, Duncan," he replied, as he threw 
 himself into a chair in the study. 
 
 " How ! what ! " exclaimed his friend. " Have 
 they not reached the Orion ? " 
 
 " They are taken betrayed, through the wiles 
 of that crafty fisherman." 
 
 " MacLoughlin ? Has he dared " 
 
 "He has dared nothing. I conjecture the police 
 have made use of him as a tool. I know nothing, 
 Duncan, save that they are taken captive, and im 
 mured within the prison-walls." 
 
 " I must at once see them, if practicable," said 
 Duncan, hastily seizing hie hat. " But Edith, 
 Edith, how will the sad tidings be conveyed to her? 
 /cannot, Percy I cannot witness her anguish."
 
 152 GLENN AIR. 
 
 " I will sec her, if you desire it ; but would you 
 not be more fitted to assuage her grief? " 
 
 " No, no, I have no words of consolation to offer ; 
 my own spirit is seared as the yellow leaf ; I am 
 crushed, withered, stricken. Go, Percy, go ; and in 
 your communication have the wisdom of the ser 
 pent, that she be not at once borne to the earth. 
 But you need no counsel ; your own kindly nature 
 will prompt to the utmost tenderness and caution. 
 Let Amy be sent for, to remain with her through 
 the day," he added, as he turned and hastened down 
 the road. 
 
 " ' Crushed, withered, stricken,' " Percy mur 
 mured, almost bitterly, as he touched the bell at 
 Mrs. Cameron's. " Gladly would I relinquish a dia 
 dem, to be even as Duncan Graeme." 
 
 Miss Lincoln came immediately into the dining- 
 room on hearing his name, and Mrs. Cameron fol 
 lowed. 
 
 " Have tidings of my father yet reached you, Mr. 
 Dunbar?" she inquired, with an anxious face. 
 " Only say he is on board the Orion, I shall be com 
 paratively happy." 
 
 " Such a nature as Mr. Lincoln's is not fitted to 
 endure perpetual exile, Edith." 
 
 " Say not perpetual. When the community is 
 made sensible of its error, it will recall him. I am 
 confident the ocean will not long separate us. His 
 home will be mine also. Is he safe in the Orion, 
 Percy?" 
 
 Young Dunbar was silent. 
 
 " If aught has occurred, dear Percy," interposed 
 Mrs. Cameron, "tell us, let us know the worst,"
 
 GLENNAIE. 153 
 
 No word escaped Miss Lincoln, and the bloodless 
 lip and cheek alarmed Percy. Leading her to the 
 sofa, he seated himself beside her. " The Lord 
 reigns, Edith," he whispered ; " your father's hairs 
 are numbered as one of his chosen ones ; He will 
 assuredly guard him from all evil." 
 
 " Is he taken taken ? " she gasped, as her cold 
 and clammy hand clung to Mrs. Cameron for sup 
 port. 
 
 " If a particle of justice remain with us," was the 
 reply, " he will be tried and honorably acquitted. 
 Fear not, dear Edith, despair riot." But the 
 words passed unheeded. Fixing a listless eye upon 
 him, her head sank upon her bosom, and she would 
 have fallen, had not an arm of Percy immediately 
 encircled her. Her head was laid gently back, and 
 she rested in a state of total and blessed uncon 
 sciousness. The youth stood gazing upon her life 
 less form. 
 
 " Would that I were the one united in spirit," he 
 thought, " linked in a closer bond than that of 
 father, brother, my idolized, the object of my 
 fondest hopes. "Would that I could soothe every 
 pang, guard from every ill, and But what am I 
 in her estimation? One of ten thousand " The 
 thrill of agony was insupportable ; he turned from 
 the sofa as Miss Graeme entered, to whom Nanny 
 had given the alarm, followed by her father and 
 Lochiel. In a few moments Duncan returned, and 
 Percy, finding his services no longer needed, silently 
 left the house. 
 
 By the low, earnest tones of Duncan, entreating 
 her to speak to him once more, Edith was aroused.
 
 154 GLENNAIR. 
 
 " Sister, dear sister," cried little Helen, as her 
 cousin pleadingly cast her eyes around, " Uncle 
 Hugh will come home, indeed he will, sister ; Mr. 
 Duncan will bring him home to us." 
 
 " I must go to father, Helen ; I must go to him ; 
 I must save, or die with him. Oh my father ! my 
 father ! " 
 
 " Stricken child," said Mr. Graeme, gently forcing 
 her to the sofa from which she had arisen ; "he 
 shall he saved, if in the power of those who love 
 him ; justice will he done, Edith ; the very stringency 
 of our laws make them equitable." 
 
 " I know it, I know it ; and his enemies have 
 produced false testimony sufficient to to " She 
 shrank back with a shriek of despair 
 
 "Try, Fawn," Lochiel whispered, himself en 
 tirely unmanned, "try to comfort your cousin; 
 she will listen to you." 
 
 Again the head of the beautiful child was laid 
 beside the cheek of Edith, and again she softly 
 whispered, " Uncle Hugh will come back, I know 
 Lochiel will help Mr. Duncan to bring him. back ; 
 don't cry, sister, any more : he shall come home, 
 Mr. Duncan says so." 
 
 The gentle accents of the child soothed her ; she 
 drew her little hand to her lips. " Uncle will soon 
 be home, sister," again she whispered, throwing her 
 arms fondly around her neck. 
 
 " Sweet Fawn," Edith murmured, " I will try to 
 believe so-. Where is Duncan? " 
 
 Without relinquishing the hand he had been 
 holding, he bent toward her and answered, " We all 
 hope so, and I fondly believe it, Edith."
 
 GLENN A IE. 155 
 
 " Did you see father, Duncan ? " 
 
 " I succeeded, after some difficulty. He is com 
 fortable, and entreats you will endeavor to be re 
 signed to tbis unexpected turn in his destiny. He 
 has pencilled you these few lines, to assure you of 
 his confidence in his release, although it may be de 
 ferred. His hope is in the avenger of the innocent." 
 Duncan raised his head and his voice in uttering the 
 last sente'nce. 
 
 " He who is with us in six troubles will not desert 
 us in seven," said Mr. Graeme. " He can deliver 
 the guiltless ; he is a strong tower, a secure refuge. 
 He can scatter all His and our enemies : to Him we 
 will look for deliverance. We will remember, ' Ven 
 geance belongeth unto God." : He ceased speaking. 
 The solemn interval of silence that ensued was in 
 terrupted by the entrance of Dr. McMillan. 
 
 The searching eye of Duncan Graeme met his as 
 he advanced into the apartment. The return glance 
 was evidently satisfactory, and a few guarded sen 
 tences passed between them when an opportunity 
 offered. He stood a few minutes by the side of 
 Edith, who recognized his presence by a return of 
 the kind pressure of her hand. 
 
 " I called at the manse expecting to find you, 
 Amy, as I understood you were indisposed," said 
 the Doctor, placing a chair near Miss Graeme. 
 
 " Very slightly, Doctor ; nothing to prevent my 
 being here." 
 
 " And you will remain ? " he returned, in a low 
 voice. " It will not be well to leave her ; your sym 
 pathy and society is not to be wanted here for a few
 
 156 GLENN AIR. 
 
 days, Amy. Mrs. Cameron has great fortitude, yet 
 she requires to be sustained in this depth of bitter 
 ness. You, Amy, are eminently calculated to soothe 
 and comfort ; and as respects your father, Mrs. Rush- 
 brook cheerfully consented to supply your place dur 
 ing your absence." 
 
 "How kind in aunt, and considerate in you, 
 Doctor. That will remove the only impediment ; 1 
 can stay with entire convenience." 
 
 " Fawn," said the Doctor, pushing his chair 
 toward the sofa without rising, and drawing her 
 from Miss Lincoln toward himself, " I want you to 
 ask Cousin Edith to walk with you in the garden 
 every morning ; you are looking so pale." 
 
 " Is Helen sick? " Edith asked, eagerly. 
 
 " iso, Edith," replied the Doctor, stroking back 
 the curls of the little child, " but she needs fresh 
 air, and her obtaining it will depend upon you ; she 
 is your shadow." 
 
 " I certainly will make any sacrifice for Helen's 
 sake," she replied, with moistening eyes, "our 
 sweet Fawn," folding her arms about the child, 
 who had returned to her position by the side of 
 " sister dear." 
 
 " Doctor," resumed Miss Lincoln, after a short 
 interval, " I suppose you will visit father profession 
 ally : might not I be permitted to accompany you, 
 sometimes ? " 
 
 The countenance and color of Dr. McMillan 
 changed suddenly, yet instantly recovering himself, 
 he answered, 
 
 " I could not possibly be admitted as medical
 
 GLENN A IE. 157 
 
 adviser, Edith, even should I apply. The prison 
 officers have appointed Logan, and he is the physi 
 cian there now, I presume." 
 
 " Would I could I could I be denied the privi 
 lege of seeing my father ? of ministering to his 
 comfort ? " she asked, looking tearfully from one to 
 another of the circle surrounding her. 
 
 " Interest and inquiry shall be made, Edith," re 
 plied Duncan ; " meanwhile rest upon your father's 
 own counsel, 'Be tranquil, and trust the issue will be 
 all we hope.' ' 
 
 " ' All we hope,' " she reiterated, clasping her 
 hands together in -utter hopelessness. "In whom 
 are we to hope ? In those who are wilfully plotting 
 his destruction? In the perjured, who will bring 
 forward false testimony ? In whom are we to 
 hope?" 
 
 "In an all-wise, almighty Avenger, my darling," 
 Mrs. Cameron answered, weeping. " The orphan's 
 God our refuge and our strength ; our very pres 
 ent help in time of need. Will Mr. Graeme guide 
 us in prayer, before he leaves us ? " 
 
 Rising, Mr. Graeme looked inquiringly at Edith ; 
 there was a slight inclination of the head, as the 
 dark eyelashes fell upon her cheek. All knelt. 
 Solemnly and fervently did petition after petition 
 ascend for the smitten family and its absent head ; 
 sympathizingly did every heart respond. 
 
 When Mr. Graeme took leave of Edith, she said, 
 "You have comforted me; your supplications sank 
 into my heart. I will endeavor to be tranquil : 
 beseech for me at your own altar." 
 
 14
 
 158 GLENNAIR. 
 
 " It would be a false step, my son," said the min 
 ister to Duncan, who had followed his father to his 
 chamber after their home worship, " and were 
 my permission granted, Lincoln's still would be 
 withheld. None can minister to a mind diseased. 
 Hers is a crushed spirit, Duncan ; no change on 
 earth would lessen the poignancy of her suffering, 
 save the release of her father. Human power falls. 
 Meet her always with a Scripture promise, there 
 is healing balm in the words of Jesus. My son, 
 yours is a sore, a heavy affliction ; go, my Duncan, 
 go yourself to the great physician ; you have need of 
 rest for your own soul. Good night, my son , may 
 the Lord bless and keep you," he added, placing his 
 hand upon the head of Duncan, and his lips to his 
 forehead. 
 
 Slowly Duncan arose and lifted his lamp from the 
 table, set it down, lifted it again, looked at his 
 father and to the floor, hesitated once more at the 
 door, then only said, " Good night, father," and 
 closed it.
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 " I gave my harp to sorrow's hand, 
 And she has ruled the chords so long, 
 They will not speak at my command, 
 They warble only to her song." 
 
 YE hae had a clean scape, Norval Neilson, Nanny 
 tells me ; but how did ye find out Maister 
 Traquair wa' to sail in the Windermere f " 
 
 " I draw in as much as I blow out from my pipes, 
 Willy," was the youth's reply, " and caught the 
 news from himself as I was singing ' The Last of the 
 Saxon Race ' in his kitchen. I hear what ye could 
 not dream, through these pipes, "Willy, and I use 
 them for that purpose as much as for disguise. As 
 for the loss of passage in the packet, it matters 
 nothing whether I stay, or leave this parish, or the 
 country. My father, nor the father of the one who 
 dwells in this Hall, will ever breathe the air of free 
 dom ; their fate is fixed so much I know ; so much 
 I have heard through my pipes, Willy. Yes, yes, 
 I heard it whispered again and again, by those 
 who little knew the heart they crushed in the telling." 
 
 " Wha' wi' ye do, my lad ? Ye canna bide here 
 safely." 
 
 " Be advised by Maister Duncan, Nanny, I care 
 not what to do or whither to go." 
 
 "Ye maun try to keep a brave heart, Norval ; 
 A' is nae lost tha's in danger." 
 
 159
 
 160 GLENNAIR. 
 
 " Mistress Cameron has quite a nice letter from 
 Maister Robertson, from foreign parts," rejoined 
 "Willy ; " it ha' cheered the gucle leddy." 
 
 " Why, surely, he believed Mr. Lincoln the worst 
 of villains," interrupted Korval ; " what can he say ? " 
 
 " I am sure I dinna ken ; I only heered her say 
 for a' he blamed our Maister, he offered sic kind 
 words for him and for a' the family, he did nae 
 taunt nor upbraid, and they say he lost mickle 
 siller." 
 
 " But little missed from his coffers, ISTanny : but 
 how does he know anything of our present circum 
 stances ? " 
 
 " Fra' the printed papers ; and he says the young 
 leddy Agnes is too ailin' tae be brought home 
 shortly." 
 
 " Pity the grass of strange soil shall wave o'er 
 her grave, bonnie lassie ; and pity, too, he is nae 
 here. He might do mickle for our Maister and yere 
 father, Xorval. Maister Mungo ha' nae been the 
 same foe as our Laird of Gleiinair." 
 
 " And yet, but for his son, Mr. Lincoln and my 
 self would have perished in the cave. Little did 
 Mr. Ralph Rushbrook trow, and less the Laird, when 
 orders were sent by Mr. Percy for coal, that it never 
 reached the manor nor the manse." 
 
 " I ken a' that, Norval, and how he and Mais- < 
 ter Duncan bore the cots themselves, on the dark 
 e'en. Why wa' it ye stayed carryin' the baskets, 
 bairn?" 
 
 " So often stolen by the fishermen ; one, in par 
 ticular, who knew I dared not complain to the po-
 
 GLENN A IE. 161 
 
 lice. Kenneth sometimes, but oftener Mr. Percy or 
 Mr. Graeme, brought the provisions." 
 
 " Ye were weel cared for, Norval." 
 
 " Yes, we tested foes and friends in our dark, si 
 lent retreat, Nanny. We have left it now to the 
 Elves forevermore. There is Maister Duncan com 
 ing up the path ; I must meet him." 
 
 " Have you seen Dr. McMillan, Mr. Duncan ? " 
 he inquired, after returning the friendly salute of 
 the young Graeme. 
 
 " I have, Norval ; the agreement has been with 
 drawn which was made with the captain of the 
 Windermere; One packet is too narrow for a Tra- 
 quair and a JSTeilson." 
 
 "All of the name are madly bitter against mine, sir ; 
 they may yet have cause to repent of their malice." 
 
 "It is unerringly written, Korval, Blessed are ye 
 when accused falsely." 
 
 " Ye are greatly in advance of your pupil, Mr. 
 Duncan, in these matters, "he replied, bitterly. " Had 
 I the half of your religion, I would welcome the 
 summons to the sodded bed and dreamless sleep." 
 
 " And leave your father to breast the breakers 
 alone, ]N"orval? You are selfish." 
 
 " My father is in the heart of a jail, and facts so 
 well established against him, even his friends might 
 think he enacted all. My father is all of earth left 
 me, Mr. Duncan, and you would have me desert him. 
 Oh, that I might deliver myself up, stand the trial, 
 and share his fate." He leaned his head upon his 
 hand, and his arm upon the railing that enclosed the 
 cemetery of the two families.
 
 162 GLENNAIR. 
 
 " Norval Neilson," said Duncan, solemnly, " such 
 a step would seal your father's condemnation and be 
 Mr. Lincoln's death-warrant ; there would be needed 
 no further proof, your tacit confession of guilt 
 would decide judge and jury." 
 
 " I have no heart to seek concealment, or to act 
 in self-defence," he murmured, without lifting his 
 eyes, and unconsciously scraping the earth with the 
 end of his boot. . 
 
 " The Nubia leaves Glasgow in a fortnight for the 
 Continent; passage can be taken for you: and, 
 Norval, under your assumed name, I promise, you 
 shall be duly apprised of every occurrence. There 
 is certainly great hazard in remaining here." 
 
 " I will follow your guidance, Mr. Duncan. Yet 
 I think no disguise will be more effectual than that 
 of the piper, and then I might learn all that trans 
 pires, without a medium. May it not be so ? " he 
 asked, raising his sadly expressive eyes to his friend. 
 
 "Your judgment may err, Norval," he replied, 
 " but I cannot refuse your request ; I could not be 
 sent away under your circumstances." 
 
 " Oh, thank you, thank you, I will be prudent. 
 I can die with him, but existence would be unen 
 durable separated from my father." 
 
 " Take your own way, ISTorval, but do not venture 
 too far, nor to the Traquairs too often : they may 
 be curious to learn the why of so many visits of a 
 piper. Farewell, Norval: where will you be 
 found ? " 
 
 " Farewell, Mr. Duncan ; my very best friends 
 must be ignorant of my lodgings for the present."
 
 GLENN AIR. 163 
 
 After a little 'hesitation, Duncan said, " It is best, 
 Norval. Farewell." 
 
 Miss Lincoln was reading, and did not notice the 
 approach of young Graeme. He stood in quiet ad 
 miration ; her head was bowed over the book, her 
 cheek resting upon one hand, the other raised with 
 a finger bent, ready to turn the leaf. The rays of 
 the lamp fell upon the chiselled features ; the dark 
 eye seemed to be penetrating into some mystery; 
 the subject was obviously pleasant, for the counte 
 nance was beaming, and the lips parted into an 
 almost smile. Her attention was riveted. It was 
 not until Duncan softly pronounced her name, and 
 laid his hand upon her, that she was conscious of 
 his presence. 
 
 " Sweet, and not bitter, is the stream my Edith 
 has discovered this evening ; I would drink from 
 the same cheering fountain. I have never known 
 it fail." 
 
 The startle sent a tinge over the face usually so 
 pale, and Duncan felt, proudly felt, there could be 
 nothing in nature so perfectly beautiful as " my 
 Edith." 
 
 " What was the entrancing theme ? " he again 
 inquired. 
 
 " I had been reading the account of the three 
 children in the fiery furnace, and comparing them 
 with father. I found great consolation, Duncan. 
 Their same companion is with father and Roger, 
 and they have the same Omnipotent Deliverer. I 
 felt so calm, so hopeful, so confident as I read "
 
 164 GLENNAIR. 
 
 "Yes, dear Edith, to the decree that we shall 
 have tribulation, He hath added, 'I will never leave 
 nor forsake you ; I am with you even unto the end 
 of the world.' " 
 
 " I believe him ; I trust him : yet how weak is 
 the flesh, despite the willingness of the spirit," she 
 mournfully returned. 
 
 " So many rivulets from the same source, to meet 
 all emergencies, Edith. ' Come unto me all ye that 
 labor,' are words familiar to every afflicted pilgrim, 
 and how comforting. If I mistake not, your atten 
 tion was drawn to the New Testament when I in 
 terrupted you." 
 
 " "When you came in, my thoughts had fallen on, 
 and my drooping spirit was cheered by this passage 
 in the Revelations, ' And God shall wipe away all 
 tears from their eyes ; and there shall be no more 
 death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there 
 be any more pain.' Duncan, I felt it would be good 
 to be in that peaceful, sinless, tearless home.'" She 
 laid her clasped hands upon the book, her face upon 
 her hands, and wept. 
 
 " My life's counsellor is beneath the clod, Edith ; 
 would you deprive me of the light of my eyes also ? 
 This heart would yearn for its idol ; yet perhaps it 
 is so to be ; I have worshipped you, my Edith." 
 
 Raising her head, and throwing it upon the arm 
 that encircled her, she said vehemently, " Eorgive 
 me, Duncan ; I will endure the tribulation of this 
 world for your sake, and for father's. And Aunt 
 Edith", with her own bruised heart, how she tries to 
 uphold me ; and our Fawn is a precious flower on 
 life's desert."
 
 GLENNAIR. 165 
 
 " It is well to remember and recount our mercies, 
 Edith: we will always find full measure, however 
 mingled with woes. Have you walked to-day ? It 
 was the Doctor's prescription a fortnight since." 
 
 " Your wish had quite as much, and more force 
 with me, Duncan. I have not only regularly walked, 
 but worked in the garden daily with Helen. She 
 wondered to-day ' if Doctor wished us to get so very 
 tired.' I was not aware until then I had overtaxed 
 her." 
 
 " And insensibly fatigued yourself also, Edith ? " 
 
 " Physical toil always operates beneficially on an 
 overcharged mind, Duncan ; any mental exertion is 
 insupportable." 
 
 " Yes, it is difficult to fix the attention where the 
 mind is estranged ; Edith, this is the only volume 
 which has that power. ' Wait on the Lord, be of 
 good courage, and he shall strengthen thy heart.' 
 But where is Helen? She is seldom missing from 
 your side, Edith ? " 
 
 " Gone very reluctantly home with Mrs. Rush- 
 brook. She was convinced by her mother there 
 was a propriety in her returning Mrs. Rushbrook's 
 kindness to us, in remaining at the manse to permit 
 Amy to stay here: I shall miss her sadly, but 
 change is absolutely necessary for her ; she is too 
 much among sorrow." 
 
 " Helen is a- very remarkable child, Edith." 
 
 " Only peculiar from circumstance, Duncan ; she 
 would not be so dissimilar to other children, if 
 under the same influence: her mother's training 
 and exclusiveness has formed our Fawn."
 
 166 GLENNAIR. 
 
 " Independent of original material, Edith ? " lie 
 asked, standing still suddenly before her as he 
 walked .the floor. " Why, then, are Lochiel and I 
 so different? "Why my mother and Aunt Rush- 
 brook? Why every member of every family, if 
 training and influence create the character ? I have 
 known an unguarded expression affect most seriously, 
 and a remark may make a man ; yet, Edith, your 
 argument is not tangible. Propensities may be met, 
 characters may" be changed by circumstances, but 
 believe me, the inner is as different as the outer man 
 in every human being." 
 
 " Perhaps so, Duncan ; but I am not wholly con 
 vinced. I should have been far more worthy of 
 your affection had I had a mother to love and in 
 struct me. Aunt Edith's misguided indulgence has 
 made me " 
 
 " Faultless," interrupted the youth ; " faultless in 
 my eyes, Edith, and I am not to be persuaded to 
 the contrary. The moonlight invites a ramble 
 shall we accept its call ? " 
 
 "Eot outside the grounds, please, Duncan. Fault 
 less," she murmured ; " experience will teach you 
 the absurdity of such language." Equipped in a 
 few moments for an evening walk, after telling 
 her intention to her aunt, Edith accompanied 
 Duncan. 
 
 " How balmy the air is," Edith remarked ; " how 
 serene all nature, and that glorious orb seems plead 
 ing with man to commune with his God and his 
 own heart. It appears to me hardly possible to act 
 out a wicked design on such a night as this."
 
 GLENNAIR. 167 
 
 . " And yet the most atrocious deed ever enacted 
 on our earth was on such an evening." 
 
 " True, Duncan. Oh, ' what is man that Thou art 
 mindful of him ? ' may well be written. Shall we 
 go further, I)uncan ? My steps always linger near 
 our enclosure." They stood silently looking upon 
 the mounds before them. 
 
 " Strange idea of Young's, that ' dreams infest the 
 grave,' " Edith said softly. 
 
 " A question with him, Edith ; but the spirits of 
 these are doubtless- praising around the eternal 
 Throne; dreamless, their bodies are awaiting are- 
 union." 
 
 " Envy of these, dear Duncan, sometimes arises 
 notwithstanding all my efforts to subdue it, when 
 the dreadful phantom of what may occur troubles 
 my lone thoughts. I would not, Duncan ; the feel 
 ing rises uncalled." 
 
 " Earth's shadows encompass us just now, Edith ; 
 yet as surely as the dark clouds roll back to usher 
 in the dawn, so will light be brought out of the 
 moral darkness that surrounds us." 
 
 " Yet, Duncan ; oh, dear Duncan, what if it 
 should not be? Should the sentence how shall, 
 how can I endure " She leaned upon the railing 
 for support. 
 
 " I could not, much less you" he replied. " The 
 leaves of autumn and the winter's blasts would sweep 
 over other graves than these, while our freed spirits 
 would join with his in anthems of praise in that 
 world ' where the wicked cease from troubling and 
 the weary are at rest.' '
 
 168 GLENNAIR. 
 
 
 
 " Oh, blessed, blessed thought ! " she exclaimed, 
 raising her clasped hands and her eyes toward 
 heaven. 
 
 " And a blessed truth, too, my Edith," whispered 
 Duncan. " These afflictions will work out for us a 
 far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 
 Shall we return home ? " he asked, drawing her hand 
 gently through his arm. 
 
 Not a word was exchanged until they reached the 
 door of the hall. 
 
 " Do you feel more hopeful, Edith?" he asked. 
 
 " More trustful calm and passive, Duncan." 
 
 " Sheltered by the Rock that cannot be moved, 
 Edith. Good night." 
 
 The ' good night ' was returned, and Miss Lincoln 
 repaired to the apartment of her aunt. 
 
 " I have made Norval very comfortable, with the 
 assistance of Xanny. I was so glad Helen was 
 away, dear; she might innocently have betrayed us 
 to Duncan." 
 
 " It is Duncan's desire he may remain in ignorance 
 that he may declare it, if needful. I would not have 
 withheld it any more than Fawn, had Duncan not 
 intimated his wish." 
 
 " Nor would I expect you to do so, dear ; nor is 
 your confidence misplaced in Duncan Graeme. I 
 only wish all mankind were as stable." 
 
 " Is Norval in the house now, aunt ? " 
 
 " Just come in, darling ; he has been piping our 
 health and situation to your father and his own." 
 
 There was a very long interval of silence broken 
 at length by Mrs. Cameron. " Dr. McMillan came
 
 GLENNAIR. 169 
 
 while you were away, dear, to borrow your side-sad 
 dle for the use of Gertrude Dunbar. He said it was 
 idle, and hers was not nearly so comfortable, and he 
 had promised to ride with her during the pleasant 
 mornings. I regret it has become a daily business.' 
 
 " I suppose, aunt, Miss Gertrude is not well ; and 
 we all know the Doctor is always ready to proffer 
 kindness." 
 
 " I should think so, Edith ; but this morning he 
 sent his man with the carriage to drive Amy, with 
 Mrs. Rushbrook, to her home. Tobias said his mas 
 ter had engaged to ride with the Lady Gertrude." 
 
 " It certainly has a singular appearance ; his atten 
 tions to Amy were very marked, and not discouraged. 
 I shall be greatly disappointed to find him vulnerable 
 to rank and fortune." 
 
 " I noticed at the time of the death of Mrs. 
 Graeme, his devotedness to Amy, which to me 
 was perfectly evident, did much to soothe and 
 restore the dear girl's calmness. It will be terrible 
 if he have gained her affection and cast it away for 
 a noble name." 
 
 " So very unlike himself, aunt. I have heard him 
 indorse all Mr. Graeme's opinions respecting une 
 qual connections. Our minister holds that there 
 must be equality of rank and some similarity in cir 
 cumstances, to insure happiness ; and he said he 
 would never consent to his daughter entering a 
 family to be only received, to the exclusion of her 
 own relations. I remember Dr. McMillan replied, 
 ' It was contemptible, and ought to be deprecated.' 
 And, aunt, although the Dunbars are interesting, 
 
 15
 
 170 GLENNAIR. 
 
 and thought lovely, the Doctor would not have in 
 Miss Gertrude a companion such as Amy; he has 
 read so much with her, and always seemed so to 
 really enjoy her society. How did she appear on the 
 reception of the message ? " 
 
 " She did not exhibit the least surprise, but was 
 apparently indifferent to the apology. He had offered 
 the carriage the night before, and, they supposed, 
 himself with it. ISTorval was piping at the manor, 
 and unwittingly told of his playing chess all the 
 evening with Gertrude, and engaging to ride with 
 her every morning before breakfast." 
 
 " I wish, aunt, you would make inquiry of the 
 Laird ; I fear he has trifled with Amy, and I know 
 she is attached to the Doctor." 
 
 " I cannot, dear ; interference never helps or hin 
 ders. What is Duncan's opinion ? " 
 
 " Duncan says his advances have not been dis 
 couraged by his sister ; yet he thinks it more pru 
 dent to be silent until the hand has been actually 
 proffered, which is not the case." 
 
 " Excellent judgment, dear ; and we will act upon 
 it. But you look wearied : I hope you will sleep 
 peacefully. Good night, love. All will be well." 
 
 The saddest smile attended the return " Good 
 night." 
 
 Edith did sleep, and awaked at early dawn sensi 
 ble of an additional burden upon her heart ; for her 
 sister in affection, the friend of her childhood, she 
 saw there was prospect of trouble ; and the occa 
 sion, Dr. McMillan, he whom she had always 
 almost reverenced ; her beau-ideal of all that was
 
 GLENNAIE. 171 
 
 noble and excellent ; lie who had been the true friend 
 of Amy in deep sorrow, her counsellor in difficulty. 
 Could James McMillan be capable of duplicity ? or 
 could his deyotedness be attributable only to his 
 inherent sympathy with all suffering ? The interest 
 of Edith for her dear friend for the time changed 
 the current of her thoughts into another channel. 
 With overwhelming force, it returned upon her heart 
 with uncontrollable emotion. She threw herself upon 
 the bed, ejaculating : " Amy has her father to love, 
 to protect, to shield her ; oh ! my father, my dear, 
 dear father!" When the paroxysm had subsided, 
 she arose ; walking to the window, she stood gazing 
 with strange calmness on the little enclosure not far 
 from the house. " There is rest there" she mur 
 mured ; " rest f(5r the weary, the broken heart : 
 Bless me, even me also, my "father," she ex 
 claimed, raising her clasped hands, then dropping 
 them, and her head upon them, on the ledge of the 
 casement. 
 
 Nanny had entered unheard. She was much 
 moved by these expressions of grief from her young 
 mistress. " It has passed, Nanny ; do not weep," 
 she said, perceiving the old woman on raising her 
 head. " It was a moment of great darkness ; I 
 thought my heart-strings would break. It has 
 passed, Nanny. Does aunt await me ?" 
 
 "Yes, darling," replied Nanny, .in vain trying to 
 wipe away her tears with the corner of her apron. 
 " The mighty trial is on us ; it will a' pass soon, ane 
 way or the ither ; the hame o' the gude is nae far 
 frae us a'. Will I fetch you summat here, or wi' ye 
 gang to the mistress, my sweet bairn?"
 
 172 GLEXNAIR. 
 
 " I will go to aunt, Nanny, she is alone ? " 
 
 " No, Mistress Edith, our young Doctor is with 
 her, and Norval hae lingered to hear summat the 
 Doctor hae to say " 
 
 " Of father, Nanny ? " she asked, tremulously. 
 
 " Nae, nae, lassie ; it is nae mickle he kens o' the 
 maister ; I hardly ken mysel' the matter o' the 
 tidings ; but the mistress bid me tell ye Miss Amy 
 maun nae want ye or hersel' longer than ye can make 
 ready to gang to her ; summat hae come upon the 
 pastor, I trow." 
 
 Intensely anxious, Edith descended to the break 
 fast-room, where she found the Doctor and Norval 
 Neil son with her aunt. 
 
 " What is it, Norval ? " she asked eagerly, struck 
 with the pallor and anguish of his countenance : 
 " what of my father and of yours ? " 
 
 "The trouble is at the manse, my love," replied 
 Mrs. Cameron ; " we have nothing new of our absent 
 ones. Amy pleads we will come immediately to her." 
 
 " I am ready, aunt ; I do not care for breakfast." 
 The cup Dr. McMillan was holding he placed be 
 fore her. " Drink that, Edith," he said, " you will 
 require it." She did as he desired. Not a word 
 more was spoken. The eye of Edith turned from 
 one to the other. Norval hurriedly left the room. 
 Mrs. Cameron, pale as ashes, sat looking on vacancy, 
 her cheek resting upon a closed hand ; Dr. McMil 
 lan stood with compressed lip, apparently in deep 
 thought. 
 
 "What has befallen Duncan Graeme?" Edith 
 asked, starting from her seat. " I have drunk the
 
 GLENNAIR. 173 
 
 cup of agony to the dregs ; ye cannot add to its bit 
 terness ; I can but die ; tell me, I beseech, I im 
 plore, is Duncan dead ? " she demanded more 
 gently, laying her fingers upon the arm of the Doc 
 tor. " Aunt, is Duncan dead ? " 
 
 " No, my precious one, Duncan lives ; but ask no 
 more, dear Edith ; we will go to Amy." 
 
 Pleadingly, Amy looked toward the Doctor. 
 
 Taking her icy hands in his own, he led her unre 
 sistingly to his carriage. Mrs. Cameron followed. 
 To Norval, who was leaning against the pillar of the 
 hall-door, the Doctor said, " To leave here at 
 present would be very imprudent ; be cautious, also, 
 when you go with the pipes, my lad." Taking the 
 reins, he himself drove to the manse. 
 
 The minister was alone when he entered. Rising 
 to meet them, he said, in broken accents, " Woe, 
 woe is indeed upon us all ; " folding Edith to his 
 heart, he continued : " I have not one word of com 
 fort for you, my daughter ; we are engulfed to 
 gether in the stormy billows ; oh, my son, my boy, 
 my Duncan ! " 
 
 Dr. McMillan shuddered to see the rigid features 
 of Edith. She spoke not ; there was no outward 
 manifestation of feeling ; she seemed transfixed ; she 
 looked a breathing statue. She changed her posi 
 tion slightly on the entrance of Lochiel ; he threw 
 his arms around her and wept impetuously. " Lo 
 chiel, my son," implored his father, " remember the 
 injunctions of our Duncan ; he begged you would be 
 our staff, our s-upport until his return. Command 
 yourself, my son." 
 15*
 
 174 GLENNAIE. 
 
 " Return ! where is he ? " she almost gasped. 
 
 " It was Duncan's request sister should communi 
 cate the circumstances to you, our Edith ; she knows 
 all. Will you go to her?" 
 
 She bowed her head, and vainly attempted to rise. 
 The powerful arm of Dr. McMillan carried her to 
 the apartment of Miss Graeme ; there he left her, 
 and returned to the group in the study. 
 
