would go down with us before we got a quar¬ 
ter of a mile away,” said Steve. 
“ You just mind ibis she cat, while I go 
and have a look at this boat,” answered Mr. 
Cris. 
In the course of a minute or two he came 
hurrying back. “ All right, my hearty!” he 
exclaimed. “ There’s nothing the matter 
with the old tub that I can't set to rights in 
a couple of hours at the furthest—at least 
sufficiently to make her answer our purpose. 
There’s wood, and tools, and :t kettle of pitch 
in the light-house. We’ll cheat those long¬ 
shore fellows yet, Steve, my boy; and live 
for years to come to tell of our adventures on 
the Skove Alhoil.” 
Black Sieve fired off a double-shotted vol¬ 
ley of oaths in his satisfaction at hearing the 
news. 
“ But, first of all,” added Mr. Cris, “ how 
are you going to dispose of this feminine 
piece of goods?” 
‘‘ O, shoot her, or drown her, which you 
like,” replied the brutal giant; “so long as 
you finish her off it don’t matter.” 
“ Nay, my friend, it ia no business of mine 
whatever; it is for you to decide and for you 
to execute. It seems to me, however, that 
the modes you suggest are both vulgar and 
commonplace; and if you would allow me a 
suggestion, 1 would say why not bind her se¬ 
curely to this wooden “stoup,” and leave her 
there ? She could hardly get away a second 
time, 1 think; besides, there is no place for 
her to run to.” 
“ Leave her there for the tide to come up 
and drown her, I suppose you mean?” said 
Steve, with a slight shudder, which even his 
hardened nature could not repress. 
“Nay, my impulsive Stephen; you have 
no right to assume that I meant, anything of 
the kind. All that 1 said was, fasten her to 
that “stoup.” If the tide persists in coming up, 
as you say, why that is no business of ours; 
it must do as it likes, of course, but wo can’t 
be held responsible for its actions. The tide 
may be going out, for anything we know or 
care.” 
Black Steve grinned approval of the 
scheme, picked, up the rope that had been 
used Lo bind Abel Rushton, and grasping 
Muiu roughly by the shoulder, bade her get 
up, lor she was still kneeling with bentheftd 
and clasped hands. She sprung to her feet 
as though a serpent had bitten her, the mo¬ 
ment Steve touched her shoulder. 
“ Are you men or monsters,” she ex¬ 
claimed, tinning suddenly, and facing her 
two tormentors, “ that you talk of torturing 
a poor helpless woman thus? Have you no 
mothers or sisters of your own, to think of 
whom would shame you out of so terrible a 
crime? If 1 must die, let me die quickly; 
you have the means at hand. What have I 
done to either of you that you should con¬ 
demn me to a death so horrible?” 
“ Look here, Janet Gawne!” exclaimed 
Black Steve, fiercely. “ Seven years ago, 1 
swore to be revenged on thee, and this night 
I’ll keep my word. I’ve a long memory, 
and I never forgive injury; so don’t .ask 
mercy here, lass, because neither of us knows 
the meaning of the word. I’ve longed, 
times out of mind, to be revenged on thee 
and thy smooth-tongued husband ; now that 
the chance has come, I’m not going to lot it 
slip through my fingers.” And Black Steve 
laughed a great brutal laugh of triumph, 
that seemed to be echoed by a hundred 
mocking fiends. 
Mum (hillock uttered no further word of 
any kind, tint passively suffered herself to 
be led to the “stoup,” Mr. Cris in so far as¬ 
sisting his friend; after which Black Steve 
proceeded to tie her to the post, us securely 
as his skill knew how; then, after a few 
more mocking words, they left her to her 
fate, and crossed to the other side of the 
rocks, and at once set about the task of 
patching up the old boat, on which their 
safety now entirely depended. The “ stoup” 
to which they had fastened their victim was 
merely a stout wooden post, fastened down 
to the rock with iron clamps and screws, to 
which the larger class of craft that some¬ 
times visited the 81ccve Mhoil in calm 
weather might be safely moored whatever 
the state of the tide. 
