Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-10-30
WHITE HEATHER.
PY WILLIAM BLACK
AUTHOR or "JUptrH sHAkEsrEARE'" "A
pRtNcEss OF rnULR." MACLEOD
or DARE" ETC

Wlnu was quietly surfing anu ny -dnu-Dy
warmer light began to intcrfuse itself
through the vaporOus atmosphere. Nay,
by the time they had reached blythswood
Square, n pHllid sunshine was clearly
shining on the wet pavements and door
steps and house fronts: and far overhead,
and dimly seen through the mysterOusly
moving pail of mist and smoke, there
were faint touches of blue, foretelling
the opening out of n iOyfuler day. The
wide square was almost deserted they
could talk to each other rs they chose
though. indeed, the talking was mostly
on hof side. something he scarcely knew
what, kept him silent and submissive
but Nis heart was full of gratitude toward
hcrt and rom time to tme-tor how
could he help it 2--some chance word or
phrase of appeal would bring him face to
face with Mepuie'S eyes
$50 far she had cunn'nClv MANAGED to
avoid all reference to his own affairs. so
that he might get accustomed to this
friendly conversation; but at length she
said,
"The less said, the better" he answer
ed. 81 wish that had nevercome to this
town
"What ?" she said with n touch Of re-
monstrance in her look. Have you so
soon forgotten the fine prospects you
started away with Surely not Why,
it was only the other day had n letter
from Miss l1odson-the Young American
lady, you remember--and she was asking
(all about you, and whether YOU had pass
, ed the examination yet; and she said her
{ father and herself were likely to come
over next spring, and hoped to hear you
had got the certificate.
He seemed to pay no heed to this news.
II wish had never left Inver Mudal, "
he said. L was content there and what
more can man wish for anywhere ? It's
little enough of that pve had since came
to this town, But for whatever has hap
pened to me. I've got myself TO blame {:
and-and beg your pardon. Miss Douglas:
will not bother ye with any poor con-
Germs of mine"
But if wish to he bothered :" she
said, quickly. "ROnal1, do YOU know
why have come from the Highlands ~
Her face was blushing a rosy red. but
her eyes were steadfast and clear and
kind aud She had stopped in her walk to
confront him.
81 heard the news of you-ycs, heard
the news she contnued-and it was his
eyes. not hers, that We're downcast-" ana
| knew you would do much for meat
least | thought so-and | said to myself
that if We're to 90 to Glasgow, aud find
you, and ask you, for my sake, to give me
IL know what We would say, Miss Doug
, las" he interposcd, for she was dreadfully
embarrassed. "To give mp the drink
Well, it's easily promised and easily done,
NOR; indeed, have not touched a drop
since ever got the bit of helthcr We sent
me. 1t was "A kind thing to think of
maybe I'm making too bold to think it
was You that sent it"
Il knew You would know that it was
that sent it; meant you to know" she
said simply
at was never any great love of the
drink that drove me that way" he said.
II think it was that might be able to
forget for while"
"To forget what, Ronald ?" she asked,
regarding him.
"That ever | was such fool as toleave
the only peone ever cared for" he an
swered, frankly, and come away here
among strangers, and bind myself to strive
for what had no interest in. But bless
me, Miss Douglas, to think ! should keep
We standing here talking about my poor
affairs -
know that have come all the way to
Glasgow TO see you and to talk about
your affairs aud nothing else aud Won are
not going to hurry away. Tell me about
yourself. What are you doing. Are you
getting on with your studies -
He shook his head.
"No, no. | have lost heart that way
altogether. Many's the time | have
thought of writing to Lord Ailine and
asking to be taken back, if it was only to
look after the dogs. should never have
away from it for good.
Going away! Where ?" she said
rather breat leSslV.
81 want to make II clean break Off from
the kind of life have been leading said
he, land know the surest way. mean
to enlist into one of the Highland regi-
ments that's most likely to be ordered off
on foreign service
Ronald ~
She seized his hand and held it.
Ronald, you will not do that ~
Well, he WAS startled bG the sudden
pallor of her face, and beWil1cred by the