 " How was the intelligence conveyed to Duncan ? " 
 Mrs. Cameron inquired of Lochiel ; " the Doctor did 
 not correctly know." 
 
 " The cashier dispatched a messenger with a writ 
 for the magistrate last night, to say his presence was 
 required on the instant. Duncan was about re 
 tiring ; Mr. Traquair sent a carriage for him ; we 
 have not seen him since. He wrote a few lines ; 
 Amy has them." 
 
 " I only heard," rejoined the Doctor, " that Dun 
 can Graeme had been implicated in the transactions 
 imputed to Mr. Lincoln, had been arrested and 
 imprisoned. Of other particulars my informant pro 
 fessed himself ignorant. What w r as the purport of 
 the note of Duncan ? " 
 
 " / will get it, my son ; in your excited state you 
 had better avoid Edith and your sister." 
 
 Mr. Graeme was little less agitated, but leaving 
 the room, he returned a few moments after with a 
 folded paper, which he handed to Dr. McMillan, 
 directing him to read it aloud. 
 
 " In haste, my dear father, I tell you with infinite 
 astonishment, suspicion rests upon me as the accom-
 
 GLEXNAIR. 175 
 
 plice of Mr. Lincoln in the Bank fraud. Papers 
 and coins have been discovered in a secret drawer 
 of my desk, the existence of which I had no knowl 
 edge ; the papers were written so exactly in my 
 handwriting, I suppose I shall be indicted for per 
 jury for my persistence in the denial of them. 
 Lochiel will bring Edith to the manse, where it is 
 my earnest request she may remain : Amy can, bet 
 ter than any other, make this unprecedented com 
 munication to her. I would much desire our fami 
 lies could remain together until my return ; perhaps 
 Mrs. Cameron may consent. The villanous, atro 
 cious plot is deeply laid. Hope nothing, dear father, 
 fear nothing. I beg you will, with me, leave all 
 with Him with whom all things are possible. Beg 
 Lochiel to command himself, and be the staff of 
 you all. To our dear friend, James McMillan, I 
 commend you also: he will be a great solace. I 
 dare not trust myself to think of home. May you 
 be supported, and may I also. father ! humanly 
 speaking, this is a trial insupportable. Send imme 
 diately for Clay bourne I desire he should be my 
 counsel father's early friend. D. G." 
 
 " Incredible ! this the handwriting of Duncan, 
 such a scrawl ?" the Doctor remarked, folding the 
 paper, and returning it to Mr. Graeme. 
 
 " He wrote hurriedly and excitedly, poor boy," 
 replied Mr. Graeme. " What can be the induce 
 ment to impugn his reputation ? Who can harbor 
 hatred toward Duncan Graeme ? " 
 
 " It may be one step too far, my dear sir," returned
 
 176 GLENNAIE. 
 
 the Doctor. " This may lead to the detection of 
 the originator of the whole ; perhaps providentially 
 permitted." 
 
 Lochiel darted from the room. 
 
 " That boy," resumed the Doctor, " is almost be 
 side himself; yet any effort to control him is un 
 availing: he is beyond restraint." 
 
 From the bosom of Mr. Graeme there was a deep 
 groan. 
 
 " We have foes of no common bitterness," ob 
 served Mrs. Cameron. " Usually, there is merce 
 nary motive : the object here is entirely unfathom 
 able. What course is to be pursued, Doctor ? " 
 
 "We are powerless, Mrs. Cameron, we must 
 await legal proceedings how long, I am unin 
 formed. The entire transactions must be to pro 
 mote their own interests, whoever may be the villi- 
 fiers of the characters of such men, subjecting them 
 to this ordeal. The betrayers will be yet betrayed 
 in their own net, I feel well assured." 
 
 " The plot has been subtilely devised, James, and 
 unless overthrown by some mistake in their own 
 proceedings, we have nothing to hope from our 
 court or jury. Our sole reliance is upon Almighty 
 power ; man is impotent : but our confidence and 
 trust is in Him. Prayer is prevailing, James." 
 
 After a long silence, Mrs. Cameron said she would 
 see Edith and Amy. Shortly returning, she replied 
 to the Doctor's inquiries for them that Edith was 
 calm, too calm ; Amy wept incessantly. " Lochiel is 
 with them," she said, "endeavoring to instil his 
 hope that the arraignment of his brother would 
 lead to the acquittal of them all."
 
 GLENNAIE. 177 
 
 " That was his object in leaving us so suddenly," 
 said Mr. Graeme. " Is Edith willing to comply 
 with the wish of Duncan, Mrs. Cameron ? " 
 
 " She seems to have no opposing wish or thought 
 to any proposition ; but how can I part with her, 
 my dear friend? We must be a mutual support." 
 
 " This blow, Mrs. Cameron, falls severely upon us 
 all : you listened to the further proposal of Duncan 
 would it not be possible to accede to it ? "We natu 
 rally cling to each other in affliction." 
 
 " Norval, Mr. Graeme, is the impediment to such 
 an arrangement. He is withered, crushed ; he 
 cannot be left." 
 
 " I feel he is sorely stricken with us, my dear 
 friend, and it is fitting we should care for him ; he 
 can be accommodated with a cot in Lochiel's cham 
 ber ; neither will object, and he will be more secure 
 here." 
 
 "I would advise his present retreat for a short 
 period. Similar investigations to those made at 
 Thistle Hedge may be required at the manse 
 we" 
 
 " Testimonials of my beloved son's guilt," faltered 
 Mr. Graeme. " Can it will such a search be asked 
 of his father ? " He wrung his hands in anguish. 
 
 " If demanded, dear sir," said the Doctor, gently 
 forcing the Pastor into a seat, " it will, it shall be 
 delicately executed : I only feared for Norval Neil- 
 son ; his arrest would be certain, if here at such a 
 time. Be assured, Mr. Graeme, I will defend you 
 from all unnecessary intrusion." 
 
 "Of that I am very certain, James, and may I 
 M
 
 178 GLENNAIE. 
 
 be strengthened to suffer his righteous will, to 
 receive the evil with the good in meekness. Ah ! I 
 thought it so desirable we should have our friend 
 with us ; I will endeavor to be' submissive in this 
 disappointment. " 
 
 " You shall not be disappointed, my pastor ; JS r or- 
 val can have shelter with me till the threatened 
 danger is over ; and this difficulty being removed, I 
 will go over with Mrs. Cameron, and apprise Nor- 
 val of our disposition of him for the time being." 
 
 " It is not possible to express my gratitude for 
 your kindness, James ; and Mrs. Cameron how 
 shall I thank you ? I only wish Duncan had the 
 comfort of knowing of your ready compliance with 
 his wishes. "We can mingle our prayers for our 
 dear absent ones, and strengthen each other to bear 
 our same sorrow. "While you are absent, I will go 
 to the children and communicate your intentions."
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 " I 'm weary with thinking ! 
 With visions that pass 
 So thickly and gloomily 
 Over my brain." 
 
 A LACK ! " exclaimed Kathleen, laying down her 
 -tJk- iron and hastily gathering up the article she 
 was smoothing, " alack ! I have scorched the frill 
 of the Maister's shirt. I hardly ken the right frae 
 the wrong o' anything o' late. The twa weeks 
 Maister Duncan ha' been awa' is like as mony years. 
 I ne'er had the dread o' sic days as these, Marga- 
 ritte." 
 
 " The morrow wi' be the darkest o' a', Kathleen, 
 for "Willy says the search-men are comin'. He speers 
 little and kens a'. The Maister and the leddies, wi' 
 the Fawn, are ganging to Thistle Hedge the while ; 
 Lochiel and the Doctor wi' bide here wi' us." 
 
 " I maun gang wi' them, Margaritte ; I fear I 
 canna be still o' my speech." 
 
 "I trow ye wad mak the bad waur if ye open 
 your lips ; but the Maister wills that we baith bide 
 here, and I trow ye winna do ither, nor I." 
 
 " As ye will, Margaritte ; but wha comes here ? " 
 
 " Some gooseberries from Mr. Traquair's garden, 
 with his compliments," said the messenger, respect 
 fully bowing and handing in a large dish of fruit. 
 
 179
 
 180 GLENNAIR.* 
 
 " I mis ken if Miss Amy wi' ha' the berries ; he 
 is the same who sends the officers, Willy says," 
 said Kathleen, as they stood gazing at each other in 
 questioning wonder, after the exit of the man. 
 " That fellow is Jim Daley ; he gardens now for the 
 Traquairs," Kathleen resumed. " He kept Maister 
 Lincoln's horses ance ; ye dinna forget him, do you, 
 Margaritte ? Mistress Cameron missed mair than a 
 little auld wine, syne he wrought for her at spring 
 tide. I shall nae wonder if he try his wit a' Woody 
 Glade." 
 
 " I ken him now, Kathleen. I tell ye, Jem wi' nae 
 be sae daft as tae mak awa' wi' onything there. 
 Rogues can be honest when it be safest." 
 
 " Well, carry in the berries, and take the minute 
 to speak o' the closet for Maistress Cameron ; she is 
 sae cramped in the trunks, ane must take thought 
 for the ither, nowadays." She sighed heavily and 
 returned to her ironing. 
 
 " I trow ye wi' hae these sent awa', Miss Amy : 
 they came in a present frae Maister Traquair," whis 
 pered the excited Margaritte, exhibiting the splendid 
 specimens of Scottish culture. 
 
 " It is exceedingly kind in Mr. Traquair," ob 
 served Miss Graeme, without appearing to notice the 
 import of Margaritte's query. " He is desirous of 
 showing his friendliness to the family, while he acts 
 only officially when averse to it ; he is a very esti 
 mable man, and no doubt shrinks from the task 
 necessarily imposed upon him." 
 
 " True, daughter," replied the Pastor, " Mr. Tra 
 quair has manifestly proved himself our friend ; he
 
 > 
 
 GLENNAIR. 181 
 
 lias spared no trouble or expense in his efforts to ob 
 tain the best counsel from Edinburgh and Glasgow." 
 
 " Was he successful in his last endeavor ? "Was 
 his offer accepted ? " faltered Edith. 
 
 " No, love ; the principal barristers in our chief 
 cities suppose the facts too well established to be 
 controverted, and severally decline all interference. 
 Our hope at present is from Dundee. Arthur Clay- 
 bourne, an old classmate of mine and of your father, 
 is examining into the cause, at Duncan's request, and 
 is willing to undertake for us. Claybourne is a man 
 of sound judgment, an eloquent pleader, and, withal, 
 a family friend." 
 
 Helen nestled closely to Mr. Graeme, upon whose 
 knee she was sitting. " Then he will bring them 
 all home, he will, will he, Mr. Graeme ? " she asked, 
 anxiously. 
 
 With a heaving heart and scarcely articulate 
 voice, he answered, " God will bring them home, 
 darling/' 
 
 " My father," said !N"orval Neilson, " was so cer 
 tain all would be against us, he spoke of a petition 
 to King George for a pardon." 
 
 The eyes of Dr. McMillan turned almost fiercely 
 upon him. " That" he remarked, "would be verily 
 an admission of guilt ; the suggestion had better be 
 withheld." 
 
 " My father convinced Mr. Lincoln it would be a 
 gude course, Doctor," pursued the young man. 
 
 The pained expression of his countenance was 
 noticed by the Pastor, and he answered, 
 
 " I suppose, Nbrval, your father and Mr. Lincoln 
 
 16
 
 182 GLENNAIR. 
 
 thought their future course would not only establish 
 their innocence, but their freedom would enable them 
 to pursue measures to discover the perpetrators of 
 the frauds, and ultimately retrieve their characters." 
 
 " "We can but see, Dr. Graeme," resumed JSTorval, 
 without raising his eyes, " that an ignominious death 
 would stay every doubt of their guilt "A stifled 
 groan from Edith arrested him. 
 
 " "We cannot dread such a result,'' Mrs. Cameron 
 responded quickly. " We may reasonably expect 
 much from Mr. Claybourne's arguments, and also 
 from Mr. Traquair's interest." 
 
 " To his Majesty, King George, I would reluc 
 tantly appeal," rejoined Mr. Graeme. " His exalted 
 views of the supremacy of law would uphold a jury 
 in any verdict, most probably." 
 
 " It is only to try, Doctor Graeme, if the only 
 means left," said Norval, sadly. 
 
 Dr. McMillan arose. " As you pass the Glade, 
 Doctor, will you -do me the favor " 
 
 " It would be difficult to find the favor James Mc 
 Millan would not be proud to execute for Amy 
 Graeme," interrupted the Doctor, extending his hand 
 for the note she held. " You wish me to leave this 
 at the ofiice ? " 
 
 " If you will, I will be grateful to you," she re 
 plied. 
 
 There was a touch of reproach in the glance, as 
 the Doctor bowed his good-bye. 
 
 " What will you with me, Kathleen ? " inquired 
 Miss Graeme, perceiving the woman still standing, 
 and evidently trying to engage her attention.
 
 GLENN A IE. 183 
 
 " A wee while wi' ye, my young leddy," slie re 
 plied in a hushed voice. Amy followed her from 
 the room. 
 
 " What is it, Kathleen ? Has anything occurred ? " 
 
 " Nae, nae, my bairn, only Mistress Cameron is 
 so crampit, Margaritte was sure if ye did trow, ye 
 wad gie us the word tae lift the clothes fra' the 
 closet. "Will we do it, Miss Amy ? The trunks o' 
 the Mistress wi' hold them a'." 
 
 " Where is Mrs. Cameron ?" she asked, excitedly. 
 
 " Gane wi' Miss Edith tae your room. Poor, dear 
 child 1 " she added, her eyes moistening. 
 
 " I will attend to it now, then, Kathleen ; prepare 
 the trunks I will refill them." she said with quiv 
 ering lip. With a strange calmness, Amy Graeme 
 lifted from the pegs and folded carefully each article 
 of her brother's clothing. In the arrangement of an 
 overcoat she had difficulty ; the impediment was a 
 roll of loose papers which she drew from the pocket. 
 Her eye fell upon the outer fold ; a paper directed to 
 her brother in the handwriting of Norval N"eilson, 
 saying he had succeeded in drawing the money over 
 Mr. Traquair's signature, to his order, in his ab 
 sence from the bank, for 500 ; also many papers 
 with abbreviated words, counselling great secrecy 
 and caution, some directed to Mr. Lincoln, evi 
 dently furnishing information and proving their 
 guilt, while Duncan was doubtless implicated. She 
 had too frequently seen the peculiar characters of 
 Norval IsTeilson to be mistaken. Hastily she con 
 cealed the package about her person, hearing the 
 step of Kathleen.
 
 184 GLENN AIR. 
 
 " I kenned it would gae hard wi' ye, pnir bairn," 
 said the kind old woman, attributing the increased 
 pallor and agitation to the employment, "will 
 ye nae gang, Miss Amy ? I will put a' smooth and 
 right ; canna ye trust me wi' the things ? " 
 
 "Yes," she stammered, "yes, I must not be 
 disturbed for the next hour, Kathleen. I will go to 
 your room." 
 
 In an agony of mind indescribable, she rushed to 
 the little attic of the domestics. Drawing the bolt 
 of the door, she threw herself upon her knees at the 
 side of their bed ; for a short time she remained in 
 silence. " Why why have I lived to discover 
 the just implication of my idolized brother ? " she at 
 length ejaculated. Then rising, she found the tin 
 der-box belonging to the room. "Wondering at her 
 own strength, she succeeded in lighting a candle 
 which stood there. "With trembling hands and 
 withered heart, she sat down on the floor near the 
 little stove (never used excepting in time of sickness) 
 to examine and destroy the papers. 
 
 There were several communications from Mr. Lin 
 coln advising ISTorval how to proceed, recommend 
 ing extreme caution in presenting his checks. The 
 heart-sickness on the recognition of his signature 
 dimmed her sight. " This," she murmured, as she 
 unfolded another, " is indisputably the handwrit 
 ing of Roo;er Neilson." With a sensation of hor- 
 
 o o 
 
 ror, she read, "Is"o fear of discovery, my son; 
 Graeme will be your security ; he will never be sus 
 pected." 
 
 Amy would have fainted might have died,
 
 GLENNAIR. 185 
 
 but this was an emergency where the nervous sys 
 tem seems superhumanly empowered ; her strength 
 was aroused for action. She had with intensity 
 scrutinized each paper, examined each word, every 
 signature ; her heart revolted at the disclosures there 
 made ; it was undeniable. These atrocious men, 
 hypocrites, villains, had degraded, had ruined, had 
 murdered her brother. Her head reeled, yet again 
 she rallied, and deliberately applying each paper to 
 the candle, threw it into the stove ; and with pru 
 dence inexplicable with that extraordinary fore 
 thought often exercised when the mind is wrought 
 to the verge of frenzy, she saw the one reduced to 
 ashes before she ignited another. The last ember 
 had died out ; with it Amy's strength. She ex 
 tinguished her light, and there remained no further 
 occasion for energy or action. With a moan of bit 
 ter anguish, she fell prostrate on the floor where she 
 had been sitting. It is written, " there is a joy with 
 which none intermeddleth." There is such a sor 
 row. This sorrow filled the heart of AmyGraeme ; 
 she felt there could be no relief in communicating the 
 cause of her grief to any being ; she must bear it 
 alone. " Oh, our Father ! " she ejaculated, " pre 
 serve my reason, my shattered brain ; Teach him of 
 thy righteousness and of a judgment to come ; teach 
 me to say, ' Thy will be done.' ' She arose after a 
 long, long interval of silence. There was a hopeless 
 calm upon her features ; there was no further out 
 break ; she buried her discovery in her own heart, 
 and, returning to the family, merely replied she " felt 
 chilly," to her father's anxious inquiries. Her in- 
 16 *
 
 186 GLENNAIK. 
 
 creased dejection was thought the natural result of 
 circumstances ; yet Mrs. Cameron remarked to Dr. 
 McMillan, "There is a sternness in Amy's grief 
 entirely foreign to her character, and her aversion 
 to all society is quite alarming. That of ISTorval 
 Neilson seems peculiarly distasteful to her." 
 
 " Others have felt Amy's estranged manner," was 
 his reply, " which I think is independent of recent 
 occurrences. Amy Graeme has singularly changed 
 since the death of her mother ; there is a capri- 
 ciousness never observable before ; she sometimes re 
 ceives me with all her native urbanity and friendli 
 ness, oftener with marked reserve, to me unac 
 countable." 
 
 " I have noticed no great peculiarity, Doctor. She 
 is entirely void of all hope regarding her brother. 
 She insisted on remaining, and followed the officers 
 employed to inspect the house from room to room. 
 Kathleen told me she had violent hysterics after 
 they had gone ; but she has not named them since, 
 and never speaks of Duncan. Indeed, she seldom 
 utters a word upon any subject. Edith is greatly 
 distressed for her ; she, poor child, endeavors to bear 
 up because her father so earnestly besought she 
 would for his sake. Amy appears to have no mo 
 tive. Her father is himself crushed to the earth, 
 and the very life of Lochiel is ebbing away." En 
 tirely overcome, Mrs. Cameron gave way to an un 
 controllable gush of emotion. Dr. McMillan sat by 
 her, sympathizingly silent. After some time, Mrs. 
 Cameron having given vent to her feelings, resumed : 
 " My poor baby is the sole gleam of sunlight we
 
 GLENNAIR. 187 
 
 have, Doctor ; Edith acknowledges she is a tie to 
 existence, and she sometimes succeeds in beguiling 
 Amy into a little talk." 
 
 " Sweet, tiny Fawn," said the Doctor, dropping his 
 eyes to conceal the tears her words had occasioned ; 
 " her little pensive face reflects the sorrow surround 
 ing her. Helen herself requires change of scene, 
 Mrs. Cameron." 
 
 " I am sensible of that, Doctor ; but Helen must 
 not, cannot be wanted here. I do not think she 
 could be persuaded again from her cousin ; she is 
 wrapt up in ' sister dear ; ' she is essential to Edith ; 
 she would never walk but for that child, and Amy 
 is frequently induced by her persuasive manner to 
 join them." 
 
 " Amy ! you surprise me," replied the Doctor ; 
 " I have tried every inducement and failed." 
 
 " It is her winning childishness ; they cannot with 
 stand her. ' Take me to walk, sweet Miss Amy,' 
 or, ' Do, please, dear sister, I am so tired ! ' The 
 child's confident expectation of seeing them ' all 
 very soon ' has a happy influence, too. She asked 
 Mr. Traquair yesterday ' how many days before you 
 will bring my uncle, and Mr. Duncan, and NorvaPs 
 father, home ? ' He won her heart and her belief by 
 telling her it would be done in a very few days, if 
 he could do it himself; that he would willingly give 
 half of all his money to bring all, or even one of 
 them to her. She climbed instantly upon his knee, 
 and kissing him eagerly, said in her earnest, plain 
 tive voice, 'Go then, do go, Mr. Traquair ; give 
 every bit of all your money, and when I grow big I
 
 188 GLENNAIR. 
 
 will pay you all of it back again. Will you ? will 
 you?'" 
 
 " What could he answer? " asked the Doctor. 
 
 " ' It would not be enough, little Helen.' The 
 child looked anxiously and curiously into his face 
 for a moment, and then so innocently inquired, 
 ' Has n't anybody got some more ? ' I then called 
 her away." 
 
 The Doctor sighed, " The directors and officers 
 have exercised great forbearance, believing, as they 
 do, Mrs. Cameron." 
 
 " Yes excepting Robert Dunbar ; he is impla 
 cable and quite angry at Mungo Robertson for ad 
 vising leniency. He is convinced Duncan Graeme 
 has been deluded. His family all differ from him, 
 yet dare not express their opinion the Laird is so 
 exacting." 
 
 " A real Scotchman firm and upright - show 
 ing no quarters to any other with a heart to hold 
 a world of such." 
 
 Mrs. Cameron remaining silent, the Doctor re 
 sumed : " I noticed the name of Claybourne among 
 the coach -passengers from Dundee." 
 
 " Lochiel mentioned it, and we tremble for the 
 result of his investigation, Doctor ; an unfavorable 
 decision will be death to my poor child." 
 
 Dr. McMillan walked toward the window. 
 
 " What is your expectation, Doctor ? " Mrs. Cam 
 eron asked softly. 
 
 The Doctor turning, again stood before her. 
 " None from Mr. Claybourne, Mrs. Cameron. The 
 perpetrators did riot forget to raise a barrier to all
 
 GLENN AIR. 189 
 
 legal proceedings ; proofs are too well authenticated 
 to admit of controversy. Keally, Mrs. Cameron, 
 some of tlie notes purporting to be written by Mr. 
 Lincoln might stagger his own sister." 
 
 " I imagine not, sir," she replied coldly ; " and 
 those in the handwriting of Duncan Graeme, would 
 they disturb the faith of his sister, think you ? I 
 .trow not ; or would the belief of Edith be unsettled 
 by witnessing them all. Dr. McMillan ? " 
 
 "Pardon me, Mrs. Cameron," said the Doctor, 
 " I spoke unguardedly ; it is a mystery none can 
 fathom." 
 
 " It is a plot of incomparable iniquity, indeed, 
 Doctor. How the papers and coins could have been 
 introduced into our house, has yet to be unravelled. 
 There is, as you w^ell know, no other than our ordi 
 nary mode of access. Poor, ignorant old Nanny, 
 although possessing so much shrewdness, insists the 
 fairies are the operatives. She ' hae heard fearfu' 
 souns' and seen fearfu' sights o' nights o'erhead.' ' 
 
 Dr. McMillan smiled gravely. Stroking his hands 
 over his knees, and rising, he said he had several 
 sick folks to visit, and would like to meet Mr. Clay- 
 bourne in his interview with Traquair. " I will see 
 you this evening, Mrs. Cameron," he said, after his 
 ' good morning,' " and report his decision relative 
 to his acceptance of the cause." 
 
 Dr. McMillan arrived at "Woody Glade just in 
 time to be introduced to the barrister from Dundee, 
 at the hall-door, as he and Mr. Traquair were start 
 ing for the manor of Glennair. 
 
 " How opportune, McMillan," exclaimed the lat-
 
 190 GLENNAIR. 
 
 ter, cordially clasping liis hand. " It is essential I 
 should be at the Bank ; will you do me the kindness 
 to present Mr. Claybourne to his old friend, our 
 Pastor ? " 
 
 " Mr. Traquair informs me, very regretfully," ob 
 served the lawyer, as they walked through Firwood 
 crags, " yes, very regretfully, that the course of 
 your Pastor's son has been rather downward of late, 
 and from all the documents he has shown me, I fear 
 his guilt is too palpable to admit of defence. It will 
 require some time to examine into the affair." 
 
 There was a reluctant response to its truth in the 
 mind of the Doctor, on account of Duncan's con 
 stant intercourse with Lincoln and knowledge of his 
 
 O 
 
 retreat ; but prudently checking his assent to its 
 probability, answered, "From all my intercourse 
 with Duncan Graeme, I should judge him entirely 
 unaltered ; he is the same inimitable son and brother, 
 and, until suspected in this matter, he held an ele 
 vated position in the public mind. Did Mr. Traquair 
 mention in what way he had strayed, or how he had 
 retrograded ? He himself pronounced young Graeme 
 the envied and enviable of the parish a few months 
 since." 
 
 " Maister Traquair spake confidentially ; he said 
 he desired to be merciful, but he had ascertained of 
 a truth that the youth had daily communication 
 with Lincoln and ' ]STeilson before their imprison 
 ment ; that he knew and visited their place of con 
 cealment, and that his intercourse with them had 
 led to the discovery of their retreat Goblin Cavern, 
 as we called the place in my boyhood. He also told
 
 GLENN A IK. 191 
 
 me Graeme was seen bribing the doorkeeper, to 
 permit him to say a few words to them after their 
 capture." 
 
 " That, sir," returned the Doctor, " was in con 
 nection with his daughter, most probably. I recol 
 lect Duncan bringing a note from Mr. Lincoln to 
 her the same evening perhaps the bribe was a 
 gratuitous addition: human -nature is too ready to 
 accelerate the ruin of the falling." 
 
 "And the same propensity to exalt the rising. 
 This is a strange world, my friend, that he whom 
 I judged of almost unexampled probity, with the 
 highly esteemed gardener of a neighboring parish, 
 and the model for all sons, Duncan Graeme, are 
 charged with crimes of deepest dye, by those whose 
 character for truth and honor are indisputable. 
 The counsel versus the Bank will have little 
 strength. "What family has Hugh Lincoln, sir ? " 
 
 "A sister and an only daughter, now residents 
 at the manse, with a little child of Mrs. Cameron." 
 
 " I recollect the rumor of her extreme beauty 
 reached Dundee with the downfall of the father." 
 
 " Mr. Graeme has observed, and is coming toward 
 us, Mr. Claybourne." 
 
 The meeting of the friends was sad indeed. The 
 numerous lines and deep furrows told of the suffer 
 ings of Glennair's minister. Although his early 
 friend gave no expression to his thoughts, Mr. 
 Graeme read them in his countenance. 
 
 " Time has left some traces, Arthur," he remarked, 
 "but trouble has outstripped him, such trouble 
 as will soon close my pilgrimage."
 
 192 GLENNAIR. 
 
 \ 
 
 " I hope I may be able to do more than sympa 
 thize with you, Malcolm, and we had better suspend 
 our judgment in the case of our friends. As regards 
 appearance, none of us realize time's inroads upon 
 ourselves, Malcolm : I might very probably have 
 passed with you for my father." 
 
 " Considering the long time we have been sepa 
 rated, Arthur, you have surprisingly little changed ; 
 yours has been a lot of uninterrupted comfort." 
 
 " His goodness and maircy have followed me so 
 far, Malcolm, and I trust great maircy may be in 
 store for you ; but I shall prefer attending the first 
 sitting of the court, to-morrow, before I pass any 
 judgment. The bills are regularly filed, and will 
 be brought out in their order. My whole interest 
 is awakened, and so will be also any skill I may 
 have, to overturn the opposing counsel." There was 
 not very much more said during the visit of the 
 lawyer, yet his words had laid the foundation for 
 some little hope. 
 
 The morning came, and with it the bright sun 
 shine of a cloudless, frosty spring day. Amy 
 Graeme closed the blind ; with clasped hands and 
 throbbing heart she turned from the window. The 
 family met at prayers, and at table few sentences 
 were interchanged. Then each sought the solitude 
 of her own chamber, while Mr. Graeme and Lochiel 
 wended their way in silence to the Court-House. 
 The face of the father was buried suddenly in his 
 hands at sight of Duncan, his own Duncan, a 
 prisoner at the bar. For some moments he was 
 unable to raise his eyes, but when they did meet
 
 GLENN AIR. 193 
 
 those of his son, there was the same clear, calm ex 
 pression of " not guilty " to be read there, as fell 
 upon the ear when the question was demanded by 
 the judge. 
 
 The gaze of Mr. Lincoln was upon vacancy when 
 the solemn answer was required of him to "Guilty? 
 or not guilty?" Quickly turning to the sound of 
 his name, he replied deliberately, almost sternly, 
 " Guilty would find a universal belief here, yet the 
 tribunal will be set where my ' not guilty ' will be 
 verified throughout eternity, and mine accusers put 
 to shame and everlasting contempt." 
 
 The attention of Neilson had been wholly ab 
 sorbed in his master ; twice he was named before he 
 listened to the question from the bench, "Roger 
 Neilson guilty? or not guilty? " 
 
 "As guiltless as my fellow-prisoners," was his 
 answer ; " but as weel gather the drops from a sieve 
 as plead innocent here ; aye, ye may convict, ye may 
 condemn, ye may sentence us all to the death ; but 
 for all, ye canna mak ane of us what ye think ye 
 ken us to be. We are nae guilty of any of the 
 charges ye have read ; and ye will ane day all ken 
 I speak naething but the truth." 
 
 Roger wiped the drops from his broad forehead, 
 and turned again toward the object of his intense 
 interest Mr. Lincoln, who stood the very person 
 ification of sadness, his hand hanging over the 
 shoulder of young Graeme. 
 
 There was some weariness manifested in the 
 court, and Mr. Claybourne seemed quite restless, 
 while Mr. Grant, counsel for the Bank, went leisurely 
 
 17 N
 
 194 GLENN AIR. 
 
 and tediously through even the structure of the 
 building, and all the arrangements of the banking 
 company. lie at length mentioned the contriv 
 ance of a safe within a closet, having a door of 
 narrower dimensions, to prevent it from being pur 
 loined bodily, but which had been done through 
 the ingenuity of one or more of the prisoners now 
 at the bar. 
 
 "As counsel for the defence, I would ask," said 
 Mr. Claybourne, " by what imaginable method 
 could a box of greater magnitude than the aperture 
 be taken through ? " 
 
 " By removing and replacing the surrounding 
 panels," replied Mr. Grant, with a shrug of con 
 tempt. 
 
 " With the leave of the bench, we will inquire if, 
 in the removal and replacing of said panels, the 
 residents of the dwellings convenient might not have 
 heard, and been curious to learn the occasion of the 
 unusual noise at that hour of the night ? " 
 
 " There was no inquiry, and the safe was re 
 moved," returned the barrister ; " how, we are not 
 bound to inquire ; enough that it is no longer there. 
 After six weeks allowed the learned counsel for in 
 vestigation, it might be supposed he had fully ac 
 quainted himself with all the details." 
 
 " It is scarcely needful to say to the able speaker 
 from Dundee," said Mr. Reid, " the absence of the 
 chest is conclusive evidence it was carried off; how, 
 is not the question, but by whom." 
 
 At this juncture a slip of paper was produced, 
 corresponding with that used by the Cashier of the
 
 GLENNAIR. 195 
 
 Bank. " This," resumed Mr. Grant, " is minus sis- 
 
 * * O 
 
 nature. It is giving directions to a man named 
 Roger, to be punctually at the eastern vault at 11 
 o'clock, P. M. The slip is fitted precisely to this 
 sheet, found, on investigation, in the desk of Hugh 
 Lincoln, the late Cashier ; and who will dispute the 
 handwriting ? " 
 
 Mr. Claybourne involuntarily started as he sur 
 veyed the paper in question ; the characters were 
 perfectly familiar to him he could not but recog 
 nize the hand of his early companion : yet, instantly 
 recovering self-command, he asked, " Could not 
 others have had access to the desk of Mr. Lin 
 coln?" 
 
 " Our case does not rest upon so slight a basis, 
 sir ; a brief examination of these more important 
 documents will substantiate in your, as in our 
 minds, the proofs of the guilt of the Cashier, the 
 porter, and his son. At a later date, others have 
 been discovered, leaving no room to doubt that the 
 eldest son of the most worthy, much-beloved pastor 
 of Glennair has forged very extensively. We refer 
 you to papers discovered, with a great number of 
 missing coins, in a secret drawer of his private 'desk 
 at the Bank since the sitting of the court. Loose 
 papers also, drawn from an old boot by some chil 
 dren at play, in a garret at Thistle Hedge, has re 
 vealed to you the enormity of Lincoln's duplicity, 
 and also that of Norval Neilson, who has so far 
 eluded justice." 
 
 There was a long period of painful silence. The 
 head of the distressed father had sunk upon his
 
 196 GLENN AIR. 
 
 knees ; Lochiel stood beside him, Iris eyes earnestly 
 fixed upon the countenance of Mr. Claybourne ; he 
 was obviously disquieted by the revelation in the 
 papers before him ; the occasional change of color 
 and compressed lip, spoke the unfavorable result of 
 his research. 
 
 It was a relief when his voice broke upon the 
 stillness. " Upon more than one of these papers 
 there are spots of whiting, and many of them are 
 quite soiled ; it would seem they had passed through 
 other than the fingers of the supposed writers." 
 
 " That, sir," replied the opposing lawyer, " was 
 noticed, discussed, and accounted for: the garret 
 had been cleaned after their concealment, the 
 boots also were bespattered with the same wash. 
 They had been the playthings of several children 
 before presented to us ; they, no doubt, are ac 
 countable for the blemishes." 
 
 The cheek of the Dundee barrister blanched as 
 he slowly arose from his seat by the table. Folding 
 the numerous documents, one in the other, he placed 
 them again in the hand from which he had received 
 them. 
 
 "The court will be adjourned until to-morrow," 
 was announced, " when the trial will be continued." 
 
