The Argosy — page 362: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The Mystery of Allan Grale. 341 all his Spartan fortitude scarcely knew yet how to bear. Rose saw it too: for there was scarcely an interrogation in her cry of : “* Morna!” “She is at peace,” said the Highlander, solemnly. ‘‘ God cleared the clouds from her soul with the light of His own countenance scarce two hours ago. But the house of the McOrists stands deso- late, and the heart of Morna’s husband is nearly broken !” “Where is he 2?” asked Rose. Colin shook his head, as he answered: “ He is a stranger among us: he will not let us come near him. _ Hiais grief is not as our grief. It has made us rivers of water: it has made him a rock of stone.” ‘““He is as I was,” cried out Rose, ‘‘ until my cousin came—one of my own people.” ‘““He says he has no people,” returned Colin; ‘“‘he has always said so. But at least he has a nation—the English—and the English tongue will come kindly to his dulled ears,” added the Highlander, looking wistfully at Mr. Vivian. ‘Where is he?” asked Edgar. ‘At the hotel,” replied Colin, pointing to a neat building, nestling in a scanty wood near the river. ‘‘ Morna died in her childhood’s bed and in her mother’s arms; but directly the life had departed, Mr. Smith, her husband, turned silently away and went back to his own place, where he has shut and barred himself in his room.” ‘““T will go and seek him,” said Edgar, willingly. ‘I will try what a fellow-countryman can do for this poor young fellow. Perhaps I had better go to the hotel at once.” The carriage came up as he spoke, and Colin took Edgar’s ‘place, to conduct Rose and Mrs. Tree to the farm. ‘Let us hasten,” said Colin to Rose. ‘‘ The daughter’s seat is empty in Ragan. The heart of the childless mother will be warmer than ever to the childless widow.” As soon as Edgar Vivian’s errand was understood at the hotel, and that he had come to offer comfort to the desolate mourner, willing hands and eloquent Gaelic tongues directed him to the chamber where poor Mr. Smith sat in his despair. Edgar laid his hand gently onthe handle. Colin was right: the door was secured within. He hesitated for a minute, and then spoke. * Will not Mr. Smith let a countryman from the south say a friendly word to him ?” Edgar did not expect that a heavy tottering step would so instantly and hurriedly cross the room. The lock flew back ; the door opened ; and Edgar Vivian saw (Zo be concluded.) connicloooks (C(O)