The Press., 1895-08-08
WEN 5 F 7SXyE2
TIf ye had not fingered below vii

''f ye had not fingered below with Jamie, we'd have been away in 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 steamer at the entrance of 1och, "and it will be returning to St. Kentigern shortly. If you like, we'll pull over and put you aboard"
 ''Ehl but it's the Sabbath breakerr' said the old man harshly.
 The consul suddenly remembered that that was the name which the righteous St. Kentigerners had given to the soli- tary bold, bad pleasure boat that defed their Sabbatical observances.
 '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 boat to get back to your home and not for Sun day recreation don't think your con- science should trouble you. l."
 "Aye, that's fine argument, MT. Consul, but I'm thinkin it's none the less sopheestry, for a that,' said the father grimly. "No; if yell just land us at yonder Bannock pier we'll be aye thankin ye the same. ;
 "But what will you do there? There's no other train today"
 n
 The consul was silent. After pause the young girl lifted her clear eyes, and, with a half pathetic, half childish courtesy, said: "We'n be doing very well-:ny 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 few Sunday clothed mariners gazed down admiring ly on the smart gig and the pretty girl in Tam O'Shanter in it's stern sheets. But here new idea struck the consul. A cables length ahead lay a yacht, owned by an American friend, and at her stern a steam launch swung to it's painter. Without intimating his inten- tion to his passengers he steered for it. "Bow, way enOugh!'' he called out as the boat glided under the yachts coun- ter, and, grasping the companion ladder ropes, he leaped aboard, In @ few hur- ried words he explained the situation to MT. Robert Grey, her owner, and sug- gested that he should send the belated passengers to St. Kentigern by the launch. Grey assented with the easy good nature of youth, wealth and indo lence and 1ounged from his cabin to the side. The consul followed. Looking down upon the boat, he could not help observing that his fair young passenger, sitting in her demure stiffness at her fathers side, made very pretty pie ture. It was possible that Bob Grey had made the same observation, for he presently swung himself over the gang way into the gig, hat in hand. The launch could easily take them-in fact, he added unblushingly, it was even then getting up steam to go to St. Kentigern. Would they kindly come on board until it was ready? At an added word or two of explanation from the consul the father accepted, preserving the same formal pride and stiffness, and the transfer was made. The consul, looking back as his gig swept round again toward Ban mock pier, received their parting salu tations and the first smile he had seen on the face of his grave little passenger. He thought it very sweet and sad.
 He did not return to the consulate at St. Kentigern until the next day. But he was somewhat surprised to find MT. Robert Grey awaiting him, and upon some business which the young million aire could have easily deputed to his captain or steward. As he still fingered the consul pleasantly referred to his generosity on the previous day and hoped the passengers had given him no trouble
 "No, said Grey, with slight simu lation of carelessness. "In fact, came up with them myself. had nothing to do-it was Sunday, you know"
 The consul lifted his eyebrows slight ly.
 "Yes, saw them home," continued Grey lightly. "In one of those by streets not far from here; neat looking house outside; inside, corkscrew stone staircase, like lighthouse; fourth floor, no lift, but she circled up like a swal- low. Flat-sitting room, two bedrooms and a kitchen mighty snug and ship shape, and pretty as pink. They own