 The carriage of Dr. McMillan was considerately 
 sent to convey the Pastor home. Mr. Claybourne 
 and the broken-hearted Lochiel attended him. 
 There was a hush amid the crowd as Mr. Graeme 
 left the court-room ; subsequently, group after group 
 filed off in different directions, discussing at large 
 the downfall of Duncan Graeme.
 
 GLENNAIR. 197 
 
 " It was a sair pity," said one, " that ane so young 
 would hae the ruin o' hisself, and sic a situation all 
 maun ken would hae driven him daft." 
 
 Such was the now genera^ opinion of the selection 
 of young Graeme to this responsible position in the 
 Bank. He of w r hom language was too meagre to 
 find sufficient plaudits a little while since, was now 
 the subject of universal scorn and reproach. 
 
 A tight grasp of the hand that had held his 
 during the ride, was the only recognition of the 
 presence of his friend by Mr. Graeme. He retired 
 to his study immediately, whither Amy followed. 
 Lochiel, rushing to his own chamber, gave vent to 
 his overflowing grief. 
 
 " My sister, Mrs. MacAlpine, has desired me to 
 insist upon your making your sojourn with her, Mr. 
 Claybourne," said Dr. McMillan ; " but in our Pas 
 tor's family you can hardly be wanted at this trying 
 time : I would urge your remaining here, sir." 
 
 " Wherever you think best, Doctor ; the only 
 solace I can offer is my prayers." 
 
 "Is our cause then hopeless?" Mrs. Cameron in 
 quired, with quivering lip. 
 
 " I have been shown no accusation against Mr. 
 Lincoln- meriting capital punishment, my dear 
 madam," replied Mr. Claybourne. " He may be 
 imprisoned for an indefinite period. The condem 
 nation of the youth is inevitable." 
 
 The timely aid of Dr. McMillan prevented the fall 
 of Edith to the floor. The swoon was deep, and 
 baffled every effort to subdue it, and the Doctor 
 almost desired she might never be restored to con-
 
 -198 GLENN AIR. 
 
 sciousness ; but she was, and to a sense of desolation 
 unendurable. 
 
 Mr. Claybourne, supposing, in the absence of Mr. 
 Graeme's family, he might make the communica 
 tion, now assiduously endeavored to retrieve his 
 error. The attentions of the Doctor, too, were un 
 remitting ; it was his talent always to say and to do 
 the right thing at the right place. Fruit and flow 
 ers from the hot-house of Mr. Traquair were daily 
 offerings, with his kindly inquiries for their welfare. 
 
 The week previous to that of the decision of the 
 court, Mr. Traquair appeared in person, with an 
 especial request to see Miss Lincoln. 
 
 Before the servant had left the room, Miss Edith 
 lingered, looking toward her aunt for encourage 
 ment to decline the visit. 
 
 " You had better see him, dear," was Mrs. Cam 
 eron's reply ; " it would seem ungrateful to refuse, 
 and he may have something important to say to 
 you." 
 
 Mr. Traquair, instantly rising on her entrance, 
 advanced to meet her. " You will pardon my ap 
 parent intrusion, my dear Miss Lincoln," he said, 
 leading her to a seat, and placing one beside it ; 
 " the object of my visit is to prove the sincerity of 
 the interest I have taken in your welfare." 
 
 " We all have perfect confidence in your sincerity, 
 Mr. Traquair," she replied ; " although your efforts 
 to befriend us have been unavailing, it has not in 
 the slightest diminished our gratitude." 
 
 " Your father, Miss Lincoln," he resumed, after 
 recognizing gracefully her polite reply, " has been
 
 GLENNAIR. 
 
 convicted of fraud only, as you well know, which 
 we all feel subject of thankfulness." (Miss Lincoln 
 looked bewildered.) " My kinsman, Otho Traquair," 
 he continued, at the same time producing a folded 
 paper, which he turned and twisted in his fingers, 
 and then laid upon the table before her, "this 
 relative of mine holds this check over my head, 
 declaring unless the amount he has lost by Mr. Lin 
 coln is refunded, he will present this check, forged 
 by Mr. Lincoln, before the court to-morrow ; yet 
 do not, I beseech you, be agitated, my dear Miss 
 Lincoln. I have come to convey comforting, not ex 
 citing intelligence. My cousin Otho has consented 
 to receive Woody Glade, with its improvements, in 
 lieu of his losses, which I am ready to transfer to 
 him this day, and not only save your father from 
 the imputation of forgery, but secure him from any 
 penalty whatever, giving him immediate freedom 
 and acquittal." 
 
 "Heaven bless you!" ejaculated Edith, "words 
 cannot express my gratitude. How shall I thank 
 you, our noble preserver?" 
 
 " I need no thanks, my dear Miss Edith ; it re 
 mains with you to establish and confirm your father's 
 freedom, or to shroud his destiny in deepest dark 
 ness. That Hugh Lincoln is a free man, or dies upon 
 the scaffold, is his daughter's fiat." 
 
 " In mercy explain yourself, Mr. Traquair," she 
 gasped. " Why ? how ? how am I how can J 
 save or destroy ? Keep me not in suspense, I im- 
 plore, my head reels." 
 
 " The obscurity of my name, my parentage, my
 
 200 QLENNAIR. 
 
 humble origin, Miss Edith, induced your father to 
 deny me the boon I once asked of him ; the same 
 boon I entreat of his daughter herself. For the pos 
 session of your hand, Miss Edith, I am willing to 
 encounter poverty, to toil for my daily bread ; I give 
 in exchange all my lands. Become my bride, and 
 you save your father from an ignominious death. I 
 am well aware, Miss Lincoln, although your father 
 has not been falsely accused, he is an honest man ; 
 he has been deceived, deluded by Duncan Graeme 
 and " 
 
 " Forbear ! " she exclaimed, " in pity forbear. 
 Father in heaven, teach me how to act." She 
 buried her face in her hands. Mr. Traquair sat in 
 silence a long interval ; at length he said, in very 
 subdued tones, " "Will you that I show you the check 
 and the transfer deeds drawn, Miss Lincoln ? I am 
 persuaded you will be directed to decide aright. My 
 life, my happiness, is dependent upon your yea ; and 
 what possible good can be effected by your refusal ? 
 I plead, I conjure you, Miss Edith, to give your as 
 sent. By the ardent love I bear you, for the 
 acquittal of your beloved father, speak the one 
 assenting word, and all is well." He held one hand 
 in a tight clasp, with the other she covered her 
 eyes ; drawing the one from his, and clasping her 
 hands together, she exclaimed, 
 
 " Save me from perjury, O my Father ! give me 
 entire submission to Thy will ; give me strength of 
 purpose strength to act." Her eyes fell upon the 
 parchment ; Mr. Traquair remarked, as his eye fol 
 lowed hers, " That is the transfer to Otho Traquair ;
 
 GLENNAIR. 201 
 
 this," he added, pointing to a smaller paper near her, 
 " is the check in question. Decide, dearest Edith," 
 he whispered, "decide mercifully for me, merci 
 fully for your father." 
 
 Her dark eye glittered ; her purpose was formed 
 on the instant, and the check as suddenly grasped 
 and committed to the flames. 
 
 " Edith Lincoln ! " shouted Mr. Traquair, dart 
 ing forward. He seized the paper and rescued it, 
 scorched, and with scarcely a word legible. " That 
 was a daring deed," he said ; " none other could have 
 defied me." 
 
 Receding a few steps, she replied with haughty 
 bitterness, "A deed saving me from perjury, you 
 from beggary, and the soul of your kinsman from 
 the foul stain of murder ! " Closing the door upon 
 him, she rushed to the apartment and into the arms 
 of her astonished aunt. Without awaiting any in 
 quiries, Edith poured into that sympathizing bosom 
 the details of her interview with the paying-teller 
 of Glennair's Banking; House. 
 
 O 
 
 " My darling child," said the weeping aunt, fold 
 ing her closely to her, " you have verily been shielded 
 from the weapons of the destroyer ; you have indeed 
 resisted the great adversary." 
 
 " Oh, Aunt, Aunt Edith, he is not saved ; 
 father is not saved. I, / have confirmed, I have 
 sealed his ruin." 
 
 " My own Edith, our friend and counsellor saw 
 only the papers condemning the one ; there was and 
 is nothing lacking to sentence the other ; no propi 
 tiation can be found ; your self-sacrifice would have
 
 202 GLENNAIE. 
 
 availed nought ; Providence interfered, my Edith ; 
 in that Providence still trust." 
 
 " Aunt, he said the offence was defalcation, not 
 forgery." 
 
 " Mr. Claybourne is since differently informed ; the 
 sacrifice of yourself would have embittered the rem 
 nant of his days, Edith ; his life, no human power 
 that will be exerted can lengthen. I say it, love, to 
 save you from any remorseful feeling with regard to 
 your conduct to-day ; and moreover, Traquair can 
 not be ignorant of this. I fear he is not all he rep 
 resents himself toward us." 
 
 " Why did father so dislike him, aunt ? His un 
 precedented kindness since our misfortunes has dis 
 posed me to think dear father was prejudiced." 
 
 " Until the proceedings of this day, my child, I 
 too have been induced to look upon him more favor 
 ably ; yet I never knew your father to err in judg 
 ment with respect to character, and he always held 
 him at a distance as an evil-disposed person. Cir 
 cumstances unfold intentions ; his have ever been to 
 supplant Duncan Graeme. The obscurity of his ori 
 gin might have had some weight with your father, 
 yet independent of it, and of Duncan's claim, he 
 believed Traquair to have acted dishonorably in 
 some business transactions, and he found him selfish 
 and untruthful. He scorned the man, rather than 
 the name of Traquair ; yet he has eminent talents, 
 superior intellect, is well-looking, and has a good 
 address, and withal, has amassed, somehow, great 
 wealth." 
 
 " Who is he, aunt ? of what family, or clan ? "
 
 GLEXNAIE. 203 
 
 "Nobody knows, not even himself, though 
 he says his possessions have come to him by collat 
 eral inheritance. It is said in Glennair, he is the 
 nephew or grandson of a poor, worthy boatman from 
 Wmdermere. I only know that Robert Dunbar, 
 meeting with him and noticing his cleverness, re 
 solved to educate him, which he did, and by his 
 influence promoted him to the situation he holds in 
 the Bank. I never felt or took any interest in, and 
 have seen little of him till of late. His cloven foot 
 was certainly quite visible to-day." 
 
 "Has he any power any influence, dear aunt ? 
 Can he do us any injury? " 
 
 " It is not in the ability of a human being to add 
 to our woes now, love." ^ There was a dash of bit 
 terness in the tone, unusual to Mrs. Cameron. Edith 
 well understood the words and their bitterness ; she 
 bowed her head upon her aunt's knee.
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 " Purity of motive and nobility of mind 
 Shall rarely condescend 
 To prove its rights and prate of wrongs, 
 Or evidence its worth to others." 
 
 aOOD Kathleen surely will find Miss Amy's bon 
 net. The morning is so fine, you will ride with 
 me, Amy; the air is invigorating will you not 
 oblige me at the request of your father? " All this 
 Dr. McMillan urged coming into the kitchen, draw 
 ing his riding-whip through his fingers. " I know 
 I have taken you unawares, but leave these opera 
 tions and come try the benefit of exercise, Amy." 
 
 " Why do you or father ask me, Doctor ? " she 
 inquired, mournfully ; " how can I go ? " 
 
 " Very few persons are stirring yet, Amy ; we will 
 ride toward Tristy Loch and avoid any ; the exer 
 cise will create the strength needful to sustain your 
 father." 
 
 "With Kathleen's assistance, in a few moments 
 Amy was equipped, in pursuance of the wish of her 
 father, and the desire to be strengthened for his 
 service. 
 
 " Will I nae fetch a chair, Doctor ? " inquired the 
 old woman. 
 
 " No, Kathleen, no necessity," replied the Doctor, 
 raising Amy between his hands with entire ease and 
 seating her in the saddle. " I thought it better to 
 
 204
 
 GLENKAIR. 205 
 
 bring the pony of Miss Dunbar ; she will not need 
 him, as she expects to make a few day's visit among 
 the Peaks ; I am to accompany her at noon, and that 
 will be fatigue enough for her. The saddle I bor 
 rowed for Miss Gertrude, from Edith ; so you see, 
 Amy, how greatly you are indebted to James Mc 
 Millan." 
 
 " The considerate kindness of Dr. McMillan would 
 make him a universal creditor," replied Amy. , 
 
 " I had hoped they would have been more espe 
 cially appreciated where they were intended," he 
 answered, slightly piqued. 
 
 " Do not believe me entirely insensible and thank 
 less, Doctor," she said,, raising her eyes to his for a 
 moment and instantly dropping them ; " my emo 
 tions are all seared ; gratitude is perhaps the least so." 
 
 " I was not appealing for thankfulness, Amy ; it 
 is enough to feel I may contribute to your comfort 
 at all ; would I could in any way meet and lessen 
 the poignancy of your sorrow, Amy. Do you con 
 sider the cause on trial so utterly hopeless ? Why 
 do you, Amy, when some anticipate their acquittal ? 
 May we not, in two weeks, controvert some of the 
 schemes of the plotters ? A fortnight may reveal 
 much now in darkness. Is the whole position cheer 
 less to you ? Is there no single point of comfort 
 .no ray of hope ? " 
 
 " None, none, unless by miracle, no " 
 
 The girth slipping at this moment, turned Miss 
 Graeme over on the horse. Dr. McMillan caught the 
 reins, and, springing to the ground, exclaimed, '' Are 
 you hurt? Are you hut at all, dear Amy?" 
 
 18
 
 206 GLENN A I JR. 
 
 " No, only jarred, James ; the fall was attributable 
 to my own carelessness." The girth was adjusted, 
 and they had proceeded a few paces only when Mr. 
 Traquair came in sight. lie bowed ; they turned 
 to avoid him. 
 
 " That is a singular person," the Doctor remarked, 
 glad to escape to another topic, and lead Amy, if 
 possible, from that so constantly absorbing her. 
 
 ." Is he? Until lately, I have only thought of 
 him as the wealthiest, handsomest, and most talented 
 person in Glennair ; his paintings are exquisite, judg 
 ing from those sent to our house in a present to Mr. 
 Claybourne." 
 
 " They are copies ; Traquair draws from nature 
 beautifully, and his handwriting resembles the finest 
 copper-plate ; he can imitate, too, any text or any 
 character set before him. He excels in science, also ; 
 as a jbotanist, he is incomparable." 
 
 " Yet, Doctor, he is not generally admired in the 
 parish ; why is it ? " 
 
 " There is nothing more tf ue, Amy, than the pro 
 verb, ' Just as the twig is bent the tree 's inclined.' 
 Traquair lacks early, native refinement, cradle 
 culture, as Mr. Lincoln terms it. Educate, promote 
 such a person, elevate him to the very pinnacle of 
 political or literary eminence, he is unpolished still, 
 and continually the lack of that which cannot be 
 attained, nor is ever acquired, will be observable. 
 The courtesy, suavity, and refinement taught in the 
 nursery, will outshine and outlive great intellectual 
 attainments ; they gather strength with age, while 
 mental honors decay. But-*ve are home."
 
 GLEXNAIR. 207 
 
 " Our Doctor combines all," Amy murmured, as 
 she laid her habit and bonnet in their places. " How 
 gently, how sweetly he tried to lead my thoughts 
 from their constant theme." She repaired to the 
 study, to her father, quite refreshed. Edith was 
 with him. Lochiel and Mr. Claybourne were sitting 
 with him also ; Mrs. Cameron was walking. 
 
 " Where is Aunt 'Edith, Fawn ? " inquired her 
 cousin, as Mr. Claybourne drew her chair close to 
 him at the breakfast-table. 
 
 " Mother said she would be home after a little 
 time, but to excuse her from breakfast ; she could 
 not eat anything this morning. I left her by the 
 hedge talking with Mr. Traquair." An ashy pale 
 ness succeeded the momentary flush occasioned by 
 this information, unnoticed by any but the child, 
 who inadvertently said, " I am sorry I told you, 
 sister." Fortunately, at this juncture so embar 
 rassing, Margaritte came in to say, " Dr. Graeme was 
 required on the instant, to come to a dying man." 
 
 " I did hope, but without much expectation, that 
 our good Pastor might be detained from court to 
 day ; all the anxiety ever evinced by his son is for 
 him and Lochiel," said Mr. Claybourne. " My dear 
 boy, may we not miss you, also ? Your absence w T ill 
 greatly tend to the composure of your brother." 
 
 " I comprehend Duncan better than you, sir. I 
 will be found "with him while suffered to remain. I 
 may not be dissuaded, Mr. Claybourne." 
 
 The watchful ear of Miss Lincoln recognized the 
 step of her aunt, and through the half-closed win 
 dow she saw the grim smile that parted the lips of
 
 208 GLENNAIR. 
 
 her companion, in his " Good morning, Mistress 
 Cameron." Pouring out a cup of coffee, she fol 
 lowed her to her apartment. 
 
 " I have greatly feared, my dear Edith," observed 
 the aunt, after partaking of the beverage, " and 
 have now not a vestige of doubt, his whole bias has 
 been against, while apparently befriending us. He 
 made some expositions of his true character when 
 exasperated because my influence with you was 
 withheld. I declined all interference. My suspi 
 cions are quite settled that he has not been what he 
 professed to your father ;- toward Duncan he has 
 never made any pretence of friendship. Edith, 
 love," she inquired, in a hushed voice, after a pause, 
 " are you sure Duncan destroyed that roll of papers 
 found in the garret ? " 
 
 " Of course, aunt ; their importance secured their 
 immediate destruction ; and the keen scrutiny of 
 the investigating officers would have ferreted them 
 out, had they been concealed, no matter how se 
 cretly. I have no fear from them, dear aunt," she 
 added, while the increased pallor of her cheek belied 
 the declaration. " Did Traquair allude to them, 
 aunt ? " she asked, softly. 
 
 " Only indirectly ; his mention of documents 
 brought them to my instant recollection. I feared 
 they might be in existence, and would lead to un 
 told trouble." 
 
 " Oh ! no, no," replied Edith, nervously, " or they 
 would have been produced long before this, aunt." 
 
 She opened the door in reply to a gentle tap. 
 Lochiel came to the room to inquire for his sister.
 
 GLENNAIR. 209 
 
 " I am going now with Mr. Claybourne, Editli ; if I 
 have opportunity to deliver it, what message may I 
 carry ? " Lochiel spoke hurriedly. 
 
 "We are all trust ; you cannot speak of hope with 
 much truth, dear Lochiel." 
 
 " It shall be my own addition then, Edith ; their 
 support is our hope. Are you ill, Mrs. Cameron ? " 
 he asked, kindly. 
 
 " No, dear, only sorely vexed. I am in rich pos 
 session of that promise of ' tribulation in this world,' 
 yet rest upon the annexed sentence, ' that the world 
 has been overcome.' ' 
 
 The eyes of the youth fell ; he leaned over the 
 couch of Mrs. Cameron. " The Lord bless and pros 
 per you, dear boy," she whispered, laying her hand 
 upon his head. Pausing a moment to kiss the pale 
 cheek of Edith, he turned sadly and slowly away. 
 
 " Do not wait dinner for us," he returned to say. 
 " Mr. Claybourne thinks they will have a lengthy 
 sitting to-day." 
 
 Edith's lip quivered ; Mrs. Cameron turned her 
 face upon the cushion ; neither answered. 
 
 " It would seem preferable, aunt," Edith remarked, 
 recovering from an uncontrollable fit of weeping, "to 
 be present during the proceedings ; the suspense of 
 each day is unendurable." 
 
 " Your father was very certain absence was the 
 less evil, dear, or he would not so strictly have pro 
 hibited our being there ; and how could we listen to 
 an adverse counsel, Edith ? " 
 
 A convulsive heaving of the heart was the an 
 swer. 
 
 18* '0
 
 210 GLENNAIR. 
 
 " Daley was very communicative to-day," con 
 tinued, Mrs. Cameron ; " no doubl to ingratiate him 
 self with Kathleen to procure employment. He says 
 Mr. Traquair threatens to use every influence against 
 the Lincolns, which he has hitherto used in their 
 favor ; and Kathleen was somewhat amazed at his 
 addition, ' Why, maistress, the mon hae nae power 
 bigger tha' my thumb ; I tell ye he '11 nae miss the 
 warp in the rope an he begins, I trow.' ' 
 
 " What can the man mean, Aunt Edith ? " 
 
 " Not more, I imagine, than to gain an end he 
 will not reach now at the manse, or again at the 
 Hedge ; he appears very well to do in his present 
 employ. Traquair surely deals very liberally by 
 him, and he appears to have abundant time for gos 
 sip, and is not sparing of his master's reputation." 
 
 " Both Kathleen and Margaritte would discoun 
 tenance such a person ; and I am sure, aunt, he 
 would meet with no quarter from jSTanny." 
 
 " He has found favor among them by his atten 
 tions to Helen ; he has laid out a plot in the garden 
 for her, selected and planted choice roots an'd rare 
 seed in it, the very spot you and Duncan took so 
 much pleasure in cultivating when children. He 
 has won all the domestics by his assiduity in pleas 
 ing Helen, and I have felt grateful to him myself, 
 it is so desirable to have the ordinary current of our 
 Fawn's life changed, even by such an agent. I sup 
 pose the expression of my thankfulness to him has 
 encouraged the repetition of his visits here." 
 
 " Fawn has been telling me ' Jamie ' had arranged 
 her a garden, and I have promised to go with her
 
 GLENXAIE. 211 
 
 to admire it ; but I have not had resolution to look 
 upon that spot, much as I desire to please her." 
 
 " Nor is it necessary, love. I have purposely said 
 very little about it. The place will either pass from 
 us forever, or be restored to us in happiness. Our 
 child enjoys herself there ; Kathleen takes her every 
 morning. Nanny has always returned with her 
 until this said ' Jamie ' has undertaken to be her 
 guide, which gives him the opportunity of con 
 versing in the kitchen. I do not approve, but can 
 not see how to avoid it. Helen comes immediately 
 to me, and is full of the praises of Jamie's kindness 
 and gardening powers." 
 
 " I cannot divest myself of suspicious feeling, 
 aunt. I connect that Daley with Mr. Traquair, 
 and think all their good deeds are a mask to some 
 thing evil." 
 
 " Yet it is hardly to be imagined, dear, that little 
 Helen could be made a medium for any wrong 
 action, and the arrangement of a garden-plot cannot 
 be other than innocent." 
 
 " It is scarcely conceivable, I know, aunt ; still 
 the man's countenance engenders dislike, and repels 
 any wish for intercourse." 
 
 There was a very uncomfortable expression on 
 the face of Mrs. Cameron. Rising from the couch, 
 and unrolling some linen, she handed part of it to 
 Edith, saying, " The collars had better be finished ; 
 they might be needed." In uninterrupted quietness, 
 they sat sewing until the entrance of Helen. She 
 brought a note for " Miss Lincoln," marked " pri 
 vate."
 
 212 GLENN AIR. 
 
 "James Daley says," she exclaimed, throwing 
 herself into her mother's lap, " that he is very sure 
 Uncle Hugh will get orders to go home to-morrow 
 or next day; hut he does not think my flowers will 
 he ready to cut, by then. How glad we shall all be, 
 mamma," she added, clapping her hands. 
 
 " Why does James think so, my child ? " 
 
 " I cannot tell, mamma ; but James knows all 
 about it. I mean to stay home here to-morrow, to 
 see uncle first before you, sister." 
 
 " Yes, darling," her cousin replied, abstractedly, 
 " will you see where Miss Amy is to be found, and 
 ask her to come to me ? " 
 
 " Miss Amy is driving ; I saw her ride by with 
 Doctor." 
 
 " I did not see his chaise this morning, Helen." 
 
 "It was not here, they went on horseback, 
 mamma." 
 
 " That is a ride, not a drive, dear ; but there is 
 Lochiel go talk to him until I call you, Fawn." 
 The child' instantly disappeared. 
 
 " Lochiel has returned unexpectedly early ; but 
 the letter what has Traquair to say further ? I 
 judge it is from him." 
 
 With a trembling hand, yet with unaccountable 
 calmness, Edith read : 
 
 "ADORED Miss LINCOLN: The crisis is at hand ; to 
 morrow will be too late. By one monosyllable you may 
 avert the doom of your father; the sentence on the morrow 
 decides it irretrievably. If confirmatory evidence were 
 necessary, the key of the chest stolen from the vault, 
 found by Daley in digging in the Hedge Hall garden, 
 would cast the die. It is now in my possession ; I am pre-
 
 QLENNAIR 213 
 
 pared to declare null and void many proofs adduced, and 
 to withhold the last, which could not but destroy every 
 vestige of belief in his innocence, even in his own counsel. 
 My action will be governed by your reply. T." 
 
 Her eyes met those of her aunt as the last word 
 fell from her lip ; she read indignation only and 
 plainly there. " Return it in a clean, blank sheet, 
 my dearest Edith," she said, huskily. " I have 
 wept over the graves of five of my own children ; 
 I can give to your tomb the same tribute, and far 
 rather than behold you linked to consummate vil- 
 lany to an embodiment of atrocity no, not to 
 save your father my only brother." Mrs. Cam 
 eron sobbed uncontrollably. 
 
 Throwing her arms caressingly about her aunt, 
 Edith succeeded in soothing her ; then taking a 
 pencil from a chain, she wrote : 
 
 "Miss Lincoln can die with her father; but to avert 
 the anticipated sentence of the court, she never, no, never, 
 can doom herself to inexpressible misery ; and she adds 
 her belief that the power to change the decision, claimed 
 by Mr. Traquair, is fabulous." 
 
 " You are home unexpectedly, my son," the Pas 
 tor remarked to Lochiel, as he passed the window, 
 leading his sister's palfrey ; " where is Mr. Clay- 
 bourne? " 
 
 " I heard Mr. McMillan urge him to return with 
 him to dine. The adjournment of the court was 
 occasioned by the death of Mr. Benson ; he was 
 drowned in Loch Dhu, supposed to have been 
 taken with cramp ; and as he was one of the promi-
 
 214 GLENNAIE. 
 
 nent witnesses of the day, the court was dismissed. 
 Father," pursued Lochiel, drawing near the window, 
 and still holding the bridle, " the cave will not be 
 searched, for no two men could be found of bravery 
 sufficient for the undertaking : the fear of ghosts 
 appalls them." 
 
 " Stable the pony, my son, and come in ; the east- 
 wind is chilling," said the Pastor, closing the case 
 ment. 
 
 Lochiel did as desired, and the family gathered 
 in the apartment of Mrs. Cameron until the dinner- 
 hour. 
 
 " To whom were you summoned so abruptly, 
 father ? " Amy inquired. 
 
 " To a thoughtless, prayerless man, daughter, 
 who, to the death, was deaf to every remonstrance, 
 insensible to all pleadings, he would listen to no 
 entreaties. It has seldom been my lot to see life 
 close upon so seared a conscience so hardened a 
 heart. Strange he was to have presented an over 
 whelming evidence against Duncan this morning." 
 
 "Amazing ! Benson also was to have appeared 
 
 clS ' ' 
 
 " The same, my son. He was rescued last even 
 ing from a grave in Loch Dhu a suicidal plunge, 
 I conjecture; and I imagine he succeeded in another 
 mode of terminating his existence, though I am not 
 authorized to say it." 
 
 " How inscrutable," observed Mrs. Cameron. 
 " Benson had all that could invite the love of life, 
 and seemed so calculated to enjoy her offerings." 
 
 " He flourished as the green bay-tree, and was
 
 GLENNAIE. 215 
 
 cut down as a cumberer. Oh, Mrs. Cameron, friend 
 of my early prosperity, and my companion in deep 
 sorrow ; oh, my children ! I mused as I stood by the 
 side of that bed of down, on the comparatively little 
 importance in the mode of death. Whither had 
 that spirit passed from its tenement, fed sumptu 
 ously every day, clothed in purple and fine linen ? 
 We shudderingly leave our query. We yearn in 
 anguish over- those who, in all probability by false 
 accusations, will be doomed to an ignominious 
 death ; but in a little while yea, a very little 
 while, we shall join, and spend with them an eter 
 nity of blessedness " 
 
 As he continued, the countenance of Edith seemed 
 illuminated, her dark eyes riveted upon the speaker. 
 Amy Graeme fell fainting upon the bosom of her 
 brother, who stood with clasped hands intently lis 
 tening to the words of his father. 
 
 "Amy pleads to be left alone," Dr. McMillan ob 
 served, on returning from the room whence he had 
 carried Miss Graeme. "She rejects all our consol 
 atory ministerings ; her entire hopelessness is re 
 markable, and unlike her natural disposition." 
 
 " True, Doctor, her temperament is hopeful ; but 
 from the beginning of these troubles, my poor child 
 has been wholly despairing. Mrs. Cameron has re 
 marked that effort to impart comfort was useless, 
 every avenue was closed : to be alone, is the one 
 desire of Amy." 
 
 " And yet," returned Lochiel, " it could hardly be 
 the tone of discouragement in father's remarks that 
 induced sister's distress to-day ; they were in perfect 
 consonance with her own feelings."
 
 216 GLEXNAIK. 
 
 " The prospect for this world is dark indeed," re 
 joined the Pastor ; "words of encouragement have 
 failed." He looked earnestly at Dr. McMillan. 
 
 " Earnest prayer and deep sympathy cannot fail 
 for our friend and Pastor," replied the Doctor, moved 
 to tears. "The Lord reigns, Mr. Graeme." 
 
 " And under his dominion we are safe, James. 
 Yet the present chastening is grievous ; may it pro 
 duce the peaceable fruits of righteousness." 
 
 " Though he slay, let us trust in him," murmured 
 Mrs. Cameron ; " whom he loves he chastens." 
 
 Edith, who had withdrawn to Amy's room with 
 the Doctor and returned with him, had been sitting 
 looking on vacancy, apparently listless and indiffer 
 ent to what was said, until the voice of her aunt 
 attracted her. Raising her eyes, she gazed wildly 
 around, then rising slowly, she advanced toward the 
 group. " Tell me," she asked nervously, " will I 
 live ? " Duncan promised I should die with my 
 father, and will I live without either ? ISTo ! no ! 
 no ! " she cried vehemently. " I must, I will you 
 cannot surely tell me I will not die. Aunt Edith, 
 dear Aunt Edith," she continued in softened tones, 
 " you said I might sleep in the grave. Will you 
 call me back ? Will you speak falsely to your orphan 
 niece? Yes, my father, yes, my Duncan, the sun 
 that rises upon yours, will set upon the grave of your 
 Edith." 
 
 Mrs. Cameron, unable to speak, held her in a close 
 embrace ; Lochiel, weeping impetuously, knelt on 
 the floor by her, entreating her to be calm for his 
 for her aunt's for her father's sake.
 
 GLENN AIR. 217 
 
 After this burst of agony had in a measure sub 
 sided, the Doctor begged she would retire, desiring 
 Mrs. Cameron to remain with her ; to permit nothing 
 to induce her to leave her ; adding that he himself 
 would remain in the house until after the returns of 
 the morrow's court, 
 
 " What Will be the result of these outbreaks, Doc 
 tor ? " Mrs. Cameron asked, weeping. 
 
 " Edith is in the judgment of to-morrow, my dear 
 friend ; with that sentence she lives or dies ; she will 
 not survive the decree we dread." 
 
 "And Amy?" 
 
 " Her father's life is dependent upon hers. Edith 
 is very peculiarly stricken, Amy will form other 
 ties," he added hurriedly, " Edith, never !" 
 
 Mrs, Cameron groaned bitterly, and repaired to 
 the chamber of her niece. 
 
 " I will rest on this sofa, Margaritte," the Doctor 
 answered to her. 
 
 " Ye '11 find a lighted candle on the table when ye 
 will like to gang to bed, Dr. James. There is mair 
 than spare room syne the Maister hae gone wi' Lo- 
 chiel to our dear ane to tarry the night. I trow 
 there '11 be light slumbers the night, and deep anes 
 for some after the morrow. Doctor, will ye nae tak 
 the room above ? " 
 
 " K"o, Margaritte, I will remain here ; should I be 
 needed I am ready ; no fear disturbing me." 
 
 " "Weel then, gude night, Doctor; and a quiet arie 
 to the Maistress and the lassies." Dr. McMillan 
 kindly replied, and Margaritte withdrew. 
 
 An occasional quick step in an adjoining apart- 
 
 19
 
 218 GLENNAIE. 
 
 ment, wliicli the Doctor knew to be that of ISTorval 
 Neilson, alone broke upon the deep silence of this 
 sad, sad night, to the inmates of the manse. Dr. 
 McMillan, from the casement, watched the moon 
 and stars shedding their brightness over the parish 
 in solemn indifference to all its sorrows. Just after 
 daybreak, the latch was raised, and Miss Graeme 
 came into the room. Receding a step on seeing the 
 Doctor, she said with surprise, " Why down so early? 
 I thought all asleep but myself." 
 
 Waiving the question, he advanced, and leading 
 her gently toward the window, pointed to the east 
 ern horizon, observing, " Let us endeavor to think 
 that emblematic of our prospect, Amy." 
 
 Shading her eyes, she murmured, " ISTo, no ; the 
 retreating lights of the earlier morning were fitter 
 emblems of oar fate, Doctor. But I seek Xorval ; I 
 supposed you were above stairs." 
 
 " I would dissuade you from an interview just 
 now, Amy ; the despondency of ISTorval would in 
 crease your own. Suppose you suspend all inter 
 course with him until after to-day." 
 
 " Perhaps he could relieve my mind by answering 
 a few questions now burdening my heart, Doctor ; 
 to-morrow, they may need no reply,'" she added with 
 sadness. 
 
 " Mayhap, J may be as well, or better able to 
 meet your difficulty, Amy. Shall I invite your con 
 fidence ? " 
 
 " No oh, no ! James. I could not intrust even 
 you ; yet Norval JSTeilson might delude me." 
 
