The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-26

moments. There she must sit alone, and
think or herself as of q maid who had most
unmaidenly proffered her affections and
had the same rejected. And in the mean
and reading myself whenever was
tempted to be angry lessons upon human
fraility and female delicacy. And, alto
gether, l suppose there were never two
poor fools who made themselves more un-
happy in a greater misconception.
As for James, he paid not 30 much heed
to us as to anything in nature but his
pocket and his belly and his prating talk.
Before twelve hours were gone he had
raised small loan of me: before thirty he
had asked for . second and been re-
fused. Money and refusal no took with
the same kind of high good nature. In
deed. he had an outside air of magnanim-
ity that was very we'll fitted to impose
upon daughter, and the light in which
he was constantly presented in his talk,
and the mans fine presence and great
ways. went together pretty tremendously.
So that man that had no business with
him, and either very little penetration or
q furious deal of prejudice, might almost
have been taken in. To me, after my first
two interviews, he was as plain as print.
/ saw him to be perfectly selfish, with a
perfect innOcency in the same, and l
would harken to his staggering talk (of
arms and IAN old soldier" and "a poor
of my country and friends') as might to
the babbling of parrot.
The odd thing was that fancy he be-
lieved some part of it himself, or did at
times; think he was so false all through
that he scarce knew when he was lying;
and for one thing, his moments of dejec-
ton must have been wholly genuine.
There were times when he would be the
most silent, atfectionate. clinging creature
possible, holding CatriOna's hand like a
big baby, and begging of me not to leave
If had any love to him; of which, in
deed, l had none, but all the more to his
daughter. He would press and indeed be-
seech us to entertain him with our talk,
thing very difficult in the state of our rela-
tons and again break forth In pitiable re-
grets for his own land and friends, or into
Gaelic singing.
This is one Of the melancholy airs of
my native land" he would say. you
may think it strange to see a soldier weep,
and, indeed, 1t is to make near friend of
you" says he. "But the notes of this
singing are In my blood and the words
come ont of my heart. And when mind
upon my red mountains and the wild birds
calling there. and the brave streams of
water running down, l would scarce think
shame to weep before my enemies" Then
he would sing again and translate to me
pieces OF the song. with a great deal Of
begging and much expressed contempt
against the English language. ut SAYS
here, he would say, that the sun is gone
down, and the battle is at All end, and the
brave chiefs are defeated. And il tells
here how the stars see them fleeing into
strange countries or laying dead on the
red mountain: and they Will never more
shout the call of battle or wash their feet
in the streams of the valley. But # You
had only some Of this language. you would
weep also. because the words of it are be-
IL ia h
ery TO tell you II III English"
Well, thought there was good deal Of
mockery in the business. one way and an
other and yet there was some feeling. too.
for which hated MIN, l think, the worst
OF all. And it used TO cut me to the quick
TO see Catrlona so much concerned for the
old rogue, and weeping herself to see him
weep. when | was sure one-half OF his dis
tress flowed from his last nights drinking
in some tavern. There were times when
/ was tempted to lend him q round sum
and see the last OF him for good; but this
would have been to see the last of Catri-
ona as we'll. for which was scarcely pre-
pared; and. besides, IL went against my
conscience to squander my good money on
one who was SD little of husband.
CHAPTER XVI.-A Twosoxx-
believe it was about the fifth day, and
l knew, at least, that James was in one of
his fits OF gloom, when / received :hree
letters. The first was from Alan, offering
to visit me in Leyden: the other two were
ont of Scotland and prompted by the
same affair. which was the death of nv
uncle and my own complete accession to
my rights RanEeillor's was. of course.
wholly in the business view: Mis-. Grants
was like hsrself. . little more witty than
wise. full OF blame 10 me for not having
written Though how ] was TO write with
such intelligence p and of raj lying talk
about Ca,riona, which cut NE TO the
quick 10 read in her very presence.
FOR It was of course in my own rooms
that L FOUL hem when l came TO dinner,
30 that Was surprised cut of my news in
the very first moment Of residing it. This
made welcome diversion for all three of
Us. nor could any have ioreseen the i'll