Yes, Mam Gurlock was left to her fate, 
and a very dreadful one it seemed, even to 
her brave soul, which was not daunted by 
trifles. The tide was rising fast; already 
its tiny lapping waves were washing about 
her feet and ankles; in less than an hour, it 
would cover her head. The wind had died 
away again with the turn of the tide, and 
the bank of cloud that had lain low in the 
north so long a lime was now creeping up 
the sky with dark intent, shutting out the 
stars one after another, and would soon ob¬ 
scure the moon itself. Mam Gurlock’s eyes 
unconsciously followed the unfolding edge 
of the cloud in its slow, steady advance. The 
cloud was advancing, and the tide was 
rising; and by the time that black canopy 
had shut out the whole bright, moonlit sky, 
the waters would have closed over her, and 
she would be reckoned no more among the 
living. 
Well, now that Miles was dead, there did 
not seem much in life to desire. Jamie was 
safe, and would be well cared for and prop¬ 
erly brought up by Miles’ relations at Birch- 
alien; still, it would have been sweet to see 
the lad grow up, and to watch the ripening 
promise of his childhood fulfill itself in sum¬ 
mers yet unborn; but not for her might such 
happiness be. The sky and ocean vanished 
from before her eyes, and she saw the little 
cottage where she and Miles had spent their 
happy wedded life—the little happy home 
which she, alas! would never enter more— 
with its thatched eaves, where the twitter¬ 
ing swallows brooded, and ils patch of 
flower garden, sweet scented through all the 
summer months—she seemed to smell it 
now; with the stretch of high road in front 
of it that led down into Warrendale; and 
the footway across the moors, that brought 
you direct lo the cliffs, with the sea beating 
far below ; very vividly she saw them all! 
IIow fast the tide iva*rising ! It reached 
to her waist already. But a very little while 
now, and her life, with all its pleasures and 
pains, would be closed, like a book that is 
shut up forever. She had read, and she had 
heard the minister speak, of the dark river 
that must be passed before the Rliining land 
beyond it could be reached; was she hoping 
too much, she asked herself, to hope that 
Miles, that the husband she hud loved so 
truly on earth, might be there to greet her, 
all beautiful with the light of immortality, at 
the moment her foot touched the golden 
shore? Ilow much such a hope mitigated 
t he darkness of that terrible hour, she her¬ 
self could best have told. 
What was that? She could not keep 
down the smothered shriek that burst from 
her lips. She thought she was alone with 
death, and suddenly she felt the touch of 
something on her shoulder. 
Who or what could it be? She was so 
hist bound that she could not turn her head 
to look, hut the next moment Jamie’s voice 
sounded in her earn, and it seemed to her 
the sweetest music she had ever heard. 
“ O, Jamie, why didn’t thou slay in thy 
hiding place?” said Mam. “ Hie thee back, 
dear, as fast as tliou. caust go, and don’t stir 
out again till daylight ?” 
“ I’m frightened, Mam, to be there by my¬ 
self in the dark. If the Kelpie came home 
and found mu, what would he say ? Have 
the bad men tied thee to the “stoup,” Mam ? 
Shall 1 run up into the light-house ami try 
to find a knife again ?” 
“ Nay, lad, the bad men would see thee, 
and then thejt would kill thee. But oh, 
Jamie, if thou amidst but undo that knot in 
the rope just under my arm.” 
Jamie set to work with fingers and teeth 
to unfasten the knot indicated by his mother, 
which he was able to reach without diffi¬ 
culty, the back of the “ stoup” resting against 
a shelf of rock some three feet in height, on 
which the lad was now standing. 
The desire of life came back strongly to 
Mam Gurlock with the presence of her 
child, and the faint hope of escape which 
his words suggested. But the kuot was a 
hard one to unpick, and seemed at one time 
as though it would withstand all Jamie’s 
efforts; but after a while it began to feel 
looser to his fingers, and he had just said : 
“ 1 shall soon have it done now. Mam," 
when t.he mother’s watchful ears heard foot¬ 
steps advancing over the rocks. 
“ Into the water, Jamie!” whispered Mam, 
turning sick with terror; “and don’t speak 
or stir till I tell iheo.” 
