The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-11-02

and he was unable TO join il again.
Gayly as a bird singing after summer
shower, Marget came lifting in; but only
a more upright, motionless department
on the part OF the woman Swallowed by
the gloom told OF her eager wakefulness
and anguish Of expectation.
They made me bide till the storm was
over, and now there are lights in all the
other windows-all but this" cried the
child. what a long blindman's holi-
day you are havingo
IAN unco' lang one, but we'll make it a
wee bit LANCER yet. pve something to
tell ye, and Ills best told in the cleaning.
Ye remember the story OF the auld
hunchback and the beautiful Princess,
wha gave him the pearl to keep for
her?'
There was a movement in the corner
whore the shadows lay, but Marget was
too intent on the story TO heed it,
'She travelled into far country, but all
the while there were silken cords draw
ing her back to the Kingdom that had
been hers, till she could thole it no LANCER,
and came whittier she was drawn. 1t
was a wee BARN who held the strings,
for the pearl was naething mair nor less
than her ain little daughter. Aud when
the Princess came for her she went with
her right gladly, TO keep the sadness
away, and her heart warm and tender"
And what became of the puIr hunch-
back?" asked Marget. in rather disap-
pointed tone. This tame conclusion was
not at all the way she would have the
story end.
"He babe her gang, for it pleasured him
to obey the Princess. and he loved to
serve her.n
MAR than you lo'e me?"
MAR even than that
"Angus!'
He felt the tears fall on his hand and
heard the murmur of the pouting, re-
preaching lips. Then the hollow fire fell
into blaze, the shadow by the hearth
rose and heightened, but it was in the
arms of no dream maiden that Marget
was folded.
"Marget, Marget, my own BARN! You
Will come with your poor mother, won't
you? We have both given the poor
unchback-though he knows he is not
that-far TOO much trouble already
"Mither" repeated Marget slowly, as
If the word was strange on her lips. II
am sac glad ye have come, and no Prin-
cess ava
Meanwhile Angus had CROPPED his way
to chest of drawers that stood at the
end OF his press bed, and had produced
from thence a shabby heathen purse
1t was divided into two compartments.
In one was placed the portion he meant
to consiRn to Marget on his death, to pro-
vide for her till she could be old enough
to work for herself. in case nothing was
heard of her parents. The other con-
tanned what would be sufficient by the
utmost frugality TO keep body and soul
together for the few years he might live
without The aid of charity.
1t was liberty and independence in the
shape of broad gold pieces. Al least that
was what they had meant few moments
back, but now they were transformed
into symbols of selfishness and greed.
He remem bered the feel of Jeans thin
face and poor garments and had noted
the weary ring OF her voice.
The contents of the purse remained in
tact
"See, Jean, tits sma' tocher had put
aside for Marget. Will ye hae the kind
ness to expend it for her, moo that her
father will be bringing her ane better
worth the having?"
"'Tis right good of you, Angus, but 1
cannot take it. We shall manage some
how, and you Will be needing your saw
ings;"
why. Jean, are ye still sac proud We
Wilma let the BARN taxi a gift? | am
thinkin' o. laying my work aside:
should L be doing that gin l wanted sill
ler?"
Ignorant that it was the weaver's last
penny, Jean reluctantly took it. She saw
it,pained him for her to refuse.
There was food lying upon the table,
but none OF them essayed to eat. Pres-
entity Jean began wrapping up the child
in her plaid.
Yell no gang yet? Ye Gamma cross
the moor in sic wind as this" said An
gus, becoming aware Of these signs of de-
parture.
at is best we should go now. The
wind will not harm US, but curious eyes
and tongues are cruel when pride has
fallen"
Marget had Rugged Angus tightly with
silent kisses, for she dare not speak lest
the tears should come. She had hard
the neighbors say that it was for her sake
he had to toll so hard; and though she
knew he would miss her, he was willing
for her to go.
Goodbye, Cousin Angus" Jean held
his roughened hand; when l come again
it won't be footsore, and weary, and in
threatbare clothes. We will all be rich
and happy then. You shall have moth
ing to do all day long but take your ease.
and have the warmest nook at our hearth,
and in mine and Marget's hearts,"
"Guid- bye, Jean! Think Of me whites.
Guidb bye, wee MarRetv'
They were gone, and Angus returned to
his seat by the loom. The chill, cherries
hours of night went by, aud the light of
the late dawn streamed in at the unshut-
tered window. Had those same waters of
affiiction that had passed over his soul
been like the petrifying water OF drop
ping we'll, and turned him into stone?
The neighbors found him next day
white and cold, when they came to see
what this strange silence meant at Angus
No one knew what had become
of the child; only Donald the shepherd
had seen a woman pass his sheeling at
and there was BARN with her
that had look OF wee Marget.
There was roup to dispose of the old
weayer's effects, and sufficient was real
lied to cover the expense of his simple
funeral. The snow fell on the black pail
as it WAS borne to the kirkyard; festive,
glistening Wilderness, fit covering for one
whose holiday had indeed come
Widow Grant was two years older than
when she last made her appearance on
the scene, yet had her tongue lost none of
its activity.
"Wha do ye think has ta'en the Glen
Hoose?' she asked of a customer, who
had come as much for a gossip as for the
purpose of driving bargain.
NAY, Pm no ane to t1uster my brains
TO find DOT what's easy eneuch TO come
by in the ordinar' way. Ye may as weel
tell me at anoe."
what wad ye say to jeanne Blair that
was-proud jean, as they used to ca her?
1t seems TO me her man was an idle, dis
sipated Gallant whose friends were tsin
to ship him off to the colonies; though
they took no manner o notice of the wife
and BARN who were left to shift for them-
selves. They'll be owning them fast
eneuch moo, Pm thinking. Contrary to
all expectations lie managed to pick up
fortune. and then died afore he'd time to
gamble it AVA, as be wad haze done had
opportunity been given him. Sac, ye see,
it a. comes to his wife Jean--Mrs. Ronald
Campbell, / should say"
Then it was her | met just noo," re-
turned the other. "She was coming AVA
frae the kirk garth, and she was greeting
under her veil. The laird was passing by