Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-31

--snd am never sure Of my grandfather,
because be can believe things 90 easily. u
was the curious look Of resignation that he
had noticed when first he saw her, and that
seemed SO strange in a young girl. 81
might have expected this" she went on,
absently and sadly. "My grandfather can
persuade himself of anything; If he thinks
thing is done. that is enough. am sure
have urged him to get on with this book
not thst thought anybody could be SO
mean and cruel as to step in and ferestall
him-but that he might get free from those
obligations; but I suppose when he had
once arranged all the materials In his own
mind be felt that tho rest was easy enough
and that there was DO hurry. He takes
things SO lightly-and now-the hunllia-
tion-well, / shall have to bear that"
at say you shall not" he said, hotly. 81
claim the privilege of a friend, and you can
not refuse. Who are the people to whom
your grandfather is indebted over this
volume?" be demanded.
"For one, there is Lord Musselburgh," I"
she said, but indiferently, as if no hope lay
that way. Sand there Is Mr.. Carmichael,
who owns an Edinburgh paper-the
Chronicle"
"Very well, said he, promptly. "what
is to hinder my explaining to them that
circumstances have occurred to prevent Mr..
Bethune bringing out the volume he had
projected; and that he begs to return them
the money they had been so kind as to ad-
vance?"
Size shook her head again and sighed.
"No. 1t is very kind of you. You are
ALWAYS kind. But could not accept it.
must try some way myself-though I am
rather helpless-it is so difficult to get my
grandfather to see things. / told you be-
fore; he lives in world ofimagination, and
he can persuade himself that everything is
well, no matter how we are situated. But
it was shameful of them" she said, with
her indignation returning, and her lips be-
coming at once proud and tremulous, ito
cheat an old man out of so poor and small a
thingi Why. they all knew he was going
to write this book-all the writers them
selves-they were known to himself per-
sonally-and glad enough they were to
send him their verses. Well, perhaps they
are not to blame Perhaps they may have
been told that he had given up the idea
that is quite likely. At all events, / don't
envy the miserable creature who has gone
and taken advantage of my grandfather's
absence"
She could say no more just then, for there
was sound below of the door being opened
and shut; and the next minute they could
hear old George Bethune coming with his
active step up the flight of stairs, while he
sang aloud, in fine bravurs fashion. "Tis
the march-'tis the march-'tis the march
of the Cameron menp'
The little dinner in the restaurant that
evening was altogether unlike those that
had preceded it. The simple and innocent
gaiety-the sense of snugness and good COM
radeship-appeared to have fed, leaving
behind it certain awkwardness and re-
straint Vincent Harris was entirely per-
picked. The story he had heard from
America was in no wav to be reconciled
with Maisrie's Interpretation OF her grand
fathers position; but it was possible that
the old man had concealed from her certain
material facts, or perhaps had been able tc
blind himself to them. But what troubled
the young man most of all was to notice
that the old look of pensive resignation had
returned to Maisrie's face. For time a
brighter light had shown there; the natural
animation and color OF youth had appeared
in her cheeks, and her eyes had laughter in
them, and smiles and kindness and grsti-
tude; but all that had gone now-uuite
suddenly, as it seemed-and there had come
back that strange sadness, that look of un-
resisting and hopeless acquiescence. Alone
of the little party of three George
nimity; nay. on this particular
evening be appeared to be in especial high
spirits; and in his careless and garrulous
good humor he took little heed OF the silence
and constraint of the two younger folk.
They made all the better audience; and be
could enforce and adorn his main argument
with all the illustrations he could muster;
he was allowed to have everything his own
way.
and perhaps Vincent, thinking of Maisrie,
and her tears, and the hoplessness and soli-
tariness of her position, may have been in
clined to resent what he could not but regard
as callous and culpabl, Indifference. At
all events, he took the first opportunity that
presented itself of saying
II hope am not the bearer Of i'll news.
Mr.. Bethune; but 1 have Just heard from
New York that someone over there has taken
up your subject, and that volume on the
Scotch poets in America is just about ready,
and will be published immediately.
Maisrie glanced timfdly at her grand
father, but there was nothing to fear on his
account; he was not one to quail.
"Oh, indeed, indeed" said be, with |
lofty magnanimity. "Well, hope it will |
be properly and satisfactorily done; L hope
1t will be done in a way worthy of the sub |
lect. Maisrie, pass the French mustard, if |
J
these natural and simple expressions of the |
human heart are as deeply interesting as |
the more finished, the more literary, pro-
ductions of the professional poet A single |
verse-rough and rugged as you hke-and |
the living man stands revealed. Av, ay; so
the book is coming out Well, / hope the |
public will be lenient; hope the public |
will understand that these men are not pro-
fessional poets, who have studied and writ
ten in leisure all their lives; it is but a
homely lit they offer; but it is genuine; it
is from the heart-and it speaks to the
heart"
But grandfather" said Maisrie, "you
were to have written the bookr'
What matters it who complies the
pages?-that is nothing at all; that is, in
measure, mechanical. am only anxious
that it should be well done, with tact, and
discretion, and modesty," he continued
and with such obvious sincerity that Vim
cent was more than ever perplexed. "For
the sake of old Scotland would willingly
give my help for nothing-a little guidance
here and there-a few biographical facts
even an amended line. But after all the men
must speak for themselves; and well they
will speak, if the public will but remember
thas these verses have for the most part been
thought of during the busy rush of q COM
mercial life, and written down in chance
evening hour. 1t will be message across
the sea to show that Scotland's sons have
not forgotten her. MscGregor Crerar-Hugh
MacColl-Andrew Wanless
Il wonder if they have got Wanless' ad-
dress to the robin that was sent to him from
remember, Maisrie?
There's mair than you, my bonnie bird,