Jamie slipped into the water like a young 
otter, and crouched under the lee of the 
rocky ledge on which he had been standing, 
with nothing but Ins nose and chin exposed 
to view, while Black Steve came striding 
down to see that Ids victim was still secure. 
Having felt at the rope, and satisfied himself 
that Mam could not. possibly escape, be said: 
“ By the seven holy pokers, but this is the 
finest bit of sport, l’vo had for many a day ; 
How docs the water feel this evening, 
Mistress Gurlock? Cool and pleasant, eh ?” 
said the ruffian, with a laugh, which told at 
once that he was half drunk ? “ Yes, you’re 
a plucky one; but you’ll look rather washed 
out, l reckon, at low water to-morrow. 
Well, good-by. dear—good-by, and pleasant 
dreams to you 1” and with another brutal 
laugh, Black Steve turned on his heel, and 
strolled back slowly over the rocks. 
Alain Gurlock breathed once more. 
“ Now, Jamie, lad, try thy hand at the 
rope again,”;she said in a low voice; and 
Jamie scrambled on to the rock, and shook 
the water carelessly from him somewhat 
after the fashion of a dog, and set to work 
again, with nimble lingers and sharp teeth, 
to free his darling mother. At length the 
task was accomplished, and for the second 
time that night, Mam Oarlock's bonds fell 
from her, thanks to the aid of Jamie. Al¬ 
though at liberty, she was as far from, safety 
as ever, unless she could get back into the 
light-house ; but how was that to be accom¬ 
plished ? The two men were hard at work 
patching up the old boat just on the other 
side of the building, within half a dozen 
yards, in. fact, of the outside ladder, up 
which she must climb undetected, or her 
life would not be worth a minute’s purchase. 
Then there was Jamie to be considered, who 
objected strongly to going back to the 
Kelpie’s Hole, and in his present frame of 
mind Mam felt that it would be dangerous 
to leave him. However great the risk might 
be, he must keep her company this time; 
she could not bear to seek the security of 
the light-house for herself, and leave him 
out there exposed to so many chances of de¬ 
tection. They must be saved together, or 
they must die together. 
Having wrung some of the water out of 
her dress, Mam, followed by Jamie, pro¬ 
ceeded to creep cautiously on her hands and 
knees round the lower edge of the Skove 
Mhoil, till she came to a point that was in a 
direct line with the entrance ladder, and in 
full view of both the men, had they turned 
their heads to look. Peering from behind a 
fragment, of rock, Mam saw the two men 
intent on the speedy completion of their 
task, Mr. Gris hammering away with might 
aud main, while his amiable friend held a 
lantern to light him over his work. Mam 
felt that she could hardly have a more favor¬ 
able opportunity, but, at the best, it was a 
dangerous proceeding. Fortunately, the 
moon was now entirely obscured, otherwise 
their chances of escape would have been re¬ 
mote indeed. She had chosen this point as 
the most favorable for her purpose, the 
ground between the place where she now 
was and the entrance to the light-house, being 
thickly strewn with huge boulders, which 
would serve to hide their advance. 
Inch by inch,silently and cautiously,Mam 
Gurlock, with .Tamiu by her side, but upon 
the side furthest removed from the view of 
the men, emerged from the shelter of the 
rock and crawled across the open space of 
ground to the next, large stone; then, after a 
minute’s rest, forward again to the next 
sheltering spot; and so from one to the 
other, ever nearer to the desired haven. 
While they Avere still some distance from 
the light-house, and at the moment they 
were halfway between two boulders, Mam, 
with her eye ever on the two men, saw 
Black Steve put down his lantern and turn 
liis face directly toward the spot where they 
then were. Alain’s hand gave Jamie a 
warning squeeze, and mother and son re¬ 
mained as immovable as though they had 
been cut. out of stone, till the danger was 
over. The black-haired giant, yawned, 
scratched his head, stretched out his huge 
arms, and after gazing seaward for a lew 
moments, resumed his task of lighting his 
companion. If his eyes rested for a moment 
on the recumbent figure of Mam Gurlock, it 
Avas oni 4 as they might, have rested on any 
wave-worn boulder, indifferently and Avith- 
out. thought. 
