Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-09


''I want nv little bairn to have plenty gear
like her ain mither would hae her Babette's
naething mair than a gowan o. the field,
Miss Mcleod; as innocent q lassie as one
could find. See to it that in the gran city
she keeps near to the Laird of all, ana does
ma forget Him."
Reserved Jesnie was stirred to the heart
in letting Babette go. Miss Mcleod be-
came strangely sober at Jeanie's words and
solemn manner. For the first time she felt
that some responsibility rested with her, in
the step she was about to take. And Babette,
who knew absolutely nothing of money mat
tiers, and had been brought up to believe
that the blue stocking was an Eldorado mine,
never-iailing, was satisfied to leave all her
expenses in Miss McLeod's experienced
hands. At times the girl was possessed by
longing for quiet, for long sail in her
little boat, for the old Ii e. But the present
was very delight nj and fascinating, even if
it did not give her any leisure for thought.
She had dreams, too, of some day being
clever enough TO earn money for the dear
old folks at home.
Two years passed so very quickly Ba-
bette had been home but twice, and Miss
Mcleod and her friends had so many plans
for that she could not stay long, unless
you need me, " she said to Jeanie, who dis
claimed at that, and bade her darling go
back to the world she was born for.
But one morning Miss Mcleod was
stertled at the girls appearance at the
breakfast table. She was pale, and her eyes
showed want of sleep.
II must go home,' she announced
abruptly. 81 am a selfish, thouphtless girl
saw my mother so plainly last night, and
she was sick and longing for me. Dear Miss
Jean, don't think that / am not grateful to
you for all this beauti ul time; but oh, co
not keep mel I must go back"
And Miss Mcleod, when she found that
all remonstrance was useless, helped her
pack her trunks, and with a sinking at the
heart-for she was very fond of the girl
saw her on board the train.
Old Malcolm was just home from fishing
haul, when knock was heard at the door.
Before he could open it, young girl had
crossed the threshold and had her arms
about his neck.
"How is mother? Oh, is she sick?'
B=bette asked in trembling voice.
'Jeanie has taken to her bed, Babette 1
tell her she's frettin' for you. hut she won't
let me write. Eh. but it's good to have you
home again. But Babette was ALREADY in
the spotless little bedroom she knew so
well. There, for the first time in her remem-
brance, the girl saw old Jesnie in bed in the
daytime. She was SO white, and then it
startled her.
''Oh mother, forgive me- I've been such
q careless girl. I've cooe back to make Won
well" Babette sank on her knees by the
little bed, and took Jeanie's rough, toll
worn hand in hers.
THANK the Lard, ye're hame again be-
fore I'm ava, Jeanie said, ferventlv.
But to Babette's relief, old Jeanie grew
better instead of worse, and in few weeks |
was about again, but far more feeble than |
before. She and Malcolm had reached a |
good old age. Babette had not fully real |
lied the fact on account Of theirrugged health |
ana unusual activity.
lflittle has been said of Kenneth Mcleod. |
1t has rot been because there is little to saw. |
His profession was his world-his every- |
thing. Nothing was too great a sacrifice for |
his beloved art. His great desire was to 90 |
abroad He and his sister were orphans,
and until Jean had been left fortune bv the |
aunt Tor whom she was named, they had /
been poor. Jean longed to lavish eyery-
thing on her brother; she was a gen.
erous, warm = hearted girl, but he would
only accept the pleasant home her
purse provided for both. Proud and ambi-
tious, Kenneth worked on. He had been
away when Babette left, and the news was
an unexpected shock to him. To his dis
RE hs t4gpaa tAhts dlR tbs ths ydsESo that fe
enee Of the Maid of the Sea, as be called
Babette. He fought against the feeling.
sure that eventually art would win; but the
struggle waged stronger instead of weaker.
He reasoned with, he laughed at himself: |
he, after all his toll and selfdenial. with |
his turning desires and lofty ambition,
with his ancient lineage of which the Nc
Leods were so proud, to run alter and ham
per himself with poor, obscure fisher
girl! He painted vigorously, but between
him and the canvas came, with persistent
force, another picture-a little, gaily painted
boat holding a girl with golden hair un-
bound, her winning, singularly pure face
looking upward.
One morning Kenneth's place at the
breakfast table was empty, and the maid
gave Miss Mcleod a hastily-written note.
saying that her brother had gone off for
fresh subjects for his picture, but would be
back soon, etc. This was so common an oc- |
curence that Jean thought nothing of it.
Meanwhile Babette, though the day was
cold and clustering, had gone for brisk
walk and to gether shells and sea treasures.
A tiny girl, ruddy, and well-protected from
the wind, was playing near her, for children
loved Babette and knew her as their friend.
Man tomin'," the child announced sud-
denly, and Babette, turning, facing Ken
meth Mcleod. After the first common
places, he said in an abrupt, vet strangely
moved voice: "Babette, find that cannot
live without you; come back and be with
me always. Be my wife, Babette."
Was ever wooing like this? The color
flashed into the girls face, then left it so
ale that it was startling, but her voice was
quite steady and self-possesse6. 'You for
get the dear old people who have done so |
much for me Mr.. Mcleod; my first duty to
them
''oh, they do not want YOU as do.
They ought not to keep you in this dead
and-alive place, " the man said impatiently.
Again the quiet voice spoke: 81 cannot ;
leave them, and BESIDES Mr.. Mcleod, it
would never do for us to marry. Have 1 ,
not heard your ideas about-such things? / !
know you so well You would, after the
first, repent this hasty step, and the result [
could not bear, yet it would be inevitable.
No, it would never do for US to marrv.''
The voice lost little of its calm toward the
last. And then Kenneth forgot his long !
habit of self-control, and poured forth re- =
proaches and pleadings; but all in vain,
Aud as he went back to Boston, sketches :
and art were for once forgotten, and there :
was wild tumult of conflicting emotions
in his heart. Yet surprise was uppermost. :
For Kenneth had thought only of his
side Of the question. Failure had not !
entered into his plans. The difficulty had =
been with his own decision. He thought
that Babette, with her frankness and sim
phclty was a child to be coaxed into any, =,
thing not wrong. He was mistaken, he said, Z
With his sore, hurt feeling; she was a cold, :
heartless girl, and he remem bered now, that :
Jean had hlnted at her re fusal of Cullen =
bryde. But after all he could go on with .
his AFT and forget such a cool, deliberate :
girl. he had been crazy ever to think of =
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