272 THE GOLD OF FAIRNILEE.

 

said, very stately and pale. ‘“‘He must have
wandered over into Yarrow; perhaps he has-
gone as far as Newark, and passed the night
at the castle, or with the shepherd at Foul-
shiels.”’

“No, my Lady,” said Simon Grieve, ‘‘ some
o’ the men went over to Newark, and some to

Foulshiels, and other some down to Sir John
- Murray’s at Philiphaugh; but there’s nevera
word o’ Randal in a’ the country-side.”

“Did you find no trace of him?” said Lady
Ker, sitting down suddenly in the great arm-
chair.

“We went first through the wood, my Lady,
by the path to the Wishing Well. And he had
been there, for the whip he carried in his hand
was lying on the grass. And we found ¢hs.”

He put his hand in his pouch, and brought
out a little silver crucifix, that Randal used
always to wear round his neck on a chain.

“This was lying on the grass beside the
Wishing Well, my Lady ie

Then he stopped, for. Lady Ker had swooned
away. She was worn out with watching and
with anxiety about Randal.

Simon went and called the maids, and they
brought water and wine, and soon Lady Ker
came back to herself, with the little silver
crucifix in her hand.

The old nurse was crying, and making a
great noise.