 The purple veins filled upon her brow as she
 
 GLENNAIR. 219 
 
 pressed her hands over her face to shield it from 
 observation. Doctor McMillan walked the floor, 
 occasionally stopping before her with the hope she 
 might raise her head from the table on which she 
 was leaning, and again address him. After a long 
 interval, seating himself by her, he said in .a low, 
 emphatic tone, "Amy." Without changing her 
 position, she murmured, 
 
 " What will you, James ? " 
 
 " Amy," he said again, in the same subdued voice, 
 " you believe in the entire guiltlessness of Edith's 
 father, of Duncan, and the others ? " 
 
 " What prompted that question, James ? " she in 
 quired vehemently, raising her eyes and pressing her 
 hands together. " You know, saw, found nothing 
 to induce a contrary opinion ? " 
 
 " Never, dear child ; how could my question have 
 conveyed such an idea ? You are morbidly nervous, 
 Amy ; do not harbor these evil surmisings. Since 
 the arrest of Duncan, I have been all hope and trust ; 
 even at this late hour an acquittal will be the result. 
 The scrutinizing judgment of Scotia's barristers and 
 an overruling Providence, are strong fortresses, Amy. 
 I own I once saw with the eyes of the condemning, 
 but Duncan " 
 
 A suppressed moan interrupted him ; he noticed 
 the shudder as he released her hand, and carefully 
 avoided allusion to the subject again. 
 
 Mr. Graeme and Lochiel came home together. 
 The father was silent, composed, and very, very sad. 
 Lochiel had no command of himself; he wept in 
 cessantly. Deep grief forbade any questions, and
 
 220 G L E N N A I E . 
 
 Mr. Graeme forbore the mention of their mournful 
 visitation. Kathleen remarked afterward, " The 
 salmon maun as weel ha nae been sairved, for it 
 ganged nae tasted frae the kitchen as fra the faist 
 table." The little clock in an upper room struck 
 ten, as the carriage of Dr. McMillan drove to the 
 door. The Pastor arose, glanced at his son, who 
 immediately left the apartment, Mrs. Cameron fol 
 lowing. " Dear boy," she sobbed, as he wrung her 
 hand, " there is no hope?" "None I " he groaned, 
 " that key " Mrs. Cameron, in a state of mind 
 bordering on frenzy, hastened to her own chamber. 
 Lochiel moved toward 'the door. 
 
 Mr. Graeme laid his hand upon his daughter's 
 head while she clung wildly to him. He tried to 
 speak ; no word was heard ; the lips only moved. 
 He approached Edith, who had thrown herself upon 
 a sofa ; bending over her, he made an unsuccessful 
 effort once more to speak. Again embracing Amy, 
 and gently forcing her into a seat, he hurried from 
 thence to the carriage in waiting to convey them to 
 the court-room, which was already crowded to suffo 
 cation. 
 
 There was no noisy demonstration on the entrance 
 of the parish pastor ; universal respect was expressed 
 by the instant falling back to admit him, with the 
 younger brother of the accused. A number of pa 
 pers lay upon the table before the counsel ; some 
 opened, others rolled together ; near Judge Scott was 
 a small brass key, which he continually twisted in 
 his fingers while listening to the summing-up of all 
 and every evidence against the prisoners, by Judge
 
 OLE XX A IE. 221 
 
 Carter. " Before the jury retire," remarked that 
 gentleman, we would express our sincere regret that 
 we have before our bar, three persons, whom we 
 would have supposed the most improbable to be so 
 circumstanced ; proving forcibly the truth of Scrip 
 ture relative to the deceitfulness of the human heart ; 
 and we who would fain have rejoiced in the reverse, 
 have heard testimony far more than sufficient to 
 condemn the accused under our law. To you, the 
 jury, we commend them to your mercy ; duty is 
 stern, is severe, and whatever the verdict, it will be 
 just. Our laws demand justice ; our hearts recom 
 mend mercy." 
 
 Wiping the clustering drops from his forehead, 
 Judge Carter sat down. The jury retired ; it was a 
 mere nominal withdrawal. The unanimous verdict 
 on their return was, " Guilty of Fraud, Forgery, 
 and Perjury." There was a momentary buzz through 
 the assembly ; all was hushed when Judge Scott 
 arose. His face was of an ashen hue, and evidently 
 with great effort he assumed his usual calmness. 
 He was about pronouncing the sentence of death, 
 when a piercing shriek proceeding from the box in 
 which the prisoners were seated, fell with a startling 
 sound upon every ear, and arrested the voice of the 
 speaker. The next moment Lochiel sprang forward 
 and threw himself at his feet. " Take me" he 
 gasped, " take me, let me pay the ransom. Let 
 my life be the forfeit, and let my father's stay his 
 first-born, his beloved, his heart's idol, still remain 
 to be the prop of his declining years 1 " Exhausted, 
 he sank almost lifeless upon the floor. The Judge
 
 222 GLENNAIK. 
 
 attempted to speak, but failed. Mr. MacAlpin gently 
 raised him, and endeavored to lead him into the ad 
 joining apartment, but resisting every effort, he 
 again threw himself before the Judge, and in a 
 plaintive, piteous tone pleaded for the life of his 
 brother. 
 
 " "Who will be the staff of the declining years of 
 my dear father when his sun begins to set ? " he in 
 quired. " Who will watch over and pour balm into 
 every wound, and be his counsellor in every diffi 
 culty ? Let me be in the place of that dear brother, 
 and send not the gray hairs of that precious father 
 to an untimely grave." 
 
 " Remove the dear youth," Judge Scott whispered, 
 with tremulous voice, in the ear of Mr. MacAlpin. 
 " I cannot perform my duty." 
 
 " Grant, oh ! grant but my request ! " he con 
 tinued. "Duncan is innocent, innocent as I, of 
 every crime alleged ; and "he suddenly arose and 
 stood defiantly before him " he must, he will, he 
 shall go free, or may Heaven's heaviest curses for a 
 wicked, unrighteous decision rest upon you and all 
 concerned in this, this " 
 
 He fell prostrate. 
 
 Lord Glennair, unable longer to endure the heart 
 rending scene, rushed from the court-house.
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 "Behind him lowered the thunder-storm, 
 Which the caldron of his wickedness had brewed; 
 Before him was the smooth, steep cliff 
 Whose base is ruin and despair." 
 
 HE was about entering his carriage, which awaited 
 him at the door, when a voice accosted him. 
 He turned ; a man in livery, whom he immediately 
 recognized as a waiter of Mr. Robertson, stepped 
 forward. 
 
 " What are the last tidings of Miss Agnes, John ? " 
 he inquired. 
 
 " She 's nae better, my Laird, and Maister Robert 
 son has left them baith i' the warm country tae re 
 cruit." 
 
 " Why ? He has not returned, surely ? " 
 
 " Yes, my Laird, on the last eve, and is now in 
 the last agonies, and bade me bring ye speedily, if 
 ye would see him alive." 
 
 "What do you mean, John? Do I comprehend 
 you ? Is Mr. Robertson ill ? " 
 
 " Scarcely be amang the living when ye reach his 
 hame, my Laird." 
 
 Lord Glennair heard no more, but, giving direc 
 tions to the coachman to follow, in a few moments 
 he reached the palatial residence of Mr. Robertson. 
 In the upper hall he was received by young Robert 
 son the only male inheritor of his broad lands. 
 
 223
 
 224 GLENNAIR. 
 
 Bowed with grief, he silently led the way to his 
 father's apartment. 
 
 The magnificent and gorgeous furniture seemed to 
 mock the anguish of the poor sufferer upon the 
 couch. The only response to the warm clasp of the 
 hand, and the heartfelt, " Dear, dear friend," was a 
 deep groan. 
 
 The left arm lay splintered beside him ; his shaven 
 hair exposed a gash in his temple, pressed together 
 by artificial means. In the lifeless eye and ghastly 
 face there was not a trace of the bright and buoy 
 ant friend of whom he had taken leave so few 
 months since. His physician sat beside him, and 
 an old faithful housekeeper stood at his feet, with 
 the deepest sadness depicted upon her countenance. 
 
 " Is there no hope ? " the Laird whispered to the 
 physician, as he pressed the throbbing pulse. 
 
 The Doctor's head was shaken sadly. 
 
 As he spoke, the eye of the sufferer turned upon 
 him for a moment, but was immediately averted. 
 
 " Mungo," inquired the Laird, tenderly taking his 
 hand, " have you no message, no kind word, nothing 
 that I can do for you before " He hesitated. 
 
 "Mr. Robertson," said the physician, "if you 
 have any matters still unsettled, it would be well to 
 arrange them and relieve your mind from care." 
 
 An expression of the utmost anguish passed over 
 his countenance, as he inquired faintly, " Is life so 
 rapidly waning ? Must I so soon enter that world 
 of" 
 
 " Rest and peace," quickly added his friend. " Your 
 high morality, your unexceptionable character "
 
 GLENN AIR. 225 
 
 " Hold ! Robert Dunbar, hold ! The thought of 
 a future judgment maddens me." 
 
 "For such a man as you, Mr. Robertson," inter 
 posed the physician, "there is little fear. Doubt 
 less you have clothed the naked and fed the hungry. 
 "What more would be required of us ? " 
 
 Throes of anguish and deep groans interrupted 
 the speaker. 
 
 " My dearest Maister," exclaimed the woman, 
 tears coursing rapidly down her cheeks, " might I 
 mak' frae tae point ye tae Jesus, the sinner's friend ; 
 he '11 wash away all sins, if they be as scarlet, and 
 he tells us all tae come tae him. But the best of us 
 canna gang wi'out him, for it's only through the 
 cleansing of his bluid we ever approach the maircy- 
 seat. Dear, dear Maister, gang tae him, and he'll 
 save ye, and mak' yer dying bed saft and pleasant." 
 
 Overcome with her emotion, she covered her face 
 with her apron and wept. 
 
 The lip of the physician curled, as he remarked, 
 haughtily, " For such as your master, there is no 
 need of this or any other atonement ; his good deeds 
 and blameless life will be a sufficient guarantee." 
 
 " Nae, sir, nae," she replied, " there is nane ither 
 name gi'en under heaven by which any of us can be 
 saved ; and, on a bed of death, ye'll find your strong 
 hold naething ; but, oh ! dear Maister, dinna listen 
 to such teachings." 
 
 " Time is waning, and my dissolution rapidly ap 
 proaching," said Mr. Robertson ; " I would be alone 
 with Lord Glennair for a short season." 
 
 The physician immediately arose ; Katy reluc-
 
 226 GLENNAIE. 
 
 tantly followed, casting an anxious glance toward 
 her master. The door was closed npon the two 
 friends. 
 
 " Take paper from that escritoire, Robert," he 
 said. " Pen and ink, quickly. A few more run 
 ning sands a few moments, and time will be no 
 longer with me. Robert, I am the most miserable, 
 wretched being that has ever trodden God's world." 
 
 " Say not so, Mungo ; your physical state has pro 
 duced this morbid feeling. Say not the most miser 
 able ; you leave a stainless name. Compare yourself 
 with Lincoln, and young Duncan Graeme ; their 
 blasted characters, their ignominious deaths." 
 
 A piercing shriek thrilled to the heart of the 
 Laird. " Pardon, my dear friend," he said, sooth 
 ingly. " I was rash in reverting to the sad reality ; 
 it has been too much for your sensitive and kindly 
 nature." 
 
 There was an effort to reply, but utterance failed ; 
 the quiver of the lip, and the shudder which passed 
 through the whole frame, alarmed the Laird, and 
 he was about recalling the physician, when, by a 
 strong effort, he seized his arm and pointed to the 
 desk. The materials for writing were obtained, and 
 the Laird again seated himself beside him. 
 
 " Robert," he at length said, in a low, deep, gut 
 tural tone that startled his friend, " do not hate, do 
 not execrate my very name. Bear in mind that I 
 shall be borne on the wings of time, to where the 
 pangs of conscience .will pierce this immortal frame, 
 immortal in sin, immortal in wretchedness, immor 
 tal in the home where the worm dieth not and the 
 fire of conscience is never quenched."
 
 GLENNAIR. 227 
 
 Again there was a fearful shriek. 
 
 Lord Grlennair started to his feet in terror, but 
 the close grasp of the hand forbade all call for aid. 
 
 " I was not always so, believe me, Robert," he con 
 tinued, after a short pause, " my downward course 
 was gradual ; success attended my first deed of vil- 
 lany ; would that I had been detected, and, in irons, 
 brought to repentance." 
 
 " Your mind is surely wandering, Mungo. Why 
 write bitter things against yourself? " 
 
 "Hold! Robert, interrupt me not. The mys 
 terious hand has appeared upon the wall, writing 
 bitter things against me. See," he exclaimed, as, 
 terror-stricken, he pointed upward, " it awaits me, 
 ready to seal my doom. Deed after deed was com 
 mitted until my coffers, filled to overflowing, per 
 mitted me to gratify the mad ambition of my proud 
 heart. I lavished recklessly, accumulating wealth, 
 not by patient industry, but by means from which 
 my whole nature at first revolted. 
 
 " Taken from the lap of luxury, my income would 
 hot suffice my wife's expensive habits." 
 
 " Are you mad, Mungo ? " inquired his friend 
 anxiously ; " or is this, indeed, sober reality ? " 
 
 " Reality," he repeated, while his brow knit as 
 though in the deepest thought. " Reality nay, it 
 has been a dream a nightmare a delusion, 
 from which I could awake, only to the conscious 
 ness of a mad career of wretchedness, of guilt, of 
 ruin." His voice rose as he proceeded "Of of 
 Robert!" he almost shrieked, "Lincoln is inno 
 cent guiltless Jam the offender against the laws
 
 228 GLENNAIE. 
 
 of God and man. _Z"and my two accomplices have 
 wrought all this ruin." 
 
 The paper fell from the hand of Lord Glennair, 
 and he iirmly grasped the bedpost for support. 
 "And Duncan, what of the dear young Graeme? " 
 he inquired, breathlessly. 
 
 " I had no part in that," he returned, quickly. 
 " The dark plot to ruin that guiltless youth was 
 laid during my absence. Through my name, they 
 obtained access to private apartments in the Bank. 
 I knew not, until the papers told of his arrest, that 
 his name had been implicated. ]N~o, oh ! no, Robert, 
 the one false accusation drove me almost to frenzy. 
 I was fully aware of the place of Hugh's resort, and 
 expended large sums in veiling the eyes of justice. 
 The officers would long since have effectually done 
 their work but for bribery ; and the master of the 
 Orion, in view of an ample reward, promised pro 
 tection. I have experienced what no tongue or pen 
 could portray during this trial. "Within the pre 
 cincts of the eternally lost, no soul has ever endured 
 a greater conflict of agonized feeling. Duty urged 
 its claim ; but the love of life and honor rose para 
 mount, and bore down all better feeling. But He 
 who sitteth in the heavens has hedged in my way, 
 and forced me to make restitution. Let the paper 
 at once be drawn out, which will place the innocent 
 in their true light." 
 
 O 
 
 "N"ay, Mungo, Neilson himself presented the 
 check to the order of Lincoln, with your forged 
 signature, and once again, to the same order : over 
 mine. How was this? how without immediate 
 detection ? "
 
 GLENNAIR. 229 
 
 " Robert ! Robert ! J, wretch that I was, person 
 ated Roger ; coarse clothes, artificial beard, broad 
 hat, passed among the unobserving. My accomplice 
 was " 
 
 " The chest ! the chest ! what of it and its con 
 tents ? " groaned the Laird. 
 
 "At midnight, we sank it where it stood, and, 
 always being on the committee of investigation, the 
 flags remained undisturbed, and the chest undis 
 covered." 
 
 "And that key ? " 
 
 " It was forgotten at the time ; it was subse 
 quently buried in the garden of Hugh Lincoln, by 
 my order." 
 
 With an effort almost superhuman, the trembling 
 hand of Lord Glennair noted every particular, and 
 invited two of the numerous friends who were in 
 the adjoining apartment, tendering their sympathy 
 and services to young Robertson, to bear their testi 
 mony as witnesses to the signature of the document. 
 Without glancing at its contents, they signed the 
 paper, and fearing to disturb the sufferer, silently 
 withdrew. 
 
 There was an unnatural wildness in the eye of 
 Mr. Robertson, as his head was again laid upon the 
 pillow, unnoticed by any, until the attention of the 
 Laird was arrested by a low, murmuring sound. 
 He turned, and saw a frenzied eye gazing upon 
 him. 
 
 " Did you place me in this burning fire, Traquair? 
 Call Benson. Wretches miscreants, do you desert 
 me in this hour of need ? You placed the papers 
 20
 
 GLENNAIR. 
 
 you know it. Oh ! for some water ; give me 
 water I will not betray you. Do not fear I am 
 honorable ha! ha! the soul of honor honor 
 honor let the Laird know your gone, gone, 
 gone ! " With a mighty effort, he sprang from the 
 bed, and fell heavily upon the floor. The loud call 
 for assistance alarmed the family. Young Robert 
 son rushed in, followed by the physician and several 
 friends. He was raised and laid upon the bed, in 
 a state of entire insensibility. 
 
 Lord Glennair, with feigned composure, left the 
 room, and with hurried step descended the stair 
 way, rushed from the house, nd throwing himself 
 into a seat of the carriage, ordered the man to drive 
 with all speed to the Court-House. The direction 
 was obeyed, and with a celerity that startled the 
 passers-by, they arrived within a few rods of the 
 building. There their speed was arrested by an 
 immense. concourse of people. The Laird, impatient 
 at the delay, sprang out, and with difficulty suc 
 ceeded in reaching the steps ; but a further advance 
 was impossible : a dense mass filled the house, ren 
 dering fruitless every effort to obtain an entrance. 
 
 " Make way ! " he shouted, unconscious of the 
 impracticability ; " make way, my friends ; it is ne 
 cessary it is of vital importance I should see the 
 Judge at once." 
 
 " Make way for the Laird ! " the crowd returned, 
 endeavoring to force a passage for him ; " my Laird 
 the Laird Glennair calls for admittance. "WT ye 
 nae mak room for the Laird ? " 
 
 " I must obtain an entrance," said the Laird, im-
 
 GLENNAIR. 231 
 
 patiently ; " I liave that will prove tlie innocence of 
 the prisoners." 
 
 " Wha' ! Of Lincoln and Maister Duncan ? " in 
 quired a dozen voices at once. 
 
 " The same the same," he replied, in a voice 
 choked with emotion. 
 
 For a moment a buzz only was heard, then a 
 " Lang life tae Maister Lincoln and young Maister 
 Graeme, and tae the Laird wi' the welcome news ! " 
 resounded through the building. " Lang life, lang 
 life ! " was continued by the multitude without. At 
 the same moment, Lord Glennair was lifted upon 
 the shoulders of those near him, and borne from 
 one to another, until he was placed in safety in the 
 circle of judges and members of the bar, who were 
 endeavoring to learn the meaning of the cheers, 
 and the din of confusion so suddenly bursting upon 
 them. 
 
 " My Lord Glennair," exclaimed Judge Scott, as 
 he noticed the unnatural excitement of his manner, 
 " have you tidings for us ? What means this wild 
 enthusiasm so impossible to quell ? Is there a res 
 cue contemplated ? or is there some further reve 
 lation?" 
 
 " Lincoln, Neilsou, and our boy, are as innocent 
 as ourselves," he replied, in a husky tone, throwing 
 the paper down before him, and rushing into a small 
 room, in which the prisoners were awaiting the dis 
 persal of the crowd. None noticed him ; NeilsonV 
 eye was riveted upon Mr. Lincoln, with the most 
 intense and absorbing interest, while a tear, stealing 
 silently down his weather-beaten cheek, showed a
 
 232 GLENNAIE. 
 
 conflict of emotion. Mr. Lincoln, his eyes cast upon 
 the floor, sat noticing nothing around him. The 
 arm of Duncan rested upon his father's knee, whose 
 face was hidden ; but the quiver of the whole frame 
 bore witness to the intensity of his agony. There 
 was a bewildered expression on the ghastly face of 
 the youth, as he looked from the agonized parent to 
 his brother Lochiel, who, in his wild delirium of 
 grief, had thrown himself upon the floor, embracing 
 the feet of his brother, and beseeching him to let 
 him die for him. 
 
 " What will life be without my Duncan, my bro 
 ther?" he moaned, piteously. "I will die with 
 you ! " he shrieked, starting to his feet. I will 
 
 The next moment, an arm encircled him, and he 
 was pressed to the bosom of Lord Glenn air. 
 
 " You will die for none, precious boy," he ex 
 claimed, as the tears streamed down his cheeks; "I 
 have joyful tidings ; the powers of darkness have 
 plotted the ruin of the best of men, and this dear 
 youth ; but all has been discovered, and the miser 
 able destroyer is now reaping the fruit of his own 
 doing." 
 
 The arms of Lochiel were thrown around him 
 with so firm a grasp, it was impossible to free him 
 self. 
 
 "An explanation, in mercy, Lord Glennair ! " ex 
 claimed Duncan, starting to his feet. 
 
 The hold of Lochiel was relinquished, as, with 
 breathless interest, he fastened his gaze upon the 
 Laird. 
 
 " Your entire innocence, and that of my dear and
 
 GLENN AIR. 233 
 
 early friend, has been clearly proved," he replied, 
 clasping warmly the hand of Mr. Lincoln. "And 
 Roger, your tried friend and companion through 
 these sore and heavy trials, is proved the same un 
 compromising, honest man we ever deemed him." 
 
 * The features of Neilson quivered with convulsive 
 emotion, a powerful effort was vainly made to 
 reply, but the head bowed, the frame of the strong 
 man was shaken, and a gush of feeling, long pent 
 up, now burst forth unrestrainedly. None inter 
 posed to calm the torrent, which continued but a 
 short season, then passed away, and the bright and 
 joyous face of Roger Neilson might be likened to 
 the rays of the glorious sun, as they appear after a 
 storm, scattering the dense masses of clouds that 
 intercepted them from view. 
 
 Duncan threw himself upon his knees before his 
 father, saying, " Your blessing, dearest father ; a 
 restoration to your confidence is more than life it 
 self: the anguish of the felt separation was worse 
 than the pangs of death." The trembling hand was 
 immediately laid upon his brow. 
 
 " My beloved, my stricken one," he murmured, 
 "may the Great Shepherd overshadow thee, and 
 may he shield my child from future injury, and lay 
 up for him a crown imperishable, where no enemy 
 can tarnish his fair fame, where no tear can ever 
 enter,- and no rough wind assail his gentle nature." 
 
 Tears fell heavily, and arrested the voice of Mr. 
 Graeme ; all wept no dry eye was there, save that 
 of Mr. Lincoln: .his manner had betrayed no emo 
 tion. As Mr. Graeme finished speaking, he arose, 
 20*
 
 234 GLENNAIE. 
 
 and in a calm, collected voice, said, " Let us bow 
 the knee and heart to our Great Deliverer." 
 
 The warm, fervent petition breathed forth, calmed 
 every Christian spirit, and stilled every conflicting 
 emotion. It told of one purified in the furnace of 
 affliction, sorely tried, yet entirely submissive to the 
 will of his Redeemer. 
 
 As they arose, Judge Scott entered. The low, 
 heartfelt, " God be praised," as he clasped the hand 
 of his Pastor, spoke more than many words of grat- 
 ulation. 
 
 "Dear Amy, dear Edith!" exclaimed Lochiel, 
 advancing hastily toward the door, " I must carry 
 the tidings. Such tidings ! " he murmured, clasp 
 ing his hands in ecstasy. " Will I go, father ? 
 "Will I, Duncan ? Am I in a dream ? " he said, lay 
 ing his hand upon the arm of Lord Glennair ; " is it 
 a vision from which I shall awake to some dread 
 reality ? " 
 
 " ISTo, no, my darling boy," he replied, gently ; 
 " but no wonder you are in a maze of bewilderment. 
 Await us a few moments, Lochiel, and, in person, 
 the loved ones will proclaim the blessed tidings at 
 the Graeme and Cameron hearthstones." 
 
 " The officers have succeeded in dispersing the 
 crowd sufficiently to enable you to leave the place 
 without difficulty," the Judge remarked. 
 
 " What meant those groans and hissings, imme 
 diately succeeding the loud gratulations ? " inquired 
 the Laird. 
 
 " Occasioned by my indiscretion. I, of course, 
 read the confession aloud, being anxious at once to
 
 GLENN A IE. 235 
 
 place our injured friends in their proper position ; 
 but the name of the author of this vile machination 
 go astonished me, that I, with an involuntary excla 
 mation, mentioned it, and produced the manifesta 
 tion of the revulsion of feeling which met your ears. 
 The carriages are in waiting, gentlemen." 
 
 Mr. Lincoln arose ; the arm of Judge Scott was 
 immediately extended, to support his feeble steps. 
 Lord Glemiair accompanied them. Roger Neilson 
 walked beside his Pastor. The arm of Lochiel was 
 closely linked in that of his brother. Percy D unbar 
 sprang forward ; but a warm pressure of Duncan's 
 hand, as warmly returned, was the only greeting. 
 
 A low murmur arose as they appeared, which 
 was as suddenly repressed, and there was perfect 
 silence, as every cap was lifted, in attestation of 
 respect. Many of the members of the bar came 
 forward to greet them ; but the bowed head of Mr. 
 Lincoln withheld them. No word passed as they 
 pressed through the crowd to the carriages. The 
 elders of the party, with himself, entered the car 
 riage of Lord Glennair. Percy, with Duncan and 
 Lochiel, followed. A long train of vehicles, filled 
 with friends and strangers, to testify their sympa 
 thy, accompanied them to the door of the manse. 
 
 The carriage-doors were scarcely closed upon 
 them, ere the multitude burst forth in loud and 
 cheering peals, hundreds of voices simultaneously 
 shouting, " Tae the manse ! tae the manse ! " There 
 was a general rush in that direction. 
 
 " Lang life tae all the house o' Graeme, Lincoln, 
 and Neilson ! and mony blessings on the head o' our 
 ain Laird ! " was echoed from every quarter.
 
 236 GLENNAIE. 
 
 " To the manse," to that hopeless circle mourn 
 ing despairingly. The few there had clustered in 
 an inner chamber to await the heavy tidings of the 
 doom they dared not hope would be averted. Lit 
 tle Helen was clinging to " dear sister," who had 
 folded her in her arms ; Amy, the gentle Amy, was 
 kneeling upon the floor, her head buried in the lap 
 of Mrs. Cameron, whose own grief was too intense 
 to oft'er one word of consolation. In the heart of 
 Amy was hidden a doubt of their innocence she 
 vainly attempted to resist ; the dreadful thought 
 there" it was harbored, and would rise before her in 
 all its blackness. Kathleen and Margaritte were 
 there, with clasped hands and bowed heads, silent in 
 their wretchedness. Dr. McMillan was there ; the 
 glance of Amy toward the clock told him the tick 
 was unendurable ; he touched the pendulum, and all 
 was still. In quiet expectancy they waited, dread 
 ing the sound of the muffled toll of the court-house 
 bell, telling to the distracted survivors that sentence 
 of death had been pronounced. A stifled sob or 
 groan would occasion an anxious look from the Doc 
 tor, yet he would but change his position ; he could 
 not "minister to the mind diseased." "When Amy, 
 completely overwhelmed, with a withering cry of 
 anguish, threw herself upon the floor, he gave way 
 and burst into tears ; raising her upon the sofa, he 
 falteringly besought her to be composed. 
 
 Clasping her hands wildly together, she exclaimed, 
 " Have you not one word of comfort, James ? Oh ! 
 no," she murmured, dropping her head again into 
 the lap of Mrs. Cameron ; " none, none can save."
 
 GLENNAIE. 237 
 
 " Tlie Lord reigns, Amy, dearest Amy," he ejacu 
 lated. " Is it not written, ' the Lord God Omnipotent 
 reigneth ' ? " 
 
 An " amen " groaned from the recesses of the 
 heart of Mrs. Cameron, and all was once again still, 
 and for several hours the stillness was unbroken. 
 
 The first peal of the great bell vibrated upon every 
 nerve. In quick succession, stroke after stroke fell 
 upon the ears of the sufferers. 
 
 " It is nae the soun' of a boun' clapper, Doctor 
 James," shouted Kathleen, springing to her feet, 
 " and mair than the ane is pealing." 
 
 The Doctor heard her not, for he had thrown 
 open the casement, and was breathlessly listening. 
 " Hearken tae the clamor i' the distance," again 
 cried Kathleen, rushing after Margaritte to the front 
 of the house. 
 
 Edith stood transfixed, pressing her hands upon 
 her throbbing temples. Amy clung, trembling 
 with hope, to the Doctor's arm. Helen had followed 
 the servants, who were, from the door, endeavoring 
 to look far away into the distance, whence the din 
 proceeded. 
 
 " What ! oh, what if we are yet disappointed ! " 
 murmured Edith, suffering herself to be led to the 
 window. 
 
 " The joyous peal of that bell tokens no disap 
 pointment, my darling," said her aunt. " Shall we 
 go to the front chamber, Doctor ? " 
 
 " I would advise not, Mrs. Cameron ; the excite 
 ment is sufficient here for you, for us all. Amy is 
 trembling as an aspen now, and Edith too ; try to be
 
 238 GLENNAIR. 
 
 tranquil. Is not the balmy spring breeze refreshing ? " 
 lie said, compassionately. 
 
 " The Laird of Glennair's carriage is turning the 
 Hedge ! " Margaritte shouted from the foot of the 
 stairs, " and Maister Lochiel is waving his kerchief 
 high in the air." This announcement was scarcely 
 made, when little Helen burst into the apartment 
 clapping her hands and exclaiming, " They are 
 coming ! they are coming ! I saw Uncle Hugh, I 
 saw Mr. Duncan, I saw Norval, sister, mother ; they 
 are coming they are here ! " 
 
 " Duncan ! " gasped Amy, throwing herself into 
 her brother's arms. 
 
 " Father ! oh, my father ! " Edith murmured. 
 
 " My daughter, my treasure," responded Mr. Lin 
 coln, folding her to his heart and kissing her repeat 
 edly. 
 
 As Mr. Graeme and Lochiel entered, Dr. McMil 
 lan, without being observed, glided out of the room, 
 saying softly to the latter, " Draw the bolt to pre 
 vent intrusion. / will attend to the Laird and the 
 Neilsons." 
 
 Cordial, indeed, was the greeting of the Doctor 
 and his old friends. " It is sae lang syne I hae slept, 
 Doctor," said Mr. ISTeilson, " or I would trow it a' 
 a dream, the transition was si sudden. It *seems 
 mair like tae a waking nightmare. Some fearfu' 
 developments hae been made, nae doubt. The Laird 
 o' Glennair kens the whole matter." 
 
 " And would be glad to blot it all from his re 
 membrance, now you are acquitted, Roger," was the 
 reply. " There have been, verily, fearfully gloomy 
 d<?\*'lopments."
 
 GLENNAIE. 239 
 
 " The name of Robertson I clearly distinguished 
 among the cheers of the throng," rejoined the Doc 
 tor. " I suppose he has ferreted out the author of 
 the, calumny, and it is a demonstration of their in 
 debtedness to our worthy President." 
 
 " Oh ! no, no ! " Lord Glennair ejaculated. " His 
 name escaped in the court-house inadvertently. Rob 
 ertson has betrayed the author of all this infamy ; 
 has confessed himself the felon, the diabolical perpe 
 trator of the fraud, the false accuser of our much 
 injured friends and relatives. Let wrath, let ven 
 geance be stayed ; Mungo Robertson is a dying 
 man ! " 
 
 " "Was he alone, my Laird, in this dark plot ? " 
 asked the Doctor, " or what accomplices did he name 
 in this amazing revelation ? " 
 
 " Astounding, almost beyond credence, Doctor ; 
 from his own lips I have his confession ; no names 
 shall pass mine, voluntarily." 
 
 Lochiel appeared with a request 'from his father 
 that the Doctor and his friends would meet them in 
 the sitting-room, whither the family had repaired, 
 leaving Mr. Lincoln, suffering from exhaustion, lying 
 upon the bed in the chamber. 
 
 " Dear Edith is nestled beside him," he observed, 
 smiling through his tears, "with an arm closely 
 encircling him, as though she feared another separa 
 tion." 
 
 " Hark ! " exclaimed the Laird, " there is evi 
 dently a revulsion of feeling among the multitude. 
 Until this moment, the voice of exultation alone 
 filled the air, now listen ! " Lord Glennair turned
 
 240 GLENNAIR. 
 
 to the window. " Yes, they have assumed a threat 
 ening tone." 
 
 A low murmur arose ; then, as though one mind 
 swayed the mighty mass, there was a general shout 
 of " Down wi' him ! down, down ! " and a general 
 rush in the direction of the dwelling of the Presi 
 dent. The officers slowly followed, led by McFin, 
 on whose countenance might be seen a smile very 
 like that of gratification. 
 
 " Percy," said the Laird, seizing his hat, " we 
 must be upon the ground at once ; our presence may 
 tend to allay the tumult. See, the roads are entirely 
 deserted, and not a sound, save that buzz in the dis 
 tance, that portends much that is evil." 
 
 Percy sprang into the carriage ; Lord Glennair 
 followed, giving orders to drive immediately to the 
 house of Mr. Robertson. 
 
 There, what a scene awaited them ! The mad 
 passions of the populace were roused to frenzy ; 
 the glass of every casement in the upper stories was 
 shivered, and the continued cries and execrations 
 were fearful. 
 
 " Strenuous measures must be taken to quell these 
 rioters," Lord Glennair remarked to a number of 
 gentlemen who stood calmly looking on, evidently 
 pleased observers of the whole transaction. "The 
 military shall be summoned, rather than permit such 
 shameful violence." 
 
 Through the exertions of Lord Glennair and his 
 son, a strong police force was brought upon the field, 
 but it was not until much damage was effected that 
 the assailants were compelled to desist.
 
 GLENN AIR, 241 
 
 A large reward was offered on the following day 
 for the ringleaders of this disgraceful riot, but no 
 informant appeared, where the many would be in 
 volved, who doubtless, in their sober moments, sin 
 cerely regretted the part they had borne in weaken 
 ing the law T s and casting a stigma upon their much- 
 loved isle. It was a moment of excitement, a moment 
 when the passions are aroused, and, as a writer justly 
 remarks, a moment when a vessel might as well ven 
 ture upon a tempestuous ocean, as to attempt to guide 
 the helm of reason. 
 
 A few days succeeding the riot, great was the 
 amazement of Lord Glennair when the report was 
 brought him that the house of the President was 
 vacated. Whither the occupants had fled, none 
 could ever devise ; but the possibility crossed the 
 mind of the Laird that the spirit of the unhappy 
 man had departed, and his friends, dreading a repe 
 tition of the tumult, had anticipated the dawn in 
 conveying him to a silent resting-place. 
 
