St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-06-05
MRS. M'CPHERSON'S TEA.
OHICu5V ANC %
sob, land of red heather.
Oh, land of wet weather. :"

| tire FAMILY ''COOK CHeIn unueC Her
wing" she herself said. But this was
quite an absurd figure of speech, for
even had she been the angelic being her
young husband almost believed her 10
be her wings could not possibly have
been large enough to shelter the three
great ''braw'' Scotchmen under their
shadow.
Some four years previous to his mar,
| riage Donald had come to America,
bringing his three friends. Kenneth
Duncan, Angus Mel achlin and Alex
ander Ramsay, with him. McPherS on
was the son of laird whose ancestral
estates had dwindled down to small
proportion before his death, after
which event Donald had given over his
share of the property to his mother and
sister, who refused to leave the old
place, and started for America to carve
his fortunes in the progressive West.
Alexander Ramsay, an orphan with
some means, was easily persuaded to
accompany him, and the other boys,
loath to part from their bosom friends,
and longing to see the wonderful coun-
try which lay across the sea. obtained
their parents permission to join them.
| UOiIlcQ lOScIucl.uo tiiCS NCIC,iii StOoCl
bonds than those that united David and
Jonathan. it was great shock to the
others when Donald fell in love and be-
came engaged to Eleanor PoindeXter.
| Observing the gloomy looks and
changed demeanor of his comrades,
| Donald felt as if he bad committed a
crime against them. But Eleanor, whose
| keen eyes quickly took in the situation.
nobly stepped into the breach.
II shall adopt you ALL" she said to
them, smilingly, but in her Sw eet, per
emptory way, land you are not to be
separated from Donald. You are to be
| part. and an important part. OF our
family. The McPherson's castle will
ever be open to his clansmen."
Though their boarding house remained
their nominal home, they seldom missed
an evening at the McPhearsons', and
soon the last trace of jealousy they
| might have entertained toward Eleanor
| was disSipated under the warmth of her
| welcome.
! THIS pleasant state of affairs was sadly
| disturbed when Donald and his wife
| went to Scotland. The business of the
| firm demanded that one of them should
| go over. Donald was the best fitted to I'M
| dertake the mission besides Elanor had
| never seen the beauties of their native
land of which each of them was justly
proud.
Three months seemed long time to
| wait, but at the end of that time the
lads" were rewarded for their patience.
| Donald and Eleanor returned. but not
alone. Janet Andrews, pretty young
cousin of Donald's, came with them.
Janet had a sweet, winsome face and
tue most delicious little Highland
brogue in her speech, and all the lads
fell in love with her. Angus and Ken
meth were loud in their expressions of
admiration, and boldly announced that
they were her slaves. But admira-
ton so loudly expressed is like
loud demonstration of grief-nOt apt to
be very deep.
Alexander, who was somewhat shy
! and awkward fell SO deeply in love
with the Highland lassie that he could
not jest gayy with her as Kenneth and
| Angus could, but sat often apart, gazing
| at her with his whole soul in his fine
eyes.
1t was not long then before Janet was
as much in love with her silent sutton
as he was with her, but her woman's
tact helped her to conceal it. and
| she was hot one to wear her heart upon
| her sleeve.
A short time after their return, Mrs.
Mcpherson invited the lads to
"Scotch tea" They wondered what
new treat Eleanor had devised for them,
but the full purport of the invitation
did not strike them until they entered
the dining room on the appointed night.
In the center of the table stood a beau
tiful silver vase full of the deep pink
| heather they knew SO we'll, and ct each
| plate lay tiny sprig of white heather.
At the foot of the table was huge
salmon, looking for all the world like
those they had so often caught in their
native streams.
Each uttered cry of pleased surprise
| as their eyes fell upon familiar Scotch
| dishes. Everything was prepared in
! Scotch fashion. and the delight Of the
men was something touching as they
! thanked Eleanor for her thoughtful
| kindness.
Il learned to cook few'things while
| | was away, you see," said Mistress
| Nell, flushing at their warm praises as
the meal progressed.
Kenneth, try this JAM" she added,
passing very misunderstanding arti-
! Gle. Your mother made it, Kenneth"
| she said, softly.
But while Kenneth and Angus were
eagerly eating what their own
| mothers had made with loving
| thoughts for their sons in a
| foreign land, Alexander sat silent, re-
pressing his tears only by strong effort
| of will. His dear mother had been dead
| for many year. He had no one to
| care for him now. Oh, Alexander!
wiser men than you have made mis-
| takes!
AS these thoughts were stealing over
him. he felt light touch on his arm
and head, and heard Janet, who sat be-
| side him, say in low voice: "And |
made these for youn' She placed
| dish of Scotch scores before him. and as
| he took one of the little three-cornered
| cakes so dear to his childhood'S days,
his thoughts dWelt not upon those days
past and gone, but on her who sat be-
| side him.
At last.tea was ended, but all were
10th to leave the hospitable board, and
still fingered over their dessert. But
| in the midst of their desultory talk
sound outside attracted the attention Of
all. All leaned forward and listened
eagerly save Eleanor, who calmly leaned
| back in her chair. Before they could
give voice to their thoughts the door
| was thrown open and two men In kits
Justify on fife and bagpipe the High
| land Fling"
AS they advanced down the long room
| the shrill music-so sweet to the ears of
these Highland lads-seemed to kindle
| fire in their veins. In all instant all
had risen TO their feet-Donald Selling
| Eleanor, Kenneth and Angus Joining
hands, and the staid Alexander APP
propriating Janet without as much as
''by your leave.o
A scene of hilarious confusion ensued.
Kenneth and Angus, being unincum-
| bered with ladies', danced more furi0usly
than the others, who were. however,
not much behind them. 1t was well for
! Mistress McPherson's future reputation
for sobriety of conduct that the shades
were all closely drawn and the house
little removed from the street.
| At last the wild strains changed;
painting and breathless they sank into
their seats. Janet's hair. which was of
lovely reddish gold. was loosened in
the dance, and fell like golden mist
| over her shoulders. 1t TRANSPORTED her
pretty, though rather ordinary features,
Il