Evening star., 1895-08-20
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to hae been in the boats and he wasna.
What do you max o. that?'
''Naething. He is as innocent as I am.
ard God Almighty
Dinna take His name in your mouth.
And leave me. my lane. I tell you bath
to go ava. I'm no a responsible creature
the moo. viii you go? Bath O. you.
Hant to be my lane wi my sorrow" And
women were terrified; foF the very fashion
Of his countenance was changed his hair
stood upright, and he continually smote
his hands together.
So they left him alone and went back to
the spIuttering firesfde-for the rain was
now beating down the chimney-and in
awe-Struck whispers Christina told her
mother of the money which Andrew had
would break to pieces. 1t was a mighty
sorrow. even for the women, and Janet
wept like a child over the hopes blasted
before she knew them. He should hae
told us lang syne," she sobbed. what
good could -one O. siller hid ava from
everybody but himseP? It wouldna hae
gone an i'll road If his mothers thoughts
had been round about it. He was the vera
same about Sophy. Naebody but he, his
lane must hae word or look from the las
sic, ard she wearied o. him. A these
years he must keep his siller for his ain
hoping and pleasuring. and it has ta'en
deserves it."
Christina had her own share in the sor-
row. 1t was evident that Andrew doubted
both Jamie and herself, and though she
put the thought indignantly away, a dim
suspicion of Jamie would torture her. 1t
was possible that having missed the boat
he came up to the cottage and saw the
light in Andrews room; perhaps also saw
Andrew and herself over the money. She
could not remember whether the curtain
had been drawn or not. The whole affair
was so mysterious that it stupefied her.
But she felt that it contained elements
of trouble and separation between Jamie
and herself. However, Jamie would be
home III a week and then-and then
But when Jamie's ship reached Glasgow
there was no time for visiting. Jamie was
so sure of this that he did not even ask
permission to run up to Pittencraigie To
nave done SO would have been to ask for
his discharge, and he wrote and told Chris
tina the position in the most loving and
sensible manner. She believed him fully.
and was satisfied; yet she felt ashamed to
tell Andrew, and when she did so his an
swer gave her double heartache. Nae
wonder he keeps ava from Pittencraigie,"
he said, with a scornful laugh. He'll come
here nae mair, unless he is made to. And
II 1t Wasna for you and your guide name.
Christina, 1 would bring him here tomor-
row."
Thus backward. every way. flew the
wheels OF life in the Binnie home. Andrew
took grim pleasure in accepting his pow
fused all offers on humber basis from
The Fleet, and went back to his fishing
boat. And in the home he made them feel
that everything but the barest necessities
were not to be thought of. All Christmas
little eXtravagances of bridal preparations
were peremptorily stopped. There would be
no silk wedding gown now, if there would
be wedding at all. For Andrews con-
tinual suspicious had an influence she
fought in vain against, especially as Jamie
did not come to Pittencratgie after the sec
ord or the third voyage. Then people be-
gan to talk and to wonder and to ask en-
barrassing questions; and anon there was
shake of the head and a sigh of pity
when Christina was mentioned.
So four wretched months went by, and
then one moonlight night In February
Christina heard the quick footstep and the
joyous whistle she knew so well. She stood
up. trembling with happiness, and as
Jamie flung wide the door she fed 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 purposely gone
Ito the china rack, that she might have her
back to him: and then at Andrew. who
stood, white and stern, with both hands in
his pockets. regarding him.
Whatever is the matter. Andrew" he
cried. You arena like yourself. You are
i'll, man: Oh, but I'm 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"
your siller. Andrew! Me TAX your sill
Ter! You are mad, or jol1in', man! What
does he mean at a., Christina?'
Il mean that I had nearly a thousand
pounds taken out o. my room the night
you should hae gone to the boats and
dilna 60"
DO you say took it? Mind your words,
man!' He had put Christina from kim,
and he stood squarely before Andrew, his
face flame OF passion.
Il am n1afst sure you took it. Prove to
me you didna."
Before the words were finished they were
answ cred with blow, which was promptly
returned; and the men closed in deadly
struggle. Christina was white and sick
with terror, but withal glad that Andrew
had found himself boldly answered. Janet
turred sharply at the first blow, and threw
herself between the men. All the old PROV
esS of the fshwife was reused in her.
How daur your she cried. "I'lI hae no
cursing and fighting in my house:' ard
with twist of her hand in her sons col
lar she threw him back into his chair.
Then she turned to jamie: IF you hae
nothing to say, my bonnie lad!' she cried,
passionately, you'll do weel to TAX your
SCI down the cliff"
Il Rae been called thief in this house.
I came here to kiss my bride, and I ken
naetbing at all O. what Andrew means.
Gle me the Bible, and I'll swear it,
Let the Bible aIanew shouted Andrew.
Nae man shall lie on my Bible. Get out
o. the house, James Lauder, and be thank
fu' dinna call the officers to care for you"