The danger over, Mam and Jamie crept 
stealthily on their way, reaching at last the 
foot of the light-house without discovery; 
then Mam. taking Jamie on her back, began 
the ascent of the ladder. Slop by step up¬ 
ward, as silently as a shadow, she had 
reached the top in safety, and had just swung 
Jamie round from her shoulder, and passed 
him in through the little entrance door, 
when AH. Cris, pausing from his work for a 
moment, turned to contemplate the state of 
the weather; and as he did so, his quick eye 
caught the outline of something dark mov¬ 
ing on the ladder. 
“ Look to your prisoner, Steve!” he cried, 
and drawing a pistol from his belt, fired. 
The bullet whizzed past Mam Gurloek’s 
head, but did not touch her, and before there 
was time to fire a second shot, she Avns safe 
within the light-house, with the little iron 
door shut and bolted between herself and 
her enemies. She caught Jamie to her heart 
and murmured a brief thanksgiving to 
Heaven; and then her overwrought nerves 
gave way, and she fell into a sort of halt- 
swoon, from which she was aroused, after a 
minute or two, by a violent hammering at 
the iron door. It was Black Steve, furious 
at her escape, trying to force an entrance. 
She had little fear that, he Avould effect, his 
purpose, still there was possibility that the 
door might gii T e way under the assault of 
the furious giant; so, folloAved bv Jamie,she 
ascended to the room above, and taking 
down an old blunderbuss which hung against 
the Avail more for ornament than for use, pro¬ 
ceeded to load it, to the best of her knowl¬ 
edge, from the bag of bullets and the powder- 
flask in her husband’s chest, which Aides 
always kept there ready for an occasional 
fowling expedition. 
Thus armed, Alain Gurlock, taking Jamie 
by the hand went up to the lamp-room, de¬ 
termined, should Black Steve break in, to 
sell her life as clearly as possible. She 
stole out into the gallery, and looked down. 
He Avas still hammering savagely at the 
door, but as yet to little purpose, Avhilc Air. 
Cris on the rocks below, Avas swearing at, 
him for a senseless fool, and vOAving that 
they would not have time to finish the boat 
and get clear away, if he delayed a minute 
longer; but Steve avos too intent on the ac¬ 
complishment of his revenge to heed the en¬ 
treaties of his Mend’. 
Alam crept round to the opposite side of 
the gallery, and straining her eyes, without, 
hope of expectation, over the dark Avaste of 
waters, saiv— AA T kut ? A large boat pulling 
rapidly and steadily for the Skeve Mhoil! 
It was only a few hundred yards away, and 
could be clearly scon, thanks to the mo¬ 
mentary break in the clouds, through which 
the moonlight, streamed full and bright. One 
long incredulous gaze, as though Avhat she 
saw was merely the phantom of a diseased 
brain, and then Alain Gurlock, Avith a sob of 
heartfelt gratitude, accepted the appearance 
as a blessed reality. As a signal that the 
boat was seen, she then began to toll the 
large deep-mouthed bell which was rung by 
the keepers in foggy weather, when the 
lamps were invisible, and its solemn tones 
now boomed forth through the quiet night, 
instinct with dread significance to the two 
wretches on the rock below. 
But, wary Air. Cris had also seen what was 
coming, and had passed the alarm to Black 
Steve; and as the bell gave forth ils first 
stroke, the tAVo men were pushing the boat 
down the slanting rocks into the sea. 
Another moment and they were both pulling 
with desperate energy for the shore. But 
the boat had been badly mended, and the 
Avater began to come in rapidly, so that Air. 
Cris had soon to cease from roAving, and oc¬ 
cupy himself in bailing; while Black Steve, 
notwithstanding all his exertions, could make 
but little headway with the water-logged 
craft. Five minutes later, the strange boat 
rounded the edge of the Skeve Alhoil, on its 
Avay to the landing place, aud next moment 
a loud shout from its crew announced that 
the (light, of the two men was discovered, 
and the boat’s head Avas at once put round 
in pursuit. 
