The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-03-20

unfortunate, and yet il would never do for
US ell TO be OF the same mind. There are
many ways Of making living, cousin, and
the laddie has his own tastes nae doot. As
to the law, it's with it as with many an
other thing, those like il best who know
least about il. At the best it's a slippery
game, in which ten fall for one who keeps
his feet. have sprackled through--l'll II no
deny it, but wi the skin o. my teeth. as the
man of Uz says. I'm not sure I'd advise
another fellow to follow in my steps. But
dinna let me interfere; dinna let me come
between father and son." Whereupon Mr.
Clephane rubbed his hands, thus figura
lively washing them of the whole business.
and the subject oftalk was changed.
When highland hospitalities had been
dispensed, Mr. Clephane and my father
vent out for walk, leaving me behind.
! was not sorry, since their absence gave
me an opportunity OF speaking with my
mother, who, good soul, was ever willing
to take my part. told her my whole story
unreservedly, and she sympathized as only
a mother can. | also told her the history
of my relations with Peter, which startled
and surprised her
ut is a shame, Andrew" she said, with
the tears cleaning i'm her dear eyes, but
Peters behavior, and at any rate for your
fathers sake we must uphold the honor Of
kilburnie. IL must not be said he came
here and was i'll received"
And then with many a caress she told
me she quite understood my unhappy posi-
tion, and that she would do what she could
TO re-establish me in my fathers favor. |
could see. however, that the loyal heart
was deeply troubled. She would fain have
seen me obey, while pledging her word as
partisan. My blessings on her memory.
AS fate would have II, when my father
and his visitor returned they were accom-
/ panied by a neighboring laird, Sir Thomas
Gordon of The Elms, of whom the reader
has already casually heard from mine host
of the Hound and Stag. Meeting the baro-
net in the course of their walk, my father,
with the impulsive generosity which had
wrought such trouble TO his house, insisted
on taking him home for luncheon regard
less of domestic convenience or resource.
But my mother was right glad to see Sir
Thomas and he in turn was glad to see
her, declaring in his fine old fashioned man.
ner IL did his heart good just to cross the
threshold of Kilburnie.
Sir Thomas, my mother had told me, al
ways gave her the impression tlat he was
extremely lonely He might have been
happy as the world goes. A retired Anglo
Indian official, be was wealthy, and though
widower, he had the companionship Of
devoted daughter whose equal in beauty
and goodness has not breathed since Eve
left paradise. But these blessings were
mysteriously counterbalanced. There was
"A break in his health. and-one could see il
plainly-a break in his heart, two evils for
which money Is no medicine, and which
even hlial devotion can hardly do more
than alleviate
Sir Thomas had both seen and done n
great deal in times that history now calls
stirring He had been prominent actor
In more than one memorable and exciting
scene. He had fought a valiant battle, and
victory bad crowned his exertions. Yet he
had skeleton in the cupboard. lie sighed
often. and his habitual look was downcast
But he was not OF those who parade their
woes. IN company he vas cheerful ia a
spbdued way and always gentle and con
siderate. Much knowledge of men and
their imperfections had not hardened him,
and bitter experiences had but saddened,
not soured. his sweet spirit. Nor had years
OF authority and much honor DESTROYED his
childlike simplicity.