The MYSTERY OF GLENMOHR.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 8, Issue 30, 12 April 1907, Page 7

The MYSTERY OF GLENMOHR.

( Copyright.)

By Eric St. C K. Ross.

TAUT 2 SUMMARY OF PART 1. The “Mystery of Clemnohr," commences in a storm at sea. Colonel St Clair —the “laird” of Strathmohr — has gone wilh his daughter Agnes, his son Ronald, and Hector anil .Jessie Mackay—son and daughter of Air. Mackay, the parish minister—.k) the “liotid” of Torven to gaze at the troubled Atlantic. Something in the form of a ship is seer, on the waters, and Ronald MTver—an old fisherman who appears upon the scene—volunteers to rescue the vessel, which he terms a yacht at sight, indicating the skill and shrewdness which characterizes him all through the story. Donald, his sons, and some fishermen light an immense fire on the cliff and the former then go in the whaleboat, of which Donald is so proud, and getting on board the dismasted vessel, the old seaman pilots her safely into Loch Calanach, through a narrow and rock-studded channel.

Among the crowd of people on deck —far below the cliff—Agnes sees the strange, dark face of How Mwr.teith, the eccentric hero of the story. Beside him is a young girl, his sister, who is wonderfully like Agnes in size, complexion, and hair. With true Highland hospitality, Malcolm and Hew Montcith—cousins—and Muriel Monte ilh are invited to Strathmohr, and ultimately the latter go to reside, at Glenmohr Cottage, a shooting Iqdge belonging to the colonel, a few miles away. CHAPTER V. MALCOLM MONTE ITU’S PRIVATE PLAN. When we first introduced Hew Montcith he had been three days drifting at the mercy, of the waves, and was not only miserable, but had all the appearance of being the most seriously alTectod person of the whole number ou board the Coldwing. His tall form, pale face and dark hair had something of the 'effect of witnessing a tragedy upon Miss St. Clair. She had not, however, known him many days before she found him the most volatile of men. Yet she never .suspected him of being insinco-o or an habitual trifler with the serious business of life.

His cousin Malcolm noticing hks progress with Agues, determined to remove him for a time from his path Ho had concocted a Scheme which lie felt sure would bo successful, and would give him all the ad vantages which his cousin’s handsome form and transcendent mental abilities had already secured hhn. The morning had arrived for Donald MTvor’s departure in pursuit of the skilful ship carpenter, and at the last moment Malcolm said he felt too ill to accompany him. The fishermen had come from all quarters to assist the M’lvers in launching their sea-going, half-decked boat. The "Yo, heave-ho” of the man who acted as mouthpiece of the launchers was resounding among the hill-tops when Mr. Montcith approached Doned M’lven and expressed his inability to accompany him that day. "Of course I will pay for any delay or trouble you may have been put to. The fact is, I feel far from well.”-

“If a man agrees to go on a trip, an’ finds himself not so well ass was richt, ho wass quite richt to stop at homo, Only if you had let me ken last nicht, whalefer, (hat you wnss not to ho fory well to-day, I would not hnf summons all the other crews to launch ray poat across, the ice an’ put her in the channel there, whore she cannot pide. If it iss impossible for you to go, sir—well, I must truw her back, but I will not shairge you anything whatofer. Donald MMvor wall liefer slunTge when lie hass not done the work; notwithstanding, I wall haf the boat trawn hack.’’

At that instant a peal of silvery laughter was heard right overhead, and then the deep bail tone voice of Hew Monleith followed, humming a very merry “buffo ’’ song popular at that time. It had a laughing chorus, and as the gentlemen gave this with greater power, u very peculiar effect was caused by tho ringing echoes from the narrow' passes or ravines in the vicinity.

