Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-10-16


garded her.
What's the matter with We. my girl ?"
he said. you've not been looking your
self at all for some time back, and these
last few days you've practically eaten
nothing And yet your mother declares
there's nothing the matter. Glasgow ? |
dare say change would do you good
cheer you up a bit, aud that; hut-Glas-
gov More schooling, more fees, that
would be the chief result, | imagine; and
that's what your mothers driving ut. |
think it's nonsense: you're n grown
woman you've learned everything that
will ever be of any use to YOU"
ought to have, anyway. by this
time" Meenie said. simply. "And in
deed 1t is not for that, father II should
like to go to Glasgow for while"
There's Lady Stuart would have we
stay with them at Brighton for a few
weeks; but your mother seems to think
You should go among them rs a kind of
MezzoIanli-its precious little of that
there's about Sir Alexander, as | know
well. However, if you're not to go to
them until you are polished out of all
human shape and likeness, suppose
must say nothing"
But would rather 90 and stay with
Agatha, father" the girl sad.
He looked mt her again.
"Well, said he, II do think something
must be done. 1t would be n fine thing
for you-you of all creatures in the world
to sink into a hopeless anamic condi-
ton Lassie, where's that eldrtch laugh
o. yours gone to? And | see you go
dawdling along the road-you that could
beat u young roe deer if you were to try.
Glasgow well I'll see what your moth
or saws"
Thank you, father" she said but she
did not leave at once. 81 think | heard
you say that Mr.. Blair was going south
on Monday" she timidly suggested.
Dlnir 49,,
from Glasgow, who was taking a we'll
earned holiday mp at Tongue-.ishing in
the various lochs in that neghbor-
hood-and who was known TO the Doug
lases.
you're in deuce of hurry, miss, . her
father said, but good naturcdly enough.
You mean you could so to Glasgow I'M
der his escort ?"
"Nes"
"Well, will see what your mother
says suppose she will be making II fuss
over the necessary preparations.
But this promise and half perm sSiOn
had instantly brought to the girl II k nd
of frail and wandering JOY and hope, and
there was II brief smile on her face rs she
said
well, you know. father. if have to
get any thinIs | ought to get them in
Glasgow. The pre- rarations at lnver- Mu-
dial can't take much time"
Il will see what your mother thinks
about it, said the big. good-h morcd
doctor, who was cautious about asserting
to ANYTHING until the ruler and luwgiver
of the house had been consulted.
The time was short, but the chance of
sending Meenie to Glasgow under charge
OF the Rev. Mr.. Blair was opportuue, and
Mrs Douglas had no scruple about max
ing use of this temporary concern on the
part of her husband about Mecne's
health for the working ont of her own
} ma ri mi inr
away to be frightened up by Il little soci-
ETY.. The change of air might possibly do
her good. There could be no doubt she
had been looking ill; and in her sis
ter's house she would have every atten-
ton paid her, quite as much as if she were
Douglas was resolved that this opportu-
nifty for finally fitting Meenie for that
sphere in which she hoped to see her
move should not be lost. Agatha should
have private instructions. And Agatha
herself was a skilled magician. Moreover,
some little society-of knd-met at Mr..
Gemmill's house the time would not be
entirely lost, even ii little economy in
the matter of fees was practiced, in defer
ence to the pre- iudices and dense Obtuse-
ness of one who ought to have seen more
clearly his duty in this matter-that is to
say, of Meenie's father.
And so it was that, when the Monday
morning came round, Meenie had said
good-by to every one she knew, and was
ready to set out for the South. Not that
she was going by the mail. Oh, no, Mr..
Murray would not hear of that, nor yet
in her being set in her fathers little
trap. No; Mr.. Murray placed his own
large wagonette, and pair of horses, at
her disposal and when the mail-cart
came along from Tongue, Mr.. Blair's
luggage was quickly transferred to the
more stately vehicle, and Immediately
they started She did not look like a
girl going away for II holiday. She was
pale rather, and silent; and Mr.. Blair,
who had memories of her as Il bright,
merry, clear-eyed lass could not under
stand why she should be apparently so
cast down at the thought of leaving her
fathers home for mere month or so.
AS for old John Murray he went into the
inn, grumblingand Disseminated.
1t is strange thing" he said--for he
was grieved and offended at their send
YER Mudal would be n quite different
place with her not there-"a strange
thing indeed to send IA young girl away
to Glasgow to Get back the roses into her
cheeks Ay, will she get them there? A
strange thing indeed. And her IA her II
doctor too. 1t is just teilie OF a piece of
nonsense"
The worthy minister, on the other
hand, was quite delighted to have so
pretty travelling companion with him
on that long journey to the South, and
he looked after her with the most anX-
ious paternal solicitude, and from time to
time he would try to cheer her with the
recital of ancient Highland anecdotes
that he had picked up during his fishing
excursions. But he could see that the
girl was preoccupied; her eyes were abb
sent, and her manner distraught: some
times her color came and went in a cur
ious way, as if some sudden fancy had
sent tremor to her heart Then, us they
drew near to the great city-it was a
pallid-clear morning, with some faint
suggestions of blue overhead that gave
the wan landscape an almost cheerful
look-she was obviously suffering from
nervous excitement; her answers to him
were inconsequent. though she tried her
hravest to keep up the conversation. The
good man thought he would not bother
her. No doubt it would he great change
from the quiet of lnver-Mudal to the
roar and hustle of the huge city; and no
doubt the mere sight of hundreds and
hundreds of strangers would in itself be
hewilderng. Meenie, rs he understood
had been in Glasgow before but it was