Evening star., 1895-08-20

4
Braelands. The ceremony had taken place
at st. Andrews Church, and the women
remembered that one of the Braelands'
serving lasses had told her the family sat
in ST. Andrews when they were In Edin-
burgh during the winter. The news was
satisfactory to Janet. 1t gave her kind
of pleasure to carry it to Andrew He
was walking moodily about the bit Of level
turf In front of the cottage and she put
the snow-white cards into his brown
hands.
"Sophy's cousin Isobel brought them" she
said. with an air of resentment. He looked
steadily at the message and the struggle of
the inward man shook the outward man
visibly. But in a moment, with a quick up
ward fling of the head, he regained that
self-control which he had voluntarily abb
dicated. You'll tell Isobel," he said. that
wish Mistress Braelands every good thing
bath for this wofld and the next" Then
he stepped closer to his mother and kissed
her Janet was so touched and amazed that
she could not speak. But the look of loving
wonder on her face was better than words.
She saw him put the cards in his pocket
and go down to the sea, and she returned
to the cottage and gave Isobel the message
sent. And when their visitor had gone she
said to Christina:
"Your brother is a. right now Andrew
Binnie isEa the man to fret himself about
wife, rot his. He'll break no command for
any lass. and sac Sophy Braelands will
have to vacate his vera thoughts. I'm glad
she's married and done wi. and I'm wish
Ing her no mair Ill than she has called to
herser."
"She has brought sorrow enou' to our
house. said Christina. "An the days of
MY ain courting hae been darkened WI
the worry and care O. her Andrew couldna
even feel wi me when Jamie went to places
far ava. foreign and a. that And you
yourself. mother, havna found time nor
heart to talk wi me about jamie. l won
der where he is the day,'
Janet thought moment and answered.
He would leave New York for hame last
maybe reach Glasgo' next Tuesday. He
could be in Pittencraigie a few hours
later
Hell no be let come and go as he wants
steam ship and fishing boat arena equs~
things at all"
Tut. tut, lassie. 1t would be a poor-like
captain that didna hae a felIow-feeling for
lad in love. Hope weel and hae weel.
With such cheerful counsel the work
went happily. and the shadow lifted from
the hearth, and when Andrew returned the
old grave smile was on his face. and Janet
said to herself: He has had his wrastle
and come out wa victory"
Just before dark Christina was standing
at the door looking over the immense.
cheerles3 waste of waters. Mists, vague
ard troubled the background of dreams
were on the horizon. and there was feel
ing of melancholy in eae air. But she liked
the damp, fresh wind with its taste Of
brine and she drew her plaid round her,
and breathed 1t with sense of enjoyment.
Andrew came to her side and said: Chris
tina, 1 got a letter today and l am going
about the business told you of. III start
early in the morning; sac put up what III
need in the wee bag. and say naething to
I was going about new boat, and she
never asked question She's phthe
creature; one o. the Lords contented
BARNS"
juat leaves yesterday where 1t fell and
trusts tomorrow wi God and catches every
blink O. happiness that passes her."
swered Andrew, pointing eastward. Wen
hae a snoring breeze anon" Then ne re-
memhered Jamie Lauder and he turned the
conversation to him. and let CHRISTINE tell
her hopes ard fears, and ask his advice on
many matters that his trouble had hitherto
prevented her naming to him.
Alter eating some bread and cneese with
the women Andrew went to his room.
The storm he had foreseen was then rag
ing around the cottage: the clustering
waves making strange noises on tne SahoS
and falling the rocks with a keen, lash
ing sound. The mother and daughter hard
ly heard it; they sat talking OF Sophys
marriage, and Jamie's return, speaking IN
a low voice, and often obliged to wait
while the Sleet-laden wind howled down
the wide chimney. In one of these pauses
they were startled by a human cry loud
and piercing. and quite distinct from the
turbulent roar of the wind and waves. 1t
came from Andrews ROOM and the women
were at his door in moment. At first he
paid no attention to their inquiries, but
VIXEN Janet began to weep he turned the
KEY and they entered. Andrew supported
himself against the chest of drawers. his
couutenance was pale and distraught, and
n quiet fury burned in his eyes. He made
several attempts to speak ere he was able
to eJaculate
."The siller, The silIar! 1t is a. gamer
"Gann," cried Christina. That Is just
impossible."
.'It is a. ganev' Then he laid his hand
~rif al ri, har
asked in a fierce whisper: What did you
do WI it,
II rever put finger on it. Andrew, An
drew! You are surely not calling me thief
in your hearth
"Whn' then? Wha' then?' he cried, "un-
less Ii be Jamie Lauder"
"Dinra wrang folk wickedly. Jamie
knew nae mair than the unborn babe O.
the siller."
How do ken? How do you ken? The