, 1883-11-03

so that SneU fancy herself lady,
instead of a wOrkingman's wife ?''
"Helen isn't that kind of a girl, p
said Mrs. Frazer, rather shortly.
"Oh! you know best, my dear, OF
course. And Robin is to be your
gardener, and live with Helen in that
pretty little cottage. They're a very
fortunate young couple, Pm sure"
"There, child, don't say a word.
Its a pleasure to do anything for you
you've been a good, faithful girl to
me. But cOme-I hear Robins voice
down stairs"
As she spoke she led the way down,
followed by Helen and Jenny. Annie
and Kate were waiting in the garden
outside, with Robin and several OF
his friends. 1t was the lOveliest OF
summer days-the air seemed full OF
sunshine, yet tempered by a gentle
breeze from the sea. Its waters spark
led in the distance, and you could
just descry the white wings of the
sailing vessels, glistening like pearls
against the clear blue sky.
Mrs. FraZer's house was q large
mansion Of gray stone, situated on
the slope of hill. The big geranium
beds in front were all afame with red
blossoms, and the ClOse-shaven lawn
seemed soft as velvet to the feet.
There were trees in abundance, yet
not so many as to give an airOf gloom
and seclusiOn. Everything looked
bright and CHEEKY and smiling, like
the mistress Of the place. As she
came out with the fair young bride a
murmur Of admiration broke from
the little party.
Don't Helen luik like an angel ~
at was Mrs. Frazer gied her the
Draw white gown an veil, and real
lady she luiks in it,"
"Ah! fine feathers make fine birds" ,"
said one enviOus little mink, but
Helen was general favOrite, and
the young damscl's spiteful fling was
received with decided disapprOba.
tiOn.
As Robin advanced to greet his
bride, Mrs. Frazer fixed a kind but
searching glance upon him. He was
a handsome fellow; tall, well-shaped,
with complexion naturally fair, but
much embrOwncd by the sun. The
first impression of him was certainly
favorable, yet keen scrutiny of his
face left vague feeling of uneasi-
ness in your mind, you scarcely knew
why. But he looked very kind and
lOve-like, and proud Of his young
bride as he took her on his arm, and
Mrs. Frazer felt somewhat Teassured.
"RObin, hope you will make this
girl of mine as happy as she deserves
to be. II you are not really good to
her | shall take her back to live with
me-" She spoke playfully, yet with
feeling in her voice.
81 Keen weel Pm not worthy of
her, ma'am, but I'll try my best to
make her happy" said ROBIN, and
Helen answered his look 18th one OF
tender trust. The vague sha1 w that
f7id oppressed her spirits thiN mOrh,
ing seemed suddenly lifted. -
"COme, darling, it's tiSs-tp start" ,"
murmurcd Robin, and the 1kQle bri-
dal procession set forth. They were
a pretty sight, as they wended their
way over the sloping lawn and down
through the broad avenue of trees to
the gate. Just across the street stood
the little stone church, and the frag-
rance of the flowers Mrs. Frazer had
sent in early that morning greeted
the little party as they entered the
door.
"Well, l must confess never saw
a prettier bride I" said Mrs. Frazer's
sister. "And the groom seems a fine,
manly young fellow, doesn't he ~
81 do hope he will make her happy"
said Mrs. Frazer, with tears IN her
kind eyes. "IIush! the service is
beginning"
A lovely summer evening, four
years after. At the door Of Robins
pretty cottage sits Helen, her knit
ting in her hand. The eatlittle table
is spread within, and Helen is only
waiting now for the kettle to boil.
Davie Stewart, a bright-eyed laddie
Of two years, is frisking around his
parents like a squirrel. Their eyes
follow him fOndly and Helen says,
laying her hand on her husbands
arm.
"Just to think, II was fouryea to-
day, Robin, since we were married ~
'lt don't seem possible said Robin
musingly. "Weel, we've been very
happy, Helen, sac far ?"
Something wistful and appealing
in the look he turned on her touched
Helen, while she could not under
stand 1t. She laid her head on his
shoulder as she answered.
"Nes, Robin, we've been very hap
py, and there's nae reason we should
ma be sac a. the rest Of our days, If
we only love and trust each ither, as
we ought, in ilka things !"
There was something appalling in
her voice now, but Robins eyes were
turned away, and he only answered
her by encircling her waist with his
arm.
"RObin," said Helen, breaking the
silence, Eye never tauld me why you
left the great city, lang syne, and
came to this little place sac faraway?"
Again that uneasy haunted look
came into Robins eye he hesitated
q moment, and then said in a would
be Indifferent voice:
"Whiles there's mair chance for a
friendless lad in a sma' place like this
than in the great city. And my father
was dead and my mither thought it
best to come ava, and sae-but isRa
that the baby cryin', Hinny ?" ,
"Ah! the lassie!" said Helen, rising
with smile. ats time she was
wauking, for she's slept nearly the
haill afternoon, It'll be the heat that's
making her sac sleepy. I'll bring her
DOT to you, while max the tea"
"Here's my young Teddy" she
said, appearing proudly with her fair
six months baby in her rarms. "Take
her, Robin, lad, while L"
She stopped short as her quick eye
caught sight Of a man advancing
toward them. Robin looked up and
sat as il turned TO stone.
"Why, Robin, man, don't you know
me% said the stranger, SELLING his
hand and shaking II violently.
"Didn't you remember Dick Brockle-
wOrth?"
Robin, who was on his legs by this
time, managed to stammer out few
words Of greeting, but had evidently
received too severe a shock to recover
at once. His face was deathly pale,
and he trembled from head to root.