, 1886-03-19
A RUSTIC COMEDY.

"- %EH" @N @t1h.H - 49, =
comfortable overcoat of lmperyioui
thatch. retained its aspect OF quiet com
fort, and toward evening the rudy glare
of its kitchen fire pressingly invited the
toil-worn cotters 10 forsake their scoldinp
wives and brawllng children, their scanty
fires and drafty houses, and enjoy its com
Portable warmth. And often at the SAINT
time there would be a light at one OF the
two attic windows that peered out from
the roof like a pair Of open gray eyes from
under lids OF thatch. For one Of these
attic rooms was the favorite resort Of
Adam Black, the thriving publican 81
Blackford. He was greatly liked and re
spected in Blackford. The worst that
could be said Of him was that he was
rather hard, and as a matter OF fact there
was little Of ~softness in his nature.
In domestic life Adam was a martinez.
He ruled his son, Aleck, his ~red-haired serv-
ant, Bet, and even his niece, Kitty, with a
rod ofiron. Prompt obedience was the un-
written law OF the household. Only Kitty,
besides being the smartest, prettiest, and
cleverest girl in B~lackford, was so way
ward and spirited that not even her uncle,
who liked her better than he liked any
body else in the world, was able to keep
her entirely under control
IL was "a great kIltl TO AuAm Wutn ne
found ont that Kitty was in a mood to
throw herself away upon Willie Allan.
Not that he disliked Willie-nobody could
do that-but he thought him unlikely to
be n good husband, that Is, a thriving one,
able to keep his family comfortable.
1t was, therefore, not without reason
that Adam was set against his niece tax
ing up with Willie. He considered It
would be throwing herself away. And he
believed that he possessed a powerful in
strument for enforcing his own view, for
he had full command of Kitty's little
fortune-something like e100-left her by
her father, Adams elder brother, who had
preceded him In the occupation Of the
"Red Lion" Whatever 1t amounted to 1t
was all In the big box that stood in
Adams fayorite attic room, for he had n
decp-rooted suspicion OF banks. and, like
many other country folks of that time,
held that his savings could not be safer
than under his own lock and key.
III you marry Allan" he said to Kitty,
and she knew that no nice scruples about
right or wrong would hinder him from
keeping his word. mot a penny will you
get from me"
The truth was that he had quite another
scheme in his head. Why Should Kitty
look beyond his son, Alecki True, they
were cousins, but the prejudice against
cousins marrying vas not strong in the
neighborhood, and, then, what advantages
there werel Kate was a splendid man
nger, and Aleck, though he had not his
fathers spirit and c~leverness, was a hard
worker and very careful-too care
full, some people said, for whereas his
father was only keen and saving, he was
as mean and hard as a miser. And ac-
cordingly, he spared no effort 10 enforce
his will, so that poor Kitty had a hard
time OF IL, what, with her uncle's threats
and the no more agreeable persuasions Of
her money-grubbing sutton. Yet she was
Tar too spirited to yield, and in her inmost
mind was resolved to nave both the sweet
heart and the money, for who needed it
II not careless, s~quandering Willie'
II was no fault in her eyes hat her
lover cared nothing whatever for her for
tune, though she would scold and rate
him well for his Indifference. One winter
night, as she was returning from a neigh
boring village, about three miles of, to
which she had been sent by her uncle,
Willie quito accidentally met her, and
they had a happy walk homeward along
a lane, on the snow covering Of which the
moonlight fell fair and softly, making the
hard wheel tracks glitter, and silyering
the half black, hhlf-whitened h~edgerows.
Willie never before had seemed SC true
and earnest and loyal as Kitty poured
into his ear the story OF her persecution.
Never mind, Lass he said, "let him
keep the money. I've little, but I'm not
In debt, and, II you'll but promise
to come 70 the croft, Fn-yes, Kitty-Iu
sell every live thing | have, and work day
and night for YOU"
"No, no, Willie; there Is no use for that,
but do you think I'll give up my rights to
please that wretched Aleckf It's Just
what he wants-for me to marry you and
leave everything to him. He would be
pleased TO see me quarrel with
uncle. for it's not me, but the money
he wants. But II he proposes again, do
you know, I've a good mind to take him
at his word, just put Of spite. That's the
worst | could do to him"
whist, whisti' Willie interrupted her
with. you're jokin', lass, but / dlnna like
It. Say anything but that. You would
never leave me for IA bit OF d~irtysgold."
"Would | notf1 queried Kitty, who was
an incorrigible tease, you'll maybe see
me make a runaway match OF IL, aye, and
glad you would be after awhile to get
quit Of me. But here's the door. II I'm
not away, I'll maybe be In the wood on
Sunday night and she was of, leaving
Willie to go home so thoughtful hat he
quite forgot to feed his tame fox until
Weakened in the night by its y%elping-R
thing hat had never happened In his life
before.
Business was very dull in the Red
Lion" next afternoon. and Adam retired
60 his attic room, where Kitty had a
cheerful fire, before which she sat knit
ting. Adam referred to Willie Allan with
a moderation and impressiveness his niece
had not expected to find. BARN he
said, ven rue a lifetime II We marry a
man like that. Il might be a fine twelve
month. but after he'll get worse than
ever, and the work and anxiety'n all fall
on you. Better take q man like Aleck,
that you can depend on to keep you com
Portable. than one like Allan, thatn ex
pect you to take care o. him"
aAhly replied Kitty, ahad Aleck been
the man his father Is. l would never
have looked to another, but | can not
trust him"
That's where you're wrong. lass,
Sandy's a well-bred lad, both on the
mothers side and the fathers. There's
not a better bred lad in Blackford, and
blood is sure TO tell. He may be quiet,
but he's game. l warrant you. ! could
trust him with all l have
"But n Aleck was q bad, treacherous
man and didn't care a bit for me, would
You leave me free TO take anybody | fell
likci' querid Kitty.
asartainly, sartainly," answered hsl
rnclr.
"Well. II thought his blood ns good 2
Iie breeding, I would take him tome
l.aarn iSisfv Int She stopped. 3