Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-09-11
WHITE HEATHER.
BY WILLIAM BLACK,
AUTHOR or "JupiTH SHAKESPEARE" "A
PRINCESS oY THULE, MACLEOD
or DARE" RIG


the old woman. There never was such
q manager as you-never. Ay, and the
splendid furnitUre-it was never thought
o in his time-bless IN. a good man he
was, and Il kind man; but no the mana
ger you are, Katie: there's no such
another tavern in n Glesca"
Now although the cousinship with Ron
aid claimed by Mrs Menzies did not exist
IN actual faCt-there was some kind of re
mote relationship. however still, it must
be confessed that it was very ungrateful
and inconsistent of him to have let the
fate and fortunes of the pretty Kate Burn
side (as she was in former days so entire
ly vanish from his mind and memory.
Kate burnside was the daughter of
small farmer in the lammermuir district;
and the Strangs and Burnsldes were
neighbOrs rs we'll as remotely related by
blood. But that was not the only reason
why Ronald ought to have remembered
little more about the staiwart, black eyed,
fresh-Cheeked country wench who, though
she was some seven or eight years or more
his senior, he had boldly chosen for his
sweetheart in his juvenile days. Nay, had
she not been the first inspirer of his muse
and had he not sung this oX-cyed goddess
in many labOred verse, carefully con-
structed after the manner of Tannahill or
Motherwell or Allan Cunningham The
lass OF Hammer Law he called her in
these artless strains; and Kate was far
from resenting this frank devotion nay,
she even treasured up the verses in which
her radiant beauties were enumerated,
for why should not Il comely East Lothian
wench take pleasure in being told that
her cheeks outshone the rose, and that the
darts O her bonnie black cen" had
slain their thousands. and that her faith
full lover would come to see her, ay.
though the Himalayas barred his way
but then, alas as happens in the world
the faithful lover was sent Off into far
neighborhoods to learn the art and mys-
terry of training pointers and settlers; and
l., Mt a fnt har nd fa,, lie
persed from the farm Kate went into
service in Glasgow and there she man.
aged to capture the affections of an obese
and elderly publican, whom-she being
prudent and sensible kind of a creature
she forthwith married: by-and-by,
through partaking too freely of his own
wares, he considerably died, leaving her
in sole possession of the tavern Che had
called it a public house. but she soon
changed all that and the place too, when
she was established as its mistress; and
now she was handsome, buXom, firm
nerved woman, who could and did look
well after her own affairs: who had a
f1ourishinQ business, comfortable bank
account and a suffciency of friends of her
own way of thinking; and whose raven
black hair did not as Yet show single
streak of gray. 1t was all this latter part
of Kate Burnsde'S--or rather, Mrs. Men
zies'-career of which Ronald was so
shamefuliy ignorant; but she speedily
gave him enough information about her
self as they drove through the Gaslit
streets. for she was volube high-spir-
tied woman, who could make herself heard
when she chose
"Ay," said she at length, land where
have We left the good wife, Ronald ?"
what good wife - said he.
"Ie dinna tell me that you're no mar
ried yet -
"Not that know Of" said he.
hat haye We been about, man 1e
married What have hanp nj
man, to let them "A escape We :"
Some folk have other things to think
Of" said he, evasiyely.
"Dnna tell me-" she retorted. ken
weel what's uppermOst i'll the mind o. a
handsome lad like you. Weel, if ye're no
married, we're the next door to it, I'll be
bound. What's she like -
III tell ye when find her." said he,
we're a dark one but I'll find We out,
my man
She could not continue the conversation
for they were about to cross the bridge
over the Clyde, and the cOngestcd traffic
made her careful. And then again ia
maiCa Street was crowded and ditlicult to
steer through; but presently she left that
for Quictcr thoroughfare leading off to
the right, and in a few moments she had
pulled up III front of Il large tavern, close
by spacious archway.
"Auntle, gang you and fetch Alec to
take the cob round, will YEP said she
and then Ronald surmising that she had
now reached home, leaped to the ground,
and went t. the horses head. Pre- ntly
the groom appeared, and Kate Menzies
descended from her chariot.
Now in Glasgow, for an establishment
of this kind to be popular, it must have
deed-by which people can get into the
tavern without being seen but besides
this it soon appeared that Mrs. Menzies
had a private right Of way of her own.
1 f..1
through the archway, produced a key,
and opened door: and then, passing
along short lobby, 1ne found himself in
what might be regarded as the back parlor
of the public house, but was in reality
private room reserved by Mrs Menzies
for herself and her intimate friends And
a very brilliant little apartment it was
handsomely furnished and shining with
stained wood plate-glass, and velvet, the
gas jets all aglow in the clear globes the
table in the middle laid with "A white
cloth for supper, all sparkling with crystal
and polished electro-plate. Moreover for
business Is business, this luxurious little
den commanded at will complete views of
the front premises; and there was also
door leading thither, but the door was
shut and the red blinds were drawn over
the two windows, so that the room looked
quite like one in private dwelling.
And now, my good woman" said Mrs.
Menzies, as she threw her hat and cloak
and dog skin gloves into a corner, Just
you max them hurry up wi supper, for
we're Just home in time, and Wen want
another place at the table And tell Jean
ME there S great friend o mine come in,
If she can get anything special Lords
sake. Ronald if had kent i was going to
fall in with you, ] would have looked
after it myself"
"Ye need not bother about me - said he
" for supper is not much III my way-not
since came to the town. Without the
country air, think one would as lief not
IL. ,,,t pl,l l.. ,,I1