Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-06-19
CHAPTER XII.
WHEN SHADOWS FALL"

The deer shed adjoining the kennels was
a gloomy place, with its bare walls, its lack
of light, and its ominouS-looking cross
beams, ropes, and pulley for hanging up
the slain deer; and the morning was dark
and lowering, with bitter wind bowling
along the glen, and sometimes bringing
with 1t sharp smurr Of sleet from the
northern hills. But these things did not
seem to affect Ronald's spirits much as he
stood there, In his shirt sleeves and bare
headed sorting out the hares that were
lying on the floor, and determining to
whom such and such brace or
couple of brace should be sent. Four of
the plumpest he had already selected for
Mrs, Douglas dn the vague hope that the
useful present might make her q little
more placable) and he was going on with
his choosing and setting aside, sometimes
lighting pipe, sometimes singing care
lessly,
40 we aft haze met at cen. bonnie Pcggie, O,
On the banks O Cart sac green, bonnie Peg
Where the waters smoothly rim.
Far 9neuth the roarin' linn
Far fraa busy strife and din, bonnie Pcggie, o.
when little Maggie came stealing in.
" Ronald" she said with an air OF re-
proach, why are ye going about on such
morning without your jacket, and bare
headed too ~
ing said he inditferently.
e" 1t was Meenle said Twas not to let you
DO such foolish things" the little lass
ycntured to say, dltiidently.
OF course this put new aspect on the
case but he would not admit as much
directly.
"Oh, WELL said he, "if you bring me
out my coat and bonnet will put them
on, for Pm going down to the doctor with
two or three of the hares."
And then She hesitated
Ronald" said She ~ will take them
to Mrs Donglas, if you like.
"Nou " said he.
"For would give them to her with n
nice message from you; and-and-if you
take them, you will say nothing at all,
and whore is the compliment :"
He laughed.
"Ye'rc wise little lass: brit four big
harcs are heavy to carry--with the wind
against ye: so run away and get me my
coat and my Glcngarry, and | will take
them along myself, compliment or no com
pliment.
However, as it turned out. Mrs. Douglas
was not The first of the family he was
fated to meet that morning. He had
scarlely lett the deer-shed when he per
ceived Meene coming along the road and
this was an suspicious and kindly event
for somehow the day seemed to go by
more smoothly and evenly and contentedly
/
the morning, and have few minutes chat
with her about affairs in general, and al
assurance that all was going we'll with her
So he went forward TO meet her with 6
light heart and he thought she would be
pleased that he was taking the hares tc
her mother; and, perhaps, too, he consid
cred that they might be a little more franz
in their friendship, after the exceeding
good fellowship of the night of the chill
dren's party.
lie went forward unsuspectingly.
Good morning, Miss Douglas. said he
always stopped for "a few seconds OF
minutes when they met thus.
But to his establishment Miss Douglas
did not seem inclined to stay. Her eye'
were bent on the ground as she came
along she but tmidly half lifted them a.
| Ronald ~ she said, and would have passe,
| on. And then it seemed as if, in her grea
| embarrassment, she did not know what tt
do. She stopped; her face was sutluset
with red and she said hurriedly, and ye
with an effort to appear unconcerned.,
81 suppose Maggie is at home ?"
"Oh yes" said he, and her manner
was so changed that he also scarce
knew what to say or think
And again she was going, and agair
she fingered. with a sudden fear that sh'
might be thought ungracious or unkind
ne CnIuTen All got away Sdlel,
yesterday morning. said she; but he
eyes never met his, and there was still
a tell-tale color in her cheeks.
so heard he answered.
81 am sure they must have enjoyed tn
evening"" she said, as II forcing herself Il
speak.
And then it suddenly occurred to him
for this encounter mad been all too brie
and hewildering for any proper under
standing of it-that perhaps her mother
had been reproving her for being to-
friendly with the people about the inn ant
with himself, and that he was only caus
ing her embarrassment by OBTAINING her
and so he said
"Oh yes, Pm sure o. that Well good
morning, Miss Douglas; Pm going alOn;
to give your mother these two or tire
| hareS -
lTo BE CONTINUED