Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1895-12-26


great surprise, and with only a parting
nod from the young girl. 1t was as if
this momentous incident We're a suffi-
Gent reason for the absence of any fur
ther trivial sentiment.
Unfortunately the father chose to add
an exordium for the benefit of the as
tonished boatman still lying on his oars.
Let this be lesson to ye, ma fr'en,
when ye're over sure Yell meier
say herrin is dry until it be reestit
and reckit >
Ave, said the boatman, with lazy,
significant glance at the consul sit
wuIl be a lesson to me not to trust to a
lassie's gangin go, when thar's anither
one a-comin
Give way, said the consul sharply.
Yet his was the only irritated face in
the boat as the men bent over their oars.
The young girl and her father looked
placidly at the receding ship and waved
their hands to the grave, resigned face
over the taffrail. The consul examined
them more attentively The fathers
face showed intelligence and certain
probity in its otherwise commonplace
features. The young girl had more dis
tinction, with perhaps more delicacy of
outline than of texture. Her hair was
dark, With FURNISHED copper tint at its
roots, and eyes that had the same bur
nished metallic luster in their brown
pupils. Both sat respectfully erect, as if
anxious to record the fact that the boat
was not their own to take their ease in,
and both Were silently reserved, an
swering briefly to the consul's remarks
as if to vindicate the formality of their
presence there. But distant railway
whistle startled them into emotion
We've lost the train, fatherr' said
the young girl.
The consul followed the direction of
her anxious eyes; the train was Just quit
ting the station at Bannock.
4" If We had not fingered below with
Jamie, we'd have been away III time,
and. aye, in our own boat, . said the
father, with marked severity
The consul glanced quickly at the
girl, but her face betrayed no conscious
ness except of their present disappoint-
ment.
There's an excursion boat coming
round the point, he said. pointing to
the black smoke trail of a steamer at
the entrance of loch. land it will be
returning to St Kentigern shortly If
You like, We'll pull over and put you
aboard
Eli but it's the Sabbath breakeri"
said the old man harshly.
The consul suddenly remembered that
that was the name which the righteous
ST. Kentigerners had given to the soil
tary bold. bad pleasure boat that defied
their Sabbatical obseryances.
Perhaps You won't find very pleas
ant company, said the consul. smiling.
but then you're not seeking that And
as you would be only using the beat to
get back TO your home and not for SIM
day recreation | don't think your con
science should trouble you .
Aye. that's a fine argument, Mr..
Consul, but I'm thinkin it's none the
less sopheestry, for that. . said tho
father grizzly. No; if ye'll Just land
Us ut yonder Bannock per we'll be aye
thankin We the same
But what will you do there?
There's no other train today
Aye, we II walk on bit +"
The consul was silent. After a pause
the yonng girl lifted her clear eyes,
and, with half pathetic, half childish
eonrtesy, said: Wen be doing very
well-my father and me You're far
too kind =
Nothing further was said as they be-
gan to thread their way between few
large ships and an ocean steamer at
anchor, from whose decks a few Sunday
clothed mariners gazed down admiring-
" on the smart gsc and the pretty girl
in Tam O'Shanter in its stern sheets.