Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-11-06


there's u good deal of loye-making in
them, Meenc and that's fact | knew
| could say what | liked, since no one
would be any the wiser; but last night,
when ] looked at some of them, said
NO, Pm not going TO provoke quarrel
with Meene She would fling things
about, as the Americans used to say, il
she saw all this audacious song-wrlting
about her"
an chance that quarrel, Ronald" she
every one of them; and you must copy
them all, for am going to take them with
me when | leave Glasgow"
"And, indeed" SAID he, you'll under
stand them better in the Highlands; for
they're oil about Ben Loyal and the Mu-
dial, and Loeb Naver, and Clebrig."
And to think you hid them from me
all that time ~
"Why, Meenie, darling, you would have
called on the whole population to drive
me out of the place, if had shown them
to you. Think of the effect produced by
a single glance at one of them you tor
tured me for weeks wondering how | had
offended you"
Well. you can't offend me now, Ron
aid, that way" said she, very prettily.
And so their lovers talk went on, until
it was time for Meenie to think of return
ing home. But just beyond these Botanic
Gardens, and down in secluded nook by
the side of the river, there is Il little
spring that is varously known as the
Three-tree Well and the Pear-trce Well
1t is n limpid little stream, running into
the Kelvin ; it rises in u tiny cavern and
flows Tor Il few yards through II cleft in
the rocks. Now these rocks, underneath
the overarching trees, have been worn
quite smooth except where they are
scored by names) by the footsteps Of
generation after generation of lovers, who,
in obedience to an old and fond custom,
have come hither to plight their troth
while joining hands over the brooklct.
Properly the two sweethearts each stand
ing on one side, ought to Join their hands
on Bible as they vow their vows, and
thereafter should break n siXpence in
twain, each carrying away the half; but
these minor points are not necessary to
the efficacy of this probably pagan rite
And so-supposin9 that Ronald had
heard of this place of sacred pilgrimage,
and had indeed discovered its where
abouts in his rambles around GLASGOW
and supposing him to have got friendly
undergraduates to unlock n gate in the
western palisades of the Gardens-and
then, if he were to ask Meenie to step
| down to the riverside and walk along to
| the hallOwed well And yet he made of
it no solemn ceremony the morning was
/ bright and clear around them; and Nee
| ME was rather inclined to smile at the
curious old custom. But she went
! through it nevertheless; and then he
/ StepPeu dcToSS tne TIL dBdIl - anu Sdlu
| he:
"Theres but this remaining now
Meenie. darling, 'Ae fond kiss and then
we sever"
She stepped back in alright. Ronald,
not with that song on your lips Don't
! you remember what it goes on to say ?'
We'll, | don't" he answered, good
naturally; for he had quoted the phrase
at random.
"Why, don't you remember?
"lIad we never loved sac kindly.
Had we never loved sac bindly.
Never met. or never parted,
We had ne'cr been brokpn-hcHrtcd,'
MY good hearted lass" said he, inter
linking his arms with hers, "ye must not
be superstitiOus What's in Il song
There'll be no severance betwiXt you and
me-the Pear-tree Well has settled that
And that is not at all superstition
said she. looking mp with II smile-unti
she suddenly found her blushing face
overshadowed.