 " Miserable being ! " he murmured, as he bent his 
 steps to the house of Mr. Lincoln, where, beside his 
 couch, he now loved to linger, " he has gone to his 
 own place, mingling with those of kindred spirit. 
 What a deed, blasting the fair fame of such an one 
 as Hugh Lincoln ! A retributive Providence must 
 surely follow, and he is reaping the just reward of 
 his guilt." A hand was laid upon his arm. He 
 turned quickly. A young man, apparently in the 
 humbler walks of life, stood before him ; a mass of 
 sandy hair covered an unusually low forehead, and 
 had been permitted to grow upon the lip and chin 
 21 Q
 
 GLENNAIE. 
 
 until it reached the chest. ' His countenance ex 
 pressed the utmost wretchedness. The name of the 
 Laird was pronounced in the lowest tone. 
 
 " Have you business with me, my friend ? " he in 
 quired. 
 
 " Of vital importance," he returned huskily ; " I 
 bear a request from the dying." 
 
 The voice was perfectly familiar ; the truth flashed 
 upon him. Robertson was still alive, and his son 
 addressed him. 
 
 " Is not this Macintosh ? " the Laird inquired, 
 kindly. 
 
 " Even so," was the reply ; " but, o"h 1 delay not, 
 Lord Glennair ; my father is in a state bordering on 
 distraction. The daily papers have met the eye of 
 my mother, and a letter has just been received 
 stating that she and sister will return to us without 
 delay. She writes in a state of great excitement, 
 and discredits every evil report, which alas! 
 alas ! " The sentence was left unfinished, a deadly 
 paleness overspread the face of the unhappy youth, 
 as he inquired, 
 
 " Shall I conduct you to my father, Laird? " 
 
 " It grieves me to add a tittle to your heavy load 
 of sorrow, my dear boy," returned the Laird, " but 
 I cannot accede to this request. I desire to erase his 
 name forever from my remembrance." 
 
 " Oh ! refuse me not, Laird," exclaimed the ago 
 nized youth, " I cannot return alone ; further reve 
 lation he desires to make that will partially relieve 
 his burdened spirit. Can you not will you not, 
 for my sake, grant my request ? "
 
 GLENNAIR. 243 
 
 " Though my heart bleeds for you, dear Macintosh, 
 even for your sake, I could not comply ; but if there 
 are communications in regard to my dear, injured 
 friends, duty plainly points my course. Lead the 
 way, my son, I will follow." 
 
 " The path points to a lowly tenement, Laird, the 
 home of a friend of Katy's. Gratefully we sought 
 its shelter on that eventful night when the excited 
 multitude had retired, and our own friends and domes 
 tics had fled, in. turn, from our dwelling. Borne by 
 his faithful nurse and myself, he now lies concealed 
 in an upper story there." 
 
 He ceased speaking, and the Laird, gently placing 
 his arm within the youth's, silently proceeded with 
 him. No word of consolation was offered none 
 could be found ; but the kind look, the sympathizing 
 manner, struck a chord untouched since his father's 
 downfall. He wept. 
 
 " The horrors of that day and night," he said, 
 "beggar description ; our house suddenly surrounded, 
 
 the fiend-like cries of an infuriated mob, the win- 
 
 * ' 
 
 dows crushed to atoms, and missiles hurled even to 
 the very couch of my dying father ! With the as 
 sistance of Katy, I carried him to the lower story, 
 where the closed windows afforded him temporary 
 protection. There, in that room, from my father's 
 own lips, I first learned the history of of his of 
 my of our family's dishonor ; the tidings fell upon 
 my scorched brain with withering power. Despair 
 had set its seal upon me, and my senses would surely 
 have forsaken me had not our extremity forced im 
 mediate action. At two in the morning we bore 
 him totally unconscious, to this abode."
 
 244 GLENNAIE. 
 
 They stopped before a cluster of small frame tene 
 ments on the borders of the town. " The inmates 
 of the house suppose a female invalid and her son 
 are here," he whispered, as he led the way up a 
 narrow winding staircase. Lord Glennair followed. 
 A door was opened by young Robertson, leading into 
 an apartment of small dimensions, lighted by a sin 
 gle four-paned window. In one corner, on a straw- 
 bed raised upon a cot, lay the wretched sufferer. 
 The flushed cheek and unnatural lustre of the eye, 
 told of burning fever. His nurse, her eyes swollen 
 with weeping, sat beside him. 
 
 There was a kind response to her heartfelt " God 
 bless ye," as she arose and retired to a corner of the 
 room. Lord Glennair stood silently awaiting a re 
 cognition ; no kindly hand was extended, no word 
 of sympathy proffered. 
 
 His son leaned over him, and laid his hand upon 
 his burning brow. "Father," he whispered, "Lord 
 Glennair is here ; shall Katy and I withdraw ? " 
 
 " !N"ae, nae ; leave me not again, my son, my in 
 jured, my ruined Macintosh," he replied, with a 
 convulsive grasp of his hand, " until this throbbing 
 pulse ceases to beat, and my spirit has passed into 
 that that abode of the cursed," he whisperingly 
 added, " of which I am now experiencing so bitter 
 a foretaste." 
 
 " Say not so, dearest father," he replied, while 
 his tears bedewed his parent's cheek. " Katy will 
 tell you of a better land of sins forgiven of a 
 Saviour's love. Would that I also could point you 
 to a happy home ; but alas ! alas 1 I realize it not."
 
 GLENNAIR. 245 
 
 The face of Lord Glennair was averted, and a 
 tear hastily brushed away. 
 
 " From my soul I thank you for this visit, Lord 
 Glennair," he said, glancing toward him ; but his 
 eye fell as the -stern, uncompromising countenance 
 met his view. 
 
 "Reserve your thanks for those who merit them," 
 he returned, coldly ; " an earnest desire alone to 
 serve my deeply injured friend has brought me 
 here." 
 
 A deeper crimson mantled his cheek as he replied, 
 "And ardently do I long to make the utmost resti 
 tution in my power, consistently with my duty to 
 those implicated with me." 
 
 " In your wanderings, the names of Traquair and 
 Benson" were betrayed ; but Traquair has fled, and 
 escaped the arm of justice, which he was aware 
 would fall heavily upon him. Information respect 
 ing him can no longer affect his safety. Who placed 
 the papers in the dwelling of Hugh Lincoln ? " 
 
 " Benson, who could feign any hand, lured by the 
 love of gold, forged them ; hatred to the house of 
 Lincoln burned in the heart of Traquair. He aspired 
 to the hand of Edith, and was disdainfully rejected. 
 From that hour he breathed revenge. I therefore 
 found in him a fitting tool for my nefarious pur 
 poses. In regard to Duncan, I am innocent. On 
 the night of my return, when I bitterly upbraided 
 Traquair for this wicked and useless step, he con 
 fessed that rather than see Duncan the preferred 
 suitor of the daughter of Hugh Lincoln, he would 
 bring him to the gallows. His heart was perfectly 
 
 21 *
 
 246 GLENXAIR. 
 
 callous to any impression. "With a demoniac smile, 
 he left me, saying, 'I am only an apt scholar, trained 
 in the school of Mungo Robertson.' ' 
 
 " Miserable villain," murmured the Laird ; " apt 
 pupil, indeed, for such vile purposes." 
 
 " Robert, I deserve it all. I richly merit your 
 heaviest anathemas ; but," he added, extending his 
 burning hand, " can you not view me as on the 
 verge of a dread eternity ? Can you not bestow one 
 drop of water to cool this parched tongue ? I sue 
 for your forgiveness ; say, at least, you pity my 
 condition take but this hand kindly, as of old. 
 I could then more calmly face death, with all its 
 terrors." 
 
 The hand of Lord Glennair still rested upon his 
 knee. Without the slightest relaxation of that 
 stern expression, he returned slowly, in an almost 
 whisper, "Had the demon's voice been permitted to 
 speak but once within you, there might have been 
 some palliation ; but a succession of acts, cold, de 
 liberate, each transcending the former in its iniqui 
 tous conception may God forgive /cannot." 
 
 The face of Mr. Robertson was in a moment con 
 cealed from view ; his son walked to the window. 
 Lord Glennair arose, and beckoning Katy, placed in 
 her hand a purse of gold, containing a sum far more 
 than equivalent to their present exigencies ; and 
 hastily descending the stairway, immediately re 
 turned to his own library, where a careful note was 
 made of the information given, and he then retraced 
 his way to the sick-bed of Mr. Lincoln.
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 " From jeopardy redeemed, 
 
 As from the lion's mouth, 
 Mercy and truth uphold our life, 
 And safety guards our path." 
 
 IT was the Sabbath; all nature was clothed in 
 gladness, and the grateful hearts of the inmates 
 of the Manse and Thistle Hedge beat responsive to 
 nature's call. Passing strange had been the events 
 of the preceding week, ushered in by throes of the 
 most poignant anguish, of intensity of agony, fol 
 lowed by dread suspense, that stilled the life-blood 
 in its course, and, as though all nature were ar 
 rested, heard naught, saw naught, until the truth, 
 the certainty of what they dared not hope, burst 
 upon them, robing life in its loveliest hues, and pro 
 ducing unmingled happiness in the bosoms of those 
 so lately bowed with sorrow. For miles around, 
 friends and strangers, by words and letters of sym 
 pathy, testified their regard, and, by every demon 
 stration of respect, endeavored to atone for their 
 late distrust (so unmerited) of those on whom 
 it fell so heavily. But the day of rest had arrived, 
 and not a sound was to be distinguished, save the 
 footfall of those who were hastening to the house 
 of God. The excitement being not yet allayed in 
 the bosom of the multitude, Mr. Graeme declined 
 filling his pulpit until the following Sabbath. At 
 
 247
 
 248 GLENNAIR. 
 
 the request of Mr. Lincoln, who was still languid, 
 and unable to leave his couch, the two families were 
 assembled in the drawing-room at Thistle Hedge. 
 Lord Glennair and Dr. McMillan were there ; Roger, 
 ISTorval, and Allan were present also. 
 
 " We will set apart this day to praise and thanks 
 giving," said Mr. Lincoln. " Lochiel, does not your 
 heart beat in unison with this proposal ? " 
 
 " Truly," he replied, as his dark eyes beamed with 
 gladness, " I would praise Him on the harp, I would 
 praise Him on the psaltery, I would praise Him for 
 ever for all his goodness." 
 
 " But the Lord will have mercy as well as sacri 
 fice," interposed his father ; " can you not say, ' Fa 
 ther, forgive him who has so sorely bruised us '? " 
 
 The brow of the youth clouded. " That is too 
 much to demand of me, father," he returned. " Nay, 
 could that rock before us be loosened from its founda 
 tion, fain would I see him crushed beneath its ruin." 
 
 " Only as we forgive our debtors, haVe we the 
 promise of the great I AM, that our sins shall be 
 remembered no more against us" said Mr. Graeme, 
 sadly, " and if we regard iniquity in our hearts, 
 the Lord will not listen to our supplications, my son." 
 
 Lochiel was silent. 
 
 " Your test is beyond human nature," Lord Glen 
 nair remarked to Mr. Graeme. " Lochiel's feeling, 
 
 O ~ 
 
 in my view, is both natural and commendable. It 
 manifests his strong sympathy with those who have 
 been so unjustly treated, and a proper appreciation 
 of its author." 
 
 " Natural, truly, Laird ; but grace will prevail
 
 GLENNAIE. 
 
 against nature. Did not our great Exemplar plead 
 forgiveness for those who nailed him to the accursed 
 tree?" 
 
 " Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord," rejoined Mr. 
 Lincoln, " and He has shown himself the avenger 
 here. In viewing the past, present, or future, is 
 there an outlet of hope in the bosom of the unhappy 
 man ? Let us first ask for forgiving spirits, and 
 offer a prayer for Mungo Robertson, ere we render 
 praise and thanksgiving for our many and wonder 
 ful mercies. Roger, will you follow Mr. Graeme in 
 prayer ? " 
 
 There was a hesitation on the part of ^feilson. " I 
 fear I hae nae quite forgiven, Maister Lincoln. For 
 mysel', I hae nae an ill thought toward him, but for 
 ye and Maister Duncan I canna trust my ain heart. 
 The Lord forgive me ; I will pray him tae gie me a 
 better mind." 
 
 The petitions offered were heartfelt and touching ; 
 those of ISTeilson clothed with humility, mourning 
 his unforgiving, sinful spirit, and pleading that all 
 present might be endued with power to forgive as 
 they hoped to be forgiven. Songs of praise, and 
 the thank-offerings of the heart that followed, 
 showed there was intercession made in Heaven, and 
 unforgiving spirits were cleansed by the blood of 
 atonement, and their sins forgiven even as they 
 heartily forgave. 
 
 " I have learned a lesson this day," Lord Glenuair 
 remarked, as he warmly shook the hand of Mr. 
 Graeme at parting. " Although baptized in infancy, 
 and partaking, for many years, of the emblems of
 
 250 GLENNAIR. 
 
 the Saviour's love, I, this morning, for the first time, 
 was awakened to a sense of the vitality of religion. 
 I am resolved to seek the truth. Pray that I may 
 find it, Mr. Graeme." 
 
 " The Lord make you a burning and shining light," 
 ejaculated his Pastor.. 
 
 Taking his hat, Mr. Graeme rejoined him, as he 
 pursued his way toward the castle. " Are you 
 pledged, Laird," he inquired, " to withhold from all, 
 the place of Mungo Robertson's retreat ? " 
 
 "]STot pledged but, under his present circum 
 stances, I would not willingly expose him to the rigor 
 of the law ; he will shortly appear before another 
 than a human tribunal." 
 
 " / desire to point him to mercy's path, that he 
 may fling back the sword of justice, and take shel 
 ter under the mercy-seat." 
 
 "]STo! not you! so injured so aggrieved. "Would 
 you indeed, in person, offer consolation to one who 
 has so recklessly so " 
 
 " Stay, my Laird ; recount not his misdeeds. In 
 the stillness of the night , my wakeful hours have 
 been passed in the mighty struggle to overcome my 
 natural feeling, to forgive, pity, and even sorrow, 
 over the miserable condition of one on the borders 
 of an eternity of wretchedness. Should I not stretch 
 forth a hand to save ? Should not a word of coun 
 sel be offered, or a warning given, ere the doom of 
 that spirit is sealed forever ? " 
 
 " Your high resolve is godlike, Mr. Graeme," re 
 turned Lord Glennair, solemnly, " and whatever be 
 the success of your mission, a blessing will redound
 
 GLENNAIR. 251 
 
 upon your own head. I will conduct you to his 
 abode." 
 
 In silence they proceeded for some time, when 
 the Laird, beckoning Mr. Graeme to follow, ascended 
 the narrow stairway, and, pointing to the door, 
 whispered, " May God speed you," and immediately 
 disappeared. 
 
 Mr. Graeme's gentle tap was unanswered ; slowly 
 and quietly opening the door, he entered. Young 
 Kobertson was sitting beside his father, his head 
 bent upon his hand, apparently in ' deep thought. 
 Mr. Robertson was sleeping, but the countenance 
 manifested no repose, and his sunken eye and ghastly 
 appearance told of a depth of sorrow. 
 
 At a sudden exclamation from the old nurse, the 
 youth started, and casting a look of the utmost an 
 guish upon Mr. Graeme, threw himself at his feet, 
 exclaiming, " Spare, oh spare, my poor, my unhappy 
 father. Let not justice overtake him. Let not " 
 
 '-' Let me assure you, my child," Mr. Graeme re 
 turned, soothingly, " I would not add one drop to 
 your cup of affliction, already overflowing." 
 
 " Yes, yes," he replied mournfully, " this is to 
 me a world of bitter sorrow." 
 
 " Let me point you to a home where sorrow can 
 never enter, and where all tears are wiped away." 
 
 The sound of voices breaking in upon the still 
 ness of the apartment, aroused the invalid. Looking 
 fearfully around, he murmured the name of Macin 
 tosh. In a moment, he was leaning over his father. 
 
 " Is all over, my son ? " he inquired, in a low, 
 tremulous tone. Mr. Graeme advanced to the bed 
 side.
 
 252 GLENNAIK. 
 
 "Alas ! alas ! " he moaned, "I have forfeited all 
 claim to pity ; must I, oh ! must I be held up to the 
 gaze of an incensed multitude ? " 
 
 " No, no, dear father !" exclaimed his son, throw 
 ing himself in agony upon him ; " they must ? they 
 will regard your condition. If not if they are 
 callous to your sufferings, I will die with you: they 
 cannot separate us." 
 
 " I have sought no commission from a human 
 tribunal," interposed Mr. Graeme. " I have come 
 as an ambassador from the great I AM, to offer full 
 and free salvation. Believe on the Lord Jesus 
 Christ, and thou shalt be saved." 
 
 Young Robertson threw himself upon his knees, 
 and buried his face in his father's pillow. 
 
 There was a look of speechless gratitude as the 
 unhappy man laid his trembling hand upon that of 
 the minister. Mr. Graeme's was not withdrawn as 
 he continued : 
 
 " I would not be misunderstood, Mungo Robert- 
 eon. I came not to palliate crime crimes of the 
 deepest dye ; but I bring an offer of peace and par 
 don, even for sin, of which the penalty of our law is 
 death. But Jesus is ready to forgive ; he is wait 
 ing ; he is saying, ' Come unto me, all ye that labor 
 and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 
 Knock, and it shall be opened ; seek, and ye shall 
 find.' " 
 
 " Words of peace from your lips," replied Mr. 
 Robertson, as the big tears rolled down his face, 
 " speak only torture to my burdened spirit. Up 
 braiding I could endure. Can you, indeed, permit
 
 GLENNAIR. 253 
 
 my hand to rest within your own, and say that you 
 forgive ? " 
 
 " Fully and freely," was the reply ; " and let us 
 plead forgiveness at the bar of Him with whom the 
 fervent, effectual prayer availeth much." 
 
 " Effectual," he murmured ; ." effectual no, no, 
 there is nothing will avail ; within my bosom there 
 is a fearful looking-for of judgment and fiery indig 
 nation. The heavens are as brass over me. I have 
 sinned away my day of grace forever, forever. 1 
 will in vain call upon the rocks to cover me from 
 the wrath of my offended Saviour and my God." 
 
 " Our Lord God, merciful and gracious," returned 
 Mr. Graeme, " is slow to anger, and plenteous in 
 mercy. Jesus is the mediator, the daysman, that 
 lays his hand upon both ; by his stripes all, even the 
 most atrocious sinner, may be healed ; those who 
 nailed him to ~the cross might have had even that 
 crowning guilt washed from their consciences, and 
 their robes made white in the blood of the Lamb." 
 
 " They sinned in ignorance ; /, in the face of the 
 highest privileges. My now sainted mother's pray 
 ers and counsel were set at nought by my mad am 
 bition and thirst for gold. There is a sin unto 
 death death eternal. Pray not for me, Mr. 
 Graeme, my destiny is fixed sealed by my own 
 dark deeds." His chest heaved convulsively. 
 
 There was deep sympathy upon the countenance 
 of Mr. Graeme, but he replied not. 
 
 Mr. Robertson continued: "Let me tender to you 
 my warmest, heartfelt gratitude for your sympathy, 
 22
 
 254 GLENNAIR. 
 
 so unprecedented, so like your Master whom you 
 serve so faithfully." 
 
 "And can you believe that I more freely pardon 
 than my Master ? " 
 
 " The Judge of all the earth pierces to the inner 
 most recesses of my heart ; He has implanted there 
 remorse remorse that will scorch and wither in 
 this bosom until "Would that the future could 
 be computed." 
 
 "Father, father," whispered young Robertson, 
 "would you madden your only son your Macin 
 tosh?" " 
 
 " My ruined, my unfortunate boy " 
 
 Suddenly a murmuring sound was heard beneath 
 the window, and the name of Mungo Robertson 
 pronounced, mingled with threats." 
 
 " The infuriated rabble are again upon us," ex 
 claimed young Robertson, springing toward the 
 window. 
 
 Mr. Graeme, forcibly drawing him back, threw it 
 open, and inquired the occasion of this unwarrant~ 
 able violation of the quiet of the Sabbath. 
 
 A number of young men from the best families 
 of the place had assembled, and were narrowly sur 
 veying the premises. They started with surprise at 
 seeing the well-known face of their minister. One, 
 apparently the leader, came forward, and respect 
 fully raising his cap, expressed his regret that they 
 should so unwittingly have interrupted him while 
 engaged in his parochial duties, and assured him 
 they would at once retire. 
 
 " We were searching for the worst, and found
 
 QLENNAIR. 255 
 
 the very best man in Scotland," one of the party 
 remarked pleasantly to his friend as they slowly 
 retreated. 
 
 " Shame, shame, young gentlemen," called Mr. 
 Graeme ; " shall our law be infringed by those who 
 ought to be its firm supporters ? " 
 
 " We only wish to aid in enforcing them," the 
 first speaker replied. " We intended bearing Rob 
 ertson, unharmed, to where he would obtain ample 
 justice of the very nature we desire for him." 
 
 There was a general laugh at this sally, and the 
 whole party, raising their hats in token of their re 
 spect for Mr. Graeme, quietly dispersed. 
 
 The casement was again closed, and Mr. Graeme 
 returned to the bedside. The face of Mr. Robert 
 son was blanched with terror. There was determi 
 nation written upon the lip of the young man, but 
 the despairing eye that met that of Mr. Graeme 
 was an instant call upon the sympathy of the kind- 
 hearted minister. 
 
 "Suspicion is lulled," he remarked kindly to him; 
 " you are for the present perfectly secure in this 
 retreat." 
 
 "There will be a struggle to the death," he 
 returned, almost fiercely, "ere they accomplish their 
 object." 
 
 " They purposed no physical injury, my son." 
 
 "The countenance of Mungo MacAlpin should 
 scarcely be given to such a mission," he replied, bit 
 terly ; " he who was named for my father, and my 
 dearest friend. He should at least remember, if he 
 has forgotten all things else, that I have a nature 
 equally sensitive with his own."
 
 256 GLENNAIR. 
 
 " The powerful excitement of the present moment 
 casts a dark shadow over the past, Macintosh," re 
 turned the Pastor. 
 
 " But yesterday he was my warmest friend ; the 
 same hour gave us birth, and, ten days since, we 
 celebrated its seventeenth return, at his father's 
 dwelling. ~Now, -how changed a deadly foe the 
 leader of a gang to accelerate our ruin. It is base," 
 he continued, striking his clenched hand heavily 
 upon his knee "heartless, cruel yea, fiendish. 
 Would that I could have been saved a knowledge of 
 his perfidy ! " 
 
 Although spoken in the lowest tone, the last word 
 reached the ear of his father. 
 
 " Perfidy,'' he repeated sadly ; " yes, perfidy of the 
 deepest dye." 
 
 In a moment the cheek of the son was closely laid 
 beside his father's. " Did I disturb you, dear father ? " 
 he inquired. 
 
 " Those who guide the helm will soon steer her 
 into port," he remarked wildly, without noticing the 
 question. " Make arrangements for their reception, 
 my son carefully, carefully." 
 
 " They shall be made, dear father ; give yourself 
 no uneasiness." 
 
 " There ! " he continued, raising himself as though 
 in the attitude of listening, " their step is upon the 
 stairway. Has the chamber been aired properly for 
 Agnes ? Let Katy see to it. The rooms are dark, 
 dreary. Open wide the casements breath breath. 
 Agnes is dying struggling for breath. Quick! 
 quick! give her air."
 
 GLENNAIE. 257 
 
 " These paroxysms are of frequent recurrence, but 
 pass after a brief interval," his son remarked. " I 
 will ask you to retire, Mr. Graeme ; I observe his 
 eye intently fixed upon you, and I fear it revives 
 recollections prejudicial to his recovery." 
 
 Mr. Graeme quietly arose, and taking the liand 
 of the young man, whispered: "To a throne of 
 grace I will bear all your sorrows. I will plead with 
 Jesus that he may give you the oil of joy for mourn 
 ing, and the garments of praise for the spirit of 
 heaviness." 
 
 The youth, raising the hand to his lips, kissed it 
 passionately. 
 
 " Early in the morning I will again see you," said 
 Mr. Graeme, clasping his hand warmly, " and may 
 the peace of God abide with you forever, dear Mac 
 intosh." 
 
 They separated, and, with a sad heart, Mr. Graeme 
 retraced his steps to the Manse. 
 
 A bright and happy group had gathered around 
 a cheerful fire in the study. 
 
 "You have overstayed your dinner-hour consid 
 erably, dear father," Amy remarked playfully, as 
 she drew his chair closely into the circle and im 
 printed a warm kiss upon his cheek. 
 
 " I have been able to make no computation of 
 time to-day, daughter," he returned ; " but why did 
 you permit any detention of dinner ? Kathleen and 
 Margaritte will be disappointed in the afternoon 
 service." 
 
 "That will scarcely cast a cloud over their joyous 
 
 l^* K
 
 258 GLENNAIK. 
 
 hearts, father," she returned, her eyes filling with 
 tears. " They have had a feast this day in Kirk 
 that has filled their warm hearts with gratitude 
 and love." 
 
 " The prayers and thank-offerings that were poured 
 forth," said Kathleen, "nat forgetting our airt 
 Maister Lochiel, were tae much for human nature, 
 Miss Amy ; at least," she added, as the apron was 
 put in requisition to arrest the falling tear, " it was 
 tae much for the heart o' Kathleen." 
 
 " But I didna like," interposed Margaritte, " the 
 prayin' and a' the guid wishes for that vilest o' sin 
 ners, Maister Robertson. I dinna want tae see any 
 place that haulds him, here or hereafter." 
 
 " When the Spirit has touched your heart, Mar 
 gie," replied Kathleen, " ye'll gie him a few words 
 yerseP." 
 
 Margie shook her head incredulously, and went 
 on to descant on the power that was thought of Mr. 
 Lochiel just what she had always kenned his wild 
 ways would end in. " And really, father," added 
 Miss Graeme, " they have arrested our attention so 
 pleasantly that two hours have glided impercep 
 tibly." 
 
 " Those domestics," remarked Dr. McMillan, "are 
 a treasure in any household." 
 
 Kathleen announcing dinner, the conversation 
 was interrupted. 
 
 The afternoon was spent by Mr. Graeme in the 
 sacred retirement of his own chamber. What com 
 munion he held with his Maker, was never whis 
 pered into mortal ear ; but when, in the evening,
 
 GLENN AIR. 259 
 
 the two families again assembled in the chamber of 
 Mr. Lincoln, all noticed the pathos and the depth of 
 feeling with which he supplicated for him who was 
 placing an invincible barrier between himself and 
 his only refuge. There was a plaintive pleading 
 with his Saviour, as man to man ; and when he 
 sought a blessing, a rich blessing upon the head of 
 that dear, devoted youth, and prayed, that, if need 
 ful, he might be made the stay, the protector of one 
 s.o stricken in the flower of his days, and bowed 
 with grief, experiencing no chord of sympathy vi 
 brating with his own seared heart, all were then 
 fully aware that the occasion of the detention was 
 a mission of holy love to the unhappy, a mission 
 so like him who went about shedding rays of light 
 on every path. 
 
 No inquiry was made and no information prof 
 fered, but the Laird remarked to Duncan, that he 
 always had known his father was the best of men, 
 but he now doubted there was any human nature 
 left within him. 
 
 At an early hour on the following morning, ere 
 (with the exception of Mr. Graeme) the family had 
 arisen, a low knock was heard at the door of the 
 Manse. 
 
 " And wha' may be the ca' at this airly hour ?." 
 inquired Margaritte, from an upper window. 
 
 " I would nae disturb the Maister if he has nae 
 risen," replied a gentle voice ; " can ye tell me when 
 I can see him ? " 
 
 "As sure as ye are Kathleen," exclaimed Margie, 
 " Katy McShee is below."
 
 260 GLENNAIE. 
 
 Hastily descending the stairway, the door was 
 immediately opened, and a Mud welcome extended 
 to her old friend. 
 
 " It 's a cauld and dreary house f$r ye, Katy," 
 she remarked, kindly ; " but a blazin' hearth ; ill 
 soon greet you i' the kitchen." So saying, she led 
 the way through the hall, and, throwing open the 
 door, what was her surprise when a bright, crackling 
 fire met her view, imparting its warmth to every 
 corner of the room, while the hissing kettle impa 
 tiently awaited its owner's bidding. The smiling 
 face of Allan told a tale that required no unravel 
 ling. 
 
 " Well, ye're a gude lad, nae doubt o' ye," said 
 the gratified Margie, placing a chair in the warmest 
 corner for her friend, and assisting in the removal 
 of her cloak and bonnet ; " but wha' put ye up to a' 
 this, Allan?" 
 
 " Norval, and he 's done the same for !N"anny. 
 He '11 ne'er forget the oven, nor the kindness shown 
 him in his time of need. We were up with the 
 Lark, and the wood chopped, he says, it '11 last till 
 the next we split, which will be when that's a 
 lowering. While we 're here, Margie, ye need nae 
 blaw yer fingers wi' the cauld, for all the rooms 
 ye '11 find as warm as ye do this mornin'." 
 
 " Why, are they all warmed, Allan ? The study, 
 dining-room all ? " 
 
 There was a laugh, and a pleasant nod, as Allan 
 obeyed the summons of Mr. Lincoln. 
 
 "A pleasant lad that, Margie," remarked Katy. 
 " Is Norval a brother tae him ? "
 
 GLENN A IE. 261 
 
 " ISTae, nae ; .Norval 's ane o' them that Maister 
 Robertson would hae strung upon a gibbet, had n't 
 the Lord told him anither story. Ye're an angel 
 frae a den o' wolves, Katy. Could he look ye in 
 the face after sic a deed ? " 
 
 "Ah ! had ye seen the anguish o' his heart, Mar 
 gie, ye would hae ministered tae his wants yerseP." 
 
 " I ! I have ministered tae his wants ? I 'd hae 
 throttled him afore the weight o' this finger had 
 been lifted in his sairvice. ISTae, nae. "Was the 
 dove in my ain cote tae be sacrificed ? The lamb in 
 my ain fold ? And could the wail o' my ain nest 
 ling, that came frae the depths o' his heart for the 
 loss o' his brother, sound in my ears, and I minister 
 tae the want of his murderer? " 
 
 " Could ye hae heard the kind words o' the min 
 ister, it would hae melted yer heart, Margie." 
 
 " The minister ! " she exclaimed, removing her 
 hands from the dough she was lustily kneading, 
 and coming forward ; " ye dinna tell me Maister 
 Graeme forgive and forget wi' sic a man as that." 
 
 "Ah ! he would hae led him right awa' tae the 
 refuge for a' sinners, Margie, and spake of his 
 death and mighty love in sic a strain, that the 
 heart of Maister Macintosh melted wi'in him ; but 
 it fell heavy upon the despairing soul of my puir 
 maister." 
 
 "And did he have the assurance to reject what 
 the minister carried him sae kindly ? " 
 
 "Ah ! Margie, he could nae receive the promises ; 
 but he looked tae his ain heart, and could nae look 
 awa' tae Jesus, the sinner's friend."
 
 262 GLENNAIR. 
 
 "And right glad am I he had n't the presumption, 
 for if he pushed himsel' in, wha would hae a hetter 
 right than Lucifer, not half sae bad as sic a demon 
 spirit as Maister Robertson." 
 
 " Margie, Margie," said her old friend, solemnly, 
 "ye dinna ken the height or the breadth of the love 
 o' Jesus ; he died for the chief of sinners in our ain 
 airth, and he saves us according tae.our trust in 
 Him, and not according tae the littleness or great 
 ness of our sins. But there was nae offer of redemp 
 tion for the hosts of rebels wha went tae their ain 
 place lang syne. But hae ye nae heart tae weep, at 
 least for the bairn sae stricken, Margie ? " 
 
 " He is but a wee one to bear sic a burden," she 
 replied, in a softened tone ; " but a high head he 
 always carried, Katy. Ye canna tell anither story 
 than that, can ye ? " 
 
 " It was his mither's bluid that ran in his veins," 
 her friend returned ; " there was nane of it natur ; 
 as sweet a lad as ever hanged on the neck of an auld 
 nurse, was Maister Macintosh, until " 
 
 " Till he was of a size tae ken his rank. Tell me, 
 Katy McShee, did he e'er speak a word of friendship 
 or kindness tae his auld nurse after that ? " 
 
 With downcast look, Katy remained silent. 
 
 Margaritte continued: "I would nae speak the 
 evil word of him in the time of his trouble, Katy ; 
 but he brought the fire tae the eye of Kathleen, not 
 many months since, by his high words about our 
 ain household." 
 
 " "Was it about the wildness of Maister Lochiel ? " 
 inquired Katy.
 
 GLENN AIR. 263 
 
 , nae sae bad as that ; nane would hae stood 
 a word upon our am bairn ; but he could not bide 
 for worship, for he could not brook the servants 
 takin' -sittins in the same room, and haulding their 
 heads like lairds and ladies. Ah ! it would hae 
 gladdened yer heart tae see the scorn o' Maister 
 Lochiel. ' Our domestics, Maister Macintosh,' he 
 answered, ' I 'd have ye tae ken, are our friends, 
 and are lairds and ladies in their position, and if 
 ye dinna like our worship, why ye ken absent yersel' 
 frae it.' 
 
 " The color was pretty high, and the rebuke was 
 felt, but he left the hall with a toss of the head, 
 meant for contempt ; but our ain bairn stood his 
 ground, and read him a wholesome lecture on his 
 sinful pride, so unbecoming a gentleman of his good 
 standing." 
 
 O 
 
 The tinkle of a small bell in a corner of the 
 kitchen checked the volubility of the old woman. 
 Turning quickly, she said, " Ye are frae now tae see 
 the minister, Katy ; a touch of his bell lets us ken 
 he is ready to receive any message, or call, if need 
 be." 
 
 With a kind, benignant smile, the hand of Mr. 
 Graeme was extended to the timid woman as she 
 entered his study. 
 
 "Your visit portends no evil, I trust, Mrs. 
 McShee ? " he inquired, kindly, as he drew a chair 
 for her beside the fire. "Have the people again 
 threatened the cottage ? " 
 
 " Maister Graeme," she returned, her voice trem 
 bling with agitation, " they are all gane Maister
 
 264 OLENNAIE. 
 
 Robertson, Maister Macintosh, Mistress, and Miss 
 Agnes." 
 
