Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-01-11
A sCOfTisH ROMANCE.
The LAIRD's SWEETHEART.
By IKBAL.
Continued from Yesterday

Continued from Yesterday
Hey, this won't do-this won't do at
all, you known cries Nancy presently
beginning to push her way from out his
encircling arms.
won't do, Nance? think it was Just
doing splendidly!n He allows her, how
ever. TO free herself from his embrace, and
stands beside her, content to have one lit
tie sun-tanned hand clasped tenderly in his
own. .'And so we are going to be married
tomorrow, my darling?" he says, looking
enquiringly down into her fair face.
1--WE are going to be married ?" she re-
plies-and 1t is noticeable that when with
him the girls language and accent insensi-
bly, and quite naturally fall into those of
her lover al don't know anything about
you. am going to be married tomorrow
to Mr.. McCluck
An amused smile shines in her lovers
bonnie blue eyes; her tidings awaken APP
parently no fears in his breast: he trusts
implicitly this girl whom he has chosen to
be his wife-for with all her faults he
knows her to be pure and true.
"McCluckP It's a good name, at all
events Who is the fellow, may l ask P"
"He is Alexander McCluck, butterman.
in the High Street, Kinleny; and you must
know he is rather above me in rank, Hay.
He has large shop, and sells hams, and
boxes Of sardines. aud lots Of other
things"
"Oh, We gods and little fishes! know
the man, Nance ~ cries Hay, bursting into
loud hearty laughter.
For moment the girl stands looking at
him demurely, and then, unable to repress
her mirth any longer, she also breaks out
into ripping laugh.
Come, my darling, tell me all about it,"
says Macgregor, after few moments,
when both are quiet again.
Nancy's face becomes grave, and her
color fades little.
Eyes. Hay, must tell you all about it,"
she answers-"but not here Row me up
the loch to the little island wish partic-
ularly to go there tonight; l will tell you
there
Macgregor now perceives that something
unusual has occurred. For moment he
gathers the girl into his arms. and kisses
her brow and lips; then, without word,
assists her into the boat, and stepping in
himself, pushes off from the bank.
Through the dark waters the boat cuts
swiftly, sent by his long vigorous pull, and
kept well in the shade out of the stream
ing white light. Both are perfectly silent
the oars dip regularly, evenly; the water
gurgles away from the prov and sides
there il no other sound On either side
the grand wild hills tower upwards, guard
ing their loch; and, Ear above their peaks,
away in the distant sky, myriads of stars
are shining, while the moon is sailing
aDlendid1v AMONG them
The ''lfttle island" is a very small island
indeed, but for its size, finely wooded
that is to say, three or four small trees
thrive upon its soil, with some fourishing
brushwood. Macgregor pulls round to
the western side, whence a glorious view
caa Be obtainedO Of the loch, away up to its
head in the far distsnce, and, beyond, of a
mighty frowning Ben, and the sharp cleav-
ing of wild narrow pass. .,.f
The lovers have often been here before
but they never land. and they do not now,
the grass being generally wet with heavy
dews, or the whole islet in fearful. weep
ing condition, the result Of Highland
weather. Macgregor fastens the boat to
the slim stem OF tree growing by the
waters edge; and then, making for the
stern, seats himself beside his sweetheart
The light boat drifts round and lies broad
side to the isle. And so they sit together,
talking softly in the beautiful still night.
An hour later the boat glides once more
down the loch.
LET us go straight through the NOON
light, Hay whispers Nancy, leaning
towards him with smile; this is the last
time, you know" The girls cheeks are
no longer pale, they glow like some bril-
liant Eastern flower, and her eyes are ra-
diant.
So on that night-the last 'night-they
pass straight through the lovely white
light adown the loch, until, reaching the
shade Of trees at its foot, the boat, passing
into the gloom. disappears.
The next morning-her marriage morn
Nancy Pretty inaugurates the day in a
way most unusual--nay. almost unexam-
pled-in the simple and hardy little house.
hold. She does not rise, blithe and bon
ME, as is her wont, to dress herself for
breakfast She is pale ahd lang,iid-it
may be in anticipation of the forthcoming
events Of the day, or perhaps it is the re-
action after unusual excitement of feeling
during the night before From whatever
cause, the girl lies in her homely old
fashioned bed. with its spotless. we'll
bleached linen, gazing out at the hills
which her bedroom window faces.
The calm beauty of the night has passed
away with itself and the wind has arisen
before the power of which the heavy clouds
hanging low, are hurried across the sky.
At intervals rain descends, which is ever
and anon beaten back by the blast. The
long rough grass lies wet and lank along
the ground, and even the sturdy bracken
droops MOSTLY. The wind sweeps down
the hillside and circles angrily round the
small white house. 80, -
Breakfast hour arriving without Nancy
Aunt Jean, surprised, of course, to ascer.
tain the reason Of her non-appearance
But to her aunt's wondering questions
Nancy only replies quietly that she does
not feel very well and desires no break
fast; but adds decidedly that she will GER
tainly rise later in the day, and then beps
70 be left alone for the present.
: SO the hours pass by. and no morsel of
1OOdcrOsse6 her Inns The morpipsy bo,.o