The Forrest City times., 1891-04-03
A MAIDEN FAIR.
BY CHARLES GIBBoM.
CHAPTER vl.-CoNrINUEn.

| LUG VOlCo was SO bOAt hHu ti0 lOOk U0e turned upon him 80 gentle that he could no
 be angry. Nevertheless, he tried to appear as one injured, because he felt % keenly
 that he deserved the reproach expressed co
 quietly.
 Il am na to part vi either O you. waa Just putting . question to you, and there
 was nae harm in that" 'Oh ma"
 "Weel, the lang and the short q 1t is this there's a man to me the-day-I'm na gauu to tell you wha." (She smiled; as If she did not know whoi Poor old fatherD "And
 he says that if yeu will take him and will gle my consent he'll gie you q your ain way and make over to you at once fortune. 1 said to him, You maun speir at hersel', my man. He said he would, and he's gaun to do is, and 1 first wanted to ken aforehand what you would be likely to say. But you are free to do ns you like"
 You mean Mir. Cargili, father" l "Eh !-hoo did you ken that"' exclaimed the old captain, forgetting in his amazement even to smoke.
 | Easily enough; he was the only man here to-day except-" | "Weelg' (There was curious glmmer of smile on the old mans face as he put the question required by her pause) | Except NIT. Ross, and he cannot do what you say the other offers to do. But l am afraid that Mir. Cargill is not the man for me, with all his wealth and your consent" "Oh, then you mean that you'll hae some body else without my consent" She got up, took the empty pipe from his hand and proceeded to fill it with an ex- | perienced hand. As she gavo it back to him with light
 l We'll m talk any more havcrs tonight, | father. You ken well enough that will | never take man that you say na to; and will never take one that say na to, though l you should say yes. Now that's all settled" "Ay, ay, and it's that way, is't," muiter- | ed the captain to himself, but quite loud enough for her to hear "Il's that way, Is t? We maun see aboot that. We maun see aooot that An empty purse against weel- filled one-we maun see aboot that" Annie was little fdgety as his loudly-ex- pressed reflections proceeded, and was glad when they were interrupted by loud ring at the bell of the entrance-door "Wha can that be at this hour? Hope there's naething wrang wi the Mermaid" "kirsty will soon tel us, said Annie, ar- ranging her papers for the night. "Maister Cargill," said Kirsty, the stout 0SA Nouiuiis VHSNiuk kiC QOOI lOI tIl0 big lymphatic form to enter. Il hope you will excuse me for dropping in upon you so late" he said, in what he thought was grand manner; II intended to be here four hours ago, but was unexpect- edly detained in the town. Sorry now did not como straight along from the old place; but was obliged to make call first and the business occupied mo much longer than l expected"
 Never heed that sit doon--and get . glass, nie. Oh, but you like wine and seegaars. Very wee.; though never med dle wi thae things myself hac some wine that was gen me in . present that folk wha ken say there's nae better in Ed nbro'. Ay. and hxe seegaars to match. Get them out. Annie"
 Annie obeyed quickly. and then excusing herself as she was required elsewhere left the room.
 The wine was good and the 'secgaars' were good, as the captain had said. and Car. gill eyinced his appreciation of both.
 And noo," said the captain when they were settled down, "how did you come out on sic night"'
 ''Oh, the night Is not so bad in a close cab with good horse and careful driver'
 And is this man waiting for you?' cried the captain, hls eyes starting, "and you ncv- CT thought of seeking . dram for himr'
 Il do not like to encourage tipp ing in people of his class," coelly answered the loutish sybarite as he slipped his wine and smoked his cgar.
 There was movement on the captains lips as if he repressed some words which were no doubt of very emphatic character. He rang the bell hercely and called loudly for Kirsty whilst he filled . Giass with whisky.
 Hey. take this to the cabman to keep him warm while he's waiting"
 'He has list cam for light tae his lamp and's at the door, replied the woman; puir man, he's sair drookit."
 Then the captain walked about to regain his temper Cargill had not moved during the whole of these proceedings. He smok- ed and drank pacidly as if they had noth- ing to do with him, and If these good people chose to concern themselves with a mere cabman who would receive his full fare and something over, that was their business
 The driver stood shverinE at the door. the fierce gusts of wind threatening to tear tho coat from his back. whilst tho horse stood shivcring at the gate.
 Thank ye mem; wish the puir beast could hae dram tae on sic night. Here's your very good health" said the man as he gratefully accepted tho captains hospltal.- ty.
 The captain sat down again and resumed the conversation.
 And now" he said, what has brought you here at this hour?'
 Two things, sir" rejoined Cargill slowly, or iazily. but did not proceed.
 And what may thse twa things be?"
 There was again that curious movement on the captains lips which had first appear cd when he learned that there was poor man out in the cold for whom his employer had not the least consideration.
 "The first thing. captain-an 1t could nave waited till to-morrow-fs to tell you that all the conditions mentioned will be faithfully carried out My mother Is de- lighted with the idea of the match and says she will agree to anything in order to bring 1t about Sho has Q high esteem for you. captaln.~
 The man actually could not refrain from attempting to patronise even in such posi- ton as this.
 That's very guid O her to say sac, and very guid O you to tell me But there was nae need O saying it. for Bell and mo are auld acquaintanccs and we hae aye respeckis ane ani,her"
 Cargill felt sore; it was his great weak ness that he did not like to be reminded of the origin of his fortune or of himself. He would have done anything to remove his tinns, out she would not move, and in spite fztl fz II.