Again Agnes St. Olair laughed sweetly, and on this occasion How’s natural merriment joined in with (lie girl's lighter tones. The sound of their merriment, was like gall and wormwood to Malcolm. Ills plan was prepared, but ho lacked an opportunity for proposing it. The matchless Donald very quickly' and innocently provided all that ho re-

quired. "If you wass in bad healths your cousin wass fory well, an’ no mistake. Ho wass a fory nice man wass ymr cousin Hew, and he will bo making Hector Mack ay fery wild, wbatefer, Hector wass going to join the third—the Duke’s Degimer.t—after New Year, and then perhaps he wall not see your cousin rob him of his sweetheart. But I wuss making a fool of an old ass for pothering myself with my potters, cousin waxs fery well--hearken to that. do you not send him round to Mick with me?’’ "A good id<*a,” cried Malcolm as if hr hud n<mr Iheught of it before. "Bhout to hwn, IbMuld. I don’t think ray p*«r voice’ could reach him up ih**iv.” ! Th« ohj (isheruin put his two weather ten land’’, tnnupot fash ou Vo ,V» and ‘houVvd ; "Hooch ahoy ! Hester Hew Mon,leitb and wass you listening what.rfc! ?”• i ‘ Ay, ay," enmo from Hew, who jhaci been Walking with Mina St. Clair on the road Hading past He house [crl the MTvcrs, and which g virtually

rose irom the level o! the beach until it reached the altitude of the rocky platform from which the colonel's party had seen the rescue dl the GoUhving. ‘‘Can you come doon here for a little time, for you wass wanted fery, badly, mirover

“T am coming,” was the reply; and Ur n the gay young gentleman was seen to apologise and bow to the lady previous to retracing his course to some place where steps, rough hewn out of the rocks, formed a desciait to the level of the water or ice.

The young fellow was in excellent spirits and came dashing along, whistling the air he had just been singing. His tall form was soon to l lie best advantage in a iJlue pilot sea Jacket with a collar of fur. Trousers of the same material fitted his lower limits tightly, and neat kneehoots, which he used for skating, were drawn over these. His long, waving hair was surmounted by a turban of otter skin, and altogether he looked like one of those modern Vikings (hat may be found cruising round the coast of Norway and Sweden in greater numbers year after year, instead of spending their substance like butterflies in Paris, as hundreds of the pride of our manhood dhl during the unhealty years of the 'Third Empire. “Hallo, Malcolm 1 What’s in the wind now ?” he cried, as he approached his cousin.

“Dear old boy, I want you to do me a favour.”

“Granted before it is asked.” “You relieve my mind greatly,” his cousin proceeded, “I promised to go in pursuit of the ship’s carpenter to-day with Donald, but I do not find myself equal to the trip.” “Well, if 1 can do what you require, of course command me,” returned Hew. Rut notwithstanding the cheerr.n«ss of his tone, a cloud came over the sunshine of his face, and his ayes sought the spot where Agnes St. Clair'was walking briskly to keep the warm blood in circulation.

The glance was not lost upon the cousin, but the latter did not appeal’ to notice i-t.,

“You hear, Donald; it>’s all right. You may go on with your preparations. You will have a livelier companion than I would prove. I suppose you’ll have to go to Clenm»hr Hew, before joining the boat'?'’

“Oh, no, I can find all I want on the yacht, and I suppose Mury will roach here before Donald sets sail. How long shall we bo away ? I don’t regret going, Malcolm, old boy, because I Iwe an unconquerable desire to see strange places,’’ “I am glad of that,” proceeded the wealthier cousin, “because I am about to ask you an additional favour. Old M’Tver says four days will bring yon back after arranging with the carpenters. I want you to sacrifice a few days more for my sake,” "All right, old boy.”

“When I say ‘my sake,’ of course T mean your own, Mary’s and indeed the whole of this worthy community. You know how the dear old colonel talks about the last time the loch was frozen over—how a whole ox was roasted on the ice, and how the inhabitants for miles round were all on fete. Miss St. Clair, too, I fancy has sot her heart on some kind of New Year’s festival. Now, I’d like to please and surprise ’our kind host and hostess, and indeed the whole community, who have not only treated us hospitably, ’but to whom we owe our lives in some sense. It will bo a relief for us, too, to be,for one season absent from the New Year onterlafnmonts of conventional society ; so I want -you to exercise your undoubted taste and administrative talent to make this thing a great success.”

