Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-09-12
CHAPTER III,

and the gray of the night came on.
Strangers from the foreign land Of
England wondered as they drove home
from their days excursionlng at the
fancy Of the peasants for setting light
to the gorse everywhere.
All the young Qualtroughs were out
in the grounds with Willie and his
friends. Mr.. Qualtrough, gray-headed
and wise, went out too. Perhaps he
laughed over it all, but there bad never
been O midsummer eve he could recol-
lect without the burning of the witch
fires. No, indeed; and, il his children
had shown themselves very advauc ed
in the common sense OF the age and
neglected. of the old customs, he, good
man, would have been just one degree
intentionally surprised.
They had all had merry supper
Manx folk are primitive, and supper is
not yet wholly cast into oblivion-and
then all went out. Two Of the girls
threw light shawls over their heads ;
Nessie stuck on gray felt hat of her
fathers, and they went gayly round the
house and through the unkempt, luxu-
Iious hower-gardeD, then through the
kitchen.garden whore monstrous cab
bages sheeted the beds with their
crumpled outer leaves where the straw
berries blinked rosy from amid tangle
of long suckers; where alleys were
made by trained apple-trees whose
green young fruit promised joys to lads
and maids in the days to come.
"Ahl" suddenly young Philipson
exclaimed.
"The CorriDs's fire at Ballaseggan "
and Mr.. Qualtrough turned round.
There had come a golden, sprinkling,
flashing light on his glass-houses.
" Horrid !" Nessie exclaimed angri-
ly, sand ours not alight yet. Jim is
horrid! specially gave him orders to
light up early, because Mona Corrin de-
clared they'd have the finest show. I'll
be speaking to him tomorrow morn
ing"
"Do, dear. do" Willie, her cousin
said.
~ will" And she ran on. In q
moment she was seen flying up to the
wooden ladder which led up to what
they called their " lookout" q square
miniature tower which gave grand
view over miles and miles Of farm lands,
Of distant mountains, of western sea,
and-a sight of all for strangers-of
one bit Of savage, storm-battered Calf
Of Man. "Grand :" she cried joyous
ly. "Grand! We're alight now! Eh
III not heed Mona having the start,
wen be far the finest"
A pale golden fire began to simmer
on nearby bill. 1t spread and spread
until verify the whole Of the hillside was
tricksy flashing dance Of fire.
"Our gorse is not there?" Doyle
wondered.
"Eh9 No. This is my private bust.
ness. Jim and l did this in the morn
ing"
$50 That is how Jim does his
wesding?" her father began.
Yes. That'll be his manner Of
wedding on midsummer evsl He
couldn't do less than obey his mis-
tress /"
"No, Mr.. Philipson," she went on
"the bits Of fuel we got this evening
are on the other side. Look saw
Jim run across only two minutes ago;
he'll be lighting it up now"
She was right. A hillocky lift OF the
land was spaugled all ct once with
patches Of flame, rudy flame, golden
fame. flame that sputtered and fixed as
I mastered the juices of the green
'racken.
I'VE have an extra grand show, TO- |
ight, girls" Mr.. Quslsrough began. !
Who shall say our old customs are |
wing out? But / expect 1t Is Is much |
your honor as In that Of the fairies !