San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-11-02
THE LASS OF RICHMOND HILL.


the rustic porch. \ Stupld-lOOking lad
came forward To look after their ponies,
and Rex led Jessie into the stone kitch-
Ell, on one side of which were piled bar
rels of ale and whisky.
A manufactured woman of about
thirty rose to greet the new corners
cOldly, while an old man, who had been
DOING on a settle. half rose as though
to welcome his guests; but the woman,
his daughter, roughly told him to keep
his seat, and not tumble all of a heap
and frighten the lady.
Sandy laid his hand on the wOman's
shoulder and said kindly:
"Well, my lass, where 'Smy WelCOme?"
And she flushed and smiled SO bright
ly that Jessie forgot she had thought
her ugly.
you're welcome, Sandy" she said
in her broad dialect, which we venture
to translate for the benefit of the south
ern reader, then went on rapidly talk
ing to him in an mdertOne, while JeS
sic, to whom their dialect was Greek,
took off her dripping hat and shook the
raindrOps on the spOtlrsS floor, looking
about her cuTiOuSly as she did 50.
Rex strobe to the fire and called for
glass of whisky; the woman fastened
to obey him, and Sandy stepped to JeS-
sizes side, and said respectfully:
II have ordered the ponies to be
stabbed, miss, we cannot get back to-
night. 1t will be quite dark by the
time the rain has ceased, and | can
promise you comfortable quarters here;
it is rough, but it is clean and honest"
Before Jessie could reply he had left
her to get her seat, and she anXiOuSly
-, hnr nd n
treatngly:
Rex, must we stay here tonight?
Pray return if possible to auntie; she
will be so anxious about us, and |
would rather face any danger than re-
main in this queer Out-of-the-way place
all night"
SANDY is right, dear; it is impossible
that we can return tonight. My pony
has cast shoe, and it is long journey
to be taken in the dark. dare say they
can make us comfortable; at any rate
we must be content TO put up with
whatever fortune offers us here, as we
cannot get away. Twill ask the woman
to show you to your room, and lend
you another dress; you are wet through
and look cold"
Jessie's heart sank strangely as he
left her, that strange eXultant look still
upon his face.
"A moment later the woman, who was
called Flora Mackay, came and offered
to show her to a bed-Chamber; the wOm-
ans manner was strange, and she
seemed to shrink almost fearfully from
Jessie.
She led the weary girl into bare but
scrupulOusly clean room, the diamond
paned window of which looked OUT on
farm-yard.
In total silence the woman got a lin
sey-wolsey skirt of cloudy blue-grey, a
handsome plaid, and splendid brooch
to fix it. Evidently, by the reverent
pride with which she took these treas
ures from dark Oaken press. she priced
them for they made her gala dress.
She helped Jessie to put it on, and
smiled to see what a lovely picturesque
effect it had when adjoining the dark
beauty of a girl whose looks would re-
call the Lady of the Lake. for Jes-
sizes proud little head looked well above
the glowing tints of the plaid. which
the woman deity and with eXtraOrd-
mary speed, fixed about her in grace
full folds.
Flora felt attracted by the sweet,
troubled face, and even unbent so far
as to offer her rough hand to guide her
guest safely down the dark, steep,
crooked staircase.
Instead of leading her guest into the
kitchen or bar, whichever it might be,
of the house, she opened heavy door
in an opposite direction, and showed
her into long, low room, that had a
prim air of comfort about it.
A polished table was set out with
quaint blue china, and above the high
mantelpiece was prize trout in a
glazed case, with two brass candlesticks
beside it.
A jug of hOmely blossoms scented the
room with their fragrant breath.
Rex, with his face a dusky red and
his eyes strangely soft for him, rose
from the depths of q hearse-like arm
chair of black leather studded with
brass nails to welcome the timid, fright
ened figure of Jessie, who with CULVER
ing lips and startled eyes silently took
the proffered seat, and said in husned
voice:
"Oh, l wish the rain would ceasel
Perhaps II it did we might get back"
Impossible" said Rex brightly; 1.-The
torrent would be swollen by this down.
pour, and the roads quite impossible.
You must make the best of the adven-
ture, dear. L am sorry for your sake
that you seem souneasy, rather like
the change myself. This would be a
delightful room TO read Rob Roy in.
See what splendid spread they have
provided. Sandy, you need not remain