The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-10-20
ROBINS SECRET.

"COme, Helen, dear. dinna sit dream
ing there! Mrs. Frazer wants you to
gae doun to her room-she's gaun to
dress you her ainser. We maun be at
the kirk by eleven, We ken"
Helen Muir, a bonny young Scotch
classic" scarcely nineteen years of
age, rose hastily from her chair.
I'm gae doun to her in a minute,
Jenny, but | maun comb my hair out
first As she spoke she drew out the
pins that confined her hair, and it fell
in a ripping mass to her knee. 1t was
a lovely chestnut hue, the same color as
the lashes that shaded her fine gray
eyes.
''What funny bridesmaid I'll make
you, Helenn' said Jenny, laughing, as
she contrasted her dumpy proportions
with the tall, graceful figure of her
friend. "Annie or Kate wad match
your size much better"
Il Wadna exchange either of them
for you, my ain darling grill said Hell
en-, turning to kiss her friend. There
was tear in her eye and Jenny no.
ticed it.
what CARS We LUX sac sober, Helen,
lass? Ane wad think it was buried in
stead of married you was gaun to be-
Sic lucky girl as you are to catch a
fine. steady, strapping lad like Robin
Stewart! A the ither lassies are envy
in you and wishin' themselves in your
place"
''Are you amang them, Jenny?" with
humorous twinkle in her eye
'Weel, no, considering there's some
one else that likes me pretty weel, :"
said Jenny, blushing while she laughed.
Come. moo, We LUX mair like yourself.
It's happy, thankful girl you ought
to be, not stan there wi the corners of
your mouth drawed doun, an tear in
your ee!''
Jenny, dear, We ken how I loe
Robin, an an happy and thankful
sud be a sinful girl else. But We
maun remember what a happy hame |
am leaving, and how Mrs. Frazer has
cared for me ever syne | was fourteen
year AUDI
"Oh, aye, ken she thinks deal O.
you, an nae wonder! Sic guide,
faithful girl as you've been to her! But
sure it's not leaving her you are, when
your gaun to live on her ain grounds,
and Robin TO be her gardener! Sic
luck for you bath! Come, now, lets
gaze doun,"
Il shall never find such a girl
again. sighed Mrs. Frazer to herself,
as she sat musing on the morning of
Helen s wedding day, but L must not
give way to selfish regrets. Ionly wish
Robin was Christian, and that did
not have that feeling of uneasiness
about him that | cannot shake Off He
seems very nice fellow, devoted to
Helen, and yet there's something in his
face that troubles me, | don't know
why. But perhaps my very anxiety for
the child's happiness makes me suspi-
cious. have no right to feel so. His
employers spoke so highly of him, and
he seems to be respected by every one
who knows him. -
And so Mrs. Frazer tried to put her
unwelcome suspicious away, and greet
the young bride with smile. Placing
a chair before the glass, she took the
comb and brush from her hand.
"Oh, Helen, what hair YOU have? I'd
give hundred dollars for head of
hair like it!'' she said, as with skillful
fingers she plated the ripping locks
and wound them into a graceful cor
onet.
And now the pretty white muslin
wedding gown went on. 1t was a Gift
from Mrs. Frazer and so was the veil
and the wreath of orange blossoms she
fastened in Helen's glossy hair
ssW nv what = tho harm ~ Shn Il
said in answer to some gentle ridicule
from her sister-in-law. Il never shall
have the pleasure of dressing a daugh-
ter of my own for her wedding. And
Helen has been the most faithful, de-
voted
"Oh, that's all very well, but arn't
you afraid of turning her head with
your wedding veil and white gloves. sc
that she II fancy herself a lady, instead
of workingman's wife?"
"Helen isn't that kind of a girl, >
said Mrs. Frazer, rather shortly.
"Oh, you know best, my dear, O
course. And Robin is to be your Gar
dener, and live with Helen in tina
pretty little cottage. They're a yer,
fortunate young couple, Pm sure"
There, child, don't say word. tt
a pleasure to do anything for you
you've been a good, faithful girl to me
But GOMEZ hear Robins voice dow
stairs"
As she spoke she led the way down
followed by Helen and Jenny
Annie and Kate were waiting in tn