“My dear Malcolm, do you know that you’re a brick ? I never gave you credit for other than strictly commercial aspirations!. Mi at am 1= to do ?”

“Only this, dear boy," returned the commercial man. “When you reach Wick, and have had a rest, take the first steamer for Aberdeen. From there you can get a train at any time for Glasgow. Go to Whilie and Lochhead's and order the largest marquees, and, in fact, everything that will make a fete on the ice, a complete success—thick* rugs, carpet and * all that sort of thing for a recaption tent. There must be dining and refreshment tents, a marquee for a refined miscellaneous entertainment and artistes for the same There must be brass and string bands (he pipers we can .procure hero. I run an account with the Arm mentioned, who will supply most of the things wanted. L shall give you a letter for them. They must be responsible by everything being hero on or before the ‘soth of December, and it will b.> best. 5 1 fancy, for them to cha’der a small steamer for the conveyance of everybody and evorytlnig you may add from other quarters, Here are live fivers for your preliminary expenses, and when fou come on hoa"d the Goldwir.g, I'll give a few blank cheques signed, and whatever else you require. Above ! all this must b» kept a secret, for it 1 will not be so effective if it ts not a I surprise.’’

Hew Monteith was highly delighted with his mission, but ' nevertheless there was a shadow on his brow as Donald MTve-’s well-manned, halfdecked boat sailed out of the narrow channel that afternoon. The colonel's party, bid come to the Hoad to see the. boat away ; but Hew felt an un-

accountable pain at his hea'T as his eyes foil upon the beautiful liguro of Agnes St. Clair standing apart from the chief grotip, and closely attended by his smiling- cousin. As How’s face was growing dim from distance in the sight of Agnes Malcolm was saying ; "Cousin Hew !—yes, a .splendid fel-

low, hut. unfortunately unstable as water— not to be depended upon. His father loft him a pretty fair fortune.

hut ho squandered it all during a few vears’ stay in London, where he

cut a pretty figure, I assure you. He was received in the host society, booanv* (ho Theodore Hook of the period—thc wit of the dining-table, the Tribune of the people. Many-sided, ho has not one stable, or profitable aim. There is not a working man in London or Glasgow who can lay claim to an ounce of brains, who would not ri.sk his life for him. The “doyen ’’ of the amateur rowing

clubs, th« model athlete, the most accomplished of non-professional actors, a matchless lecturer on all kinds of subjects, the writer of the sweetest and smartest of society verses, ho cannot keep a position on any publication for a fortnight. He is at once the cleverest and most likeable of men, but the one human being who never did and never can do anything useful and profitable, and who is never faithful to any pursuit or fancy long,'’“And yet you admire and trust him!” murmured Agnes, with a strange, choking sensation in he*’ throat.

“He amuses me and I like him. We are cousins. It is safest for me to have him under my eye, for were he at a distance he would, no doubt in perfect good faith, bo pledging my credit on account of the most absurd adventures. ”- Malcolm Monteith had shattered her idol, and she hated him—for a brief period at least—with a perfect hatred. ’ CHAPTER .VI. "A STRANGE WOOING, v At the period of. which we write, Christmas was but little observed in the north of Scotland. On what was called Christmas Eve, however, the news began to spread that Colonel St. Clair to roast an ox whole /on the ice on New Year’s Day, in memory of a similar action on the part of his father. The “nows ” travelled far and wide and those who knew the people best prophesied that such a gathering would be seen as would surpass anything ever formerly known in that quarter. How Monteith had returned a week before Christina* Day, and it was rumoured that Monsieur Borin, the chef on board the yacht was busier than his common duties would require him to be; and so it was surmised that the “Lowlauders ” would probably add to the enjoyment of New Year’s Day.