 " Your Mistress and Miss Agnes were not, surely, 
 here?" 
 
 " Maister Macintosh did not tell the likes of me 
 about all their doins ; but in the dead hour of the 
 night he was awa', and when he returned, his face 
 was swelled with weeping, and in a low and hurried 
 tone he bid me assist, with noiseless tread, fearin' tae 
 disturb the sleepers, in bearin' my puir sufferin' 
 Maister down the stairway and along the path some 
 distance. There a horse and wagon, wi' a small 
 bed, was awaitin' him, and wi'out speakin', we laid 
 him on it, and beconin' me tae follow, he seated him- 
 seP beside him, supportin' his puir head upon his 
 bosom. The man drove slow and carefu', but his 
 groans sank tae the hear t of the bairn, and his sobs 
 just mingled wi' the ither troubles. I could nat 
 scan the distance, but in nae wee time we stopped 
 wi' our burden. It was a dark and cheerless night, 
 the wind whistled past us, and I kenned neither man 
 nor beast in the darkness. My heart quaked for 
 fear, and my feet a'most sunk under me." 
 
 " ' Tak' a firm and gentle hold, Katy,' whispered 
 the young Maister, ' bear him a short distance and 
 we'll soon be out of the way of all danger.' 
 
 " The sound of water made me ken we neared the 
 sea, and, followin' his lead, a bright light pointed 
 the way tae the cabin of a large vessel. There was 
 a mournfu' cry as we entered, and the fairst thing 
 that met my eye was Miss Agnes. The pale cheek 
 and sunken eye were sad tae look upon, and her
 
 GLENNAIR. 265 
 
 piercin' cries and sobs, as she hanged over her puir 
 father, made us all tremble for grief. But all her 
 trouble and pleadin' wi' him did not bring life tae 
 Maister Robertson, neither a word to his lips. There 
 was nae word of comfort gien tae her, for her niither 
 and brother both needed consolation, and had nane 
 to offer. 
 
 " ' "Will ye nae speak tae yer ain bairn, dear father? ' 
 she sobbed, piteously ; ' will ye nae gie a word of 
 blessing tae Agnes ? ' 
 
 " The mither's face was hid in the lap of Maister 
 Macintosh ; nae word escaped her lips, but the heavin' 
 of her bosom spake her bitter sorrow. I made frae 
 tae whisper softly in the ear of the sweet young 
 leddy a few words of truth frae the lips of Jesus, 
 ' Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy- 
 laden, and I will gie ye rest.' 
 
 " Then she raised her head frae the cheek of her 
 father, where it was resting, and her sweet blue eye 
 turned right upon me. 
 
 " ' Did ye speak of a rest, Katy,' she inquired 
 gently ; ' a rest frae all sorrow ? ' 
 
 " Then the Lord put into my heart many words 
 of his own framin', and her eye fell softly, and the 
 tears that wet her cheek were not as the former 
 wild and bitter. 
 
 " ' Mansions of rest,' she murmured, for all who 
 love him. May I enter into that rest, Katy ? ' 
 
 " My tears fell sae thick I could not answer the 
 dear young leddy, but her mother raised her head 
 and said sternty, 
 
 " ' Ye will hae a rest wi'out the seekin,' Agnes ; 
 
 23
 
 266 GLENNAIE. 
 
 dinna listen tae the tales of any, as though ye were 
 a sinner.' 
 
 " ' Dinna stay the words of Katy, mither,' she 
 said, wi' a pleadin' look ; ' she tells me of a rest for 
 a weary spirit in a better land. I would seek it, 
 mither, and Katy can point the way.' 
 
 " ' Ye will find it, darling, in yer father's mansion, 
 when he 's well and righted.' 
 
 " ' Katy's words are the words of Holy "Writ, 
 mither,' said Maister Macintosh, ' and the same 
 words of our ain minister tae our dear father, on 
 yestermorn.' 
 
 " ' They are good words, my son,' she retairned, 
 ' and well fitting Katy ; but our bairn has nae need, 
 for she has ne'er sinned, and canna need a Saviour.' 
 
 " ' I have long since wanted the thing Katy has 
 brought me, mither ; I want tae be a lamb of Christ's 
 fold.' 
 
 " The tears came, and her coughin' wi' it, and a 
 deep groan frae the bosom of Maister Robertson 
 startled us. Maister Macintosh arose quickly, and 
 beckonin' me tae the stairway of the cabin, whis 
 pered, ' The boy and the wagon are baith in waitin' 
 for ye, Katy.' 
 
 " Walkin' back a wee space, I slipped into the 
 hand of the young lady my ain little Scripture prom 
 ises, gien to me by yerseP ; and only sayin', ' Pray tae 
 Jesus, and he '11 be yer friend in sorrow and in joy,' 
 I followed Maister Macintosh tae the wagon, tae 
 which he led me in the darkness ; and, takin' my 
 hand kindly, he whispered, ' May God bless yer 
 kindness tae us, and reward ye for it. Ask the gude 
 minister to pray for us.' "
 
 GLEN N AIR. 267 
 
 " Let your prayers arise, without ceasing, for 
 them," said Mr. Graeme. " Miss Agnes is perhaps 
 fitting for a blessed home, and I trust Mr. Macin 
 tosh is not far from the kingdom of Heaven. But 
 what arrangement have you made for your own 
 comfort here, Katy ? " 
 
 " If the gude quality ladies could gie us needle 
 work, my friend and I could manage finely ; the cot 
 is my Laird's, and we' hae no landlord to pinch us." 
 
 Miss Amy and Miss Edith will see to that matter, 
 Mrs. McShee. In the meantime, hide with Kath 
 leen and Margaritte a few days ; the change will 
 benefit you." 
 
 With a grateful smile and a low curtsy, Katy 
 left the apartment and hastily proceeded to the 
 kitchen, to impart to her friends the kind invitation 
 and promises of her good minister, adding, " A wee 
 time in this pleasant and comfortable house will 
 build me up, and mak' me feel strong and well again, 
 and fit me for all the work the ladies will hae the 
 kindness to gie us. The Lord bless them for all 
 their goodness."
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 " Something mournful and profound, 
 Saddens all her beauty now ; 
 Weds her dark eye to the ground, 
 Flings a shadow o'er her brow." 
 
 IT cannot be possible you so soon leave us, Percy/ 
 Miss Graeme remarked, as she entered the parlor, 
 and her friend, with extended hand, arose to meet 
 her, "Duncan's announcement of your intention 
 was the first intimation of it to us." 
 
 " It requires some effort to leave all we hold dear," 
 he returned, with a sad smile, " and the thought of 
 my father's lonely hours in my absence presses 
 heavily upon me ; but it is in accordance with his 
 earnest wish that I sail in the steamer Mungo, at 
 eight in the morning." 
 
 "Will not the Lady Gertrude shortly return to 
 cheer the hearthstone at the castle?" Miss Graeme 
 inquired, as the color mounted, and a slight tremor 
 was visible upon her lip. 
 
 " The day after my departure. I would gladly have 
 awaited her return, but pleasant friends as fellow- 
 passengers held out a strong inducement. But a 
 few added thorns in life's pathway seem not to me 
 very material," he added sadly. 
 
 "I imagined only flowers strewing your path, 
 Percy. But should clouds gather around you, the 
 Sun of Righteousness will soon dissipate them. Your 
 
 268
 
 GLENN A IE. 269 
 
 faith lias always been simple and abiding. I should 
 grieve to know that Percy Dunbar was unhappy." 
 
 " And far be it from Percy Dunbar to cast a shade 
 upon the cloudless brow of Amy Graeme. That 
 title you will scarcely bear on my return," he ob 
 served, with forced gayety ; " as it will have been 
 exchanged for one of more matronly dignity. "Will 
 it not be so, my friend ? " 
 
 The crimson mantled her cheek, as she replied 
 laughingly, " Amy Graeme has vowed eternal fidel 
 ity to her father." 
 
 " Well, well ; then as a friendly seer, I warn you. 
 Beware of the fascinations and importunities of one 
 James McMillan." 
 
 " If it depend upon that tie," she replied, coldly, 
 " Amy Graeme will bear the same title on your re 
 turn." 
 
 A footstep was heard by Amy in the upper part 
 of the hall, as they left the parlor, and Dr. McMil 
 lan passed into the study. 
 
 Percy, without observing him, continued, "I 
 must tear myself away, Amy ; time is waning, and 
 numberless cares devolve upon me ere I leave these 
 shores ; but may I be permitted to inform Amy 
 Graeme of my welfare and whereabouts, from time 
 to time ? " 
 
 " Intercourse with an early friend is always pleas 
 ant, Percy ; I shall esteem it highly." 
 
 " And will a line sometimes be penned by the hand 
 of my old friend, to cheer my wanderings ? " 
 
 " Of course your epistles shall not remain unan 
 swered."
 
 270 GLENN AIR. 
 
 " Thank you, thank you. And will you promise 
 sometimes to breathe a prayer for the absent one ? " 
 
 The head of Amy bowed. Raising her hand to his 
 lips, he whispered, " Say farewell to Edith," and has 
 tily left the hall. Miss Graeme returned to the parlor. 
 
 The voice of Dr. McMillan was distinctly heard 
 in conversation with her father. She lingered, she 
 scarcely knew why. She felt depressed, sad, un 
 happy. Was it that the friend of her early child 
 hood wa$ about leaving them ? No ; for him she 
 had every kindly feeling, but upon hirn she was not 
 dependent for happiness. 
 
 But his communication, "Lady Gertrude was 
 about returning." Of what moment was this to 
 her ? "Was not Dr. McMillan free to act as he deemed 
 fitting ? But was it fitting that his attention should 
 be proffered to another ? Was not his attention 
 marked ? his leisure hours always spent in her so 
 ciety? Did he attempt to conceal his interest in 
 everything relating to her ? When she was called 
 to agony of spirit, who manifested deeper sympa 
 thy? and, when the cup of rejoicing was filled to 
 overflowing, whose heart beat more in unison with 
 her own? "It cannot, cannot be," she murmured ; 
 her head was bowed upon her hand. She was 
 aroused by a voice addressing her. 
 
 Starting from her reverie, she perceived Dr. Mc 
 Millan standing before her. 
 
 " Edith requested me to see you, Amy," he ob 
 served, with an evidently restrained manner, " and 
 say to you that, for the first time, her father would 
 walk in the garden this morning, and she desire^ 
 you would join them there."
 
 GLENNAIR. 271 
 
 u I will be with them in a few moments," she re 
 turned, hastily dashing a not unobserved tear aside, 
 and throwing a shawl carelessly over her shoulders. 
 
 " Shall I accompany you ? " the Doctor inquired 
 hesitatingly. " Helen is upon my list of patients ; I 
 must see her this morning." 
 
 " I trust she is not seriously sick, as Mr. Lincoln 
 dines with us to-morrow. It would much mar our 
 pleasure should Mrs. Cameron be detained at home." 
 
 " Xot at all a slight cold merely. I regret I 
 shall not be able to accept your father's kind invi 
 tation ; some transactions with Lord Glennair will 
 prevent my doing so." 
 
 Only the compressed lip of Miss Graeme told any 
 impression had been made. The garden-gate was 
 reached, and, in silence, they entered Thistle Hedge 
 together. 
 
 Mr. Lincoln was already walking over the grounds 
 supported by the strong arm of Duncan Graeme, 
 while Edith, with glad countenance and joyous 
 step, watched every movement of her beloved father. 
 A warm and kindly greeting was given and re 
 turned. 
 
 " How pleasant," said Mr. Lincoln, " to enjoy 
 once more the breath of heaven. When restored to 
 my former vigor, Doctor, I shall need your counsel 
 in the arrangement of my garden-plot, and these 
 little girls shall adorn it with the choicest plants 
 their taste can select, or the green-house furnish. 
 Allan shall be .our executive, as I intend retaining 
 him as gardener." 
 
 " A more willing heart could scarcely be obtained,"
 
 272 GLENNAIE. 
 
 returned the Doctor, " though others may be found 
 hetter skilled in horticulture." 
 
 " But here comes our friend, Lord Glennair," Miss 
 Lincoln remarked, springing forward to meet him as 
 he came through the garden-gate, and placing her 
 arm playfully within his. " An early convention, 
 Laird, to consult on the contemplated improvements 
 of the grounds of Thistle Hedge. Shall your opin 
 ion he withheld on such a grave question ? " 
 
 " By no means," he returned pleasantly, imprint 
 ing a kiss upon her cheek, " only postponed until a 
 more pressing matter is settled. My honor is now 
 pledged, and my reward is given in advance of my 
 services. But my business matter this morning is, 
 to offer, in the name of the Directors of the Bank, 
 the Presidency of that Institution to Mr. Hugh Lin 
 coln, and to say to Master Duncan here, that the 
 office of Cashier is open to his acceptance." 
 
 "My Laird!" exclaimed* the youth, flushed with 
 surprise and pleasure, "by whose instrumentality 
 was such a nomination obtained ? I am overwhelmed 
 with gratitude, and will labor to prove myself worthy 
 of such confidence." 
 
 " The acknowledged worth of Duncan Graeme 
 bears its own testimony. Will Mr. Hugh Lincoln 
 consent to preside over us ? " 
 
 " You will present to the Board my warmest ac 
 knowledgments, Laird ; but a few books, a few 
 friends, and the cultivation of this little spot, will 
 bound my future course. I shall not again take any 
 part in public life." 
 
 " Recall that present resolve, Hugh Lincoln ;
 
 GLENNAIE. 273 
 
 % 
 
 there is not a heart in that Bank but beats in unison 
 with your own, and you have no right to confine 
 yonr talents within so narrow limits. "When health 
 is restored fully, your energy will return with it, 
 and you may regret so hasty a determination. Does 
 not James McMillan agree with me in opinion ? " 
 
 " When health is restored, my mission is at an 
 end," the Doctor replied. " I would not presume 
 to prescribe further ; but I must see Helen for a 
 moment, and, as I have some urgent cases, I must 
 say good morning. At eight o'clock I will be with 
 you, Laird." Without another glance at Amy, he 
 left the garden. 
 
 " Has Roger yet returned from his visit to his 
 people ? " the Laird inquired. 
 
 "Last evening, and is now in the house with 
 Norval." 
 
 " Will he accede to my proposition ? " 
 
 "He is filled with gratitude. Gardening has 
 always been his favorite calling; failing to obtain 
 Buch a situation induced him to enter the Bank as 
 porter." 
 
 " Then shall I see, and make some arrangements 
 with him? As Percy and I both leave here to 
 morrow, the hours to-day will be fully occupied." 
 
 " You, Laird," inquired Duncan; "you surely do 
 not leave us ? " 
 
 " The Doctor and I propose being escort to my 
 runaway Gertrude. It is time she was turning her 
 face homeward." 
 
 There was evident surprise and chagrin upon the 
 s
 
 274 GLENNAIE. 
 
 . 
 
 face of Duncan. " Does Dr. McMillan accompany 
 you ? " he inquired. 
 
 " He does. "We shall put the carriage in requisi 
 tion, and will not return until the following day." 
 
 " I believe it is twenty miles distant. Is it not, 
 Laird ? " inquired Edith. 
 
 " Just twenty ; but through a pleasant country 
 there is little fatigue. Shall we see Roger ? " 
 
 Duncan, with Mr. Lincoln, led the way. Edith 
 and Amy retired to Helen's chamber. 
 
 The summons of Lord Glennair was answered 
 with alacrity by Roger and ]STorval. 
 
 " I am happy to hear, Roger," the Laird observed, 
 " that my offer meets with a hearty response from 
 you and Norval." 
 
 " We could nae hae thought o' sic a hame," re 
 plied ITeilson, a bright smile illuminating his natu 
 rally grave face. " Tae be the gardener i' the manor 
 of my Laird, arid the bairn wi' me, is past my ken. 
 We thank ye frae our hearts, Laird ; but I would 
 mak' frae tae speak, would not there be feelin' o' the 
 part o' Robin, or could not we smooth his auld age 
 as he gangs toward the better land ? " 
 
 " Robin's faithful services will not go unrequited," 
 returned the Laird ; " but if a housekeeper could be 
 obtained," he observed, looking archly toward Nor- 
 val, " perhaps a corner of his old cottage might yet 
 be spared him. Have you no word to oifer, my lad ? " 
 
 The eyes of Norval sought the floor, but making 
 a great effort to overcome his natural timidity, he 
 replied, " Lang afore our sair trouble, Laird, Jennie 
 gie me a promise, and a tried friend she stood when
 
 GL.ENNAIK. 275 
 
 my weary spirit was well-nigh crushed ; and," he 
 continued, lowering his voice, " as our hearts are 
 ane, could not she be the housekeeper o' my father's 
 hame, and make the latter days o' Robin quite con 
 tent?" 
 
 "A bright vision, that of yours, Nbrval," returned 
 the Laird, taking his hand kindly. "Roger, do 
 you approve this step ? " 
 
 " I have lang felt for Jennie as her ain father, and 
 if it meet your approval, I am but tae well content." 
 
 " Then we must await the return of Miss Ger 
 trude, for her consent to the loss of her favorite 
 housemaid ; and as soon as may be, the knot must 
 be tied. And when the day is settled, you may 
 promise your faithful clan a hearty greeting and 
 good cheer in the Hall of Glennair Manor, and the 
 bans shall be published with the good will of all 
 parties." 
 
 There was an effort to reply on the part of Korval, 
 but the Laird, observing his embarrassment, merely 
 said, kindly, laying his hand upon his arm, "A son 
 such as Korval Neilson is worthy of our faithful 
 Jennie. May you be long spared one to the other." 
 
 The hand of the Laird was seized by Norval. 
 " Thank ye, thank ye," he murmured ; " but I hae 
 nae words tae thank ye as I would." 
 
 " I know it, I know it, my lad, and will receive 
 it as though expressed. You will take this note to 
 Miss Ellen, ISTorval ; your father will accompany 
 you. Await my return at the manor." 
 
 With a heartfelt acknowledgment, Roger Neilson 
 followed his son, and Lord Glennair took his leave 
 also.
 
 276 GLENNAIR. 
 
 Mr. Lincoln and Duncan were left alone. The 
 door opened, and Edith entered. 
 
 " Where is Amy ? " her brother inquired. 
 
 " Entertaining her little favorite, who pronounces 
 'Cousin Amy's ' stories ' the sweetest in the world.' 
 I left her inviting her to ' come and live all the 
 time' with her." 
 
 " Our friend James, I fear, would put a veto upon 
 that proposition," Mr. Lincoln remarked,- laughing ; 
 " has he not yet declared himself, Duncan ? " 
 
 " Perhaps so," returned the youth ; "to Miss Ger 
 trude Dunbar." 
 
 " What ! " exclaimed Mr. Lincoln, starting with 
 amazement ; " your words are a profound enigma to 
 me. The heart of James McMillan belongs to none 
 other than Amy Graeme." 4 
 
 " Then rank and fortune, I imagine, have induced 
 a proffer of his hand w r here the heart is lacking." 
 
 " Never. The Doctor has a high-souled sense of 
 honor, and, at any rate, would not so miserably 
 wreck his own happiness." 
 
 " Of late his attentions have been too glaring to 
 be mistaken, Mr. Lincoln ; twice a week, during the 
 last month, he has ridden with Lord Glennair to 
 visit her, and to-morrow accompanies her father to 
 return with her to the manor." 
 
 " I have observed an almost melancholy look on 
 his countenance of late, and have also noticed an 
 abstracted air when Amy is in the circle. But for 
 the last two years he has scarcely breathed out of 
 her presence." 
 
 " His feelings must have marvellously changed.
 
 GLENN AIR. 277 
 
 In my daily ride with Amy, in which Percy Dunbar 
 usually accompanies us, if he happen to cross our 
 path, a cold bow to Amy is the only recognition, 
 and he always turns from his course, rather than 
 join our party. His own conveyance has, to be 
 sure, been several times offered to her, but, of course, 
 declined." 
 
 " Time will reveal it is impossible. There is an 
 end of all perfection, truly, if James has swerved 
 from the path of honor. I will ask him " 
 
 " Nay, Mr. Lincoln ; give me your word you will 
 not so compromise the dignity of Amy." 
 
 "Well, I will watch every word and look; I 
 will know the truth. My almost daughter and 
 beloved friend shall not be the victim of a fatal 
 error." 
 
 " I am confident I need warn you no further, Mr. 
 Lincoln ; the refinement of your own nature would 
 prompt you aright. I will now urge a plea in my 
 own behalf. Mr. Lincoln, must your promise much 
 longer remain unfulfilled ? Edith is perfectly cal 
 lous to my entreaties, only remarking, 'My first 
 duty is to my invalid father.' My salary will now 
 enable me to rent the house upon the hillside, which 
 you know Mr. Davidson vacates in two weeks. It 
 has been my beau ideal of all that is pleasant and 
 comfortable; but I was aware it was beyond my 
 grasp. Does it accord with your views also, 
 Edith?" 
 
 "The arrangements of the house and grounds 
 manifest decided taste, Duncan, and the site is un 
 surpassed." 
 
 24
 
 GLENNAIK. 
 
 "As the field joins Thistle Hedge, it can he com 
 mon property, under the supervision of Mr. Lincoln. 
 Shall it he so, Edith?" 
 
 " Let us defer the subject, Duncan, until the for 
 mer vigor of father is restored." 
 
 " I should he truly selfish and unjust to Duncan, 
 my darling," returned Mr. Lincoln, drawing her ten 
 derly toward him, " did I detain you longer ; and 
 the tie that hinds you to one I so much love and 
 honor, will not sever mine. Take her, Duncan," he 
 continued, with a slight quiver of the lip, as he 
 placed her hand within that of the youth, "love 
 her, cherish her, guard the precious hoon as the 
 apple of your eye ; and may you hoth walk in wis 
 dom's path, and may the lives of my two children 
 he living epistles, known and read of all men." 
 
 The arm of Edith rested upon the neck of her 
 father ; her hand was closely clasped by Duncan. 
 
 " Guard her," he repeated warmly. ""Would that 
 I could he to her a covert from every storm, a shield 
 from every sorrow. But my heart, my life, shall he 
 devoted to my Edith ; mine by her own solemn 
 pledge, and mine, bestowed by a father's hand." 
 Bending over her, he kissed her brow. 
 
 " The Laird requires your presence at the Bank, 
 Duncan," Mr. Lincoln remarked ; " he desired you 
 would meet the Board in one hour." 
 
 "Expulsive power is irresistible," Duncan re 
 turned, as he gayly took his hat and hurried to join 
 the directors, fifteen minutes after the time ap 
 pointed.
 
 GLENNAIR. 279 
 
 The evening had almost closed, when Dr. McMil 
 lan, worn with the fatigue of the day, entered the 
 manse. Mr. Graeme was occupying his large arm 
 chair, while Amy sat beside him with her knitting. 
 Lochiel was reading aloud. 
 
 " Why, Doctor," observed the youth, " I left you 
 so comfortably ensconced in cushions at the manor, 
 I scarcely thought we should have had the pleasure 
 of a visit this evening. I mistook your footstep for 
 that of Percy, in the passage." 
 
 " I fear my footfall may have occasioned some 
 disappointment," the Doctor observed, slightly glan 
 cing toward Amy. 
 
 " ISTone could ever find a truer welcome than James 
 McMillan, in the house of his Pastor," Mr. Graeme 
 returned kindly, " but the heart of Lochiel is so 
 absorbed in the departure of his friend, he has 
 scarcely leisure to lend his father a moment. Is it 
 not so, my son ? " 
 
 " Not at all, father ; but Percy told me he should 
 see sister before our hour for retiring, and I natu 
 rally supposed it was he." 
 
 They were interrupted by the entrance of Kath 
 leen. "Mr. Dunbar bid me ask ye, Miss Amy, if 
 he could see you in the study for a wee time. He 
 seems hurried, and wi' not e'en be seated." 
 
 Miss Graeme, laying aside her knitting, with a 
 slight "Excuse me for a few moments," left the 
 room. 
 
 " Mrs. Percy Dunbar will be a well-sounding title," 
 said Lochiel, looking archly toward the door. " Do 
 you not think so, father? "
 
 280 GLENN A IE. 
 
 " Your remark only proves the truth of my asser 
 tion, Lochiel. Certainly, in your esteem, it is the 
 only name upon the Island." 
 
 Dr. McMillan immediately arose. "It is ap 
 proaching ten," he remarked, with some ecitement 
 that he endeavored vainly to conceal, " I will not 
 await the return of Amy. You will say good even 
 ing for me." 
 
 Shaking hands with Mr. Graeme, he immediately 
 left the room. 
 
 Animated voices were distinctly heard in the 
 study, which were hushed as the door opened, and a 
 low, gentle "Farewell, dear Amy," was heard, and 
 the youth joined the Doctor in the hall. 
 
 " I scarcely hoped to find you here, Doctor," he 
 remarked ; " but my father desired me to see you at 
 your lodgings, and say that he had, to-day, received 
 a letter from Gertrude, in which she entreats you 
 will not accompany him in the morning, if inter 
 fering with your numerous engagements." 
 
 " She has a prior claim, Percy ; and my visit to 
 her is certainly at no self-sacrifice. Moreover, a 
 few days' absence will involve no neglect of duty." 
 
 "Thank you, my dear Doctor, and the peculiar 
 situation in which you stand in regard to her," he 
 added, in the lowest tone, " renders you doubly dear 
 to us all. We never hoped to find a friend on whom 
 we could so fully rely, and in whose bosom our sad 
 secret would be entirely sacred." 
 
 The few last sentences did not reach the ear of 
 Amy, as the door closed upon them while they were 
 yet speaking.
 
 GLENNAIR. 281 
 
 The package left by Percy almost fell from her 
 trembling hand. A small silver desk, of exquisite 
 workmanship, supplied with golden implements for 
 writing, had been placed in her charge for Edith's 
 acceptance when the union should be formed with 
 Duncan; and, before parting, a word was whispered 
 pleasantly in her ear, that its counterpart was await 
 ing "Amy McMillan." 
 
 " What motive can actuate Percy in practising 
 such duplicity ? " she murmured. " His sister is 
 evidently the betrothed of James McMillan. His 
 conduct is unworthy himself, and to me far more 
 than offensive." 
 
 With difficulty reaching her chamber, and laying 
 aside her burden, she threw herself upon the bed, 
 and gave way to a torrent of grief. All suspense 
 was at an end. The almost avowed attachment for 
 her had been transferred to another, and he whose 
 character she had so revered now stood in the light 
 of a deceiver. 
 
 In vain, pride sought to assert its place. Had she 
 not been cast aside as a thing of naught ? Would 
 she desire to assume a position not offered her? 
 But the warm, the ardent, the loving James 
 McMillan of former times stood vividly before her, 
 and his tender sympathy in time of overwhelming 
 sorrow. And was it only sympathy, commiseration 
 for suffering, that induced the fatal error ? 
 
 Then starting from the bed, she exclaimed, "Un 
 grateful being ! Is my brother yet alive free 
 honored and I mourning my unhappy fate ? " 
 
 Falling upon her knees, she implored forgiveness, 
 21*
 
 282 GLENNAIE. 
 
 and recollecting the family would be awaiting her 
 for worship, with a great effort she assumed her 
 usual calmness, and descended to the study. 
 
 Early on the following morning a messenger en 
 tered the dining-room, saying that Dr. McMillan 
 desired to speak with Miss Graeme in the study. 
 
 " Say to him that I am particularly engaged," 
 she returned, while a deadly paleness overspread 
 her cheek ; but none were present to witness her 
 emotion. The servant withdrew the hall-door 
 closed immediately. Hearing Lochiel in the pas 
 sage, fearing he would perceive her agitation, she 
 retreated to the study. 
 
 The first thing that met her eye was a miniature 
 of Percy Dunbar, beautifully set with pearls, ap 
 pended to a finely wrought golden chain. It was 
 intended as a surprise present for his sister on her 
 return, and had been brought to Amy to obtain her 
 opinion of the correctness of the likeness. It had 
 been unintentionally left when he, in haste, joined 
 the Doctor in the hall. 
 
 Enclosing it carefully in a small envelope, she 
 directed Lochiel, without delay, to place it in the 
 hands of Percy. 
 
 " Your order shall be obeyed to the letter, sister," 
 he returned. " Thank you for the mission. I much 
 desired an excuse to offer for an early visit at the 
 manor, but feared intruding. I promise.d, after the 
 departure of the family, to break the loneliness of 
 Ellen' by a pleasant book. Amy," he added, in a 
 low tone, stepping back as he was about leaving the
 
 GLENNAIE. 
 
 room, " there are mysterious doings at the Castle, 
 and if report has any foundation, or actions any 
 meaning, bridal attire will soon be needed there." 
 
 "And is Lochiel to be the favored one ? " she in 
 quired, with a forced smile. 
 
 " Only in a bright future. There is a responsive 
 chord in the bosom of Ellen, and the Laird gives it 
 his countenance. But, sister, I supposed formerly 
 that you smiled upon our Doctor." 
 
 "And to what ancient time may your ' formerly ' 
 allude ? " Miss Graeme inquired, pleasantly, though 
 the color forsook her cheek, and her voice trembled 
 as she spoke. 
 
 " Previous to his entire devotion to the inmates 
 of the manor, before time, thought, yea, his 
 very life was laid at the feet of Miss Gertrude. He 
 has accompanied the Laird in every visit to his 
 daughter, and when with Percy, supposing himself 
 not noticed, his whole theme is 'Miss Gertrude.' 
 Yesterday I heard him remark, ' On her return, 
 Percy, I trust you will exert your influence with 
 the Laird to permit me to bring Mr. Graeme to the 
 manor. My anxiety increases daily. He remains 
 deaf to every entreaty of mine.' 
 
 " ' There is an undefined feeling in the bosom of 
 my father,' was the return, ' that such a step will 
 more speedily deprive him of his treasure.' 
 
 " ' That can scarcely be, Percy ; her mind is set 
 tled upon the subject; but she desires herself to 
 have the union sealed. I was not aware, until a 
 few days since, that Gertrude had never professed 
 religion.' '
 
 284 GLENNAIE. 
 
 " They then turned to spiritual matters, incom 
 prehensible to me, and I lost my interest in the 
 conversation. But I trust my dear sister will not 
 break the heart of Percy Dunbar," he added, archly, 
 as he left the apartment, " by declining the future 
 title of Lady Glennair." 
 
 The last remark passed unnoticed. Lochiel, un 
 aware of the anguish he had caused, closed the 
 door, leaving Amy to her own reflections. Until 
 this moment there had been a lingering hope within 
 her bosom ; now that had fled ; a heart-sickening 
 realizing of the truth came over her the bitter 
 thought that her heart's idol must be renounced 
 forever. Her physician her support and comforter 
 in every trial. Could she endure to see herself for 
 saken ? Could she survive his union with another ? 
 The bare idea was madness. Clasping her hands 
 upon her throbbing temples, she was conscious of 
 nothing further until she felt the arm of her brother 
 supporting her. 
 
 " Where am I ? " she inquired, as her eye rested 
 upon that of Duncan. "Have I been sick ill? 
 My mind is a perfect chaos." 
 
 "Not ill, I trust, my darling sister; but I found 
 you here much enfeebled, and feared alarming 
 father therefore called none to our aid." 
 
 " Thank you, thank you, dear Duncan," she mur 
 mured, rising, as the bell rang for breakfast ; and 
 supported by her brother's arm, with trembling 
 step reached the room. " I shall soon, very soon be 
 better." 
 
 " The bloom must be restored to that pallid cheek,
 
 GLENN AIR. 285 
 
 Amy. The events of this winter have been too 
 much for your sensitive frame. Change of scene is 
 imperative. Does not a visit of a few weeks to 
 Uncle Rushbrook's commend itself to your judg 
 ment ? " 
 
 "I could scarcely be wanted at Thistle Hedge, 
 Duncan. Your demands upon Edith are so ur 
 gent," she added, with a faint smile, " that her efforts 
 to meet them single-handed would hardly be suc 
 cessful." 
 
 " But your health, Amy ? " 
 
 " But your wishes, Duncan ? " 
 
 " Shall always succumb to the comfort of my 
 only, my precious sister." 
 
 " Then permit me to remain quietly at my own 
 home for the present. In six weeks I shall be called 
 to part with you, Duncan. I must remain this short 
 season with you." 
 
 " Part ? never ! Though the same roof may not 
 shelter us, whilst this pulse beats, Amy will not be 
 second, even to Edith Lincoln. Nor would she de 
 sire it. No, no, Amy. You gain a loving, affec 
 tionate sister by our union, and the heart of Duncan 
 Graeme will always beat in entire unison with that 
 of his beloved sister." 
 
 " I know it, Duncan, and only rejoice in the hap 
 piness of Edith and yourself." 
 
 " Then speak not of parting, Amy ; it wounds 
 me to suppose there can any different feeling exist 
 between my sister and myself. Mr. Davidson laugh 
 ingly remarked, when in treaty with me for the 
 house, ' I scarcely supposed the heart of Duncan
 
 286 GLEXNAIE. 
 
 Graeme could be attuned to other than his sister 
 Amy. The fascinations of Miss Edith must have 
 exercised a magic power.' 
 
 "As you desire to remain at home, I shall have 
 sufficient apology to offer Laird Glennair." 
 
 " In what way am I implicated with the Laird ? ' 
 she inquired, as the color suffused her face. 
 
 " In none whatever ; but he left an urgent request 
 last night, that, on the return of Miss Gertrude, you 
 and Edith would pass a few days with her." 
 
 " That was somewhat gratuitous," she replied 
 coldly, " as our calls have neither been received nor 
 reciprocated, for a length of time, by Miss Dunbar." 
 
 " Yes," returned her brother, " her habits were 
 quite changed for some time previous to her depart 
 ure ; her long walks were discontinued, and an 
 early ride was her principal exercise." 
 
 " Riding ? With whom, Duncan ? " 
 
 Her brother hesitated, at length replied, " I was 
 not a little surprised myself when I saw with whom, 
 Amy." 
 
 "Was it with James? " she inquired, faintly. 
 
 " It was. His conduct is inexplicable. As he 
 was circumstanced, mere words were of little mo 
 ment ; but if there be not some wide misunder 
 standing, he is unworthy the hand of my Amy. 
 One who could be guilty of so dishonorable an act 
 must have a low standard of morality, indeed." 
 
