Evening star., 1895-08-19

TIE EVENING STA E
Christina and bid her goodbye" And his
away and he spoke SO kindly to Mistress
Binnte and SO braveiy to Andrew that it
was impossible to feel anything but q glad
excitement In his departure. After he was
1alrly out OF sight, Andrew called Christina
to the top of the cliff, and they sat down
together. It was an exquisite morning, full
OF the salt and sparkle, the motion and
burst of the sea, and they sat silent awhile,
looking down on the cottages, the creels
and the grown nets. the picturesque fig
ures in sea boots and striped hanging caps
and the no less picturesque companion fig
ures in striped petticoats. Some of the
latter were old women, and wore high
crowned, unbordered caps; others were
young ones, with no covering on their ex-
uberant hair. but with long rings in their
ears and bright scarlet kerchiefs on their
neeks Andrew glanced from these things
to his sister. and touching her striped pet
ticoat, said:
You'll be changing that soon for what
they ca gown. / am going to buy you
silk gown for your wedding. Christina
you'll set me up beyond everything. il
you do. Andrew. I'll never orget such
favor"
Christina. I'm no very hS 2py myself"
Then he told her plainly hog difficult he
found it to get sight or speech with Sophy.
and how low-spirited she vas with him.
III reared SEe 3 ne s41u, QfedFly.
You ken her mother died O. a consumption
when she was but a young H,ing."
Andrew. hae you told Soply what your
plans are? Hae you told hea she may be
a lady and live in London 7)me O. these
days? Hae you told her yfIn be Capt.
Binnie O. the North Sea fieet?S
Nae, nae! What would tfbe the lassie
for? 1t is plain Andrew Binsse she has to
marry
You're a. wrang. Andrex. Girls like
men that hae the spirit to Sin siller and
place for them. Tell her whaA you told me,
and you'll be happy mans
This argument Christina ustki so skillfully
that Andrew was fired by Ker confidence
and enthusiasm. 'Ill TAX yoalr advice and
go and tell Sophy," he said. "The lassie
has grown into my life as the sea and the
stars and my hame and my ain folk hae
grown, and if sh'll love me better for the
news. I'm that far gone in love wi her,
that must win her by any means pos
sible."
He went on this errand OF love with a
light heart, and then Christina sought her
mother. ANDREW is going to gle me
silken gown for my wedding" she cried,
joSfully, and the two women spent the
morning in talking over the most desirable
color, and the necessity of having so fine
garment made in Largo After the noon
meal Janet Binnie took he, knitting and
went to tell her neighbors .,oout the silk
gown, and Christina did Il ironing, and
as she smoothed the linen So sang verse
or two of Hunting Tower and then she
| thought GWnlle anu tneH SnIi, sang again.
She did not expect AndrtSg home until
the evening. He would likeix have his tea
with Sophy and walk back afterwards. But
in mid-afternoon she heard bzs step and she
put down the iron with q. sudden faint
feeling and turned her faca to the door.
Andrew entered the cottage3 looked at her
deSpajrngly, and sinking Ito his chair,
covered his wretchnd face With his hands.
It was not the same man w3o had left her
few hours before. A chitnge like that
which a hot iron would MAXI upon a fresh
leaf had been made in ser handsome,
happy, hopeful brother She could not
avoid an exclamation that twas a cry of
terror, and she went to hsm and kissed
him and murmured. she Knew not what.
words of pity and of love- He began to
weep, to sob, to shake and $remble like a
slipped the bolt in it, and cafe back to his
side. Andrew: my brother sAndrew." she
said, softly. what sorrow has come to you?
Tell Christina"
"sophy's dead-dead and game for me.
Oh. Sophy, Sophy. Sophy"
ANDREW, tell me straight tale. You're
no. a woman to let your sorrow get the
mastery O. you. And if sophy has de-
ceived and left you, there is still the Faith
ful One, who chanseth not."s
Then he Strengthened hin.self and un-
Christina opened the window and let the
fresh breeze blow upon him And her
heart throbbed hotly with anger and pity
Speak and let your grief lac some way,
Il saw her. I met her driving in a dog
cart wi the master O. Rraelands. / saw
her looking in his face as she never lookit
in my face. She never loved me yon way,
Christina
did you speak to herr"
Ay. She was going to pass me with
out word or look. but I called out to her.
'Sophy, Sophyr and saw her cradel close
to Braefands, and 1 saw him lift the whip
to strike the horse, and afore kent what l
was doing 1 had the beast by the head and
the lash O. the whip stung me clear across
the cheek bone
"Ay. / see the marks o. it."
"Braelands called out: ''Tis your ain
fault, fisherman; the lash was meant for
the horse and ] was in a passion and l
shouted a word l shouldna hae said, and
bid Sophy get out O. the cart and come to
me, and Braelands cried, Dinna dare to
ca this lady Sophy; she'll be my wife
anon and then she gied a little scream
and covered her face-for nae doubt she
was frightened-and he struck the horse
again and the creature bounded for'ard
and fell on my back and the wheels O.
the cart graZed the SoleS O. my Shoon as
they passed me. dinna ken how leng 1
lay there
1.-THE wicked lassv'
"You arena able to judge her, Christina"
But you can judge Braelands. Get a
warrant the morn for the scoundrel"
"And max Sophy the common talk for
far and near? How could l wrang Sophy
to right mySeP?'
Andrew! You Gamma thole the like o. that"
There was One tholed for me, the lash
and the buffet and answered never a word
I can thole the lash for Sophy's sake A
pocr-lke love 1 would hae for Sophy if
put my ain pride afore her good name. If
/ get help from beyond 1 can bear the lash,
Christina"
He was white through all the tan of
wind and sea and sun, and the sweat of
his suffering stood in great beads on his
pallid face and brow. Christina lifted
towel she had just ironed and wiped it
away, and he said feebly: THANK you.
I'll go to my bed wee. I can think no
n1air, 1 can suffer no mair. till l get
strength"
So Christina opened the door of his room
and he tottered in, swaying like drunk m
man, and threw himself upon his bed Five
minutes afterwards she stepped softly to
his side. He was sunk in deep sleep,
fathoms below the tide Of sorrow, whose
wave and pillows had gone over him.
Thanks be to the Merciful!" she whis-
pered. when the sorrow is too great,
then He giveth His beloved sleep"
Continued III Tuesdays Starr
DUTY OF OBEDIENCE