On the morning of the 30th, Donald MTver was taken into confidence by the cousins, and during the fore-' noon of that day the old man, or one of his sons, could be seen with a telescope in hand stationed on the Head. Late in the afternoon a small steamer was sighted, and Donald was rowed aboard by his two sons ia his own whale-boat. The sea was perfectly smooth, but the old fisherman towed the steamer into such a deep-water ghoe as would ensure her safety oven if a storm broke out. On “Hogmanay Nicht ” Jirslfootors', who had set out to bring “the New Year in " to trfieir nearest and dearest relations and friends, were amazed to see numbers of men at work, while what seemed to be hundreds of lights appeared to be moving about in every direction. Most of them concluded that a large number of shipwrights had arrived to expedite the repairs of the yacht, and so they proceeded on their errands, promising to survey the novel and busy scone when they came next day to taste the colonel’s ox.

When old Donal’d MTver piloted the Coldwing out of the stream into the loch on that eventful night described in our opening chapters, he was compelled to cast anchor close to a ruined tower called St. Fergus’s Hermitage. This ancient building stood on a solitary rock that showed above water at Ivgh tide.

Long before daybreak on New Year’s Lay morning people began to arrive at Slrathniohr.' The laird, as the colonel was called, kept open house, and the scene became a merry as well as an impressive one, as troop after troop or party came marching in from the outlying districts, in most cases accompanied or headed by a piper. The amazement of the people was something good to sea. Such a sight was never witnessed before, except, perhaps, by the colonel at the massing of the Highland brigade after the Mutiny. That, however, was a time of misery and pain, and this was a period of rejoicing in peace, goodwill, and fellowship. One large marquee stretched from the side of the yacht to the doo” of St. Fergus's Tower. Its floors were covered by thick, bright-coloured carpels, while scarlet and white hangings surrounded the canvas walls and these, in their turn., were decorated with magnificent shields and trophies of flags and arms.

Crystal gasaliers lit up this fairy palace., and in the great outer tent, as the day advanced, M. Borin was soon presiding at a buffet which contained every imaginable delicacy—we mean anything that such a distinguished chef could imagine and accomplish. The excellence of the fare was only surpassed by the politeness of the artist who had evolved all that glorious feast under such adverse circumstances. It would be impossible to describe one tithe of what occurred on that eventful, and long-to-bc-remombered day. The majority of the fishermen were clad in docent pea-jackets and blue trousers. The crew of the yacht gave variety to the scone by wearing uniform similar to man-of-war’s men.

The gentlemen from all parts wore the full Highland costume, with the b”oad blue bonnets, as did the majority of the farmers, and all the

gamekeepers, gillies, beaters etc. While the ox was'roasting two pipers marched up and down to do honour to the ceremony. ..These were relieved from time to time, and it

was to this accompaniment that the skaters performed their curves, "names,” eights and other evolutions At last a quadrille party of skaters was called for, when it was found that it was one gentleman short. People sit on tod on every hand, and at last a tall, handsome youth same circling into the centre of the most exclusive group, clad in the full war costume of his clan. When the people recognised him, they raised a great shout of welcome “Hooch for Harold M’lfer!” re-

sounded on every hand; and the quadrille was about to •ommence, when Denald MTver came rushing forward, crying ; “Harold, my poy, what wass this? You wud not pring shame on your grandfather’s grey hairs by standing «p among the gentry ! Come away, mv lad. or I wull never speak”—

