Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-24

something Of flush over her features
for she had been startled by his sudden
entrance- certainly an extraordinar-
lily pretty creature, not so much hand
some, or distinguished, or striking, as al
together pretty and winning and gentle
looking She was obviously of a pure
Highland type: the figure slender and
graceful the head small and beautifully
formed the forehead rather square for a
woman, but getting its proper curve from
the soft and pretty hair, the features re-
fined and intelligent; the mouth sensi-
tive; the expression n curious sort Of seek
ing to please as il were, and ready to form
itself into an abundant gratitude for the
smallest act Of kindness. OF course much
nf this look was owing to her eyes, which
were the true Highland eyes, of blue
gray these were, with somewhat dark
lashes wide apart and shy and apprehen-
sive, they reminded one of the startled
eyes of some wild animal; but they were
entirely human in their quick sympathy,
in their gentleness, In their appeal to all
the world, as it were, for favoring word.
AS for her voice-well if she used but few
of the ordinary Highland phrases she had
undoubtedly considerable trace of High
land accent for, although her father was
an Edinburgh man. her mother las the ell
DERBY lady very soon let her neighbors
know was one one of the StuartS OF Glen
gask and OroSay and then again Meenie
lands, her father never having risen above
the position of parish doctor, and well
coming even such local removals rs served
to improve his position in however slight
way, -,
beautiful wide apart eyes were full of a
shy Apology was feeling little lonely,
and did not like to leave her"
Buff | had known, said he. Il would
not have staid So late The gentleman
that is come about the shooting is a curl
GUS man, it's no the salmon aud the
about only; it's everything in the coun
try Now, Maggie lass, get we to bed
And J will see you down the road, Miss
Douglas"
Indeed there is no need for that said
Meenie, with downcast eyes
Would ye have hogle run away with
YEP he said good .uaturedly
And So she babe goodnight to the little
Maggie, and took mp some books and
drawings she had brought Ia hcguile the
time withal, and then she went out into
the clear night. followed by the young
gamekeeper.
And what a night II was-or rather,
might have been-for two lovers The
wide waters of the loch lay still and
smooth, with broad pathway Of silver
stretching away into the dusk of the east
ern hills; not a breath of wind stirred
bush or tree; and if Ben Clebrig in the
south was mostly bulk of shadow, far
away before them in the northern skies
rose the great shoulders of Ben Loyal,
pallid in the moonlight the patches of
snow showing white up near the stars.
They had left behind them the little ham
let, which merely consisted of a few cot
tages and the inn they were alone in this
pale, silent world. And down there, be
meath the little bridge. ran the placid Mu
dial Water, and if they had bible with
themi-and would stand each on one side
OF the stream and clasp hands across ,
II was night for lovers vows
Maggie is getting on well with her
lessons" the pretty young lady said, m
that gentle voice of hers She is very
diligeDt."
I'm sure I'm much obliged to We, Miss
Douglas" was the respectful answer,
" for the trouble we take with her It's an
awkward thing to be sac far from school
I'm thinking I'll have to send her to my
brother in Glasgow. and get her put TO
school there"
"Oh, indeed, indeed" said she, that
will be a change, now. And who Will
look after the cottage for you, Ronald p
She addressed him thus quite naturally.
dreamed of calling him anything else.
WELL | suppose Mrs. McGregor Will
give the place redd "a setting to rights
up from time to time. But a keeper has
but half learned his business that Gamma
shift for himself there's some of the up.
, within dozen miles o. hem"
at is your brother the minister that
Maggie will be going to - she said
"Oh yes he Is married, and has a
family of his own she Will be comforta
BILE there"
Well, il is strange" said she, that
you should have brother in Glasgow and
] a sister, and that your mother should be
Highland and mine too"
But this was putting himself and her
on too common footing and he was al
ways on his guard against that, however
far her gentleness and good nature might
lead her
When is your father coming back. Miss
Douglas - said he.
We'll, | really do not know" she SAID
II do not think he ever had so wide a dis.
trict to attend to, and we are never sure OF
his being at home"
cit must be very lonely for young lady
brought up like you" he ventured to say,
that ye should have no companions And
70, your mother too; wonder she eau
stand It,"
"Oh no." Meenie said "for the people
are SO friendly with us And do not
know OF any place that like better"
BY this time they were come TO the little
wooden gate Of the garden, and he opened
that for her. Before them was the cot
tage, with its windows. despite the moon
| light on the panes, showing the neat red
blinds within She gave him her hand for
a second.
Good night, Ronald" said she pleas.
antly
Good night, Miss Douglas" said he
Maggie must not keep you up so late
again"
And Herewith he walked away back
again along the white road, and only now
perceived that by some accident his faith
! ml companion Harry had been shut in
when they left He also discovered. when
! he got home, that Maggie had been So in
tent puZzling over some arithmetlcal
mysteries that Meenie had been explaining
TO her that she had still further delayed
her going to bed.
what, what. - said he. good -humoredly.