The Republican journal., 1870-08-18

but the terrible drops fell harmless as If they
had been water, and Doctor Buchanan laugh
ed aloud at her look of surprise and relief
81 did punish you, did | not?" he said, in
glee, ''but the fright was the whole Of it.
The blister will not be painful, only q little
uncomfortable, and Il great relief to your
evcsn
"But l should like to know how I am to do
my hair ?" said Floosy, plaintivey. Il shall
just keep it all up at the back of my head"
''Oh dont!" begged the doctor. "It is
such beautiful hair. | beg your pardon, but
have sort of right to praise it, because it
is SO Scotch-the real gold of a Highland
lassie's locks, The very sight of it flowing
free from its ribbon snood, in'these days Of
dragged up and frizzled topknots, gives me
a home feeling. Do you know have fancied
more than once that your forefathers must have
been countrymen of mine? These eyes are
certainly the true Scotch blue, and you don't
know how it hurts me to pour this burning
stuff into them.''
The sudden scorching pam made Flossy
hold her breath for a few minutes; but, when
it had subslded somewhat she said eagerly:
$50 you are Scotch never thought of
it before, and yet | might have known it by
the name, and by-by-"
'By what, plcase?" said the doctor, with
eager eyes on her face.
by my learning to like you so quickly"
said Flossy, frankly, though her color deep
cned under his pleased look ''For YOU must
know, | have always had the greatest liking
for everything Scotch. The ''Scottish Chief
was my first novel: could spout whole pag-
cs of it at the mature age Of seven, and Sir
William Wallace has been my pet hero ever
since. After got beyond Miss Porter, Sir
Walter Scott took possession of me, and many
a scoldng got for lessons neglected because
of his destinations. TO this day no poet has
ever touched me as Burns has; and, in short,
no country has ever interested me so much
rs Scotland. Some day / shall make pill
grimage there"
''Doctor Buchanan flushed with q strange
pleasure at this earnest praise of his cain
countree." "And arc you sure" he asked,
''that you are not Of Scotch descent yourself? ?
cannot help thinking 80 now more than
ever"
''And | think so, too" SAID tlossy, grave
ly, Though my father was Of Irish parentage.
But, you know, once upon time-Fm sure
don't know when, for / never can remem-
Der datcs-but not such very great while
ago, a number of Scotch families exiled
themselves to the North of Ireland for the
sake of their religion, and formed Il colony
there. whose descendants are still Presby-
terians. / am sure my father came of these
people, though | was too young ever to be
talked to about these things. For he was the
perfect realization in mind and person Of my
idea of Scotch Covenanter; tall and large
and ansterc, with blue eyes that looked right
through one, and 4 mouth that seldom smil-
ed. He was y Presbyterian, dyed in the
wool, and his idea Of milk for the babes was
the confession of faith. and the Westminster
Catechism. How we'll remember standing
up before him of Sunday mean q Sab
bath-aftcrnoon, when about so high, begin
ming at What is the chief end of man % and
going through all the mysteries of redcmp-
ton, justification and sanctification, about rs
understandingly as Deb Milton used to read
Greek to her father. And my mother sat by
she was Il sunny-hearted Englishwoman-
protesting in vain against her little ones be-
ing taught that they were the children of
wrath, and, us likely as not, foreordained by
Gods good pleasure to eternal misery. Oh,
how plainly can see it all now, though it is
many q weary day since saw them -
Flossy leaned back in the great leathern
char, and, shutting her poor eyes, suffered
herself to wander back into the half-lorgottcn
past; and DIR. Buchanan stood by, looking
down upon the wistful young face. which he
had only seen before sparkling with the sun
shine of Il merry mood, or pale with patience
under pain, thinking how sweet it was in
shine OF shadow, and feeling curious sensa-
ton, of sympathy and interest for his fair
young patient stirring somewhere under his
vest.
When he spoke, however. it was in the old
gay tone:
''Well, am delighted that my intimaton
has proved correct about our being one
country folk" he said. "And now, do you
know, believe l could guess your house
name; could tell you, at least. what think
you ought to have been called.n
''W hat?" asked Flossy, laughing and
curious
'sOnc of the sweet Scotch lassie names, of
course; l cannot quite decide; Ellie, or
Maran. or Flora. Flora, | think, suits you
best Do you like it?"
Flossy started in amused surprise, but in
stantly assumed demure look. "Why does
Flora suit me best ?" she asked
.'Dr Buchanan hcsitatcd, REDEEMED lit
tie, and then spoke out:
"You must pardon me, for you have asked
the question. 1t is because you have such 81
tlower-like face. Such pcach-blossom checks
and rosebud lips, eyes like blucbells, and
hair rs yellow as the golden gorse on our
glorious Scotch moors. You must know
yourself that it suits you"
Flossy's peach blossoms turned to carna-
tions, but she laughed in glee, and said, mer-
rily:
.Well, you are not far wrong. My name
is Florence
The doctor started, and flushed with pleas
ure.
els it so, indeed ?" he said, eagerly. ''But,
should-they should-call you Flora, Us 81
pet name. DO thcy?"
''No," said his patient. "Fred-and Fred
is all have now" the shadow crossed her
face again ''calls me always Flossy." The
glow faded from the doctors face likewise,
and he bit his lip. Ilo had forgotten, for a
moment, that she belonged to u Erred" and
he did not find it pleasant to be thus abrupt
ly reminded Of it. He said. presently, in a
quiet voice:
''It is q pretty little name. And, now,
here is your medicine, and you are not to
forget that we two Highland folk are to be
real friends?'
81 think that we are so already" said
Flossy, simply, looking at him with q clear
glance of her truthful eyes, and putting her
hand frankly into the one he offered, rs she
rose to 60.
SO the days and the weeks slipped by, and
the friendship, sudden as it was, lost none of
its interest, but they rather grew in strength
and nearness. The visits of so sweet and
\