But the old man’s protest was cut »hort by the general saying that *‘we wore all equal- there that day;” and as a skater Harold was superior to most. It was, indeed, a delight to witness ho graceful evolutions of this party. Hew Monteith had for his partner, Agnes St. Clair; Ronald St. Clair had brought new light into the eyes of Jessie Mackay. Hector Mackay ound a good partner In .Jennie Mnceod, the Free Kirk minister’s daughter ; and Harold MTver had the high honour of attending upon Muriel Monteith. Perhaps the wonder, amazement, and pride of the Highlanders culminated that night when Harold MTver danced a minuet with the bonnie Lowland lassie; and this event is spoken of to this day, because it it remembered from the lurkl light thrown upon it by the mysterious occurrence that filled the country-sida with horror some time after. The minuet was danced in the centre of the great marquee and hundreds of men with torches could be seen outside every entrance, gazing exultantly on the performance of one of themselves, while whisper followed whisper of inquiry regarding how he could have learned and from whom he inherited his noble looks and graceful actions. Strathspeys, reels, the "Ghillic Callum ” and other national dances "followed fast and followed faster,” until variety was desired and obtained by the introduction of the string band, to the music of which hundreds of people danced within and without the marquees. There ensued a period of repose, nd some lengthened Gaelic songs and orations permitted well-bred conversation. After this the Lowland concert party came forward and pretty ballads were discoursed. A very good tenor sang Burns’ "Ao Fond Kiss ” so excellently as to create general emotion and enthusiasm. Some persons there present, will never, forget the exquisite pathos introduced by the young singer in tko immortal linos : Had we never loved so kindly, Had we never loved so blindly, Never met or never parted, Wo had ne’er been broken-hearted. Hew 7 Monteith had managed to conduct Agnes St. Clair to a snug retreat, where they could witness all ami converse .without interruption. At the end of this mastevpiece of the Poet of Love Hew 7 saw that the tears rolled down the checks of his companion. He noticed also that since his return from Glasgow 7 she had never seemed so cheerful as before. This reacted upon himself and now that the excitement of the day had passed, ho felt in low 7 spirits also. Under cover of the hum of conversation he asked Iwr if ■ "that songhad touched her heart,” but received no reply. After a little pause he proceeded timidly ; "Have 1 offended you ?”■ "Oh, no.” After this another long pause, and then the girl looked into his face, and said : “Now 7 you are silent.” "Yes,” was his reply ; M I am thinking.” "Of what ?” "The worst subject in creation—myself,” ho murmured, as the brass band outside began to play "Flow gently, sweet Afton.” The memory at that night w 7 as never separated from thoughts of that beautiful melody. 1 "Why should you be the worst?” she asked. "Ah, why indeed ? Heaven has been very good to me—show (.'rod all sorts of gifts upon me, and what use have I made of them ? None—absolutely no use. I ask myself if I ever had any incentive to become a good and useful man. Yes, more than once, but I cast it aside. If I had followed but one of the things in which I was qualified to court success, I should have won an established position ere this. Instead of being a person of weight, I am a butterfly, a trifler, an uuhonoured hanger-on to the skirts of societyhomeless, loveless, and with no prospect before me but a desolate old age, should Heaven will that I should live to see those hairs turn grey.”

‘ “You speak already like an old man,”' said Agnes, wonderfully affected by the pathetic tones of his usually merry voice and the sorrowful matter of his speech. “Why should you despond ? All that you would accomplish may be attained yet.” “I have got used to the life and require some great incentive to woo me from the toils of so-called pleasure to the hard work which only can end in success.” ‘■‘The best incentive you could have would bo the hope of being ultimately independent and honoured,” murmured Agnes, who pitied this man now from her very heart. When a woman pities a man she enters upon dangerous ground. “The only incentive that can be sufficient for mo,” said Hew Monteith, earnestly, almost fiercely, under cover of the music, “you only can supply.” “Ah,” she replied, drawing almost instinctively away as his cousin’s words recurred to her, “one who is never faithful to one pursuit or fancy long.”

“It is fit that you should wish to avoid such as I am,” he proceeded violently. “What am I ? "\\bat have I been ? Nothing—less than nothing. As the good Book says, a mere ‘cumborcr of the ground.’ And yet yet what might I not have been had I met a woman like you—a woman with a mind and a soul, when—But, ah, certain memories had better sleep !” After a pause he resumed more hopefully : “I have been very happy since I have known you, Miss St. Clair. I have resolved to follow up energetically and industriously the profession I am most fitted for. When I ! wote for amusement I soon became | popular. If I could only stick to it jl should soon enjoy comparative | success both in fame and profit.” 1 “You must persevere,”- said Agnes, I encouragingly. i ‘.'Wby__not say Tfou must persevere

