The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-05-02

7
/ And ne had hoped to escape the con-
/ sequences OF this folly; to hide himself
/ away in this lonely Highland home, where
/ everything was new 10 him. But mere
was that hateful name Natalie COM
monty called Matt" again before him
/ with its grim significance, IFS shameful
! memories and disgrace.
| And as he looked al it. a sudden passion,
/ an uncomfortable fury. as il were, seized
! on this ordinarily calm, collected man.
/ Snatching his penknife from his coat
I pocket, he began hastily, with muttered
! curses on his writhing lips, to destroy the
/ letters, to render the name illegible; and
! long after re had done this he hacked and
| cut at the tree, as though physical labor
were some relief to his perturbed and
angry heart.
! In the meanwhile Mrs. Jock was arriv-
I ing at the house of her brother-in-law, Mir.
/ Alick Fraser, who was the rich man of
! the family, and as such was naturally re-
! garded with consideration.
When old Mr.. Fraser OF Aildlinn died
! he left two sons Jock .and Alexander;
! Jock the elder son, inheriting the family
/ estate, and Alexander modest portion Of
! G2000. But during the thirty-three years
which had elapsed since the father 5 death 1
! great change had taken place in the fortunes
! OF the two brothers. Jock, the lard,
| had shot on the hills and fshed in the
/ streams; had married, and his children
| had grown up around him, but he had got
I poorer every year. But Alexander, the
/ Younger son, had carried his e2,000 TO
| Glasgow, had become a ship-bUilder there,
| and gradually had amassed large fortune,
and now, finally, had become a laird too !;
/ at least, he had bought an estate on the
! opposite side of the lOch to Airdlinn and
| had built himself brand-new house there,
I double and more the size OF the grey old
/ roof under which he had been born.
He was walking up and down on the
terrace OF his new house, smoking, and
mentally calculating the profits OF his last
/ investment, when his siSter-in-law, Mrs
4 Jock, appeared through the mist
"Ah, Jennie, is that YOU" said Alick
/ Fraser, in a loud chcery voice, going for
/ ward 10 meet her. And how is Jock L?
I and where have you sprung from this
/ misty morning.
! 1--WE been wandering over hill and dale,
| on business bent, answered Mrs. Jock,
with her ready laugh.
"And what's up? What have you been
| about"
Let me GO into the house and | will
| tell YOU" and Alick Fraser led the way
/ into his well-furnished house, where
everything was new and everything was
/ good.
! And the master OF the house was good
| to look on also. tall stalwart, clear
! skinned man of about fifty-tlree years
was Alick Fraser, with n shrewd, we'll
| featured face, and humorous dark eyes,
| like his brother Jocks. But there was
| this difference in the expression of their
] eyes: In Jocks the humor was kindly, in
| Alexis it was hard. All the same, Alick
was the better looking of the two, and had
| also CHEEKY manner, n long head and a
| close hand.
1--WE. Just come from Nora Stewards,
| said Mrs. Jock, as she seated herself in
/ one of Alexis comfortable arm-chairs.
"Ah, a fine girl-a very fine girl!'
And as good as she's bOnny, believe.
| She and two young girls that are staying
with her, and our new neighbor, Young
/ Biddulph, are going To dine with us neAs
/ automatically. "Will YOU come too?'
Next Tuesday? Don't know any
I thing to prevent me. so you've made
young Biddulph's acquaintance, them
"Yes; called on him this morning
] called on him about a little business
I Malcolm and Minnie met him last night at
Nora Stewards, and he's gentlemanly
( man. yes, certainly gcntlemanly man.
That's all right, then.
Il went to see him because we've had n
I sad business at Airllinn, Alick,' said
( Mrs. Jock, cautiously approaching the
real object OF her visit. Jock would
/ have been to see you about it before, but
he's laid up with frightlul toothache.'
"ShOuld have 'em ont
That's what tell him, but ] can't per-
Z l.
( But 10 90 back to what ! was SAYING Poor
/ NichOls-you remember the red haired
stabe-man p fell from the hay-Ioii last
/ Wednesday morning and broke his neck
/ He was killed ON the spot, and he's left Il
/ widow and four small children, and Moth
/ ing worth speaking Of, besides. except
/ litter OF five little pigs
| There was no pity in Alexis eyes.
They must eat the pigs, he said, with
/ his hard smile
THAT woul not feed them long. No.
I Alick; | am trying TO sell these pigs to
4 theneighbors round. | have sold one to
/ young Biddulph, one TO Nora Stewart, and
! now have come TO YOU
/ 1T a pity YOU gave yourself the trou-
ble, Jeanie; I've a splendid litter OF pigs
! black pigs"
"Yes, but then this is Tor charity, Alick.
/ Nallt tbuith llttt ibi bllthls " tlliht
/ up little sum iorthe poor widow. Young
/ Biddulph gave me two pounds for his"
"A fool aud his money are soon parted,
my dear
| "Ah, but Alick, do buy one," pleaded
/ Mrs. Jock, quite earnestly. She wanted
the money, for one thing, and she wanted
/ the triumph, for another; for Jock had
| told her she would fail. But Alick only
| laughed, and shook his head.
ITS no good, Jeanie," he said, 81 never
throw away money, and won't to please
4 you or any one else. And this is throw
/ ing it away. Suppose you collect lew
/ pounds; it won't keep the woman ami her
/ children. They must 20 20 the place the
, law provides .or them, and whici we all
! help to support; and the sooner they GO
the better Tor them and YOU"
Mrs Jocs did not speak. She was q
| kind-hearted woman, and she felt her
anger rise hot within her; but she was
! prudent ~ithal. Alick Fraser had much
in his power. He was unmarried, and she
/ had children, and for their sakes she sup
pressed her wrath.
"Then you won't give anything?" she
said.
"Not sixpence, my DEAR" answered
! Alick cheeriully.
"At all events. you'll come to dine on
Tuesday,"
j Yes ii YOU promise not 10 name your
+ interesting litteroi pigs" said Alick with
a laugh. There's good woman, don't