Black Steve and his companion seemed 
for a minute or tAvo to redouble their efforts 
to escape, and then, as if seeing the utter 
hopelessness of their case, they at once 
ceased rowing and sat quietly on their oars, 
as though merely Availing for their pursuers 
to come up to yield themselves into their 
hands. But when the pursuing boat had 
got within a dozen yards of t.he other, Mr. 
Cris leaped suddenly from his seat, and fired 
both his pistols at the advancing foe; and 
then, Avith a Avild inarticulate cry of rage 
and despair, he. leaped headlong into the 
waves, and sank to rise no more. Black 
Steve, unlike his friend, avus an excellent 
swimmer, and before the confusion incident 
on the firing of the Iavo pistole among the 
crew of the. boat Avas over, he had slipped 
quietly into the water, and coming up after 
a lengthened dive, struck out boldly tor the 
shore. The impression among the crew of 
the boat Avlts that both the men were 
drowned; and on finding that the light¬ 
house boat was on the point, of going down, 
orders were at once given to pull back to the 
Skeve Mhoil. The boat and crew proved to 
be those of ft revenue cutter, which had 
picked up Abel Rushton as he was drifting 
helplessly past the Giant’s Nose. On hear¬ 
ing his story, preparations had at once been 
made to capture the two villains, and look 
after the safety of Mam Gurlock and her son. 
Leaving two of his crew to look after the 
light-honse, the officer in charge of the boat 
carried Mam Gurlock and Jamie ashore, 
where a search was at once instituted for the 
missing Aliles. After several hours’ search 
he was found bound hand and foot, in one 
of the many caves for which that part of the 
coast is noted. He stated that, he had been 
set upon by Black Steve and three more 
men as he xvas returning from seeing Martin 
Gilbert safe home; in the scrimmage he had 
received a blow on the head which had ren¬ 
dered him insensible for some time; and on 
recovering his Avits, had found himself tied 
hand and foot, and left in charge of t wo out 
of Ills four captors. On the landing of the 
revenue cutter’s boat, these men had taken 
the alarm and left him. 
A low days saw Aliles thoroughly recov¬ 
ered from his injuries; but, the long and se¬ 
vere strain on the nerves of his Avife avus a 
much more serious matter, and several 
months passed away before Alain Gurlock 
Avas her old joyous, buoyant self again, and 
could bear to talk calmly over the incidents 
of that, terrible night on the Skeve Alhoil. 
The body of Black Steve was washed tip 
a day or two afterwards, several miles down 
the coast. He had been caught by the cur¬ 
rent, and carried away and drowned. 
The money, in the effort to obtain which 
Air. Cris and his friend lost their lives, was 
found intact on the table of the light-house, 
where they had left it Avliile occupied with 
the mending ol the boat; and when old 
Martin Gilbert died, some three years after¬ 
wards, the whole amount Avas left as a legacy 
to Alam Gurlock. 
Many years have elapsed since these events 
took place; Aliles Gurlock, a gray-headed 
man, is now head keeper of the light-house 
on the Skeve Mhoil; Avliile Mam is still alive 
and hearty, and as nice an old Avoman as 
you need wish to see. Jamie is grown into 
a stalwart man, almost as big as his father 
avus in his younger days ; he is u sailor, too, 
although not in the Greenland trade, being, 
in fact, the much-esteemed captain of one 
of our largest ocean steamers; it was from 
his OAvn lips I heard the narrative which 1 
have here attempted to set doivn, the last 
time I came across Avitli him tfom—ah, well, 
never mind from Avhere. 
jllobrs untr ftlanucra. 
jp__ 
FASHION AND FLUMMERY 
For OI«! and Yomur.—ftprinff ami Summer 
Suits, Krnovntinu Old Dresses, Huts, 
Rounds, Collars, Gloves, Crinoline, 
Coiffures, Parasols, iVrr., &<■., &c. 
BY MINT WOOD. 
[Concluded from page 289, last No.] 
Ladies* Wrappers 
for spring and summer are of French cali¬ 
coes and cambrics. Those in cambric, plain 
rose or buff color, trimmed with hemmed 
ruffles of the same, half-fitting, belted-down 
sacqne, applied pockets. Navy collars, coat 
sleeves, are handsome enough for afternoon 
wear. Then they wash and do up so nicely. 
