The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-11-01
4 MAIDEN FAIR. !
BY CHARLES GIBBoN.
CHAPTER vi.

Only tnuitN uNl MS WIZ "'N' 'NN''' $500
first in a low monotone moving they clouds
slowly along. but by-and-by it came sweep
ING mn the Firth in great gusts and singing
wild duet with the heavlng waters, whist
,hc clouds hurried hther and thither with
increasing rapidity, and the moon could only
occasionally send silver g'eam through
the darkness.
"ItIl be a gey blaw the-nicht," said the
fsher-folk, to whom every sound ana sign
of wind, water, and clouds had us mean
ing. A., .oi,
~ doubt If they'll win out" they SAID
again. with anxious looks at the angry SKY.
They referred 10 the fishing Meet when
nightly started on It's perlIouS adventures
Bt there was no tCdr in the manner OF re-
garding the gathering storm; only cam re-
cognition of an ordinary fact IN their darK
lives. with pc SbIy some sense OF neon
yenience and loss due to the present state
If the elements The weather Indicator, IN
the little square fronting one She OF the
barbor-placcd there with the kndliest III
tentions by some benevolent person-was
rarely corSu'cd. By most 1t was looked
upon as a sort Of curious toy. Just the
weather box" said some, as II tempest and
calm were locked up in it. They looked to
nature herself for guidance in their calling,
and seldom thought wien they went out"
that they might never come back; blessed
condition of the mind which enables us to
do our duty in the teeth OF danger.
Women as well as men take their lives In
the same way; never thought OF what may
nome: and only short sharp cry IN the
heart with an Outwardly dumb sorrow when
the worst befals. Then to work again; not
a boat or q man the less goes out to sea; not
a woman the less ready to do her work on
shore. The life goes on just as II nothing
had happened whether it be a single smack
mr. fleet that founders. There are more
mouths To ill and therefore more Work 10
do, There is no time for outward wailing.
What goes on within-God knows.
In the parlor Of Anchor Cottage the cap
tain was comfortably smoking his pipe and
drinking toddy; seated in big high-backed
armchair, CHEEKY fire burning at his feet.
Annie at the table was busy with accounts
which she was anxious to dispose OF before
going to bed.
The wind made a loud moaning round the
walls, but never window or door shook,
everything had been made so truly firm.
This was house built TO stand and not to
sell.
Neither father nor daughter paid heed to
the storm. lie was busy with his pipe and
his toddy, delightng himself in watching
her silent diligence in work.
SO they had been occupied for some time.
Then he showed symptoms of restlcs'ness
and at length spoke.
'Will you be soon done, Annie? | want
10 speak to YOU"
1t happened that she had very clear no.
ton Of what he wished to speak to her
about, and also that she did not wish to hear
{. So she answered
1T will take me long while yet father;
maybe, till bedtime"
She proceeded with renewed energy toex-
anime books and papers and to calculate
figures, and he remained silent, respecting
ter task and vauing its results.
By-and by he became restless again?.
Are ye ia nearly done yet?' he inquired
impatientIy.
'Pll make some stupid bIunder if you
Keep on sp aking, father"
"Then stop afore you make the b,undcr,
because maun speak to you about Il mat
ter that has been rumblin in my inside a.
This afternoon"
Their evasion OF the disagreeablc subject was
possible without getting her father into one
Of his pas1lons-and they were frequent
enough and furious enough tO make her
willing to sacrifice her own comfort in any
way to avoid one of them. She laid down
Ter pen, turned her chair towards him and
said quietly
Now, father, what is your will?"
He took the pipe from his mouth, careful
y examined its contents, then pressed them
down with his finger; next took a big gulp
at his tOddy and finally replacing the pipe
between his teeth said, in a sort OF shy
way
81 wanted to speir at We something
What is it, fatherw she replied tender
~ although much tempted to laugh at his
droll behavior.
He felt that incipent laugh, and some
thing Of the fun of the position touched !
himself, for he grinned as he said
Just this, my lass; would yc like to be
maerritY
THAT would depend upon the man, faith
er," she answered, with merry laugh.
"HOots, lassie," he said, with a comical |
mixture of irritablity and sense Of humor
IN his voice and manner. Eye dinna mean to
tell me that ye are gaun to think about the
man when It's his siler that concerns ye."
Annie became serious; looked In the fire
as II studying some grave problem which |
was exhibited 10 her there. Presently, with
out looking up, she spoke
81 am wondering, father IL my mother |
thought o the man or siller most when she |
took yOu."
That was almost cruel stroke, although |
the girl did not know il. When Duncan |
Murray welded her mother he had obtained |
with her tocher which had helped him |
considerably in his fight with fortune. SO |
!he burly little man moved uneasily in his |
chair, his rlddy face hecame rllddier and |
he tool, su'ur more tOldy.
"TLa!s ma IA" question, Annie hae !
nae intention o forcing your viii In the |
matter; but just want to talk ii over wi |
YOU in a sensible sort o way. Ye see you
should think q both the man and his siller, |
for there are many lads that would be glad |
20 take you from me, ma for yourself, but |
for what you would bring wi you. Sac 1t
Dehoves us tO consider
Annie was still staring into the fire. but
now she was also listening TO the wind
cough, sOughing round the house and maxi !