Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-07-24


she had been crying-though there were
traces of tears on her checks.
Is it you, Maggie - am glad to see
you she managed to say.
The younger girl was rather frightened
and sorely concerned as well.
But what is it, Meenie dear ?" she said,
going, and taking her hand. Are you in
trouble ''
"No, no." her friend said, with an eff
fort to appear quite cheerful 81 was
thinking OF many things-I scarcely know
what. And no" take off your things, and
sit down. Maggie, and tell me all about
this great news. 1t was only this after
noon that my rather learned that you and
your brother we're going. away; and he
would not believe it at first till he saw
Ronald himself And it is true, after all
Dear me, what change there will be p
She spoke quite in her usual manner
now; and her lips were no longer trem-
bling, but smiling; and the Highland eyes
were clear, and as full of kindness as
ever.
But it is a long way off, Meenie," the
smaller girl began to explain quickly.
when she had taken her seat by the fire,
" and Ronald Is so anxious to please
everybody, and-and that is why came
along to ASH you what you think best"
p said Meenie, with a sudden slight
touch of reserve
1t II no he nice thing going away
among strange folk" said her compan-
ion, but I'll no grumble if it's to do
Ronald good; and even among strange
folk-well, don't care as long as | have
Ronald and you, Mccnie. And it's to elias
gov, and not to Edinburgh, he thinks he'll
have to go and then you will he in Glas-
gov too: so do not mind anything else
1T Will not be so lonely Tor any of us: and
we can slcnd the evenings together-oh,
no, 1t will not be so lonely at all"
" But, Maggie the elder girl said,
gravely, | am not going to Glasgow"
Her companion looked up quickly, with
frightened eyes.
but you said you were going, Meenie."
oh no the other said, gently " My
mother has often talked of it-and | sup
pose | may have to 20 some time. but my
father is against it; and know am not
going at present anyway"
And you are staying here-and-and
Ronald and me-we VIII be by ourselves
in Glasgow" the other exclaimed, as if
this prospect were too terrible to be quite
comprehended as yet.
-" But if it is needful ne should go p
Meenie said: People have often to part
from their friends like that"
Yes, and it's no much matter when
they have plenty OF friends" said the
smaller girl with her eyes becoming
but you"
" Oh, no. YOU must not saw that" her
friend demonstrated "Why, there is your
brother in Glasgow, and his family: am
sure they Will he kind to you. And Ron
aid will make plenty of friends wherever
pc goes-you can see that for yourself; and
do you think you will be lonely in a great
town like Glasgow 1t is the very place
to make friends, and plenty of them"
"Oh, ] don't know what to dol don't
know what to do, if you are not going to
Glasgow, Meenie :" she broke in.
wonder if it was that that Ronald meant.
He asked me whether would like to stay
here, or go with him; for Mrs Murray has
offered to take me in, and would have to
help at keeping the books, and that is very
kind of them, I'm sure, for did not think
| could be of any use to anybody. And
you are to be here in -Mudal-and
Ronald away in Glasgow"
Well, ii was II bewldering thing These
were the two people she cared for most of
all in the world; and virtually she was
called upon to choose between them. And
if she had II greater loyalty and reverence
toward her brother, still, Meenie was her
sole girl-frlend and monitress and coun-
sellor. What would her tasks be with
out Meenie's approval; how could she get
on with her knitting and sewing without
Meenie's aid: " hat would the days be like
without the witchery of Meenie's com
panionship-even If that were limited to a
passing word or a smile Ronald had
not sought to influence her choice: indeed
the alternative had scarcely been consd-
cred; for she believed that Meenie was
going to Glasgow also; and with her hero
brother and her beautiful girl-friend both
there, what more could she wish for in the
world But now
Well, Meene, in her wise and kind way;
strove to calm the anxiety of the girl
and her advice was altogether in favor of
Magge's going to Glasgow with her
brother Ronald, if that We're equally CON
venlent to him, and no greater expense
than her remaining in Inver-Mudal with
Mrs. Murray
9 For you know he wants somebody to
look after him." Meenie continued, with
her eyes rather averted, and if it does
not matter 50 much here about his careless
ness of being wet and cold, because he has
plenty of health and exercise 1t will be
very different in Glasgow, where there
should be some one to bid him be more
careful
" But he pays no heed to me-" the little
sister sighed, unless can tell him you
nave been saying so and so-then he lis
tens. lie Is very strange. He has never
once worn the blue Jersey that | knitted
for him. lie asked me lot of questions
about how it was begun and | told him
rs little as could about the help you had
given me- she continued evasively, land
when the snow came on / Thought he
woul a wear it but no, he put it away in
the drawer with his best clothes, and it's
lying there all neatly folded up-and what
IS the use of that If you We're going to
'ldSEON' Nltclllt, IL Noulu ne quite ulIler-
emit 1t will be very lonely there"
Lonely! the other exclaimed. with
your brother Ronald, and your other
brothers family, and all their friends
And then you will be able to go to school
and have more regular teaching-Ronald
spoke, once or twice to me about
that"
Yes, indeed the little Maggie said
but the prospect did not cheer her much
ana Tor some minutes they both sat star
ing. into the fire. And then she said, bit
terly:
II wish the American people had never
come here. 1t is all their doing 1t would
never have come into Ronald's head to
leave lnver-Mudal but for them. And
where else will he be so well known, and
and every one speaking well of him
and every one so friendly
But, Maggie, these things are always
happening" her companion demonstrated
Look at the changes my father has had
to make. And Ronald is young and if
there is better opening before him, why
should he not take itf Indeed, you will
have to be more cheerful about it, and
do your best to helm: Ronald will have