They cost, ready made, fourteen dollars. 
The cambric patterns for suits arc on the 
counters again this season. They are cheap, 
neat, stylish and serviceable. 
Colters 
in linen partake of the navy shape. In lace 
and embroidery, they are large, of the cra¬ 
vat style. The Marie Stuart frills and Eliza¬ 
bethan ruffe are affected to a considerable 
extent, and arc very becoming'to some per¬ 
sons. They arc made of Swiss, edged Avith 
Valenciennes lace, or of wash blonde or foot¬ 
ing. Some are short, worn close around the 
neck, standing up about it liken fortification. 
Others arc long, fastening half Avay down 
the Avaist in front. The wearing of white 
muslin and laces about the throat and breast 
adds to the. task of the toilette, but they are 
artistic and womanly enough looking for 
compensation. 
Crinoline 
is small, just large enough to take a full 
English step in. Young girls Avear none, 
ruffled skirts of hair cloth or sea grass being 
substituted A starched muslin skirt does 
well. Paniers, bustles, and other inventions 
for giving amplitude to the back, are Avorn 
to ridiculousness by many, to a modified ex¬ 
tent. by more. 
Coiffures. 
Chatelaine braids continue to be worn, 
not so low as to touch the collar, however; 
coronet braids, with frizzes and short curls 
add to the impressiveness <>f round, full-faced 
heads. The scare-away, fly-away style of 
lmir dressing is not quite so much in vogue. 
Bright boAA's of ribbon are avoiu as orna¬ 
ments. The same color is plaited in box- 
plaits and worn for a necklace, with a locket, 
cross, or charm of various designs. 
Pnrnsols 
Of ecru pongee, lined Avith colored silks of 
good size, are from two dollars and fifty 
cents to seven dollars and fifty cents. The 
most fashionable styles are of black silk, 
scolloped, bound and lined with red, green, 
blue or orange, to suit the complexion and 
dress of the owner. They cost from six dol¬ 
lars upwards, the style of the handle making 
much difference in price. When one lias a 
good frame, with handle, it is cheaper 
to get it re-covered. Tt is hardly necessary 
to add that for the country, a tiny sunshade 
is of but little service. I believe in large 
parasols, palm leaf fans, loose dresses, and 
comfort. 
lints and Bonnets 
have changed perceptibly since last year, 
having “ growed,” as Torsy says. Bonnets 
are larger and hats arc tall, taller, tallest. It 
is to bo. hoped that you will not carry so 
much chignon and hat <>n the outside as to 
suffer from the little within. There are a 
dozen different styles of hats, so that you 
need not invest in a small mountain, a lofty 
peak, or a towering sugar loaf, unless you 
choose. Black straw's ure, perhaps, mostly 
preferred, because of their general utility. 
Gloves 
are lower in price, and delicate shades pre¬ 
ferred to the bright colors. As kid gloves 
are an expensive item, it is avcII to take care 
of them. Never put them on in a hurry, 
especially at first. Do not have them 
stretched at the shop. Choose them large 
enough to come up well on your Avrist, and 
not so small as to cover but half your band 
and tear out under the thumb. Fit them 
well to your hand at first wearing, and[ ex¬ 
ercise care in what you do after they are on. 
Use your handkerchief in opening doors, 
gates, etc., if your gloves are light. The 
color may be restored to black kids by the 
use of sweet oil and black ink. Colored and 
Avhite gloves can be nicely cleaned. Put ou 
the glove, and rub it over Avell Avitli a piece 
of white flannel, dipped slightly at frequent 
intervals in milk and then rubbed on hard 
soap. Just the least bit is necessary, as the 
glove must not be dampened through. Soil 
water is preferred by some to milk. 
General Hints. 
In repairing or making garments, insist 
upon a good, easy lit, a true hanging skirt, 
without “tag'gy” seams, uneven trimming, 
one-si deduces or gaping places. If slender, 
a jacket, or belted-clown, half fitting saeque 
is becoming; if stout, a close or halt-filling 
basque. AIildhf.d can learn from the fore¬ 
going how to make her green and black 
striped silk suit, and Aliss Pauish to fix 
over her s^k saeque. 
