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

tnlS, tnAt II she, ont o1 hta' good nature.
could address few words u thosp children
about him or any other creature or OBJ
Ject in the word-it certainly behCoved
him to do his best also, although he mad
never tried anything of the kind before.
And then sudden fancy struck him, and
his eyes frightened eagerly.
"Oh, yes. yes " he said ] will find
something to say. would make n bad
hand at u sermon, but the BARNS have
enough o that at times dare say well
find something tor them o. another kind,
and they'll not be sorry if it's short Pm
thinking | can find something that III
please them"
And what was this that was in his
head what but the toast of the Mistress
of the Feast If Meenic had but known
she would doubtless have protest ed against
the Introduction OF any mutual admra-
ton society into the modest hamlet of In
ver-Mudal. but at the moment she was
still scanning the program.
Now, you know, Ronald she said, at
is to be all quiet and private: and that is
why the grown-up people are to be kept
out except ourselves. Well. then, after
they have had raisinS handed round, you
are to sing My loye she's but lasse yet
that Is compliment to the little ones;
and then Will read them something; and
then you are to sing % dinna cross the
burn, Willie'-I have put down no songs
that have not heard YOU sing. And then
if you would play them Lord Breadel-
bane March, on the pipes
She look up again, with an air of apollo
gy. " DO you think | am ask ng too much
from you, Ronald ," she said.
Indeed not a bit" said he, promptly.
I will play or sing for them ali the
night long, if you want; and m sure it's
much better we should do it all ourselves
instead o having lot o. Srown-up folk
to make the BARNS shy"
" 1t is not the chairman, anyway, that
will make them shy, if what they say
themselves is true said Meenie, very
prettily and she folded up her program
and put it in her pocket again.
She rose; and he whistled in the dogs,
rs if he would return to the village.
" thought you were taking them for a
rum" sad she,
"Oh, they have been scampering about;
will 90 back now"
Nor did it occur to her for n moment
that she would rather not walk back TO
the door of her mothers house with him.
On the contrary, if She had been able to
attract his notice when he passed, she
would have gone down to the little gar
den gate, and had this conversation with
him in view of all the windows. If she
wanted him to do anything for her, she
never thought twice about going along to
his cottage and knocking at the door: or
she would, in the event of his not being
there, 90 on to the inn and ask if any
one had seen Ronald about, And so on
this occasion she went along the road
with him in much good humor. praising
the dogs, hoping the weather would con
tnue fine, and altogether in high spirits
over her plans for the morrow.
However, they were not to part quite so
pleasantly. At the small garden gate
and evidently awaiting them, stood Mrs.
Douglas; and Ronald guessed that she
was N no very good temper. In truth,
she seldom was. She was doll-like little
woman, rather pretty, with cold, clear blue
eyes, fresh colored cheeks. and quite sill
Yer white hair which was carefully curled
and braided-a pretty little old lady, and
one to be petted and made much of, if
only she had had little more amiability
of disposition But she was disappointed
woman. Her big, good -natured husband
had never fulfilled the promise of his early
years when, in tit OF romance, she
married the penniless medical student
whom she had met in Edinburgh. He
was not disappointed at all: his lite suited
him well enough; he was excessively
fond of his daughter Meenie, ana wanted
no other companion when she was about:
after the hard work of making round of
professional visits in that wild district. the
quiet and comfort and neatness of the lit
tie cottage at Iuver- Mudal We're all that
he required. But it was far otherwise with
the once ambitious little woman whom
he had married. The shadow of the dig
nifty of the Stuarts of Glengask still dweit
over her. and it VeNed her that she had
bOrs or to convince the passing stranger of
her Importance Perhaps if she had been
of commanding figure that might have
helped her, however poor her Cilcumstau-
ceS might he: as it was beng but i've
feet two inches in height-and rather
toy like withal - everything seemed
against her 1t was but little use
her endcavoring to assume a ma
jestic manner when her appearance was
somehow suggestive OF glass case and
the sharpness of her tongue which was
considerable, seemed TO be but little
needed even in her own house, for both
her husband and her daughter We're per-
sons of an easy good humOr. and rather
inclined to pet her in spite of herself.
" GOOd-morning Mrs. Douglas" Ronald
said, respectfully, and he raised his cap as
they drew near
"Good morning, Mr.. Armstrong" she
said, with much precision, aud scarcely
glancing at him.
She turned to Meenie.
Williamina, how often have ! told you
to shut the gate after you when you go
out - She said, sharply. Here has the
COW been in again.
1T can not do much harm at this time
of the year." Meenie said, lightly,
" suppose if ask you To shut the gate
that is enough. Where have You been
ldling, suppose. Have You written to
Lady stuart to thank her for the Birthday
Book -
1t seemed to Ronald who wished to get
away, but could scarcely leave without
some civil word of parting that she re-
ferred to Lady stuart in an Enthusiastically
clear tone. She appeared to take no
notice of Ronald's presence: but she al
lowed him to hear that there was such
person as Lady stuart in existence.
Why mother, it only came yesterday,
and haven't looked over it yet" Meenie
said.
II think when her ladyship sends you
present" observed the little woman, with
severe dignity, the best you can do is
to write and thank her at once. There are
many Who would be glad of the chance.
Go in and write the letter now"
Very well, mother" said Meenie,
with perfect equanimity; and then she
called Good morning, Ronald ~ and
went indoors.
What was he to do to pacify this i'm
perions little dameY AS u gamekeeper,
he knew but one way.
Would a hare or two or IA brace of
ptarmgan, be OF any use to you, Mrs.
Douglas p said he.
indeed she answered with much
QlIuItV we have pDt had Innph anna {