and hope,’ Miss St'. Clair. 'Agnes St. Clair, you have my life in your hands, do not throw it away. Just think of ,what a future ours would be With you by my side to work for, I could accomplish triumphs many men have not achieved.; With you as my wife, there is no eminence to which I would not aspire. Bid me hope, Agnes, I entreat you—bid me hope.” As the last cadences of music died away outside, the whole assembly rose to join in "Auld Lang Syne.”Hew and Agnes followed the general example, and in the movement the strange lover heard the word "Hope” murmured like an angel’s whisper. The dark clouds passed away from his brow, and it was with a radiant countenance, begotten of new resolution and tha belief in infinite reward that he joined in the homely tune that never grows old. CHAPTER VH. THE BREAKING UP. OF THE ICE. The meeting and entertainment, as we have seen, was a complete success It, was our duty to record the melancholy turn given towards its close by the personal pleading of Hew Monteith, and we now have to confess that that was not the only discordant note which jarred the harmonious whole. As the guests were departing in twos and threes upon their more or loss lengths*, journeys, the torches wore slowly extinguished. Last of all the colonel and his household and the minister and his son and daughter halted to say "Good-night to their entertainers, who were to remain upon the yacht that night. "Good-night !” passed from one to the other, and then a bluff ‘Goodnicht, kurnel, and sher.ilomens and laties all!’ camo over the night air. They all turned and behold Donald MTver pressing forward to join the roadway which passed his cottage by the side of the loch, "Why don’t you cross the ico tonight Donald ?”• asked the colonel.

"Because we haf a watery moon this nicht, your honour,” replied the fisherman; ‘an’ the ice wuill no be safe very far oot, whatefor. There wull be plenty of rain before long, an’ that bit of a rifer there wull be a roaring catarach before morn, and it’ll bo w-eet, mirover, tak’. my wort for it. It wull not be so many tays whatefer. before the yacht wull be floating, and then when the repairs haf been made you will be sailing away, Mester Monteith, an’ fortettin’ the fowks o’ Strathmohr. Well, we haf had very gay times and joyful and splendid times ever since the storm haf preak your ship to pieces. Lot us hope that nossing will turn oot that will mak’ us sorry that I wass ever pilot you in here. So goot-night kurnel. and shentlomons all. Goot-nicht laties. Goot-nicht an’ joy be with you.” "What, has come over the old fellow ?” asked Mr. Malcolm Monteith. "He croaks like an old raven,”

“Oh, it’s Donald's way,” laughed the colonel; “and we must not trouble ourselves too much about hks old-fashioned manner of prophesying” “It is said that the gift of second sight runs in the family -of the MMvers," said Agnes St. Clair. "Donald M’lver has made me very uncomfortable, and I wish from my heart that he had gone home without saying what he has said.”

“In the midst of life we are in”— began the minister. “My dear Mackay, for Heaven’s sake do not be so lugubrious,” exclaimed Colonel St. Clair. “I cannot remember when I have passed such a jolly New Year’s Day; and we are indebted to these gentlemen ’’—indicating Hew and Malcolm Monteith—“for its grandeur and matchless .success. It is true that life is made up of smiles and tears, and that the latter often predominate. If that is so it is our duty not to anticipate them, but to act out our lives as cheerily as possible and endeavour to make our friends and companions as bright and happy as we are ourselves. And now, friends, let us forgot the old man’s forebodings and seek our couches with clear consciences and contrite hearts. Good-night all!” continued the colonel, heartily, as the last of the groups broke up. As the Monteiths passed to the yacht they found that the men belonging to the decorators' firm were far advanced in their clearance of the manques and their contents. Donald had warned them to lose no time and as seamen know that old fishermen living in one place for long years learn to read the Heavens like an open book, the captain and officers of the Goldwing had set their crew to assist the tent men to draw everything of! the ice on to the craft. The next day proved a complete fulfilment of Donald’s prognostication. The rain soon began to fall, and continued to pour during the whole dark night. Great volumes of water from hundreds of small tributaries, swollen by the melting snow flowed into the narrow bed of the river until it had spread the width of the whole valley on the left of the house of Strathmohr.

