The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-09-05

the creels, and the grown nets, the pic
turesque figures in sea- boots, and striped
hanging caps and, the no less picturesque
companion figures in striped petticoats.
Some of the latter were old women, and
wore high-crowned, unbordered caps;
Others were young ones, with no cover
ing on their exubersnt hair, but with
long rings in their ears, and bright scar
let kerchiefs on their necks. Andrew
glanced from these things to his sister.
and touching her striped petticoat, 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 forget
such O favor.p
"Christina, I'm no. very happy my
sell" Then he told her plainly how diff
ficult he found it to get sight or speech
with sophy, and how low-spirited she
he said, drearily. "You ken her mother
died o. a consumption when she was but
a young thing"
ANDREW, hae you told Sophy what
your plans are? Hae you told her she
may be lady ana live in London some o.
these days? Haze yon told her you'll be
Captain Binnie o. the North sea feet?
mae, nae! What would bribe the
lassie for? Ii is plain Andrew Binne she
has to marry.p
you're a. wrsng, Andrew Girls like
men that hae the spirit to win siller and
place for them. Tell her what you told
me, and you'll be happy man.
This argument Christina used so skill
fully that Andrew was fired by her conf
dence and enthusiasm. "I'll tax your ad-
vice 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 she'll love me
better for the news, I'm that far gone in
love wi her, that must win her by any
means possible.
He went on this errand of love with a
light heart, and then Christina sought
her mother. "Andrew is going TO gle me
q siken gown for my wedding" she
cried, joyfully, and the two women spent
the morning In talking over the most de-
sirable color, and the necessity of having
so fine garmenrmade in Largo. After
the noon meal Janet Binnie took her
knitting and went to tell her neigbbors
about the silk gown, and Christina did
the ironing, and as she smoothed the lin
en- she sang verse or two of Hunting
Tower, and then she thought awhile and
then she sang again.
She did not expect Andrew home until
the evening. He would likely have his
tea with Sophy and walk back afterward.
But in mid afternoon she heard his step
and she put down the iron with a sudden
faint feeling and turned her face to the
door. Andrew entered the cottage, looked
at her despairingly, and sinking into his
chair, covered his wretched face with his
hands lt was not the same man who had
left her few hours before. A change
like that which a hot iron would make
upon a fresh leaf had been made in her
handsome, happy, hopeful brother. She
could not avoid an exclamation that was
cry OF terror. and she went TO him and
kissed him and murmured, she knew not
what, words OF pity and love. He began
TO weep, to sob, to shake and tremble
like reed in tempest. She closed the
door and slipped the bolt in IL, and came
back to his side. "Andrew; my brother
Andrew, she said, softly, what sor-
row has come to you? Tell Christina. "
"Sophy's dead-dead and game for mel
Oh, Sophy, Sophy, Sophyl"
" Andrew, tell me a straight tale
You're no woman to let your sorrow
get the mastery o. you. And II Sophy |
has deceived and left you, there is stiff |
the Faithful One, who changeth not.
Then he Strengthened himself and unfas- !
tened the kerchief at his throat and Chris |
tina 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 hae some way, |
Andrew, she said. "Did you see So |
phyF"
81 saw her. 1 met her driving In a dog |
cart WI the master o. Braelands. | saw |
her looking in his face as she never look |
IL In my face. She never loved me yon |
way, Christina.
"Did you speak TO hor?'
"Ay. She was going 10 pass me without
word or look, but called out to her.
'Sophyl Sophy! and saw her crudei
close TO Braelsnds, and saw him liit the
whip TO strike the horse and afore /
kent what was doing had the beast by
the head ana the lash o the whip stung
me clear across the cheek bone. -
LAY. ] see the mark o. n.
"Braelands called out: 'fTis your ain
fault, fisherman; the lash was meant for
the horse;' and was I'm passion and I
shouted word shouldna hae said, and
bid sophy get out o. the cart and come to