Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-06-12
CHAPTER TX.
ENTICEMENTS.

At about eleven o'clock on the same
morning Miss Douglas was standing at
the window of her own little room, look
ing rather absently at the familiar
ssionally turning to a letter she
held in her hand, and that she
had apparently just then written. Pres
emily, however, her face frightened.
There was a FAINT sound in the distance as
of some one singing No doubt that was
Ronald; he would be coming along the
road with the dogs and if she were in
any dill Guilty he would be the one to
help. SO she waited for a second or two,
hoping to be able to signal to him to stop,
and the next minute he was in sight,
walking briskly with his long and steady
stride, the small terrier at his heels, the
other dOgs-some handsome Gordon set
tiers, a brace of pointers, and "A big brown
retrieNer-rangng further aiield.
But why was it, she asked herself, that
whenever lie drew near her fathers cot
tage he invariably ceased his singing
Elsewhere as we'll she knew, he beguled
the tedium of these lonely roads with an
almost constant succession of songs and
snatches OF songs; but here he invariably
became mute. And why did he not raise
his eyes to the window. where she was
waiting to give him Il friendly wave of
the hand or even an invitation to stop,
and come within-doors for II minute or
TWO? NO: on he went with that long
SlFlut Oh MS, ADDRESSING q WORD now and
again t. one or the other of the dogs, and
apparently thinking of nothing else. so,
as there was nothing for it now but to
go ont and intercept him on his return.
she proceeded to put on her ulster and
Ciose-htt'ng deerstalker's cap and thus
fortified AGAINST the grlsty north wind that
was driving clouds and sunshine across
the loch and along the slopes of Clebrg,
she let the cottage and followed the road
that he had taken.
AS 1t turned out, she had not far to 90:
for she SAW that eWaS now seated on the
pararet of the little ge spanning the
Mudal Water, and no doubt he was cut
ting tobacco for his pipe. When she
drew near, he rose: when she drew nearer,
he put his pipe i'll his waistcoat pocket.
Good-morning, Ronald size cried
and the pre- ~ frosh-tinted face smiled on
him, and the clear gray-hlue Highland
eyes regarded him in the most frank and
friendly way, and without any trace what
ever of maiden bashfulness.
Good morning Miss Douglas" said
he; he was far more shy than she was.
What stupid thing happened this
morning. said she when / heard that
the American gentleman was going
South, wanted to tell the driver to bring
the children from Crask with him as he
came back in the evening; and | sent
Elizabeth round to the inn to tell him
that; and then-what do you think they
had started away half an hour iefore there
was any need. But now have written a
letter TO the Crask people, asking them to
stop the wagonette as it comes back in
the ate noon and telling them that we
Will make the children very comfortable
here Tor the night; and if only | could get
II sent to Crask. everything would be ar
ranged. Aud do you think, now, yon
could get one of the Young lads to take
1t to Crask if gave him a shillng?"
She took out her purse, and selected a
smiling from the very slender store Of
coins there
1T is not much for so long a walk,
she said, rather duubtfully. Eight miles
there and eight back; is it enough, do you
thinkP
ooh, III get the letter sent for We, Miss
Douglas, easily enough" said he-and
indeed, he had already taken it from her
hand.
Then she offered him the shilling: but
with little gesture he refused it. And
thcn-for there flashed upon her mind a
sudden suspicion that perhaps he might
choose to walk al that way himself just
70 plea,e her indeed, he had done things
IKE that heiore)-she became greatly
embarras ed
cave me the letter, Ronald" said She,
ana VIII md some one myself You
are going away now with the dogs"
Oh no said he; ~ will see that the
Crask folk get Your message"
And the money to pay the lad ?" said
she, tllnluly.
Dinna bother your head wi that" he
answered. "There's enough money scat :,
tered about the place Just now-the
American gentleman was free-handed this
morning Ay and there's something I've
got for YOU"
For me :" she said, with her eyes
opening somewhat.
-" Well, said he and very glad he was
to have the letter safe and sound in his
possession, " was telling him about the
children,s party tomorrow night: and he 5
friendly kind o. man, that; he said he
wonld like to have been ut it, If he could
have staid; and I'm sure he would have
got on wi them we'll enough, for he's a
friendly kind o. man, as | say. Well
then, | couldna tell him the exact
number O. the BARNS but no mat
ter what number each one O. them is to