Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-06-19
WHITE HEATHER.
BY WILLIAM BLACK,
AUTHOR or "JUpiTB SHAKESPEARE" "A
PRtNcEss or THULE" MACLEOD
OF DARE" ETC

them Mt the inn: and of course they could
not break up without singing Aud Lang
Syne"-Meenie officiating Mt the piano,
and all the others standing up and join
ing hands. And then she had to come
thanks to tn the Chairman, Wei, she was
not much abashed Perhaps there was a
little extra color in her face at the be-
ginning: and she said she had never tried
to make speech before: and, indeed, that
now there was no occasion, for that all of
them knew Ronald $50 she called him,
quite naturally, and knew that he was al
ways willing to do a kindness when he was
asked. And she said that he had done a
great deal more than had been originally
begged of him; and they ought all of
them, including herself to he very CRATE
full to him; and if they wished to give him
unanimous vote of thanks they were all
to hold up their right hand-as she did
So that vote was carried; and Ronald said
a few words in reply-moStly about Miss
Douglas, in truth, and also telling them to
whom they were indebted for the money
found in each saucer Then came he bus
mess of finding wraps for them and muf-
fling them up ere they went out into the
January night though many one there
was all unused to such precautions, and
wondering that Miss Douglas should be
so careful OF them), while Ronald up at
the head of the room, was playing them a
parting salute on the pipes-CdtWL a. To-.
1t was, which means, "Sleep on till day"
Finally, when Maggie and Meenie were
ushering their small charges through the
darkness to the back door of the inn, he
found himself alone; and, ere putting out
the candles and fastening up, he thought
he might rs we'll light apipe-for that sol
ace had been denied MIN during the long
evening.
Well. he was staring absently into the
mass of smouldering peats and thinking
mostly of the sound Of Meenie's voice rs
he had heard it when she sang with the
children whittier. pilgrims, are you GO
ing?" when he heard footsteps behind him,
and, turning, found that bNth Meenie and
Maggie had come back.
"Ronald," sad Meene, with her pretty
eyes smiling at him, do you know that
Maggie and ! are rather tired
well, dinna wonder said he
Eyes, and both of u very hungry too.
And ! am sure there will he no supper
waiting for either Maggie orme when we
Rohome: and do you think you could get us
some little thing now
Here said he. with his face lighting
up with pleasure; were those three to have
supper all Ivy themselves?
ooh yes" said she, in her friendly way.
81 am not sure that my mother would like
me to stay at the inn for supper; but this
is our own place; and the table laid; and
Maggie and would rather he here, / am
sure. And yoU--are you not hungry too
after so long time am sure you want
something besides raisins and shortbread.
But if it will be any trouble
Trouble or no trouble said he, quickly,
"has nothing to do wit. Here, Maggie.
lass, clear the end of the table; and we'll
soon get some supper tor ye."
And away he went to the inn, summon
ing the lasses there, ard driving and hur-
rying them until they had arranged upon
large tray very presentable supper
bread, and ale and when the fair haired
Nelly was ready to start forth with his
burden, he lit a candle and walked before
her through the darkness, lest she should
miss her footing. And very demure was
Nelly when she placed this supper on the
table, there was not even a look for the
smart young keeper: and " hen Meenie said
to her here, Nelly, You had great goings
on on Monday night she only answered,
ooh yes, miss: there was that, and could
not be drawn into COnversa' ion. but lett
the moment she had everylh hing arranged.
But curiousIy enough. when the two
girls had taken their seats at this little
cross table. Ronald remained standing
Just behind them, indeed, rs ii lie We're u
waiter. And would Miss Douglas have
this and would Miss Douglas havet hat?
he suggested, mostly TO cloak his anne
facedness: for, indeed, that first wild as
sumption that they were all to have supper
together was banshed now as an imper-
Thence. He would wait on them, and
gladly, but-but his own supper would
come after.
And what would YOU have yourself.
Ronald" Meenie asked.
"Oh, said he, that will do by-and- by.
/ am not SO hungry as you
Did you have so much of the short
bread said she, laughing.
He went and stirred up the peats and
the red glow sent genial warmth across
toward them.
Come, Ronald, said the little Maggie,
and have some supper.
There is no hurry" he said, evasively.
~ think will 90 outside and have pipe
now: ana get something by and-bv."
II am sure, said Meenie, saucily, that
it is no compliment to us that you would
rather go away and smoke. See now, II
we can not tempt you
And Herewith, with her own pretty fin.
gers, she made ready his place at the table
and put the knife and fork properly be-
side the plate and helped him to a slice
of beef and slice of ham and poured
some ale into his tumhler Not only that
but she made a little movement of ar.
ranging her dress which was so obviously
an invitation that he should there and
then take place by her, that it was no,
in mortal man to resist though, indeed
after sitting down, he seemed to devote
all his attention TO looking after his com
panions. And very soon any small EN-
barrassment was entirely gone Meenie
was in an unusually gay and merry mood
for she was pleased that her party haC
been so bNiOusly success, and all hel
responsibilities over. And this vivacity
gave new beauty TO her face her eyes
seemed more kind than ever when sht
laughed, 1t was a sweet lOW laugh, like
the cooling of pigeons on a summer after
noon.
And what are you thinking of, Mag
gle :" she said, suddenly turning to the
little girl, who had grown rather silen
amid this talking and joking.
al was wishing this conld go on for
ever, was the simple answer.
what A perpetual support oh
you greedy girl Why, you must be look
Ing forward to the Scandinavian heaven.
mo: it's to be with Ronald and you
Meenie dear-just like nowf for you seen
to be able to keep everybody happy
Miss Douglas did blush a little at this
but it was an honest compliment, and i
was soon forgotten. And then, when the
had finished supper, she said
Ronald. do you know that ! hav
never played an ac, Compartment TO one q
your songs Would you not like to hea