The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-22


to plain understanding at last.
You've quarreled-worse than everr she
cried.
Well said he. and he took the pretty oval
face in his two hands, 'sand what is there to be
frightened al Why should your pretty eyes
look so troubled, all about nothingP
'And you SAID you would be patient-you
said you would be patient for my sake she said,
reproachfully.
land I was, he answered II was indeed
PatieDts Yes, as long as might be. Well, I'll
tell you the truth, Allie. l did what / could at
the beginning. tried to be as friendly as ever
/ could speak; though / would not have taken
what he said to me from any other man. for /
kept thinking of You, Allie, and of your hfe at
the farm; and, says / to myself. hard words don't
break bones, and it's all for Allies sakei Then
there came something that could not stand"
He paused, seemingly reluctant to go on
What was it, Alecgn
He regarded her in silence for second or so,
pretending to scan her face curiousy.
"But if put such things into your head, my
dearie, maybe you'd think them trueeo
''What thingsw
'Supposing you were to hear it said that it
was not You that wanted, but your money,
your share of the farm and houses
He affected tn retreat from her little bit;
and, in fact. withdre " his hands from her shout
ders.
'.And if you told me SO yourself would not
believe you" said she simply.
But are You sure now, Ailie3 Maybe it's
true. 1t you were to be told that was idle
wastrel and vagabond, with wife in every port
the Princess Mary sails to; and that l only
wanted to get hold of your money to scatter and
spend 1T, and to leave you when IL was done, l
daresay-supposna you were to hear that said
Of me9'
There was proud smile on her faee she did
not answer.
"Look here, Allie he continued. Just con-
slider. Maybe they're no so far wrong Here
am / with an offer from the owners of the Prin-
cess Mary that they'll make me skipper as soon
as can raise enough money to buy fifth share.
It's terrible temptation for man. And then
there's young lass at Fasslie that ought to be
well off if she had all that belongs to her; and
come counting that young lass, and telling her
she's the prettiest lass in the north of Scotland
only that's no lie, for her looking glass can tell
her as much any day in the week-and pretend
ing that it's her Pm after, when it's the captains
cabin in the Princess Mary I'm after
"And you would have the money to morrow
morning, Alec, if had it to give you," said she
which was a quite illogical climax to these
speculations of his.
But wait minute, Allie" he said, ''for this
you'll never guess l go to see the uncle of the
young lass, to make peace with him, and win
him over; but he'll no hear of anything of the
kind: and what is all the quarrel about2-why
it's about the young lasss property, and her share
in this and that, and what the lawyers in Inver-
ness would have to say. Money-money-
money-is the whole cry. Very well; and yet
you say you would not believe that of me?'
'.And maybe it's not the first time have heard
such things hinted," said she, with smile; and,
indeed, if he remained at little distance, and
affected 10 scrutinze her, the look that she
bestowed on him in return had not much OF
doubt or distrust in it. ''Oh, yes; and manys
the time have been glad to think that some
thing would be coming to me-if my uncle
would only make up the accounts. For, if we
were to marry, Alec"
eff we were to marryg" he cried, and he came
nearer her again, and took hold of her by the
two shoulders.
''Well, when we marry, she said, with down
cast eyes, 1T will be something to start the
house with, wherever we choose to live Oh,
yes; and the share in the Ship too if it is pos
sible-do you think you would be five minutes
without that, if had the money in my hand9
Would it not be for my good as well as for
yours, NV dearp
eyes, yes" said he, .lfor there's the captains
cabin Allie; and you could come voyage with
me now and again; and | would introduce you
to my other wives in the different places
II am not afraid OF that" she said.
''Wel now, Allie" said he, speaking more
seriously, "when that was cast in my teeth
that it was your money | was after-I could
not stand hat. To be called a thief, too; ay,
money you have kept back from Alison all these
yearsg What kind of story will the lawyers
have to make QUIT For it was stiffish quarrel,
Allie, darling, and that's fact; and it's all
to make the best of matters as they stand It's
never again shall be within that house, that's
fixed. No. it's you that have to come to me
now; will never be inside that house again"
"Alec, AlecT she sad In a VOICE Oh deep en-
treaty. Surely it is not so bad as that! I
asked you to be patient"
Patient, lassie!" he exclaimed II tell you
was as patient as man ever was-bless me, had
to warn him back, or he would have struck me
with his fist. The mans mad, I'm thinking: or
else it's this-that he is keeping back even more
than we suspect, and that the very mention of
lawyers is enough to drive him out of his wits.
Well, what's done is done; what we have to do
is the next thing. You see, lass have no right
to interfere in your affairs at ALL"
'.And why not, Alec?" said she. "And if not
you, who else, then9 It's not my uncle I would
look to. think he would be glad if l were dead
and out of the way"
mo doubt; that's the very thing that would
suit him; but we cannot just oblige him so far as
that lass" Jameson said "Out or the way,
maybe; yes. we may take We out of the way, or
by me-or if it was my business to interfere-he
would soon find out that ye were not dead at all,
but very much alive"
What would you have me do, Alecf have
none to look to but you. What is it you want
me to dos" said she, with absolute trust in her
eyes.
leave Fasslie, said he, at once, "and come and
live with my mother at Marin for a few weeks.
Then we will get married; and then will have
the right to interfere in your affairs-and who
else?"
She sighed a little.
Its pity" she said, at length. II thought
some friendly arrangement might be made Why
should my uncle be set against It'll He will have
plenty, even after CO."
perhaps there is a little settling up of ac-
counts that might be inconvenient," the young
man suggested, drily: but Instantly he added, in
a tone of vexation, But how is it that money.
and money, and money seems to fill the whole of
this nightl No, no, will not interfere. Some
body else must guide ye, lass Take advice,
now: go to some shrewd- witted person, and just
tell the truth. Say you have a sweetheart, and
you are not sure OF him"
''Alec!" she said-and forthwith the pretty ap-
pealing blue eyes began to fill with tears
''But its the way of the world, you foolish Great
ure!" he said, with pretending anger. How do
you know that your uncle is not rightp'
ut is no use your speaking like that-to me-"