Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-07-31


ander's house"
"We'll see what's best for We when the
time comes, lass said he. "Dinna bother
your head just yet
Then he looked at the table.
" But where $ the tea We said ye would
ask Miss Douglass in to ?"
1--WE were so busy with the Glasgow
housekeeping" Meme said, laughing,
"that we forgot all about"
"I'll go and get it ready now" the little
Maggie said. and she went from the room
leaving these two alone.
He was little embarrassed, and she
was also. There had been no dIndntum
iru of any kind: but all the same the
redmtclrdtio dmolJS was just trifle diff
flcult for she on her side was anxions
to have their old relations re-es.
tablished during the brief period
that would elapse ere he left the
neighborhood, and yet she was hesitatino
and triiie embarrassed; while he on his
side maintained strictly respectful re
serve. He knew his place. his respect
toward her was part of his own self-re-
spect; and if it did not occur to HIM that
it was rather hard upon Meenie that all
the advances toward complete rehabill-
tation of their friendship should come
from her, that was because he did not
know that she was moved by any such
wish. and also because he was completely
ignorant of a good deal else that had hap
pened of late. or course certain things
were OBVIOUS enough. llcdGlN, lIt NAH
frightened, distant and yet reCretful
look with which she had recently met and
parted from him when by chance they
passed each other in the road was no
longer in her eyes; there wasa Kind of APP
peal for friendliness in her manner toward
him; she seemed to say. " ell, you are
going away: don't let us forget the old
terms Oh which we used to meet" And
not only did he quickly respond to that
feeling, but also he was abundantly
grateful to her; did not he wish to carry
away with him the pleasantest memories
of this beautiful sweet -natured friend
who had made all the world magical to
him for while who had shown him the
grace and dignity and honor of true wom-
anhood, and made HIM wonder no less at
the charm of her clear-shining simplicity
and naturalness The very name of
"Love Meenie' would be as the scent of a
rose-as the song of n lark-for him
through all the long coming years.
at will make great change about
here sad She, with her eyes averted,
" your going away
"There's no one missed for long he
answered, in his downright fashion.
t" W here people 90, people come; the
places get nlled up
Yes, but sometimes they are not quite
the same said she. rather gently. She
was thinking of the new conner. Would
he he the universal favorite that Ronald
was-always good natured and laughing,
but managing everybody and everything;
lending hand at the strengthening or
playing the pipes at a MISUNDERSTANDING
to keep life moving along hrlskly; and al
ways ready to give her father days hare
shooting or II turn at the pools of Mudal
/ Water, when the SpteS began to clear
/ She knew quite Well-for often had she
heard it spoken ol-that no one could get
on as we'll as Ronald with the shepherds
at the time of the misunderstanding: when
on the other moors the shepherds and
keepers were growing and quarrelling
1 like rival leashes of collies. on Lord Ali
ines ground everything was peace and
quietness and good-humor. And then she
| had vague impression that the next
keeper would be merely keeper; whereas
| Ronald waS-Ronald.
"I'm sure was half-ashamed," said he,
when got his lordship's letter. 1t was
as fair an offer as one man could make to
another: or rather, half u dozen offers: for
he said he would raise my wages, If that
was what was wrong: or he would let me
have another lad to help me in the ken
nels; or, if was tired of the Highlands,
he would get me place at his shooting in
his lordship with my small affairs: but af-
ter that could ma but sit down and write
to him the real reason of my leaving"
"And I'm certain" said she, quickly,
"that he will write back and offer you any
help i'll his power.
"No, no." said he, with kind OF laugh
:" the one letter is enough il eNel
comes to be u question of written char
acter. But it s just real friendly and civil
Of him; and if could win up here for .
week or a fortnight in August, | woulc
like well to lend them hand and SCI
them going; for it will be a good year fol
the grouse, I'm thinking"
" Oh, will you be coming to see us il
August ~ she said, with her eyes sudden
~ and rather wstfully lighting up.
Well, | don't know how may he stu
ated," said he. And there's the railway
eXpense-though | would not mind tina
much if | had the chance otherwise TO
his lordship has been "a good master t.
me; and would just like to lend him
hand and start tne new man with III
management of the dogs and the boats
That's one thing Lord Ailine VIII do TO
me, hope; | hope he will let me have /
word about the man that's coming in m.
place; would not like to have cantank
erous ill-tempered brute Of II fellow com
ing in to have charge of my dogs. They'r
the bonniest lot in Sutherlandshire.
All this was, practical enough; ant
meanwhile she had set to work to clea
the table, to make way for Maggie, Whel
the young handmaiden appeared with tn
tea things, he leEShe room for few min
utes, and presently returned with pole
catskin, carefully dressed and smootheo
in his hand.
Here's bit thing" said he, " wisl
we would take, if it's of any use to you
Or if you could tell me anything we wishe
it made into, could have that done whel
go south And if your mother woul
like one or two Of the deerskins. I'm sur
she's welcome to them; they're usefu
| about house"
Indeed you are very kind, Ronald,
said she, flushing somewhat, land to
kind, indeed-for you know that eve
since we have known You, all these kind
nesses have always been on one side
and-and-we have never had chance c
doing anything in return for YOU"
"Oh, nonsense" said he, good naturet
ly. "Well, there is one thing your faths
could do for me-if he would take my gun
and my rifle, and rods and reels, and ju:
! keep them in good working order tina
I would be better than taking them I
Glasgow and getting them spoiled wit
rust and want of use. don't want to pal
: with them altogether, for they're oil
| friends, and ! would like to have theI
} left in safe keeping"
e She laughed lightly.
, And that is your way of asking
l favOr-tO offer my father the loan Of a