Evening star., 1895-08-20


BraeIands. The ceremony had taken place
at st. Andrews Church, and the women
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. It gave her kind
OF pleasure to carry 1t 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
seif-controi which he had voluntarily ab-
dieated. You'll tell Isobel" he said that
L wish Mistress BraelandS every good thing
bath for this wofqd 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
Bnnie isEa the man to fret himself about a
wife, not his. He'll break no command for
any lass. and sac Sophy Braeiands 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. "All the days of
my ain counting hae been darkened VII
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. I won
der where he is the dayr'
Janet thought a moment and answered:
He would leave New York for hame last
maybe reach Glasgo' next Tuesday He
could be in Pittencraigie few hours
later
Hell no be let come and go as he wants
to. mother. He'll hae to obey orders.
steam ship and a fishing boat arena equs
things at ALL
Tut. tut, lassie. 1t would be a poor-like
captain that didna hae fellow-feeling for
a 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 core out wa victory"
Just before dark Christina was standing
at the door looking over the immense,
cheerless waste of waters. Mists, vague
ard troubled as the background of dreams
were on the horizon. and there was feel
ing of melancholy in rae air. But she liked
the damp. fresh wind, with its taste of
brine. and she drew her plaid round her,
and brea thed 1t with sense of enjoyment.
Andrew came to her side and said: Chris
tina, | got letter today and 1 am going
about the business told you of. III start
early in the morning; sac put up what IN
need il the wee bag, and say naething to
mother till a things are settled. told her
i was going about a new boat. and she
never asked a question. She's blithe
creature: one o. the Lords contented
bairns.'
Il wish we were bath mair like her. She
Just leaves yesterday where 1t fell and
trusts tomorrow wi God. and catches every
blink o. happiness that passes her"
TT Is dour. storm-lke sky yon, an
swered Andrew, pointing eastward. Wen
hae a snoring breeze anon. Then he re-
membered Jamie Lauder, and he turned the
conversation to him. and let CHRISTINA 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 cheese 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 the SANDS
and falling on the rocks with a keen, lash
ing sound The mother and daughter hard
ly heard it, they sat talking OF Sophys
marriage. and Jame's return, speaking In
a low voice, and often Obliged to wait
wliie the sieet-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 Il moment. At first he
paid no attention to their inquiries, but
when Janet began to weep he turned the
key and they entered. Andrew supported
himself against the chest Of drawers, his
couu fenance was pale and distraught, and
q Quiet fury burned in his eyes He made
several attempts to speak ere he was able
TO eJaculate:
',The siler, The sillar, 1t Is a. gane.'
"Gane,' cried Christina. THAT Is just
impossible.
1T is a ganer Then he laid his hand
with cruel grip upon her shoulder and
asked in fierce whisper: What did you
do WI IT.
IT rever put finger on II. Andrew, An-
drew! You are surely not calling me thief
in your hearth
''wha' then? Wha' then? he cried, "un-
less 1t be Jamie Lauder"
"Dinra wrang folk sac wickedly. Jamie
knew nae mair than the unborn babe O.
the siller"
How do I ken? How do you ken? The