The record-union., 1896-04-05

ried French Protestant, and they
came here to live. My name is Esme
lDundas-Leblanc. live here with my
sister, who is married. She is a Le-
blanc; am Dundas''
/ He looked at her with a calm scrutiny.
Yes, We have the wild Scots e'e-the
wild Scots eye. mean. Ye tell story,
quick"
about my sister?" sf.
"Yes."
You comprehend quickly"
II am quick at the Scots uptake."
Speak like that" she said; "speak
like that, while you work. like it.
My mother had times when she spoke
i so."
''See here" he said, and she came
close to look; there is the fault Moth
ing has broken; only that pin has worn
so thin that the wheel lies heavy on its
center and stops the movement. If
this clock were life, and that pin were
hope, you might see how wornout hope
stops life"
You are young to moralize."
"But I am not moralizing," he said
with a laugh. 'If clockmaking were
mere mechanics, should get weary
of it,
| Never mind" she replied; "speak like
that. My mother spoke like that"
| your mother would be having a
special liking for you?'
"Yes. I comforted her when she was
sad
| And not! so much for your sister?'
He did not wait for reply. "See here
again." he continued, round this wheel.
Quick make, quick break This clock
is alive; it is full of mind-that is, for
me-" He broke ecStatically into the
Scottish tongue; But I'll make We a
fine pin, my auld chap, an We sail gang
| anither hunder year."
And whose possession will it be in
then? said the girl, moved also by his
tone. Il will not have it live after me.
Who will care for my mother then?"
You speak as if your mothers soul
was in the clock"
| mo, no; not her soul. but something
Of her"
"A clock-case is a fine abode for a
loved your mother, and your mother
hold tryst there
L never thought of it like that; yet it
seems true
True it is I must take this
wheel with me-"
"Oh," she said, 'is that necessary"
Yes; the pin must be accurately
fitted"
But they are small things. thought
you could bring up a number and fit one
here"
Il could do that" he answered, eff you
thought the clock would like being
treated in that way. 1 propose to make
a special pin for it, by hand. 1t shall be
my own work; something of meshall also
go into the clock. 1t would not be a
matter of account or charges at all. /
should like to do that
Il agree" she said frankly. do not
be hurt; I did not rnistrust you; 1 was
only thinking of my mothers COM
mand.''
''Oh, but your mother would trust
me-
ut is true" she answered snWhen
will you return?'
''The day after tomorrow at the same
hour"
Very we'll. Good-day, Mr.. Cathro''
"Good-day, Miss Dundas."
She carefully locked the door of the
room, then paused at the window in tn
corridor to watch him P1e5 Gown the
path and along the road He was pleas
ant to look at, and she remained by the
window in thought long after he was
cut of sight.
Two days later, true to his promise
Thomas Cathro returned to the house
The young lady received him as before
but with a warmer, kindlier manner
She was dressed with some attractive
additions, yet still simply; and there
was deeper color on her cheek
Il heard you ask for Miss Leblanc, -
she said, with a friendly smile of mean
ing
THAT was only Of servant" he an
Iswered.
MY sister," she continued-'I told
you of my sisteT-she saw you come UP
the path; she does not like you-your
appearance; she says you have had nc
YOUTH"
True, true. We jump youth in Scot
land, and begin to reflect early. She
Goes not like that, you say? Then ]
don't like her. But do not wish you to
think my heart is not full of young
things, Miss Dundas.'
She unlocked the door of the room
where stood the clock and it's works as
they had left them. How dead II
looks" she said.
"Only suspended" he answered "If ]
know anything of my trade, you will
find it go at once. Cathro's pin will
now outlast everything in the clock"
You are sure 1t will go? 1 have moi
slept sound these two nights; missed
its familiar tick-tack."
"Ah, 1t was not only that; your
lmother's presence was also in suspense
although time is nothing to her. She in
habits here" he said, touching the
clock, where she can taste of it's pass
ing to you"
Does she see us, do you think p
asked the girl touched to conviction by
the sober mysticism of his remark
See? No. not see; but she knows"
Knows you also?'
why not?" he answered. holding ou
the wheel with its newly fitted pin.
There's a piece of me going into the
ghostly bond now
She sat down to watch him, observins
with what care and reverence he hand
led the wheels with his long, delicate
fingers. See how it flts,'' he said, as hi
fixed the new pin in it's center
Il can scarcely believe 1T will 60"
You shall see," he answered, .turnins
home the last screws. Look how tn.
very back Of the case, against the wall
is carved with an exquisite pattern, anc
the top also. There is no part but i.
Idecnrafed with skill and care alfhnupf