This immense body of water, under common circumstances, would have fallen into the loch without causing much injury. In its present bulk it could not find passage through the narrow hole in the ice kept open by the colonel’s servants for the usual gentle dripping flow of the frozen stream, and so it rushed over the whole expanse of the icebound but now rapidly thawing loch, cracking the wide surface in hundreds of places, and finding egress at last to the sea by the narrow channel through which old Donald M.’lver piloted the .Goldwing, The day after the fete proved another day to bo remembered in the usually quiet history of the Strathmohr country* At noon the rain ceased falling, but the fierce river had worn its way through the melting, thawing ice and so by nightfall one long black shadow appeared to be cut from the mouth of the river to the passage to and from the sea.

The men in charge of the marquees had been all (Jay packing up their materials on board the yacht, with a view of having them conveyed to their little steamer next day. When the darkness fell, they lit a few of the torches left over from the night before, ami the great, red, flickering flames cast lurid shadows over the

black and solitary scene. The Monteiths had driven home to Gienmohr in the morning; but Hew, restless and apprehensive after his confession and appeal of the night before, had come back with a vague hope that ho might meet the girl ho loved so well. Ho was, however, disappointed and so, in an objectless kind of way, hurried on board the quaintly-illuminatod yacht. After reaching the yacht he gazed for some time over the expanse of ice lying between the vessel and the shore road. An idea suddenly came to him, and acting promptly upon it as was his wont, he turned to the seamen shouting- : Fix a dozen or so of these spoked torches along the port rail.” "Ay, ay, sir!” was the response; and in a few minutes a long, regular line of lights defined clearly the bulwarks of that side of the Goldwing nearest the shore. The effect of this display was somewhat qualified 'by the rising moon. Hew Monteith sent below for his skates. “You surely don’t intend to s)cate to-night, sir!” remonstrated the captain. ‘.‘Why not ?’S ‘‘The ice is fast breaking up.’i "Nonsense.” "You can hear it now cracking and crashing on the other side of St. Fergus Tower,” proceeded the seaman. " “ M y good friend,”- returned How. "I am not a baby. I know something of ice and its durability. It will take a fortnight to break that expanse to port.” "It is very different on an arm of the sea and an inland river or lake,” proceeded the captain. ‘‘Besides, that mountain torrent would drive anything before it, and old MTver warned us last night and to-day to be ready for floating.” "Old MTver is a jolly old fisherman, and a very amusing companion but I do not consider him an infallible guide to the weather even in bis own native land. You perceive the thaw has ceased. The snow is coming down again, the air is palpably colder, and come what may, I shall have a solitary, skating expedition without further delay.” The mates who were very fri'endly with him, joined in the captain’s remonstrance, hut with no success, so .they determined to keep a sharp look-out while'he was on the ice. ;Tt's all right!” Hew exclaimed, gaily, as he swung himself over the side. ‘T am ready to bet with any one, and for any amount, that tomorrow the ice will he as firm as ever.” Presently his dark form was seen performing all kinds of export evolutions over the fitfully-lit ice, and it was with sad eyes that the men on the deck of the Goldwing saw that every time he rushed round the open space he described an ever-increasing circle. Agnes and Hector, with Jessie and Ronald, had set. out for a sleigh drive up towards Thorvan a short time before the torches were lit. They drew rein to see what the illumination meant, and presently they saw the Sassenach, as Hector bitterly called him, begin lightly to disport on the treacherous shoot. Agnes St. Clair’s heart stood still, and a great dread came over her. Every now and then, as their ponies paused in the ascent of the hill, the girl turned to see the well-known figure careering rapidly along the ice in the moonlight. When they dismounted on the rocky headland, all eyes turned with ono accord to the skater. "By Heaven, the man must he mad !” cried Ronald St. Clair. ‘‘Ho j is making right for the black lino i worn by the river.” | ‘‘He can’t be able to calculate his distance in the half light,” said Hector Mackay. The next instant the ladies uttered a terrible shriek. The tall figure had glided fearlessly’* on until it had reached the darkened belt of the worn ice. He appeared to turn, but. it was too late. The frozen surface cracked with a sound like a sharp aeries of j explosions of small firearms, and j then the rash man disappeared from j the view of the watchers. "He’s gone!”- whispered Hector Mackay, with a sigh that might he termed by a judge of such subtle expressions as almost a sigh of roli-f. "No, he’s not,” cried Ronald St. Clair. "By Juve, he's a plucky o: e ! See, he catches hold of that fragment which is floating out this way! Ah, he’s gone down again ! No, he's again on the edge of the cake. He's j got something that glitters in his right hand. He digs ii into the ice. It holds. He d*’aws up by i* upon the drifting mass, and falls powerless.” "He'll drift out to sea,” s*vid Hector stolidly. "Yes, if we cannot save him,’- was the friend’s reply. ‘‘lmpossible!” cried Ague’s first lover. "Impossible!” she echoed. "Ronald, ” she added fiercely, "he mu»-t hr saved.” Her brother remembered that look long afterwards. Then his brain was too busy thinking of the moans to the end she desired. "Ah, a rope!” he shouted, as he ran to the hut we have mentioned before. "And a boat-hook!” he cried, j with glee, as he seized the strong, i short pole, at the end of which shone the sharp hook, which he knew well would be of more service to him now than a multitude of other appliances. One end of the ropo ho tied firmly round his waist—the other he lixed as surely to the base of the flagstaff. He had measured the rope first with his practised eye, and knew that it was long enough to reach the water. Indeed, it was kept there for just such a purpose as that for which he now intended using it. "Lower away,” cried Ronald, to his companion. "Easy, does it. Hand over hand, my boy;”- and the brave fellow disappeared over thi edge of the precipice. A pause of suspense followed, and then the adventurer’s voice was heard from below, shouting ; j "All right 1” The rope was taut from the base of I the flagstaff. The piece of ice came j dashing on with its human burden. The moon now showed the lad. who was standing supported by the rope lon a narrow lodge of rock, q little

