Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-17


young had usually shared its comforts to-
remained of the family only the widow of
the last proprietor, her son Andrew and
her daughter Christina.
Christina was twenty years old and still
unmarried-a strange thing in Pittencrai-
gle, where early marriage is the rule. Some
said she was vain and set up with her
beauty. and could find no lad good enough;
others thought she was selfish, cold
labors of a fshers wife. On this July
afternoon the girl had been some hours
stretching and mending the pile of nets at
her feet. but at length they were in per-
feet order. and she threw her arms up
ward and outward to relieve their weari-
ness and then went to the open door. The
tide was coming in, but the children were
stu padding in the pools and on the cold
bladder-wrack and she stepped forward to
the edge of the cliff and threw them some
wild geranium and ragwort. Then she
stood motionless in the bright sunlight,
looking down the shingle toward the pier
and in the little tavern, from which came
in drowsy tones the rough monotonous
songs which sea men sing.
Standing thus in the clear, strong light,
her great beauty was not to be denied. She
was tall and not too slender, and at this
moment the set of her head was like that
of a thoroughbred horse when 1t pricks its
ears to listen. She had full. soft brown
eyes, with long lashes and heavy eyebrows:
an open-air complexion, dazzling, even
teeth. an abundance of dark, ripping hair.
ard flush of ardent life, opening her wide
nostrils and stirring gently the exquisite
mcld of her throat and bust. The moral
impression that she gave was that Of a
pure. strong, compassionate woman; cool
headed, but not cold: capable of vigorous
joys and griefs. After a few minutes in
vestigation she went back to the cottage
and stood III the open doorway, with her
head leaning against the Intel. Her moth
er had begun to prepare the evening meal:
frsS h ESt1 yI-1c Nytver 6~o = = b4
oat cakes toasting before it; yet as she
moved rapidly about she was watching her
daughter, and very soon she gave words to
her thoughts.
Christina, you'll no require to be looking
after Andrew. The lad has been asleep
ever since he eat his dinner"
Il know that, mother"
And If it's jamie Lauder you're thinking
o., let me tell you, it's poor business.
have fear and an inward down-sinking
about that young man."
Perfect nonsense. mother! There's moth
Ing to fear you about jamie"
what good ever came through folk
saved from the sea? They bring sorrow
back wi Them, and that's a fact weel
known
what could Andrew do but save the
1ad?"
why was the lad running before such a
sea? He should have got into harbor;
drew's duty to save him, it is ma your duty
to be loving him; you may TAX that much
sense from me-"
whist. mother! He hasna said word
o love to me-"
'He perfectly changes colors the moment
he sees you, and you are just making your
self speculation to the whole village,
Christina. I'm no liking the look o. the
thing. ard Andrews no liking 1t, and If
you dinna TAX care O. yourself, you'll be in
burning fever o first love and beyont all
reasoning with"
The girl flushed holly. came into the
house and began to reset the tea tray. for
she heard Jamle's steps upon the rocky
gayly whistling I'm the Bay of Biscay O."
THE teacups are a. right, Christina. I'm
talking anent Jamie Lauder. The lad is
just temptation to you, and you'll need
to ask for strength to be kept from tempta-
'tion. for the best o. us dinna expect
strength to resist it."
Christina turned her face to her mother
and then left her answer to jamie Lauder
He came in at the moment with a little
tartan shawl in his hand, which he gal
tress Binnie. Il hae just bought it from a
peddler locn," he said Its bonnie AM
soft, and it sets you,weel, and hope you'll
pleasure me by wearing it,
His face was so bright, his manner SO
charming, that it was impossible for Janet
Binnie to resist him. You're f1eeching
f1attering ladde," she answered, but she
stroked and findered the gay kerchief, while
Christina made her observe how bright
were the colors of It, and how neatly the
roft folds fell around her. Then the door
of the inner room opened, and Andrew
came sleepily out.
THE fish is burning and the oat cakes
too, for I'm smelling them ben the house,
he said, and Janet ran to the fireside and
hastily turned her herring and cakes.
I'm feared you'll no think much O. your
meat tonight" she said, regretfully, 1.-THE
tea is fairly ruined"