 " There is no mistake, Duncan ; and I desire that 
 his name should cease to be mentioned in the pres 
 ence of your sister." 
 
 " Are my suspicions, then, confirmed, Amy ? "
 
 GLENNAIR. 287 
 
 " It is possible, yea, probable, the union will take 
 place on the return of Miss Gertrude," she replied, 
 with a face of ashen hue. 
 
 " By whom was so passing strange information 
 conveyed to you, Amy ? " 
 
 "From Lochiel who received the communica 
 tion from his own lips." 
 
 " No ! He surely did not dare speak so plainly to 
 our brother? " 
 
 " N"o, he says the matter has been quietly pro 
 gressing ; it was only from conversations he could 
 not avoid overhearing, that he came to a knowledge 
 of the state of affairs at the manor. But Duncan, 
 the subject which I considered nearest his heart was 
 never broached to me. May we not ascribe his atten 
 tions to other motives? " 
 
 Duncan shook his head. " His very silence in 
 regard to Miss Dunbar is sufficient to condemn him. 
 I^To, Anry, frame no excuses ; he is a dishonorable 
 trifler with the affections of another, and has been 
 lured by the glare of birth and fortune. Such a 
 deed will never render him a happy man. As you 
 propose, with us let his name be forgotten. I will 
 never again intrude the painful subject upon you. 
 ~No marvel his face is blanched, and his countenance 
 sad and gloomy." 
 
 " Yet, Duncan, is it not a cause for thanksgiving 
 that such a support was given us in the time of our 
 grievous sorrow ; when his kind, heartfelt sympathy 
 smoothed our thorny road, and, it may be, prevented 
 us sinking altogether ? " ,. 
 
 " True, Amy. "When incarcerated in that gloomy
 
 288 GLENNAIE. 
 
 prison, from what a mountain of responsibility was 
 I relieved when I realized the strong earthly arm to 
 which I could consign my sister so confidingly. 
 But, " he added, " the Lord has restored this arm 
 that can support her at all times ; and this heart, 
 that can rejoice with her in every joy, and sympa 
 thize in every sorrow. And at the cross we can 
 both ask guidance, and lay all our wants." 
 
 A tear stole down her cheek, but there was no 
 reply, and they joined their father at the table.
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 " My heart is weary, and my spirit pants 
 Beneath the heat and burden of the day." 
 
 WELL," remarked Lochiel, as, toward the close 
 of the day, lie entered the' study of his fa 
 ther, " of all changes in this eventful world, the 
 changes at the manor are the most wonderful. 
 Change of purpose, change of place, change of time. 
 The earth would surely never roll steadily did the 
 Laird direct its course." 
 
 " And what wonders have transpired to-day, to 
 produce such intense excitement?" inquired his 
 brother. 
 
 " In the first place, Percy has relinquished all idea 
 of a sea-voyage for the present, and has accompanied 
 his father and the Doctor in their visit to the lady 
 love of the latter." 
 
 There was a flash in the eye of Duncan as he 
 glanced toward his sister. Neither spoke. 
 
 Lochiel continued, "Then their return is post 
 poned for a week, and Ellen whispered in my ear 
 that the Doctor proposes a trip to the Continent, in 
 which he will be very happy to join them." 
 
 "And leave Ellen to her loneliness?" inquired 
 Duncan. 
 
 " Kot at all. She is, of course, to make one of 
 their party. -Would that I were wealthy, Duncan. 
 
 25 T 289
 
 290 GLENNAIK. 
 
 "What advantage I should derive from visiting for 
 eign climes in such society." 
 
 " A far broader foundation than that upon which 
 you are resting may be laid in your native soil, my 
 son," Mr. Graeme observed. 
 
 " Why, father, do not the reports of Monsieur 
 Alengon show some proficiency in my Greek, Latin, 
 and French studies ? Neither is my time, as you 
 feared, frittered at the manor. Ellen and I have 
 taken up Charles XII., in the original. Of course, 
 the guests who will remain with her until the Laird's 
 return will oblige us to defer it." 
 
 " And what profit may have been derived to-day 
 from your lengthy visit ? " 
 
 " Won a game of chess from Miss MacAlpin, the 
 most notable player in Scotland, and left her not yet 
 recovered from her chagrin at her defeat." 
 
 " Then," returned Duncan, " the most glorious 
 deed you can recall on this eventful day, is producing 
 a cloud upon the brow of a beautiful damsel." 
 
 " A result I did not foresee, Duncan," he returned, 
 good-humoredly. " By the voice of the whole party 
 it was won honorably and fairly. Six times I have 
 seen James McMillan make the same effort with the 
 same opponent, and fail. Sister," he inquired, turn 
 ing suddenly toward her, " did n't Percy advise you 
 of his change of purpose ? " 
 
 " I received a business note this morning, in which 
 he named it," she replied. 
 
 There was an arch smile, as he said, "He will 
 probably have much business of the same nature to 
 transact during his absence."
 
 GLENNAIE. 291 
 
 " Locliiel, my son," said Mr. Graeme, very 
 gravely. 
 
 The youth turned instantly. 
 
 " Progress in your studies may and will fit you 
 for society, for visiting foreign climes, and will en 
 able you to enjoy what otherwise would be a blank 
 to you. But that alone will not suffice. Steadiness 
 of purpose, and obedience to a parent's will, will ren 
 der you a far happier man. You are but a youth, 
 Lochiel ; I should be very reprehensible did I per 
 mit you to guide the helm of your own destiny. 
 Henceforth, your seat at your father's table must 
 not be vacant without a reason previously assigned." 
 
 A dark cloud gathered upon the brow of Lochiel, 
 foreboding a storm, unnoticed by his father, who 
 had taken up the paper, when Duncan whispered 
 gently, 
 
 "Your mother's wishes, Lochiel." 
 
 A softened expression succeeded. Only murmur 
 ing, " I supposed when in such society as James Mc 
 Millan, who dines there almost daily, father would 
 be content," he slowly left the apartment. 
 
 Anxiously the eye of Duncan turned upon Amy ; 
 the compressed, quivering lip told the impression 
 the last few words had made. 
 
 Days passed on ; great and many were the prepa 
 rations for the anticipated removal to Pleasant Slope. 
 None studied with more interest to gratify the taste 
 and please the fancy of Edith, than Amy ; and the 
 pleasant smile of the unselfish girl beguiled all, ex 
 cepting Duncan, into the belief that her heart was
 
 292 GLENNAIE. 
 
 light and buoyant. Anxiously lie watched that 
 cheek, daily becoming more pallid, and when se 
 cluded, as she supposed, from human view, the bitter 
 tear told of a grief upon which no stranger might 
 intrude. 
 
 At the solicitation of her brother, her daily ride 
 with him was continued, but the bloom produced 
 by the fresh mountain air faded ere they reached 
 their home. 
 
 The week had passed, and the return of the in 
 mates of the manor \vas hourly expected. 
 
 " More than ordinary preparations are being made 
 at the castle," Lochiel remarked. " / presume the 
 grand denouement will not take place until it is di 
 vulged by father's call. With due deference to the 
 Laird's judgment and Dr. McMillan's sense of pro 
 priety, this profound mystery seems to me passing 
 strange. / would hail the peal of every bell in 
 Scotland, to celebrate my nuptials.". 
 
 " 'T is time Margie had ceased talking o' the sweet 
 bairn i' the cradle," Duncan returned pleasantly, 
 " when he is making such strides toward manhood. 
 "Wedding-bells for our Lochiel ! To use your own 
 words, sound so ' passing strange ' to our ears that 
 we could scarcely do honor to our bridegroom." 
 
 " Well, well, Duncan, though you may be some 
 what in advance of the ' sweet bairn,' yet in a few 
 brief years your remark will not apply to the present 
 company ; neither will Miss Gertrude so facetiously 
 inquire whether Lochiel had not better tarry at the 
 manse, until, as a bearded youth, he could pay his 
 respects at the manor. She has certainly, herself,
 
 GLENN A IK. 293 
 
 not erred in that respect ; the Doctor is full five 
 years her senior. Was it his advanced age that in 
 duced your rejection, sister ? " 
 
 "As my decision was never required, I, of course, 
 never gave a verdict," she replied, plying her needle 
 closely. 
 
 " Then you accepted Percy merely from fancy, 
 without allusion to age ? " 
 
 " On that question, either, I have not heen invited 
 to decide." 
 
 "You amaze me, sister. I was so certain of the 
 result in that case, that I told the Doctor, when he 
 made inquiry upon the subject, that, although you 
 had never favored me with your confidence, I was 
 sure Percy's attentions were not hidden under a 
 bushel, and would at some future day be proclaimed 
 upon the housetop." 
 
 " When you are again invited to solve the grave 
 question, Lochiel," his sister observed, excitedly, 
 " say that Percy never was, neither is, nor will be 
 any other than a common friend to your sister." 
 
 " Well, well, sister," replied Lochiel, springing 
 up and tossing his hat into the air, then catching 
 it and placing it upon his head to leave the room, 
 " I will never be guilty of offending father by dis 
 seminating false doctrines ; opportunity and impor 
 tunity may have a magical effect, even upon the 
 stony heart of Amy Graeme." 
 
 With a " Good night, Duncan ; good night, sister," 
 he closed the door, and Amy and Duncan were left 
 alone. 
 
 " Shall we rise with the lark, and view the sun- 
 
 25*
 
 294 GLEXXAIR. 
 
 rise, Arny ? " lie inquired, willing to divert the cur 
 rent of her thoughts ; " we will, from the hillside, 
 once more enjoy the prospect together. "We will 
 test the mettle, also, of Mr. Lincoln's gift, and see 
 what comparison he bears to my Raven." 
 
 There was a careless assent, as though the thoughts 
 were far away, and they separated for the night. 
 
 The heavy mist upon the mountain on the follow 
 ing morning gave no promise of a glorious view; 
 but Duncan, hoping at least to beguile the depres 
 sion of his sister, knocked at her door, to say that 
 Raven and her pony were impatiently awaiting 
 them. But the listless eye and fevered cheek 
 alarmed him. 
 
 "Are you unwell, Amy ? " he inquired. 
 
 " No, Duncan, not at all," she returned, pleasantly ; 
 " not sleeping particularly well last night, I feel lan 
 guid, and require just what you have prescribed 
 for me. How does my milk-white contrast with 
 Raven?". 
 
 " Beautifully. They remind me" of tiny Fawn 
 tripping in the garden beside her uncle. Raven 
 bends his neck and waves his tail, as though he 
 felt she really needed his protection." 
 
 Amy, with gentle care, was placed upon little 
 Blanche by Duncan. In a low voice, his sister in 
 quired, " Was there not a note awaiting father this 
 morning ? " 
 
 " I saw several upon the table," he replied, eva 
 sively. "Shall we take the direction toward the 
 cottage of widow Milln, Amy ? I have a little"
 
 GLENN AIR. 295 
 
 package to deliver from Mr. Lincoln. His chanties 
 are as extended as ever." 
 
 The flush was brighter upon Amy's cheek as she 
 murmured, " Then they have arrived." Her head 
 sank for a moment, but recovering herself, she made 
 a passing remark upon the mistiness of the morning, 
 and slowly followed her brother along the mountain 
 path. 
 
 " Miserable poltroon," thought Duncan ; " would 
 that I could blot his unworthy name from her "re 
 membrance forever." 
 
 They had reached the cottage, and, throwing her 
 the reins, saying he would return in a few moments, 
 he disappeared. 
 
 In vain was the head of Raven laid upon the 
 shoulder of his young mistress, in the hope of ob 
 taining some notice ; her bead had fallen upon her 
 hand, and all surrounding objects were for the pres 
 ent excluded. 
 
 She was startled by a well-known voice. It was 
 Percy. By a great effort, she succeeded in recover 
 ing her composure. 
 
 " This is an unexpected gratification, Amy. I did 
 not anticipate meeting you at this early hour." 
 
 The hand of Miss Graeme rested but a moment 
 within the one so kindly extended ; her rein was 
 immediately resumed as she coldly observed, " Lo- 
 chiel did not report your return last evening. Was 
 he aware of it ? " 
 
 " It was past eleven ere we reached our home," 
 he returned, while a deep shadow crossed his brow. 
 "Amy," he continued, " we must soon resign our
 
 296 GLENNAIE. 
 
 darling sister. We can no longer withhold the 
 truth. It has been my father's earnest desire that 
 no report should reach the ear of the community, 
 and the domestics were bound, by promise, to reveal 
 nothing. I always felt it was a mistaken step in 
 father ; but you know, with us, his wishes have 
 always been respected. The entire devotion of the 
 Doctor has won every heart ; and in him we can 
 place, and have placed, entire confidence ; but the 
 thought of the desolation of the house, bereft of 
 Gertrude, wrings my father's heart ; his grief is 
 wild, unrestrained yea, I fear rebellious." 
 
 " Could not other less painful arrangements be 
 devised, that would not bring a blight upon the 
 inmates of the Manor? " she inquired, very coldly. 
 
 The question was unnoticed ; the head of Percy 
 was bent low beside her, while his hand entwined 
 itself through the mane of her palfrey. 
 
 At this moment a horseman issued from the forest 
 skirting the road. An intent and earnest gaze was 
 fixed upon them for an instant, then crossing the 
 path, he disappeared around the foot of the moun 
 tain. Dr. McMillan (for he it was) was on his road 
 to .the Castle of Glennair. 
 
 The whole movement was silently witnessed by 
 Miss Graeme. Taking a small piece of paper, she 
 wrote upon it : "Allow me to request that the desk, 
 similar to that for Edith, may, at the close of this 
 day, be placed in the hand of Mrs. James McMillan." 
 
 With a lofty bearing, foreign to the character of 
 Amy Graeme, she gave it him, saying, "It is my 
 desire this paper may not be read until Miss Ger 
 trude Dunbar no longer bears that title."
 
 GLENN AIR. 297 
 
 There was a surprised and wounded expression 
 upon the countenance of the youth as he hesitatingly 
 received it. 
 
 " Your sympathy would have been a cordial to 
 my soul, Amy," he said, mournfully, as he merely 
 touched his hat on leaving her ; " for withholding 
 it, you, of course, must have good reasons." 
 
 There was no reply, and the youth slowly and 
 silently withdrew. 
 
 " "What has happened ? "Who has molested you, 
 Amy ? " inquired Duncan, who at that moment 
 joined her. "If anything has occurred to give you 
 uneasiness, I shall ever regret having left you." 
 
 "It was nothing, Duncan nothing new. I have 
 "been slightly excited, and felt somewhat uncomfort 
 able. Percy was here spoke freely, frankly, on 
 the subject still so painful to me." 
 
 " Shall we secure our horses, and ascend the 
 mountain, Amy ? " 
 
 His sister shook her head. "Take me home, 
 Duncan ; the keen air does not brace me this morn 
 ing. I am sick I fear ill ; take me home, brother." 
 
 A slight glance at that cheek alarmed Duncan, 
 and, without further remark, he turned with her 
 toward their honie. "With the assistance of his arm, 
 Amy with difficulty ascended the stairway, and en 
 tered her chamber. 
 
 " Leave rne now, Duncan," she said ; " my pillow, 
 I trust, will soothe my aching head, and I shall, in 
 the course of an hour, rejoin you and father in the 
 dining-room. Do not name my indisposition to 
 him."
 
 298 GLENNAIE. 
 
 " Promise me . you will attempt no further exer 
 tion," he said, as he felt her throbbing pulse. 
 
 "But father?" 
 
 " Leave that all to me ; he shall not be unneces 
 sarily alarmed." 
 
 A very short time had elapsed ere Kathleen ap 
 peared, bearing a small tray, on which she had 
 nicely arranged a few delicacies, to tempt the palate 
 of her young mistress. 
 
 "Maister Graeme will be here presently, Miss 
 Amy," she said ; " he is keen for ye seein' the Doc 
 tor right awa', and tauld Maister Lochiel tae gang 
 at once and bring him tae ye." 
 
 "Is Duncan there,' Kathleen ?" Miss Graeme in 
 quired, anxiously. 
 
 " Here -he is tae answer for himsel', Miss Amy," 
 she replied, as Mr. Graeme and Duncan entered. 
 
 " I fear Duncan was unwise in exposing you on 
 this chilly, misty morning, daughter," the former 
 remarked, as he bent over her and kissed her fore 
 head. "I am confident James will approve the use 
 of the lancet where the pulse beats so heavily." 
 
 " Do not, do not, dear father, permit him to be 
 called," she returned, with an imploring look toward 
 Duncan. "Rest is all that I require; promise me, 
 dear father." 
 
 "Lochiel awaited not a second bidding, daughter; 
 he was out of sight ere your brother could recall 
 him." 
 
 The head of Amy was instantly buried in the 
 pillow. 
 
 "I have sent a messenger for him," Duncan whis 
 pered.
 
 GLENNAIR. 299 
 
 ""Will, oh ! will he overtake him ! " 
 
 " Why so unwilling to have medical aid, Amy, 
 daughter ? " 
 
 Amy made no reply, hut the tremhling hand 
 showed her anxiety. 
 
 The step of Lochiel was heard on the stairway. 
 The next moment the door opened. 
 
 "A wild-goose chase, truly," he remarked, as he 
 threw himself heside his sister. " Off to the manor, 
 I suppose before daylight, or at peep of dawn, for 
 which he had doubtless been awaiting anxiously. 
 Bernard had been ordered to drive home, and an 
 nounce his intention of breakfasting with the Laird ; 
 then who should meet me on my return but Allan, 
 with countermanding orders from 'Maister Dun 
 can.' " 
 
 "Your voice scarcely accords with your sister's 
 pain, Lochiel," his father observed, while in the 
 corner of the room he prepared a simple remedy for 
 her. 
 
 "And I marvel that Lochiel's constant theme 
 does not become wearisome, even to himself," re 
 turned Duncan. 
 
 " It was consistent with my mission, Duncan," 
 he replied, half rising, and speaking in the lowest 
 tone, " as it is my duty to account for not fulfilling 
 it. I was unable to obtain the Doctor to administer 
 to the physical wants of sister, as I presume the 
 darts of Cupid have driven him to pay homage at 
 the feet of his lady love. Doubtless when she is 
 bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh, there will be 
 a spare moment for objects of less interest.''
 
 300 GLENNAIE. 
 
 The head of Miss Graeme fell wearily upon her 
 pillow, from which she had arisen to receive some 
 refreshment, and the color that overspread her cheek 
 showed some mental as well as feverish excitement. 
 
 " Have I wearied you, dear Amy ? " inquired Lo- 
 chiel, laying his cheek closely beside that of his 
 sister. "It was thoughtless very thoughtless." 
 
 "Leave me, Lochiel," she said, faintly; "my head 
 aches intensely; I require not medical aid, but entire 
 repose." 
 
 "And may I not remain quietly beside you? 
 Duncan goes to the Bank, and father let me see 
 father, at what hour do you go to the manor ? " 
 
 " Not until eleven ; but there is a prayer-meeting 
 at the Kirk before that time." 
 
 " "Will the carriage of the Laird be sent ? " 
 
 " Of course, my son. But is this the quietness 
 you yourself proposed, and your sister so much 
 needs ? " 
 
 Duncan beckoned Lochiel from the room. 
 
 " I am not absolutely needed at the Bank this 
 morning, Lochiel. "Will you say to Mr. Mac Al pin 
 that I am detained at home, unexpectedly ? Do not 
 mention sickness ; and, if you desire to see Amy 
 better, do not again enter her chamber. Your efforts 
 to refrain your speech will be, as heretofore, una 
 vailing." 
 
 Lochiel laughed, and promising future amend 
 ment, went to fulfil the request of his brother. Mr. 
 Graeme, whose fears in regard to Amy were set at 
 rest by Duncan, withdrew to his study, and Duncan 
 returned to his sister's apartment.
 
 GLENN A IE. 301 
 
 " Was the purpose for which father's presence was 
 required mentioned in the note ? " Amy asked when 
 they were alone. 
 
 " No ; it merely stated that at ten the carriage 
 would be here to convey him to the manor, if 
 convenient to father. The messenger waited this 
 morning until his signal the little bell sounded 
 to obtain an answer." 
 
 There was a strong effort to conceal her agitation. 
 Her brother, taking his Bible, sat silently beside 
 her. For hours the stillness remained unbroken, 
 save by the gentle footfall of Mr. Graeme, Kathleen, 
 or Margey. 
 
 The hour of ten had arrived. The ponderous 
 wheels of a heavy carriage were heard rolling 
 toward the manse. It stopped ; as the step fell 
 noisily, Miss Graeme tremblingly inquired, " Have 
 you any suspicion that father will request medical 
 advice for me, Duncan ? I fear I could scarcely sur 
 vive an interview. I long for their departure. I 
 shall then not dread collision. I saw him this morn 
 ing, Duncan." 
 
 " "When, Amy ? where ? under what circum 
 stances ? " 
 
 " It was but for a moment, when Percy was with 
 me. His face was pale, ashy -pale, and, strange to 
 say, his countenance bore rather an air of upbraiding 
 than any compunction.^ He is an enigma altogether, 
 but his whole demeanor, as, without any recognition 
 of either, he turned his horse suddenly from us, is 
 impressed so vividly that I cannot obliterate it. 
 That look, that reproachful look. It seemed to say, 
 
 26
 
 302 GLENNAIR. 
 
 ' Why have you so deeply injured me ? ' What could 
 it mean, Duncan ? " 
 
 " He is a riddle I cannot solve, Amy. "Would that 
 he had never entered this dwelling. Lochiel is hurt, 
 evidently, that he should be excluded from confi 
 dence to-day. He told me that if I had any orders 
 for him, he was at perfect leisure after college hours, 
 as he should not, of course, intrude upon the in 
 mates of the manor whilst their mysterious rites 
 were performing." 
 
 " The hells will probably be our first informants, 
 unless father should return immediately. But you 
 must see Edith, Duncan ; mention merely a violent 
 headache detaining me from her. I will endeavor 
 to obtain some sleep that I may be fitted to receive 
 her this evening." 
 
 " Can you not let your mind rest upon our signal 
 mercies, Amy ? We had tidings of the family of 
 the unhappy President last evening. I neglected 
 mentioning it. Percy received a letter from a cler 
 gyman, speaking of an interesting event which oc 
 curred on board the vessel in which he took passage 
 as a missionary to Australia. Meeting with some 
 accident, they put into a neighboring port to repair, 
 from whence he wrote. He mentioned, with much 
 interest, the devotion of a young man a fellow- 
 passenger to his sister, the most beautiful young 
 lady his eyes had ever beheld, though attenuated to 
 a shadow. Daily he carried her on deck to obtain 
 fresh air, supporting her in a large arm-chair. The 
 few words the minister caught, breathed of heaven 
 and heavenly things. He ventured to address her 
 upon the foundation of her hope.
 
 GLEXXAIR. 303 
 
 '"In this little book,' she returned, with the 
 sweetest smile, pointing to a small text-book held by 
 her brother, ' I have learned of Jesus, the sinner's 
 friend. Can you tell me more of Him?' she in 
 quired, as her large blue eyes rested earnestly upon 
 him. 
 
 " ' I spoke gently, and at intervals,' he said, ' as 
 her strength would permit, of the love of Jesus, of 
 His agony in the garden, of His death upon the 
 cross, of His resurrection, of His mediation at the 
 right hand of God, for all who call upon His name.' 
 
 " ' Upon her brother's bosom she wept. 
 
 " ' When I ceased speaking, she asked me to inter 
 cede for her with that Redeemer. 
 
 '"I commended her to His care, and plead with 
 Jesus that she might be a lamb of His fold. Her 
 fervent ' amen,' touched our hearts ; her brother 
 was deeply affected. 
 
 " ' It was our only interview. In a few days I 
 was called to perform the last rites, as we consigned 
 her body to the deep. Her brother, whom I noticed 
 she addressed as Macintosh, was her only rela 
 tive present. Her parents remained below, but their 
 piteous moans told the intensity of their grief. 
 
 " ' The name entered upon the books was Gordon. 
 You may perhaps have a knowledge of them.' 
 
 " Will not a comparison lessen the weight of our 
 present burdens, Amy ? " inquired Duncan, fondly 
 kissing her cheek. 
 
 " I desire to have a grateful spirit for my unnum 
 bered blessings," returned his sister ; " the Spirit is 
 willing, but the flesh is weak, Duncan. It shall be 
 
 O '
 
 304 GLENNAIR. 
 
 my aim, in future, to lighten father's weight of cares, 
 and find happiness in ministering to other's wants." 
 
 " Your happiness always was reflected, Amy," re 
 turned Duncan, affectionately ; " when did you seek 
 your own, rather than another's wealth ? " 
 
 The morning passed, the dinner-hour arrived. 
 Duncan and Lochiel, vainly awaiting their father's 
 return, partook of the meal alone. Day closed in ; 
 darkness gathered around them. Duncan had left 
 home on some important business, and Lochiel, feel 
 ing somewhat anxious, acceded to the proposal of 
 Edith, who was sitting with her friend, to dispatch 
 Allan to the manor to learn the cause of his deten 
 tion, and hastened to Thistle Hedge to ask the con 
 sent of Mr. Lincoln. Scarcely had he left the house 
 before the ponderous wheels of the carriage were 
 heard approaching. Edith sprang to the window ; 
 Mr. Graeme alighted. 
 
 " Dr. McMillan is with him," she observed, " but 
 he has driven on to Thistle Hedge. Helen is quite 
 unwell, and father desired Mr. Graeme to mention, 
 that if he could not conveniently see her, he would 
 ask Dr. Gordon to prescribe." 
 
 Amy was silent ; there was a quickly drawn breath. 
 It was unobserved by her friends. The next moment 
 Mr. Graeme stood beside them. 
 
 " What has happened, dear father ? " Amy in 
 quired, as she noticed the sadness of his countenance. 
 
 " A most" unexpected event has transpired this 
 day at the manor, my darling daughter. I have 
 been exceedingly anxious about you, but my deten 
 tion was unavoidable."
 
 GLENN AIR. 305 
 
 Kathleen opened the door to say that tea was 
 waiting Maister Graeme. 
 
 As he arose, a hand was laid upon the head of 
 Edith and Amy. " How rich a treasure I possess in 
 these precious hoons. How willingly would Glen- 
 nair's Laird have parted with his broad lands to 
 retain his child." 
 
 " It is of almost universal occurrence in every 
 family," observed Miss Lincoln; "his case is not a 
 peculiar one." 
 
 " Certainly not ; man is born to trouble as the 
 sparks fly upward ; but Lord Glennair is a nervously 
 sensitive,- warm, tender-hearted, idolizing father, and 
 has not placed his hopes, his trust, his heart, where 
 alone he will find consolation. Yet he clung to me 
 as a tendril to an oak ; besought my sympathy, my 
 prayers, and plead with me to remain and be his 
 Bolace in his extremity." 
 
 " I will return home for a few moments and hear 
 the Doctor's opinion of Helen. Will you not re 
 count to us all the troubles of the manor when I 
 return, Mr. Graeme ? There must be something we 
 have not anticipated. Amy, have you not an inter 
 est in hearing the' 'detail ? The Laird was evidently 
 partial to the Doctor." Mr. Graeme left the room. 
 
 " His conduct is incomprehensible. It is unwor 
 thy a man of sense such as Lord Glennair," she 
 added, as she threw her shawl around her and left 
 the room. 
 
 Dr. McMillan, when she entered, was in earnest 
 conversation with her father. He immediately 
 arose to receive her. Should she offer him her con- 
 
 20* U
 
 306 GLENNAIR. 
 
 gratulations ? ]S T o, she would not could not ; it 
 was impossible. 
 
 " How is Helen, Doctor ? " she inquired. 
 
 " Better, much better. A mother's solicitude," 
 he added, smiling, " renders Mrs. Cameron almost 
 too watchful over her little daughter." 
 
 " Perhaps so ; and her cousin walks too closely in 
 her mother's footsteps. But you will excuse me, 
 Doctor ; I will see little Helen for a moment ; I have 
 then promised to return to the manse." 
 
 " And Amy ? " inquired the Doctor, hesitatingly. 
 
 "Is better, decidedly better. Her physical 
 strength has been too heavily taxed of late. She 
 requires rest, absolute rest, rather than medical 
 aid." 
 
 " So I should judge," he returned, as a cloud 
 gathered on his brow ; " as Mr. Graeme did not in 
 vite me to prescribe, delicacy, of course, prevented 
 any proffer of my services." 
 
 " We all supposed you would leave us immediately, 
 and it required some consideration to consult a com 
 parative stranger." 
 
 " I w T as not aware I had confided to any my inten 
 tion of settling in the capital ; buf&o unceremonious 
 a leave-taking of my friends at Thistle Hedge, you 
 must have considered rather a curious proceeding. 
 This sickness of Miss Dunbar alone has detained 
 me this long ; her death now frees me from every 
 obligation." 
 
 " Her death ! " exclaimed Mr. and Miss Lincoln 
 at the same moment. 
 
 " We supposed for the last six months," observed
 
 GLENN A IE. 307 
 
 the latter, " that the occasion of your devotion at 
 the manor was of a far different nature." 
 
 "Of what possible nature?" he remarked, with 
 surprised inquiry. 
 
 " ISTot a doubt ever suggested itself to our minds 
 that Miss Gertrude was the affianced of James Mc 
 Millan, and that to-day their destinies were to be 
 united." 
 
 The eye of Dr. McMillan flashed. " Then why 
 was the hand of friendship still extended me by 
 those of this dwelling ? " he inquired. " Was such 
 a craven fitted to be the companion of any actuated 
 only by a sense of honor ? True, there had been no 
 promise asked or given, but were not 'my attentions 
 fully understood and silently encouraged by Miss 
 Graeme ? For whom did I inquire in my daily vis 
 its, and with whom was almost every leisure moment 
 passed ? No, no," he continued, sadly ; " until cast 
 aside as a thing of nought, by her who was, and is, 
 my life's " he paused. " I desire only to bury 
 in oblivion all that she has ever been to me. May 
 she be happy as the chosen one of Percy the future 
 mistress of Glennair." 
 
 There was a tight clasp of the hand by Mr. 
 Lincoln. 
 
 " Most thankful am I," he said, " that James Mc 
 Millan has brought no dishonor upon his fair name. 
 Let me disabuse your mind, also, in regard to Amy. 
 The hand of Percy has never been received, nor prof 
 fered ! I have it from the lips of Duncan." 
 
 " And why was my name almost blasted, Mr. 
 Lincoln ? Why was not inquiry made as to my real 
 position ? "
 
 308 GLENN AIR. 
 
 " The feminine delicacy of Amy, and the proud 
 spirit of Duncan, forbade it." 
 
 " And has she indeed viewed me in the light of a 
 trifler? I have in vain sought an interview with 
 Amy. Her cold denial only confirmed the testimony 
 of Lochiel. But is she indeed free ? and may I 
 hope- 
 
 His voice denied him further utterance. He 
 grasped more closely the hand of Mr. Lincoln. 
 
 " You must plead your own cause, my friend," he 
 returned, pleasantly. " In the midst of so strange 
 a succession of events, I scarcely realize my own 
 identity. Do not oblige me, therefore, to answer 
 for another. ' Why was the sickness of Gertrude 
 shrouded in such mystery ? " 
 
 " Owing to the Laird's peculiar temperament, and 
 his idolatry, his perfect idolatry of Gertrude. In 
 the manor, you know, all his domestics are bound 
 by the closest of all ties, that of affection, and 
 his slightest wish is to them a law. It was his 
 earnest desire that no report of her illness should go 
 forth. Percy was much opposed to the secrecy; 
 but his objections were overruled by the fallacious 
 arguments of the old gentlemen. Such was his 
 dread of its being even whispered, that it rendered 
 him perfectly miserable. The secret has been kept 
 at an immense amount of self-sacrifice, conversing 
 pleasantly, yea, even gayly with his friends, while 
 his heart was bleeding. It was sad, indeed, to see 
 the strong man bowed, when none were with him 
 but Percy and myself. At the manor, I was obliged ' 
 to remain continually, as the Laird was never satis-
 
 GLENN AIR. 309 
 
 fied unless I were within his call. In regard to my 
 practice, as soon as I should be freed from my duty 
 at the Castle, I resolved to place it in the charge of 
 Dr. Gordon, and leave forever my home, and all my 
 early associations, and retire to where I might have 
 no reminder of my loss. " I must see Amy at once. 
 Edith, I will accompany you." 
 
 " But the Laird's carriage is still waiting for you, 
 James," said Mr. Lincoln. 
 
 " We will ride to Mr. Graeme's, and then dismiss 
 it. I have promised to remain the night with the 
 Laird, but I will defer my visit until a later hour. 
 Suspense is intolerable ; there must be mutual expla 
 nation. I cannot, will not, should not delay it a 
 moment longer. I must know whether 
 
 The veins were swollen almost to bursting. His 
 voice quivered as he spoke. 
 
 "James, James," said Mr. Lincoln, "you are in 
 no frame to visit Amy. Your excitement might 
 produce evil consequences. The pallor of her cheek 
 has long told me she is not iudiiferent to you. Let 
 
 O 
 
 Allan dismiss the carriage; do you walk slowly 
 with Edith to the manse., that the balmy air of this 
 evening may allay your feverish impatience. Be 
 guided, young man, by one more versed in life's 
 sober realities. .. Make a calm, dispassionate state 
 ment to Amy, who at present feels, no doubt, sorely 
 aggrieved. All will be well, dear youth ; and may 
 God smile upon your future prospects." 
 
 There was a heartfelt "Thank you," as Mr. Lin 
 coln shook his hand at parting, and he proceeded 
 silently with Miss Lincoln to the manse.
 
 310 GLENNAIE. 
 
 " Dr. McMillan sought Mr. Graeme in the dining- 
 room ; Edith went to her friend's chamber. Amy 
 had risen, and was reclining in an arm-chair. 
 
 " Did Duncan see you from Thistle Hedge, Edith ? " 
 she inquired ; " I supposed he was engaged for the 
 evening." 
 
 " He told me, Amy, he would not return until 
 ten o'clock." 
 
 "Then who came in with you? I certainly heard 
 a familiar footstep." 
 
 " Dr. McMillan is with Mr. Graeme/' 
 
 " Not James ! " she exclaimed, as her face crim- 
 . soned with excitement ; " I cannot see him, Edith. 
 Frame what excuse you will, I cannot see him." 
 
