Evening star., 1895-08-19

her home in Glasgow. and these two facts
were stupendous ones to the simple fisher
girl. and scarcely less to her mother,
who was beth pleased and fearful in the
prospect.
ITS grand thing for Christina she
said to her crony, Marget Roy "and the
lad is a respec table lad, handsome and
weel spoken O., and I'm thinking the line
has got bargain in him, and is proud O.
1t: still I'm feared for my bairn, in such
wicked-like place as Glasgo'. But she'll
hae n floor O. her ain. and a things con-
venicut, and that's some safety and COM
fort. She's my one lassie, and I'm sair to
lose her, but we Gamma stop the clock, and
ye ken, MarEet, that marriage is like death
it ii,4 is what we must a ,;..o cone TO-; hos ,o.
lang spared flom it,"
Christina has had her offers, but what
will you? We must wait for the right
man or &C to the dell wi the wrans one"
You'll be laneiy enou' wanting her. for
I'm hearing Andrew Binnie isna to be
kept single much lanser, and Sophy Trail
Gamma fill Christmas shoes
"Sophys weel enou'. She suits An
drew. and it is Andrew has to live wi
her"
"And you, too. mistress"
Not L. Andrew is to build his ain
biSSinS. l fae the life rent o mine. Eut
III be a deal in Glasso nysel'. Jamie
has his heart fairly set on that
She made this statement with an air of
prideful satisfaction, and Mistress Roy
was not inclined to let her enter anew
Into all the fine sights she was to see, tire
grand guns of preachers she was to hear
and tine trips to Greenock and Rothesay,
which, Jamie said would just fall natur-
ally in the way o. their ordinary life"
I'll be going" said Marget, abruptly
Il hae the kirkyard to pass, and between
the day and the dark it's nlournfu' spot"
1T is" answered Mistress Binnie Folks
shouldna be on the road when the bodiless
gang aboot; they are like to be in the way
o them and might get i'll to themsers.
Ind hnr To-.
nae doubt they'll be wanting a mouthfu'.
for love is cold porridge"
But Jamie was off to the boats in a
hurry and Christina was not hungry; she
sat down with her mother to talk over
again what they had discussed a hun
dred times before-the wedding dress and
the wedding feast. and the napery and
plenishing she was to have for her own
home, and homehow as they talked thus
confidentially Christina told her mother
what Sophy had said about Archie Brae-
lands.
For a moment Janet Binnie was glad.
then she lifted the poker and struck a
block of coal into a score of pieces, and
with the blow scattered the unkindly, self
ish isI thoughts which had invaded her heart
II is what l expected" she answered,
gloomily; but say naething to Andrew
He Is wise enou' to TAX his ain way
though God knows name can play the fool
nke .h wise man! But what then? Is
there anything to gain by word or warn
ing? Naething. And if Andrew is to
hae the fling and the buffet, he will taxi
II better from Sophy than from any ither
body. Let be, Christina"
Folks will talk anon"
They are talking already. Do you think
l didna hear this clash before? Lucky
Sims and Marget Roy, and every fish Wiz
in Pittencraipie ken the beginning and the
end o. it. They hae seen this, and they
hae heard that. and they think the very
worst that can be. The first calamity is to
be born a woman, and it sets the door omen
mi 81
lass Is bonnie and alane m the world For
mysep I'm thinking wrong o. Sophy;
IT'S Andrew that is in fault. He's that
set or having a house for his wife that
he'll lose the wife. while he's saving the
s'iler for the house. 1 hae told him. and
better told him, to bring Sophy here but
naething but having her a to himself will
he hear tell o.. It's pure wicked selfish
ness in the lad. He Gamma thole her giving
look or word, that isna for him, and him
his lane Parfect scand'lous sefshness!'
whist, mother! I'm thinking he's most
at the door. step. That's his foot, or I'm
much mistaken"
'Then I'm ava to Lizzie Robertson's.
My heart is knocking at my lips, and Ill
be saying what I'll want to unsay. Keep a
calm cough Christina. Let Andrew do the
talking, and you'll be a right"
Andrew entered with that air of strength
and capabiiity 50 dear to the women of a
household. He had on his kirk suit. and
Christina thought as he sat down by the
open window how much handsomer he
looked in his blue Guernsey and fshins;
cap. you'll be needing mouthfu', AM
drew?" she asked, but Andrew shook his
head, and answered: Il had my tea VII
Sophy. Where is mother?"
shes AVA to Lizzie Robertson's. The
BARN is still sick, and mother will sit by it
till the night turns
"And Jame?"
HE said he was going to the fishing.
He'll hae caught The boat, or he would hae
been back mere again."
"Then we're our lane, and I've been seek
ing this hour l hae things to tell you,
Christina, that must go further-not
even to mother-unless the time comes
I'll not ask you to gle me your word.
You're Christina Binnie. and that is
enough"
That is enough, Andrew. You and me.
and GOD our witness
Christina, l hae been this day to Edin-
burgh. I hae $500 in my pocket, besides
the siller ben the house. 1 hae sold three
shares in the 'Sure-Giver' and as you ken,
I've been saving siller ever since ! first
put on my sea boots'
Il hae thought. saving siller, was your
ope fault Andrewp