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

did SO his answer gave her double heart
ache. "Nae wonder he keeps ava from
Pfttencraigie. - he said with scornsul
laugh. "He'll come here nae mair, un-
less he is made to. And If it wasna for
you and your guide name, Christina, /
would bring him here tomorrow.
Thus backward everyway, flew the
wheels of life in the Binnie home. An
drew took a grim p.esaure in accepting
his poverty before his mother and sister.
He refused all offers ON humber basis
from The Fleet, and went back to his
them feel that everything, but the barest
necessities, were not TO be thought of.
All Christmas little extravagancies OF
bridal preparations were peremptorily
stopped, There would be no silk we'd
ding gown now, If there would be we'd
ding at all. For Andrews continual
suspicious had an infiunce he fought in
vain against, especially as Jamie did not
come 10 Pittencragie after the second or
the third voyage. Then people began TO
talk and to wonder, and TO ask embar-
rassing questions; and anon there was a
shake OF the head and sigh OF pity when
Christina was mentioned.
So four wretched months went by, and
then one moonlight night In February
Christina heard the quick footstcp and
the joyous whistle she knew so well. She
stood up rembling with happiness, and
as Jamie flung wide the door, she fled TO
his arms For some moments he saw
nothing, and cared for nothing, but the
girl clasped to his heart, but as she began
to sob he looked at Janet, who had pur-
posely gone to the china rack, that she
might have her back to him; and then at
Andrew, who stood white and stern with
botn hands in his pockets, regarding him.
Whatever is the matter, Andrew" he
cried. "You arena like yourself. You
are i'll, man. oh, but Pm vexed to see
you sac changed. "
"Where is my siller, James Lauder?
Where is the siller you took from me?
The savings o. my lifetime.n -
"Your siller Andrew. Me tax your
siller! You are mad, or jokin', man!
What does he mean at a, Christina?''
81 mean that / had nearly a thousand
pounds taken out o. my room the night
you should hae gone to the boats and did
ma 60"
..Do you say / took ii? Mind your
words, mann' He had put Christina from
him, and he STOOD squaTely before An
drew, his face flame of passion.
Il am maist sure you took 1t. Prove
TO me you didna.p
Before the words were finished they
were answered with a blow, which was
promptly returned and the men closed
in deadly struggle. Christina was white
and sick with terror, but withal glad that
swered. Janet turned sharply at the first
blow and threw herself between the men.
All the old prowess of the fish wife was
reused in her. "How daur your" she
cried. "I'll hae no cursing and fighting
in my housel" and with twist OF her
hand in her sons collar she threw him
back into his chair. Then she turned to
Jamie: "If you hae naething to say, my
bonnie ladp' she cried passionately,
you'll do weel TO taxi yourself down the
cliff"
81 hae been called thief in this house
/ came here to kiss my bride, and | ken
naething at all o. what Andrew means.
Gle me the Bible, and I'll swear il.
"Iet the Bible alanel' shouted An
drew. "Nae man shall lie on my Bible.
Get out o. the house, James Lauder, and
be thankful / dinna call the officers to
care for you.
"There is mad man inside o. you, An
drew Biunie, or n dell o. some kind.
You arena fit to bide WI women at a..
Christina, come va me- III marry you
tonight at the Largo minister's house.
Come, my dear lass Never mind aught
but your plaidie.
The girl rose and put out her hand.
Andrew lrapcd TO his feet. "l'll strike
you to the ground 10 you daur TO touch
my sister again" And but for Janet taxi
ing both his hands i'm her own strong
grip he would have kept his threat. Then
Janet's anger fell most unreasonably up
on Christina. "Gae ben the house" she
screamed. You hae the whole village
fighting about you. next thing
al am going wi jamie, motherl"
"I'll TAX vera good care you dinna go
wi Jamie. There's name hut jamie Lau-
der will leave the house this night. |
wad Just like TO see man or woman try
it, And she looked dofiantly at both
Andrew and Christina.
81 ran the risk o. losing my berth TO
come here. +" said Jamie. "More fool, IL
Christina. hae been called thief and loon
for doing 1t. / come for your sake; now,