 "At Thistle Hedge he announced the tidings of 
 the death of Gertrude Dunbar, Amy." 
 
 " Death ! So immediately after the nuptials ? 
 And he with us to-night? .How strange, how 
 passing strange." 
 
 " No, Amy, no " There was a gentle tap at 
 the door. Dr. McMillan entered. Miss Lincoln 
 immediately withdrew. 
 
 There was a cold recognition on the part of Miss 
 Graeme, as he seated himself closely beside her, and 
 laid his hand gently upon her own. Her eye was 
 raised for a moment, then sought the floor. 
 
 ""Why have I been so lightly esteemed, dear 
 Amy ? " he inquired, " that a breath, an idle tale, 
 should drive me from you ? " 
 
 " In none did I place more confidence," she re 
 turned, coldly, " until " 
 
 "Until," he interrupted, "I proved myself no
 
 GLENNAIR. 311 
 
 longer worthy of that confidence. Until my base 
 conduct rendered me unworthy of the friendship of 
 Amy Graeme. Until this hand, proffered to Miss 
 Dunbar, rendered me, in your estimation, a paltry, 
 miserable trifler. "Was it not so, Amy? " 
 
 " The hand of Dr. McMillan might be proffered 
 to whom he would, she replied, haughtily, "if he 
 were bound by no tie to another. -Tarn, not aware 
 of any such restriction." 
 
 "And if a sense of honor had not restrained me, 
 why should I have rendered myself the most miser 
 able of men ? why voluntarily have relinquished 
 what has been the beau ideal of my life ? The first, 
 the last, the only being in existence, who has it in 
 her power to render my life's pathway bright and 
 joyous, is yourself. My time, my skill, have been 
 most willingly spent in endeavoring to rescue that 
 young, that lovely flower from the grave ; but my 
 heart has been filled with distress, and my days and 
 nights passed in wretched sorrow, that Amy Graeme 
 could have permitted me to hope, have smiled upon 
 my efforts to win her affections, and then cast a 
 cloud over my path forever, by her acceptance of 
 the hand of Percy." 
 
 "Never 1 " she exclaimed ; "never ! " as the tears 
 fell rapidly down her cheek. 
 
 " I know it ; I know it all, dear Amy," he re 
 turned, gently ; " my mind has been fully disabused. 
 Within this hour, I have obtained permission of 
 Mr. Graeme to ask a boon, that, if granted, will 
 dissipate every cloud, and render me the happiest 
 of men. May I hope to call you mine, Amy ? " he 
 inquired, as he bent anxiously over her.
 
 312 GLENNAIE. 
 
 A faint smile played over her pallid face. Her 
 head slightly bowed. 
 
 Her hand was raised, and clasped warmly. 
 
 " One hour since," he continued, " I was on the 
 eve of forsaking home, fleeing from self, seeking, 
 alas ! how vainly, forgetfulness of the past in new 
 scenes, while my heart remained buried with you, 
 my own, my precious Amy. Now, how changed, 
 my path is indeed cloudless. But your fluttering 
 pulse needs rest, Amy, and I can scarcely be wanted 
 longer at the manor. I will prescribe a trifling 
 opiate, which I will leave with Mr. Graeme in the 
 study. But the physician invariably anticipates a 
 fee," he added, smiling archly ; " shall it be with 
 held in this instance ? " 
 
 There was a very bright smile as the deep color 
 suffused her face, but whether the fee was obtained, 
 I will leave my readers to determine.
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 " So he stood in his integrity, 
 Just and firm of purpose, 
 Aiding many, fearing none, 
 A spectacle to angels and to men." 
 
 BRIGHT, indeed, shone the sun on the succeeding 
 morning, as Amy with a light and gladsome 
 spirit, opened wide her casement to invite its beams > 
 and sweet was the carol of the little hirds, as from 
 the hand of their young mistress they pecked the 
 crumbs she offered ; and as the rich and melodious 
 notes of Duncan, in the adjoining chamber, singing 
 a favorite air, fell upon her ear, she raised a tearful 
 eye and grateful heart to the Author of every good 
 and perfect gift. 
 
 Seating herself with her Bible in her hand, she 
 was interrupted by a gentle tap, and a pleasant in 
 quiry from Duncan whether he might come in. 
 
 " I could scarcely await the morning, dear Amy, 
 to meet you," he said, clasping her warmly to his 
 bosom. " Mr. Lincoln told me all ; and father sym 
 pathized deeply with the happiness of James, when, 
 on leaving you last evening, he joined him in the 
 study. lie said that he sealed with his full consent 
 his fondest wishes." 
 
 The face of Amy was hidden ; the tears upon her 
 
 27 - 313
 
 314 GLENNAIR. 
 
 cheek told not of sorrow, but a heart overflowing 
 with happy feeling. 
 
 " The transition is so sudden," she at length re 
 marked, " that the revulsion is almost painful. Such 
 a tide of unexpected happiness unnerves me." 
 
 " The reality," returned her brother, " is more 
 wonderful than the vagaries of a disordered imagi 
 nation. Through the past year, our fortunes have 
 been indeed varied. All is now sunshine, Amy ; I 
 trust no cloud will intervene to mar our prospect. 
 The Lord reigns ; He will always bring good out of 
 evil. If misfortune had not beset our path, we 
 should not have nestled so closely to the cross." 
 
 " Are not afflictions always sanctified to the be 
 lieving heart, Duncan? I trust we have that evi 
 dence of being the children of the covenant." 
 
 "Doubt it not, Amy; though sinning daily, 
 hourly, yea, at every moment ready to mourn some 
 sad defection, yet I know that my Redeemer liveth, 
 and that in my flesh I shall see God." 
 
 " My assurance has been clouded of late, Duncan. 
 I feared my good estate was not firmly founded." 
 
 " Distrust not your Redeemer's word, dear Amy. 
 ' He that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.' 
 Go to Him ; cling to His cross ; look away from self ; 
 rely upon His precious promises, and trust Him for 
 time and eternity. Your home is prepared in that 
 abode which He died to secure you. Wound Him not 
 by doubting for a moment your safety. But there 
 is the bell. Father is no doubt awaiting us impa 
 tiently in the breakfast-room." 
 
 A very bright smile was returned for the warm
 
 GLENN AIR. 315 
 
 kiss of Amy, as she bade her father " good morn- 
 ing." 
 
 " And did the anodyne have the desired effect? or 
 had other causes a magic charm to produce so bright 
 a glow this morning ? " he inquired. 
 
 " The anodyne stilled my nerves, father," she re 
 plied, as the color deepened, " and I slept very 
 calmly." 
 
 " And may life's pathway be calm and peaceful, 
 daughter," he returned, as he laid his hand affec 
 tionately upon her head, " and may you be gently 
 led on the heavenward road, where all is perfect 
 peace, and may your mind ever be stayed on the 
 Almighty arm. None can better point the way 
 than he whom Providence has allotted as your pro 
 tector. James is all I could desire, in every point 
 of view ; and it is in my Amy's power still to be the 
 life, the stay of her father's home. James has prom 
 ised never to separate her from those dependent upon 
 her for many comforts." 
 
 " And on no other terms would I ever consent to 
 his wishes, dear father," she returned ; ".and nothing 
 but death will ever separate Amy Graeme from her 
 dear, her only parent." 
 
 And I trust, daughter, I will always keep in view 
 the hand which has bestowed so inestimable a gift, 
 and be resigned to His holy will, should He see fit to 
 remove my treasure. But," he added, " while we 
 are living under a cloudless heaven, let us not over 
 look the command to 'mourn with those who 
 mourn.' The poor Laird now demands our sympa 
 thy, our kindest attention. Mr. Lincoln, at early 
 dawn, ordered his carnage made ready, and, with
 
 316 GLENNAIR. 
 
 Lochiel, lias gone to offer his sympathy to Ms 
 friend." 
 
 " And Lochiel came to my door, father," inter 
 rupted Duncan, " to say that the Laird required 
 his services when freed from college duties ; he would 
 therefore remain for a few days at the Manor." 
 
 " And I have promised again to see him after at 
 tending to some parochial duties this morning. I 
 long to impart consolation to his crushed spirit. He 
 is stricken to the earth, realizing not the hand that 
 has so sorely bruised him. With one having so 
 high a moral sense as Lord Glennair, (like him who 
 touched the heart of the Redeemer, yet left him sor 
 rowing, unwilling to fulfil His one command,) it is 
 difficult to minister comfort ; hut I trust he will he 
 led to see mercy even in this severe dispensation, 
 which may be instrumental in his own sanctification." 
 
 The heart of Amy bounded, as a familiar footfall 
 met her ear. Dr. McMillan entered. The chastened 
 expression of his countenance showed the impression 
 left by the sad scenes in which he had, of late, been 
 so prominent an actor ; but his face lighted with 
 pleasure as his eye met that of Amy which told 
 only of sympathy for the sorrows of others ; and 
 his heart was now gladdened by her welcome, the 
 benignant smile of Mr. Graeme, and the cordial 
 greeting of Duncan. 
 
 " Do you feel equal to a short drive, Amy ? " he 
 inquired, " my carriage is in waiting, and I have an 
 hour at your service. Mr. MacAlpin has purchased 
 a house among the mountains, five miles from this. 
 "We will take a survey, and, if satisfactory, I will 
 convey your opinion to sister on our return."
 
 GLENN AIR. 317 
 
 A ready assent was given, and Amy, when 
 equipped, was placed with care in the wagon, by 
 the Doctor, who dismissed Bernard to Thistle Hedge, 
 to render any assistance in his power until his return. 
 
 " What magic charm has not that little assent of 
 last evening wrought, Amy," he whispered, as he 
 seated himself beside her ; " could you have imag 
 ined my days and nights of anguish while sitting 
 beside the couch of the dear sufferer at the Manor, 
 you would then realize the happiness, the truly, 
 my lot is cast in pleasant places. Must I await the 
 rising and setting of many suns, Amy, ere I may 
 call you mine ? " 
 
 " In six weeks, Duncan removes to Pleasant Slope," 
 she replied. 
 
 " Then permit Duncan to be my first groomsman 
 previously," he interrupted, with an arch smile. 
 
 The eye of Amy fell as she falteringly replied, "It 
 cannot be, James ; it is impossible." 
 
 "And why impossible ? " he inquired, playfully 
 taking her hand. " Mr. Graeme has promised me 
 shelter; will you be less hospitable? Would that 
 I could see that pallid cheek always so deeply tinted 
 as now. Well, we will for the present (but remem 
 ber, only for the present) dismiss the subject, and 
 pass an opinion on the rural cottage before us." 
 
 The beautiful mansion was duly examined and 
 admired. 
 
 " I have promised sister a month of our society 
 each summer, Amy. It is due. A sister, in every 
 sense, she has been, and is to me. Impatient to 
 have her sympathy, I saw her ere she arose this
 
 318 GLENN A IE. 
 
 morning. She now rejoices with me, even as she 
 has, in some bitterness of spirit, I fear, mourned 
 with me. She reflected upon you sorely, Amy." 
 
 " I observed her changed manner, and could not 
 divine the cause." 
 
 * The conversation was interrupted as they arrived 
 at the door of the manse, and Mr. Graeme appeared, 
 to assist Amy in alighting. There was a silent 
 thanksgiving offered as he noticed the bright and 
 happy face of his daughter, and a silent prayer for 
 him to whom he had resigned his treasure. _ 
 
 After many precautions given Amy, the Doctor 
 set forth to pursue a round of duties, rather dis 
 tasteful at the present moment ; and toward evening, 
 after dining with the afflicted inmates of the Manor, 
 returned to his desired haven, to enjoy with Amy 
 the few hours he could call his own. 
 
 " There has been some misunderstanding on the 
 part of Percy, Amy," the Doctor remarked, as they 
 eat together in the study ; " he evidently is sorely 
 grieved at receiving coldness, rather than sympathy, 
 from you. I much fear," he added, sadly, "his 
 heart is centred in Amy Graeme." 
 
 " The charms of Amy Graeme," she returned, 
 pleasantly, " if they have forced others to bow to 
 their supremacy, have certainly had no effect upon 
 the heart of Percy ; but I fully comprehend his 
 meaning : there was mutual misunderstanding, and 
 I will at once, by a kind note, disabuse his mind of 
 the idea that sincere sympathy is lacking on my 
 part." 
 
 The note was written, and the Doctor deputed to
 
 GLENNAIR. 319 
 
 be the bearer, with any further explanation he 
 deemed advisable. 
 
 Some days had passed, and the hour, that dreaded 
 hour, had arrived, in which the first-born of the 
 Laird was to be conveyed to the silent tomb. Many 
 sad hearts were there, to pay respect to the memory 
 of the departed. Many social ties were broken, and 
 many mourned the loss of a kind benefactress ; but 
 by this afflictive dispensation the heart of the Laird 
 was led to higher aspirations, and bowing submis 
 sively to the chastening rod, he was enabled to say, 
 " Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him." 
 
 On the day succeeding the" burial, Lochiel left the 
 Manor, and on the following morning, at the door 
 of the manse, met his sister returning from her ride, 
 accompanied by her brother and Doctor McMillan. 
 After assisting Amy to dismount, he followed Dun 
 can, who was leading Raven to the stable. So soon 
 as they were alone, he drew his brother's attention 
 by suddenly dropping the rein of Blanche, exclaim 
 ing, " Do, in pity, Duncan, explain to me the new 
 witchcraft that has taken possession of sister and 
 Doctor McMillan ! " 
 
 "Any maze regarding either can readily be cleared 
 away, my dear brother," replied Duncan, calmly. 
 "What is the trouble?" 
 
 "Why, Duncan, when the Doctor left us last 
 evening, he kissed sister as if he had our birthright." 
 
 Duncan laughed outright ; Lochiel colored indig 
 nantly, and resumed: "Surely, Duncan, you, with 
 all of us, are fully aware of the claim of Percy Dun- 
 bar ; you certainly believe Amy is affianced to him? "
 
 320 GLENNAIE. 
 
 " I know, certainly, to the contrary, Lochiel. I 
 know Amy never accepted addresses that were 
 never proffered, nor even thought of." 
 
 " You amaze me, Duncan : then why was sister, 
 and sister only, inquired for so constantly by Percy? " 
 
 " That may have reasonably occurred, as Amy 
 was confidante in some affair of his, neither of her 
 own or of Cupid's. It is my brother's habit to rush 
 at a conclusion : a single query would have satisfac 
 torily solved the seeming mystery." 
 
 "Admitting this a possibility, Duncan," resumed 
 the lad, in a hushed voice, and hesitatingly, " Ger 
 trude Dunbar is scarcely consigned to the tomb, and 
 you will not tell me there was no betrothal there ? " 
 
 "With the same confidence, my mistaken brother. 
 The almost exclusive attentions, and constant visits 
 of our Doctor, were earnestly entreated by the Laird ; 
 his abhorrence to the publicity of his daughter's 
 failing strength induced this requirement, and also 
 his secrecy : from the implicit adherence of the Doc 
 tor to all these injunctions, originated the report 
 which others than yourself credited. James has 
 explained all so satisfactorily, that father has con 
 sented cordially to receive him as a third son at as 
 early a period as Amy Graeme chooses to name." 
 
 Lochiel silently led Blanche into the stable, 
 smoothed her down, and joined his brother again. 
 
 "Any objection, Lochiel, to the increase of the 
 brotherhood ? " Duncan asked pleasantly, as they 
 were nearing the house. 
 
 " There could be none to James McMillan, in any 
 situation, Duncan ; but to fling away all my specu-
 
 GLENNAIE. 321 
 
 lations, and overthrow all my expectations, will re 
 quire time and reflection." 
 
 "The Doctor is coming, be careful how you 
 express yourself to him ; go forward and offer your 
 hand and congratulations, Lochiel." 
 
 "From the sudden cessation of conversation," the 
 Doctor remarked, taking the extended hand of the 
 younger Graeme, " I conclude I have been the sub 
 ject. Surprise still is uppermost in the mind of 
 Lochiel. I trust the happiest man in Glennair has 
 created no contrary feeling, no disappointment? " 
 lie regarded Lochiel earnestly. 
 
 " Oh ! no, no ! " exclaimed the warm-hearted youth, 
 " it is just as I could have wished it ; but ' WHO is 
 IT ? ' has been so often the question in our Parish, I 
 am perfectly bewildered." Grasping the hand of 
 the Doctor, and throwing his sister's riding-whip 
 to his brother, he rushed into the house. 
 
 "Such excitability will destroy that frail form ; 
 what could have induced it in this instance?" in 
 quired the Doctor. 
 
 "He was among the misled by your constant visits 
 at the Manor ; and your position in our family could 
 not remain undiscovered, after the manner of your 
 parting with our sister last evening:' that led to his 
 inquiries, and the denouement. He is still suffering 
 from the bewilderment caused by learning that 
 Percy and Amy had not formed a contract for life, 
 which he implicitly believed. To reason with Lo 
 chiel will be unavailing ; he will become calm in a 
 little while, if left to himself." 
 
 "Lochiel, with a noble intellect, and a warm,
 
 322 GLENNAIE. 
 
 affectionate heart," returned the Doctor, "has 
 always been the slave of an unfettered will of late, 
 influenced, in a measure, by his devotion to a way 
 ward girl. I feared the helm would scarcely guide 
 to a propitious haven ; but since this sore trial has 
 mellowed Ellen's temper, and brought her, with a 
 meek and chastened spirit, to the foot of the cross, 
 I doubt not it will tell upon the character of Lochiel 
 for time, and when time shall be no longer." 
 
 " I have always marvelled, Doctor, that a fetter 
 could be drawn so firmly by one so inferior to our 
 boy." 
 
 The Doctor smiled. " It is a chain whose links 
 often bind closely ere reason is consulted," he re 
 plied ; " but the appreciation of Lord Glennair is 
 much increased in consequence of the excellent taste 
 he has shown in his selection ; and the sincere sym 
 pathy of Lochiel, in this trying season, has so won 
 the heart of the Laird, that he is resolved, if he 
 obtain the consent of Mr. Graeme, that he shall 
 share with Percy and Ellen the advantages of visit 
 ing foreign parts. He intends broaching the subject 
 to-day when Mr. Graeme pays his customary visit." 
 
 "And the Laird has fully determined to accom 
 pany Percy ? " 
 
 " He is not willing to retain Percy at home, and 
 cannot endure the thought of separation." 
 
 For a moment there was a troubled expression 
 upon the brow of young Graeme, then, as though a 
 sudden thought had arrested him, his countenance 
 brightened. " I will see the Laird with father," he 
 remarked. " Under such auspices tjie advantages
 
 GLENNAIR. 323 
 
 would be incalculable. LocLiel must avail himself 
 of them." 
 
 There was an arch, meaning expression upon the 
 face of the Doctor as he called, on mounting his 
 horse, " The Graeme spirit, Duncan." There was 
 no reply ; and waving his hand pleasantly, he rode 
 away. 
 
 On the same evening, young Graeme accompanied 
 his father to the Manor. 
 
 "Your daily kindness is a balm to my wounded 
 spirit, my dear Pastor," the Laird remarked, as he 
 warmly pressed his hand ; " and my poor son cannot 
 too highly commend the attentions of his most be 
 loved friend, Duncan Graeme ; but I have yet another 
 favor to ask at your hands. Lochiel, of late, has 
 been to me as one of my own family, and I desire 
 that he, as my guest, may accompany us to the 
 Continent. Mr. Turnbull, as private tutor, will be 
 with us, and no loss in regard to his regular routine 
 of education shall accrue." 
 
 "Your kind wish was mentioned to Duncan, 
 Laird; his object in accompanying me this morning 
 was to have some conversation with you upon the 
 subject." 
 
 " Pardon this seeming intrusion, Laird," said 
 Duncan, "when my father alone was addressed; 
 but if such advantageous arrangements can be made 
 for Lochiel, the responsibility and trouble he will 
 cost you will be more than he can ever possibly 
 repay : will you not, therefore, permit me to defray 
 all personal expenses ? " 
 
 "So spoke the grandson of Campbell Dunwiddie! "
 
 324 GLENNA1JR. 
 
 lie exclaimed " that maternal grandsire, loved by 
 all, respected by all, and whose only failing was an 
 intense desire to bestow, rather than to receive. 
 But, Duncan Graeme, as I am already under the 
 deepest obligation to your house for your unwearied 
 attentions, I must be gratified in this instance. 
 Lochiel goes as my guest." 
 
 ""We duly appreciate your kindness, Laird," re 
 turned Mr. Graeme, " and do most sincerely thank 
 you ; but the expenses of Duncan have been light 
 for some previous years, and he has reserved from 
 his salary a sum sufficient for this purpose. Will 
 you not allow him the gratification? His heart is 
 set upon it." 
 
 Lord Glennair hesitated. " I am fully aware, my 
 boy," he remarked, laying his hand kindly on his 
 arm, " that an urged favor is no favor ; therefore, 
 let the matter rest as you would have it ; it is of 
 trivial importance, and scarcely worthy a contest; 
 but to my dear Pastor," he added, turning to him, 
 "my obligation will never cease. Ho, when time 
 shall be no longer with me ; when this heart and 
 voice shall join in rapturous strain to praise redeem 
 ing love, I will still bless the hand that, in my sore 
 bereavement, pointed to a Friend that sticketh 
 closer than a brother ; to a Physician able to bind 
 up the broken in spirit ; to a Redeemer able to save 
 to the uttermost; and led me to the foot of the 
 cross, from which nothing can ever separate me. 
 Yes, I bless affliction, that it has led me to know 
 myself, to know my God, my " Overcome 
 by his emotion, he wept.
 
 GLENNAIB. 325 
 
 "With instinctive delicacy, Duncan silently with 
 drew from tlie apartment. 
 
 The eye of Lochiel beamed with pleasure and 
 gratitude as Duncan opened up to him the proposal 
 of the Laird, and the terms on which he had acceded 
 to it. 
 
 " It is noble, Duncan," he returned, resting his 
 hand affectionately on his shoulder ; "just like you, 
 and the deeds of your whole life. You were born 
 for the happiness of others, and have faithfully ful 
 filled your mission. It is not given from your 
 abundance, Duncan, and shall riot be lightly es 
 teemed. It will incite me to more industry, more 
 perseverance, and," he added, striking his hand 
 heavily upon the table, " as sure as Lochiel Graeme 
 is Lochiel Graeme, it shall be returned to its present 
 owner. The first, yea, second, third, and fourth 
 fees of Dr. Lochiel Graeme shall be held sacred for 
 this purpose, l^one shall say that the scapegrace, 
 Lochiel, has appropriated the hard earnings of the 
 best of brothers, to his own selfish purposes." 
 
 ""Well, well, Lochiel, all I desire in return is to 
 see you a Christian gentleman, striving to benefit 
 others, and, like your Master, going about doing 
 good." 
 
 " The atmosphere I breathe ought to render me 
 all you wish, and, if affliction sanctifies, surely I 
 have born the yoke in my youth." 
 
 A smile played upon the face of Duncan as he 
 replied, " That passage, as I apprehend it, alludes 
 not to trial, Lochiel, but to the yoke of the Saviour." 
 
 "A yoke that I am resolved to bear," he returned, 
 
 28
 
 326 GLENN A IE. 
 
 seriously. " But I must at once see Ellen ; she has 
 sorely mourned with me the prospect of a separa 
 tion. Her mind must be relieved without delay." 
 
 "Dinner is waiting us ; you will remember father's 
 injunction, Lochiel." 
 
 "Explain to him the urgency of my engagement, 
 Duncan." 
 
 " The urgency, in your esteem," his brother re 
 plied, pleasantly. 
 
 "And, Duncan," he added, returning as he was 
 about leaving the room, " ask sister to break it gen 
 tly to Margey. I cannot be the first bearer of the 
 intelligence ; her grief would entirely unman me. 
 Or will you do me this favor, if sister is unwilling? " 
 
 " The information had better be conveyed gradu- 
 ally." 
 
 "No, Duncan, no; she will be hurt deeply hurt, 
 unless apprised of it immediately. On second thought, 
 I will be my own messenger." 
 
 " Your thoughts and intentions are so swift- winged, 
 Lochiel, that we can hardly distinguish them by 
 number." 
 
 Lochiel, only replying by a laugh, crossed the 
 hall hastily, and disappeared in the kitchen. 
 
 "You are going to lose me, Margey, a certain 
 case," he said, "all settled between father and the 
 Laird. It can't be helped, Margey, and we must 
 all submit to whatever may befall us." 
 
 "Lose ye, Master Lochiel?" exclaimed the old 
 woman, letting fall the spoon within her fingers ; 
 " lose ye ! Heaven bless ye, what mean ye by sic a 
 thing?"
 
 GLENNAIR. 327 
 
 ""Why I mean, Margey, that I am going to Eng 
 land, and many other places, with the Laird, and " 
 
 "And wha wi' hae the care o' ye should ye be 
 ill ? " she inquired, laying her trembling hand upon 
 his arm ; " and wha wi' care for a' your wee com 
 forts, my bonnie bairn ? " 
 
 "Well, we must trust, Margey, and I have no 
 doubt the Laird will have an eye to all these mat 
 ters." 
 
 The old woman shook her head sadly, while tears 
 coursed down her cheeks. "And hae ye nae thought," 
 she inquired, reproachfully, "for the mony lonely 
 hours of puir auld Margey ? And hae ye iiae care 
 for a' the sad forebodings that hae come to me o' 
 late ? It 's a' out ; ye may gang, Maister Lochiel : 
 but your return wi' nae be sae blythe and happy ; 
 the sod will be lang o'er the grave o' auld Margey ; 
 how wi' she live wi' the thought of Maister Lochiel's 
 illness, or may be death, in the land o' strangers? " 
 Covering her face with her apron, she sobbed aloud. 
 
 " But, Margie," he returned, placing his arm 
 kindly around her, " it is so usual to travel, and 
 persons constantly return safely." 
 
 " But it 's nae the kind thing o' ye, Maister Lo 
 chiel. "Wha stood up for ye when ye've been called 
 names that 's made me hate 'em, and watched o'er ye 
 night and day when ye've been sorely ailin' ? 'T is 
 nae the kind thing o' ye. And ye cannot find a 
 blyther spot than our ain isle. What will ye gain 
 by a' your trampin's ? " 
 
 "You will think better of it, I know you will," 
 he replied, as the tear started to his own eye; "and
 
 328 GLENN AIR. 
 
 tlie first letter written shall be to my own Margey, 
 and the first purchase in foreign parts shall be for 
 you. You cannot long think hard of your own 
 Lochiel ; and when I come back, safe and sound, 
 think of the stories I shall have to tell you." 
 
 "And wi' ye tarry lang? " she inquired, somewhat 
 soothed ; " or wi' it be weeks and months afore your 
 sweet face blesses me wi' its sight ? " 
 
 " There is no certainty ; and I could not be rude 
 enough to worry the Laird with many questions. 
 You have taught me differently from that, Margey." 
 
 "!N"ae, I'd gie any the lie that said nae tae that, 
 Maister Lochiel ; and ye '11 bear yoursel' the gentle 
 man in the face of Laird or sairvants. Never fear 
 ye. But in a strange land, where they dinna ken 
 ye, ye '11 hae tae be a wee mair like Maister Duncan, 
 and nae the less like yoursel', either ; but you 're a 
 gentleman, and nane 'ill e'er dispute it in this, or 
 any land ye '11 travel, till ye arrive at the gate o' 
 the Celestial City." 
 
 "And the way to that gate I am now seeking, 
 Margey," he returned, gravely. 
 
 "And I '11 seek it with ye," she replied, warmly. 
 " I '11 ne'er see" ye enter, and be left out mysel'." 
 
 " God grant we may both seek aright," he re 
 turned, shaking her hand affectionately ; " but father 
 will be the better teacher." 
 
 "And ye '11 hae a cauld dinner, Maister Lochiel," 
 interrupted Kathleen, who came in at that moment, 
 " if ye dinna hasten tae it. Maister Duncan said 
 ye were gane tae the Manor." 
 
 "And I have a pressing engagement that forbids
 
 GLENNAIR. 329 
 
 my remaining longer," lie said, hurrying toward 
 the front door. 
 
 As far as sight had the faculty of discerning, the 
 eye of the old nurse followed him as he hent his 
 steps toward the manor ; then, slowly returning, as she 
 closed the door, she murmured, " May the Lord keep 
 him frae harm i' the midst o' strangers ; but we '11 hae 
 a lone time, even wi' Maister McMillan and Bernard." 
 The evening brought Lochiel home, enthusiastic 
 in the praises of the Laird and the Directors of the 
 Bank, placing, at the same time, a package in the 
 hand of Duncan. What was his brother's astonish 
 ment on opening it, to find enclosed a deed convey 
 ing Pleasant Slope to Duncan Graeme, and a kind 
 note from the Directors, asking his acceptance of it 
 as a token of their sincere regard and high appre 
 ciation. Mr. Graeme was not at home to sympa 
 thize with the feelings of the gratified youth, and, 
 accompanied by Lochiel and his sister, he proceeded 
 immediately to Thistle Hedge. 
 
 " It is just the purchase I wished to make," said 
 Mr. Lincoln, " but could not see my way clear in 
 doing so at present ; but the Lord w r ill always 
 provide for his own people. "We seem to be pecu 
 liarly his care, Duncan ; and how his judgments have 
 followed in every step of the path of our miserably 
 unhappy persecutor ! Percy placed this letter in my 
 hand this morning, desiring me to send it to the 
 manor for perusal. It is from the same correspond 
 ent who described, so feelingly, the last hours of the 
 young and beautiful daughter of Mungo Robertson, 
 lie says, 
 28*
 
 330 GLENNAIR. 
 
 " * Several months elapsed, after arriving in Austra 
 lia, before I had any tidings of the surviving mem 
 bers of the family of the interesting young lady I 
 mentioned in my last ; and the sad event had almost 
 passed from my mind, when a stranger came to my 
 house with a request that I would at once see a man 
 in the last agonies of death. " He has mentioned 
 you by name," he said, " and desires you would come 
 to him." 
 
 " ' Without a mo.rnent's delay, I followed him to a 
 small cabin. There, what a scene presented itself! 
 Stretched upon the ground floor, lay a miserably 
 haggard being, the wildness of whose eye startled 
 me. I seated myself upon a low stool beside him, 
 and laying my hand upon his forehead, clammy in 
 death, I said, " Though we pass through the valley 
 of the shadow of death, the Lord has promised to 
 be with all who love Him, and put their trust in 
 Him." 
 
 " ' The lip quivered, and the eye closed, as he mur 
 mured, " The eternal horrors of a second death ; a 
 dread abyss ; dark, deep, eternal ! " 
 
 " ' I replied not, but kneeling beside him, was about 
 offering a supplication in his behalf, when, with un 
 natural strength, he seized my hand. 
 
 " ' " You will call in vain," he said, bitterly. "Vain, 
 vain, is the help of man. But I have a request, a 
 message " His voice sunk, and I supposed him 
 dying ; but rallying, he continued, " Do you re 
 member consigning one to the deep on. board the 
 Congo ? " he inquired. 
 
 " ' " Perfectly. "Where is her brother ? "
 
 GLENN A IK. 331 
 
 " '" Gone to an early grave ; a victim to the ambi 
 tion of a cruel parent." 
 
 '" " And are his parents still living? " I inquired. 
 
 " ' " Her mother, with a crushed spirit, followed her 
 idolized son and daughter." "And her father?" 
 " Would you know his fate ? Tell Mm tell Percy 
 tell him," he whispered in a voice almost spent, " to 
 intercede for me ; I know you are his friend ; I 
 therefore sent for you to ask, to plead, at the hand 
 of Robert Dunbar, forgiveness for the perjured, mis 
 erable, unhappy, and justly execrated Mungo Rob 
 ertson." 
 
 " ' I started from my seat with amazement. " !Nbt," 
 I exclaimed, " ISTot " Large drops now stood upon 
 his forehead. I again sank upon my knees. I pleaded 
 as a man pleadeth with his brother, for the dying 
 man. I felt that an immortal spirit was about en 
 tering the eternal world, without resting upon that 
 arm extended to receive the chief of sinners. " Lord, 
 thine arm is not shortened," I said. 
 
 " ' The hand of the stranger was gently laid upon 
 my arm ; his finger pointed to the lifeless tenement. 
 So quietly had the spirit passed, I was not conscious 
 of the change. May I never again be called to wit 
 ness such a. scene.' ' 
 
 " Truly," saM Mr. Lincoln, " the hand of the 
 avenger of blood will not be stayed without the 
 walls of the city of refuge." 
 
 " And truly," exclaimed Lochiel, as the big tears 
 rolled down his face, " any resentment I may have 
 harbored, is at an end. I feel only the greatest com 
 miseration, and Lord Glennair will weep over so 
 terrible a retribution."
 
 332 G L E N N A 1 11. 
 
 For some days there was a sad impression ; a 
 feeling of compassion but it passed away ; and 
 with hearts overflowing with thankfulness, they 
 blessed the hand that was now strewing only flowers 
 in their path. 
 
 With redoubled zest, as the possessors of Pleasant 
 Slope, Duncan and Edith suggested improvements 
 in the house and grounds ; and the changed appear 
 ance of the manse also told that something; more 
 
 o 
 
 than usual was about transpiring there. An addi 
 tion of a large wing appeared, which was certainly 
 not needed by the Pastor, and might possibly be for 
 the accommodation of one of another profession. 
 
 " Wonderful, indeed, have been the checkered 
 events of the last few years of our lives," Lochiel 
 remarked to Mr. Lincoln, as they stood viewing 
 the enchanting prospect from the window of Pleas 
 ant Slope ; " and through what a different medium 
 do I now see the power that rules the universe and 
 guides the destinies of men. Since the still, small 
 voice has spoken, peace has reigned over the troubled 
 waters, and my soul is stayed on Christ my God. I 
 leave these shores with new aspirations, new hopes, 
 a new and happy future opening up before me." 
 
 " Here, viewing such a scene," returned Mr. Lin 
 coln, solemnly, " our heart may be stirred to its in 
 most depths, revering the hand that formed it ; but 
 on Calvary alone will we be melted with the con 
 sciousness of our own sinfulness, and cling as hum 
 ble suppliants to that cross, finding a balm for 
 every sorrow, and the bright prospect of a crown 
 beyond the skies."
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below 

 
 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY