Tales from Many Sources

, a road so steep, so dazzling white that it look

er horse as she did so. Though November had set in, the sun was still

ething that deepened the expression of the lovely eyes, something that played softly like the

als young Robins had made so often to Betty in vain. Lady Rachel Tremame had almost broken her heart when Betty, at the Newbury ball, had so attracted Sir Har

hanged: fair Betty's

she took his subjection as due to herself, and was not grateful for that which she deemed her right. But the

n the hunting-field, that those evenings were dull and lonely on which he did not come in for a chat with her father before supper-time, and all the worl

l at last, and now scoured swiftly away

uman habitation, then Bet

ithin miles, the unbroken winds tore round it, the snow often banked up against it; b

e sent her clear rin

! Rache

erceived a fine bay horse that she knew well. She drew rein, swiftly debating within herself wh

cared by the odd feeling in her heart that mad

p of ragged children tumbled out to meet her, children with black elf

orse, and called the e

rad steadily, and like a good boy, while I visit your grandmother." She o

rk gipsy characteristics of her grandchildren-before her the tall fine figure of Jo

ome in. She advanced to meet her visitor, who stood during the s

er nursling," cried old Rachel. "But it would

less steadily than usual. "But I did not know that you were acquaint

ung man, eyes brimming with burning tea

a little impatient

hat thus he gave a mute answer to s

chair. "You are welcome as flowers in May, or as the first swallow that herald

to see you for so long, but I am glad that you have

etness. "One of my most faithful servants and friends

r voice rising to a kind of wail." W

p, and a bitter frow

ad, dame?" aske

his bones have no grave, and

le," said Betty

ly to the window, and busied

t the less we dwell on these things the better. Mistress Betty," he went on hurriedly, "Harry Ray when he left my s

ttered a shu

rth and the wild winds have done their worst, and never

nestly, "the soul recks lit

a good fellow and brave,"

said Betty, willing to turn th

een Wild Jac

say who will to the contrary, I have reaso

smiling. "A cut-throat, a robber

m," she said. "And we of the country have always known how to dis

still smiling. "And yet both

for breath; she turned her large eyes on her lover and said

such maidens as Betty Ives when they give love at last, give life itself. Dame Rachel glanced from one to another, then she rose quickly, and from a dark corner of the room produced a pack of cards. "Come, fair lady and noble gentleman," sh

aid John Johnston

into Betty's cheek, the

" she said,

ieve, and all that is bad will cas

faces like yours, dear hearts," sai

th growing discomfiture turning the cards, t

e first time in her bold young life. John Johnstone gazed on her with his soul in hi

lung all the cards

arsh, frightened voice. "I am getting afraid of the ca

er, if they show not all the gilded coaches and six, and the lo

Pah! it is the old story. I was afraid

in these strange combinations,

warnings," said

e reading of the cards migh

ddles. The warning. Is it the same for

aid a dark hand on the shoulder of each, and pe

Wild Jack B

nstone flushed angrily

is advancing, madam," turning to Betty. "Will you vouc

und of singing outside, in a voice so wild, loud, and sw

asked Betty. "How beautifu

er voice is sweet as the lark, and she sings

d Betty, and she stood wit

f the singer thrilled to the very nerves,

t loved the f

l and we

clouds gather

and he gal

m! call him

d forsa

he'll come

wild gr

return from

l and we

ll never com

and gall

m! call him

er is co

s hat, he b

as he gal

m! call him

l and we

never come

and gall

She glanced at Dame Rachel. The old woman was nervously fingering the cards, and mutteri

ught hers and pressed it for

hair was all blown back, the great black eyes staring out of the small d

ntleman? my pretty lady?" she cried. "Cross l

be going," said Johnstone, and he conducted Betty to the place

see me again, dear heart," cried Ra

" answered Betty. Johnston

g back the colour to your cheek," he sa

mened in all here," said

her a piece of gold. "This is to make

hem. "The good gentleman! the brave fellow! For this I would f