LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 916, 1 June 1877, Page 3

LITERATURE.

VIOLET. A Story in Three Chapters. BY AUSTIN LESLIE. {Continued.) Wearied with over-enjoyment at last, having seen Holyrood and others of the sights of the fair city, they sought their hostelry, and, the old mare having been refreshed with a long rest and a good feed, started for home. Letty had got the longpromised locket, in which was to be inserted a portrait of her swain, and with this fastened to a broad blue ribbon round her neck, she felt very happy by the side of her radient lover. As they drove southwards through the crowded streets, a horseman mounted on a chestnut throughbred, whom Letty recognised at a glance, dashed from a side street ; and as he rode past them, the hery steed prancing and curveting on the bit, raised his hat to her, smiled, and dashed on. Letty's face burned crimson as she bowed to him, and a feeling of shame at the shabby vehicle that conveyed her homewards mingled with dismay at her acquaintance with the horseman being discovered by her lover. But even amid her confusion she could not help contrasting the gallant bearing of the rider and the fire and symmetry of his steed with the appearance of her swain with his sorry animal.

' Hullo, Letty, do you know Douglas Stuart?' asked George, with a slight frown on his face. 'He bows to me when he meets mo. I gave him an old knife one morning to take a stone out of his horse's foot as ho rode into town. Poor Sultan, he was quite lame.' ' You know the horse's name, too. Why you must be quite intimate.' ' Oh, no; I see him sometimes riding home; that's all.'

Letty turned her head, as if she thought no more of the subject, and began to speak to her companion who sat behind. But George who had heard rumors of the life that young Stuart Jed, had taken fright at even this slight acquaintance with his betrothed ; and the happiness that hid filhd his heart all day disappe red, and instead there was a look of pain on his generally cheerful countenance. They spoke little more for the rest of the way, and when he stooped at Langloan to put down Letty, there was a hesitation in his manner that was altogether strange to him ; and she was alarmed at his stern face, and tiied to rally him upon the subject.

' I look after that fellow Stuart. He would evidently like to improve the acquaintance he has managed tc pick with her, confound him !' mutteied George, as he drove thoughtfully homewards; and the dark lowering sky, that encircled as with a pall the once blue heavens, seemed as if to aympathise with his troubled heart, that had been so happy and void of care on that sweet summer day. In truth, if he had known all, George Linn would have had good reason for being suspicious of this newly-discovered acquaintance. Scarcely a day passed but Letty managed to be about the house when Douglas Stuart rode homewards, and once or twice she had happened to meet him in the cross-road that ran southwards a few hundred yards from the house, which he generally took as a shorter way to Stuart Hall. Of course, when Douglas met the fair maidfin in tl'is sequestrated spot, hewas only too glad to rein in his horse and speak a few honeyed words to her ; and it was sweet to him when the crimson blood mantling the maiden's cheeks, and the downcast eyes, and the tremulous voice told of the power of his presence upon her. And one day, Letty scarcely could tell how, she promised to meet him the next night at an unfrequented road that led along bj r the burn flowing through her father's farm. She almost regretted she had made the promise as soon as she heard the sound of his horse's hoofs dying away in the distance. But she knew that he admired her—she could tell that by the glance he flashed upon her from the depths of his dark eyes ; and who could tell but that he might marry her ? Stranger things had come to pass ; and she was sure that he loved her. She lay awake in her bed at night, visions of the grandeur in store for her passing before her eyes ; but in the midst of her boldest flights of fancy a still small voice would creep round the stillness of her chamber, and bring to her recollection the memory of her old love, which seemed to be fast fading from her thoughts. And when she did at length fall asleep, it was only to toss in troubled dreams upon her couch till the morning broke, beautiful and calm, and she rose refreshed to the performance of her daily duties. Bright and fair, like a queen in her majesty, rose the summer moon, attended by her starry train. Letty dtessed herself, and was leaving the house quietly, when she met her father coming in from the stables.

' Ay, Letty, lass, you're unco' braw the nicht ; gauu to see your lad, eh ?' ' Yes, father,' faltered the girl, as she hung her head, and walked rapidly away. When she got to the cross-roads, she saw in the clear moonlight a figure she well knew, and her heart gave a bound as he came towads her through the wicket-gate that led to the path along the burn. * I knew y >u would come, Letty ! What a beautiful night it is—quite the night for a lovers' walk !'

Letty was silent ; but she took the arm which he offered her, and as he spoke soft words and smiled his sweetest smile her spirits rose, and she felt as happy as a queen. She almost fancied herself one as she walked beside this'knightly youth ; and the thought ever and again would rise to her mind that he would yet be Sir Douglas, and she—might she not yet be Lady Stuart, in ' glimmer of satin and sheen of pearls,' the cynosure of all eyes as she sailed into the opera or con-cert-room ? Chapter 111. * Letty !' She looked up, and there, in the clear moonlight, she saw George Linn standing before her, his features ghastly with rage and astonishment. The pair had been too much interested in each other's conversation to notice him as he came along the road, the rush of the swollen brook preventing them from hearing his footsteps. They were not walking arm-in-arm now. Douglas, as he poured his boneyed whispers into her ear, had gently, and almost without her knowing it, wound his arm round the maiden's waist (she felt so excited and so happy that even had she been fully aware of the fact she had neither the wish or the power to object), and he now stood with his arm still clasping her in the familiar embrace. George at once recognised the baronet's son, and the recognition did not serve to lessen his wrath. 'Mr Stuart, what right have you to be walking here with the girl who is to be my wife ? Hands off, sir !' So saying, he stepped forward, as if to strike his rival to the ground. ' Oh, don't get into such a towering passion. How did I know that Letty was to be your wife ? And even if she is, if she prefers a moonlight walk with me, what is that to you ?' and he looked at the trembling girl with his most insinuating smile. ' What's that to me ? I'll soon let you see that, you vile ruffian ! Is it not enough that you have already ruined Jeaunie Grant, and broken her poor mother's heart, but you should try and tempt my betrothed wife with your false tongue, you snake in the grass, you cursed villain, you worse than scum of the streets ?'

' By heaven, you shall suffer for this!' muttered Douglas Stuart, who, however bad he might be, was no physical coward, and rushed at his maligner; but before he could touch him the young farmer's grasp was on his throat, and curses came through his clenched teeth as he held him powerless in his herculean gripe. ' George, George, don't kill him! 0 George, leave him! Oh, if you love me, don't hurt him, George!'

Letty, who had stood a trembling passive spectator of the scene, clung to her old lover's neck, and in beseeching accents, and with tender pitiful looks, besought him to spare his writhing foe. (To be continued.)