The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-01-14

) suit Of Angus's interview with his kinsman
was successful one. Ifonly one light was
shown the reverse was the case--either
} Alastair MacAulay had refused the assist
ance, or required further persuasion before
consenting.
As no intelligence of the result could be
otherwise conveyed to Mairi before the
completion Of the work at the lighthouse,
this plan had been arranged between the
lovers.
1t was with a beating heart that Mari
that evening reached the top of the hill
commandinga view Of the sea to the Heisker
land in the distance. One FIRE or two
The wind had been light, but perfectly fair
all day, and the sea quiet. There was no
fear in her heart regarding the first fire,
but would there be a second?
As she rested on the heather, her eyes
straining into the gathering dusk, a brilliant
blaze suddenly shot out from the North
island. But that was not the expected
signal, as Mairi well knew, only the first
flash of the revolving light from the sum-
nit of the lighthouse tower The looked
for fire would be further to the southwark
and much lower down. She knew the
exact spot of that long black outline, in
distinct now against the sky line, where
the first flicker from the lighted driftwood
would shine through the gloom. An hour
slowly passed still another; no light to be
seen. The girls brave heart sank. Had
some disaster overtaken the boat? ? 1t was
too dark now to scan the sea in search of
lingering sail. Thestars shone out brightly,
yet she stirred not, but waited with sink
ing heart.
Late that night Mairi, pale and ghost
like, entered her fathers house. She had
waited till all hope was gone for the night.
Still hoping against hope, however, the
next evening would bring the signal, she
did not disclose her fears as to the boats
safety.
Tho following day her watch commenced
earlier in the evening. Long before the
lighthouse tower showed its nightly fame,
and while its crystal dome was yet sparkling
in the western sun, she was seated on the
top of the hill to watch. 4 long and weary
survey. At last the watchers in the tower
kindled the warning blaze.
Was that a spark beneath, on the north
point CLINT that flashed and faded ?
Alas, no nothing but gloom and the mist
of tears in her eyes.
''Mairi pa voice behind her. She
turned quickly. Angus was standing
behind her. 1t was too much for her
strained nerves. 81 C tOtterred and would
have fallen. He caught her in his strong
arms.
"Angus!" Oh, how quietly she rested
her head upon his breast
1t had been lurking trcachery on Ian's
part, he explained to her when she grew
calmer. With maddened jealousy and pas
sion raised in him by Mairi's contemptuous
dismissal Ian had probably listened and
overheard, the night they parted, their ar
rangement regarding the fire signal. Care
less of results, he had inwardly vowed that,
for that night at all events, no fire would
be kindled, if he could prevent it. Cir
cumstances had favored him. Angus, who
was fatigued when they embarked, had
| left the conduct of the boat in his COM
panion's hands. When he awoke after
brief slumber, the boat had gone hopelessly
to leeward, they were as far north as the
Seal Skerries, and the wind so light that
with adverse tide there was nothing for 1t
but the oars. By hard effort they only
reached Heisker at early morning; hence
the signal could not be displayed. Arrived
at the lighthouse they had learned that
the building of the store was necessarily
postponed. There was nothing then to be
done but for Angus to see his kinsman and
return.
"Oh, Angus! and what did Alastair
say"
Her lovers look was sufficient answer.
The advance had been granted.
Leave them to descend the hill together,
these two loving ones. What though the
night was falling and the western ray no
longer touched heather and bracken, loch,
stream, or shore with its living gold-did
it matter to them? Was the tapping surf
on the gloomy shore beneath them ominous
in its sound death hush upon the voice
of life? They knew not of it; they we're
with each other and that suficed. Ere
they parted that evening at the cottage
door all had been arranged. In few
weeks they were to be united.
During this interval Ian's disappointed
rage, helpless though it was, knew no
bounds. Forsaking his works, almost his
nightly rest, he prowled about the neigh
borhood of the MacDonalds' cottage, pick
ing up, in the adjoining houses, such scraps
of information in regard to the approach
ing marriage as the gossips Of the place
could afford him-words which he eagerly
sought to hear, aud which yet maddened
him when uttered. Rory's cottage he
avoided, at least when alone. The girl, he
knew, disliked and Stunned him. Angus
was in no humor to be troubled by him.
perhaps harbored grpdgo against him, in
the matter of the Heisker trip. Altogeth-
er Ian's position was not to be envied. As
a well-known unsuccessful suitor the many
gibes and hints at his expense, in which
the neighbors indulged, fell upon him like
whips; nor had he sufficient control over