San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-11-25

smile shone out in her honest, light blue
eyes; these, and a red-lipped mouth rarely
quite closed over very white teeth, re-
deemed her face from plainness Her COM
plexion, though clear and good, was much
freckled, and the cheek bones were some
what high; still Mary Black was undOubt-
eddy "bonnie lassie," and pleasant to
look at, as Kenneth evidently thought, as
mis- face beamed when his eyes fell upon
her.
You'll be awful tired after so many
hours in the train; here, Mary, take Miss
Craig to the spare room. You'll may be
like to wash your hands and brush your
hair bit before you eat your breakfast"
Thank you. feel l need ablutiOn sore
ly."
II am so very pleased to see you," said
Mona, when she ana Mary had entered the
sacred precincts of the spare room.
and so am to meet you; Kenneth told
me what good friend you have been TO
him; but you are not a bit like what l eX-
pected to see."
81 suppose not; people never are like
what is expected"
81 will leave you now; ring when you
are ready, and l will show you the way to
the breakfast-room."
At the table were gathered the misister's
younger BARNS; big-boned lad of four
teen; a slight, thoughtful boy Of nine or
ten-both silently intent on finishing their
morning meal, to be off in good time for
school-and chubby girl of six, evidently
the pet of the family.
The long, deyout grace, the bowls of
porridge and cups of milk, the voices, the
dialect, all seemed to Mona like a chapter
out of Scotch novel, yet it took her fancy.
The host appeared to be acquainted with
Mr.. Craig, and spoke of him with a touch
of dry humor here and there which showed
he was fully alive to the pecularities of
his character Mr.. Robertson-a pleasant,
well-read man, quite abreast OF the mod
ern thought movement-seemed pleased to
converse with his young English guest.
AS soon as he had bestowed the final bless
ing, the minister babe Mona farewell as he
was going out.
Then Mary assisted Mrs Robertson to
clear away the breakfast things and the
latter said
you three young folk will have good
deal to say to one another, so you can have
it out here, while am busy above and be-
low. so soon IS l have sent Jamie off to
school,"
II should think we had a good deal to
say to each other" said Kenneth, as soon
as they were alone. MARY knows that
the only bit of comfort / ever had in yon
big dreary town was when could walk
and talk with you, Mona, and that kind
soul Nine Debrisay Isn't it curious,
when used to be with you In London,
thought saw such likeness between you
and Mary, and now you are together, it
has inst vanished away?"
Like Miss Craig?' cried Mary, blushing
and laughing "Eh, Kenneth, but your
eyes must have been all wrongH
Then a very confidential conversation
ensucd, and Mona promised to help the
lovers in all ways. Indeed, her heart went
out very warmly. to the gentle, simple
Highland lassie, and she privately congrat-
ulated Kenneth on his choice.
Having been taken to see the cathedral
and some public buildings, she was given
luncheon and hurried away to the station.
A splendid sunset was clarifying moor
and mountain, the lOch, and distant
glimpse of blue sea, when the travellers
reached kirktoun, where very rusty old
one-horse ph8ton, driven by Uncle Sandy
himself, awaited them.
well, my dearie the sight of you is good
for sair eenr' he cried with unusual
warmth, reaching down a hand to assist
his niece to the seat beside him; adding in
the same breath, land am right glad you
have seen the error of your ways. l am
always ready to forgive, when Isee onyone
in their right mind"
81 am very glad to see you, uncle. What
delightful air! 1t is like new life to breathe
it."
cay, it is just that! You'll grow strong
and weel. Hoo's a WI We, Kenneth? Did
you see Mr.. Macray, and get the papers?
Eli, we Gamma carry the two big boxes,
Can We do without them till tomorrow,
Mona, and I'll send the cart for them?"
Yes, uncle. have my hand pOrtman-
teau, which is quite enough"
The old cart-hOrse that with bent head
and patient toll dragged the vehicle up the
long ascent, evidently understood his task
too we'll to heed Uncle Sandy's "gee-ups"
and occasional applications of the whip.
When they came to gentle decline or a
few level yards, he broke into a slow,
heavy trot-his great feet beating the road
like sledge-hammers; then at the very first
upward tendency he deliberately checked
his pace to a steady walk, from which
nothing could move him. Yet Mona en-
joyed the drive immensely. The beautiful
wild scenery; the soft, delicious, honey
sweet breeze, that from time to time
touched her cheek like a caress; the restful
silence, and perhaps, more than all, the
unusually happy expression of Uncle
Sandy's puckered face, gave her profound
pleasure.
At length, after following a low moss
and grass-grown wall for some way, they
turned into narrow road, at the diverg-