above the level of the water, that the reckless skater was no longer in possession of his senses. "All the harder for mo,”- murmured Ronald, as with set teeth, he prepared to stop the progress of the mass of ice, by a skilful use, of hia boat-hook. The first throw was a failure but the young Highlander did not lose his head. The ice caught the sharp edge of a sunken rock, and turned it round in such a way that the body came nearer to the slippery, upright side to which - young St. Clair was clinging. This delayed the fragment of ice from farther progress for a moment. Again the steel fell, but this time it held—held to the garment which How Monteith was wearing. A cry of triumph rises to Ronald’s lips as the ice floated away, leaving the senseless body with him. What, was now to bo dqne ? Ho could not carry such a wet burden in his arms to the summit of the beetling cliff, and ho. could not loose .his hold on the boat-hook. Patiently lie pulled the body to him, and laid it on a narrow ledge beside him. Then he found a narrow fissure in the face of the wall of rock in front of him, to which ho clung with one hand until ho succeeded in untying the rone from his own form, and fastening it, still with one dexterous hand, to the body of the man ho had saved. "Pull away!” he,cried, faintly. Hector and the two girls at the top pulled away heartily, until the wet clothes of Hew Monteith appeared at the edge of the cliff. Young Mackay then grasped the inanimate form roughly, and dragged it within the parapet, and released the looped rope rapidly from it. This ho lowered again over the cliff as fast as human hand could pass it. It reached the hero below, who stood with the waters of death at his feet. His exertions had proved too much for him, for mechanically he passed ono log through the luckily loft loop, and twined his arm round the bight above his head, until the ropo assumed the form of a corkscrew. The supremo effort was his last ; he remembered no more. His friend feeling a strain on the line, again sought' the aid of the girls; but one knelt, by the hated Monteith, and the other, Jessie Mackay, to save her lover, found more strength in her slender arms than nature had ever placed there. Presently the dripping and insensible forms of two men lay on the cliff in the moonlight, and a young girl knelt praying by the side of each. Hector Mackay stood alone with a dark shadow upon his brow. He was bereft, of his love, and he bore his loss in silence. To he Continued.