The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-11-22

from the men separately that not one mad
observed the slightest sign OF anything De-
ing wrong with the pilot until they found
him lying by the wheel.
ITS lust wonderful how you thought
about seeking out a. that" said Dick admir-
ipgly: but you were aye clever lass
missy. Gamma understand how the cap
tain should be sac realyto think illo Bob.
"Cargill made him believe that he had
been drinking before.
"Aweel. that'l a. be set right afora Lang.
You and me maun keep calm sough Tor a
wee wh L. just you keep on a. yon nae
been doing-keep friens wi him and may
be well &c, mair out o him.
When Cargil returned he was annoyed
exceedingly TO find his bugbear, Dick Bax
tor waiting for him, and almost started in
10 rage when he heard the well-known
salutation "Weel, Jeems, how'sa wi you
the-day?"
He would have turned away ~ once from
this pest but he was detained by the nex'
words.
Your mother sent TO you anee GRAND
| She wouldna believe in the post or the tee
graph; the matter was sac particular tha'
naething would serve her but ] maun come
wi her message"
What is il she wants now?' was the surly
and impatient query.
"She doesna want you TO break your trip;
but she commands you 10 gang suaight 10
her the minute you land. She bade me say
that you would hurt yourself MAR than you
can fancy, If you didna do her bidding"
Very we'll"
You'll come the minute you landV
"Of course. since she Isl so particular about
il"
'Pll tell her to expect you, for Pm gaun
back by train the-day" .
That evening in the cleaning, work over
and all quiet in the harbor, Captain Duncan
was sitting on deck smoking. Annie was
walking up and down, occasionally hating
beside him. During one Of these halfs, he
said abruptly
annie, want you to be kind to Jeems
Cargill."
This was the first time he had referred 10
the subject OF the proposed union since tba'
evening in the cottage.
What for in especial, father"
He pulled slowly, and looked over the
buIwark into the clear blue water which
was FLASHING gently against the sides OF the
Mermaid. He was perplexed; what especial
reason was there for asking her to be kind
to Cargill? lie himself had no especial re-
gard for the man, and but for his fortune
would have little 10 say to him.
IT'S this way, Annie; you see he man
that has great notion o you; he's wee-to-
do In the world; there's naebOdy has Ony
particular i'll to say against him; and he
asked me to put in word for him wi you,
! said l would, and I'm doing it. You might
do hantle waur than agree 10 be Mistress
Cargill."
She laid her hand on his shoulder; she
could feel the awkwardness with which he
spoke. At another time she would have re-
lieved him by laughing at the whole affair.
At present she had too many anxious
thoughts weighing upon her for laughter to
find vent.
"a told you my mind about this, father,
when YOU mentioned il before. am OF the
same mind yet and will never change"
She felt a glow of pleasure in thus echo
ing her lovers words.
"Aweel, aweel, Pm ma gaun TO force yOul
will. | was meaning you for another man
a. the while; but haze done what | promis'
ed and nae mair need be said. You would
haze loupit blitherly enough at-but that's a
by and nae MAR need be said"
He got up and leaned over the bulwark
now putting vigorously
\ vague suspicion Of his meaning flashed
across her mind, making the heart leap
uuIck with surprise and joy.
"WhO are you speaking about now, faith
err" she asked, her voice low and not quite
so steady as usual,
Never heed, never heed It's a by moo
the big foolr'
Then there was silence She was tremb-
ling and afraid to speak lest She should find
that she msnterpreted herfather'S thoughts.
But il must be him he referred to; and
this was the meaning of all his curious little
jukps and grins which had often puzzled her
wnen he was speaking about her marriage.
Could ii be?
Pm sair put about wi Bob Ross" lie
said by-and-by half angrly, half regretful-
". What hyp critic he maun haze been
l would aS soon haze thought o doing sic a
thing myself as him. Had it ma been for
that, he was the man for you and the Mer-
matt tae.
"AAnd will be, father she cried gleeful-
~,
Ma, that Gamma be noO--its a. by. I'd
sooner see you macrrit to Jeems Cargill.'
"Oh father you will find that you are
mistaken abou poor Bob"
That's impossible
In the midst Of her great gladness there
came that cruel thought had
been lost by that one blunder She lnetc
what Cargill had done; Dick Baxter knew
it; but how could they prove it"
\, soon as th' MCrn,Iid arrived at Leith,
Cirgil took his leave OF Annie. lie was dis.
appointed; a lis powers of persuasion had
failed Ia move her She had been civil 10
him-most civil--but she would not permit
him TO get ont his proposal. When he was
saying goodbye he made one more effort to
win her favor
Il suppose may come to Anchor Cottage
Tomorrow
Then her whole manner suddenly chang
ed, she became cold, almost stern.
You may come, of course, MIR. Cargill ;
but you will not speak to me until Mr.. Ross
i put right with ms father
He was staggered, confused, muttered
that he did not see what business il was OF