The herald., 1896-04-05
PART Iv.-(Chapter v. Continued.)

cay. Kirstie. She was named for me,
Or my grandmother at least-it's the same
thing" returned the aunt, and went on
again about Dand, whom she secretly pre-
ferred by reason Of his gallantries.
"But what is your niece like?" said Arch
1e at the next opportunity
1JHer2 ca AS blfRliad5o oKetc'' h"t rfegfrffef:
Ma, she's kind of handsome jad
"A kind o. gipsy' said the aunt, who had
two sets Of scales for men and women-or
perhaps 1t would be more fair to say that
she had three, and the third and the most
loaded was for girls.
How comes it that never see her in
church," said Archie.
"'Deed and I believe she's in Glesgie
with Clem and his wife, A heap good She s
like to get OF 1t! dinna say for men folk,
but where weemen folk are born, there let
them bide. Glory to God l was never
far'er from here than Crossmichael''
In the meanwhile it began to strike Arch
lie as strange. that while she thus sang the
praises Of her kinsfolk, and manifestly re-
lished their virtues and Il may say their
vices like thing creditable to herself,
there should appear not the least sign of
cordiality between the house of Hermiston
and that of Guardianship. Going to
church Of a Sunday, as the lady houselxeep-
er stepped with her skirts killed, three
tucks Of her white petticoat showing below,
and her best India shawl upon her back
Gf the day were fine) in pattern of radi-
ant dyes, she would sometimes overtake
her relatives preceding her more leisurely
in the same direction. Glib of course was
absent: by skriegh of day he had been gone
to Crossmchael and his fellow heretics;
but the rest of the family would be seen
marching in open order: Hob and Dand
stif-necked, straight-backed six -footers,
with severe dark faces. and their plaids
about their shoulders; the convoy of chill
dren scattering lin state of high polish)
on the wayside, and every now and again
collected by the shrill summons of the
mother: and the mother herself by sug-
gestive circumstance which might have
afforded matter of thought to more exper-
fenced observer than Archie, wrapped in a
shawl nearly identical with Kirstie's but
thought more gaudy and conspicuously new
er. At the sight. Kirstie grew more tall
Kirstie showed her classical profile, nose
in air and nostril spread the pure blood
came in her cheek evenly in a delicate liv-
ing pink. IL
"a Draw day to ye. Mistress Elliott" said
she, and hostility and gentility were nicely
mingled In her tones. "a fine day. men,"
the laird's wife would reply with a mira
culous curtsey, spreading the while her
plumage-setting off, In other words, and
with arts unknown to the mere man, the
pattern of her India shawl. Behind her
the whole Cauidstaneslap contingent march
ed in closer order. and with an indescribable
air Of being in the presence of the foe; and
while .Dandie saluted his aunt with a GER
tain familiarity as OF one who was well in
court. Hob marched on in awful immobil-
ity. There appeared upon the face of this
attitude in the family the consequences of
some, dreadful feud. Presumably the two
women had been principals in the original
encounter, and the laird had probably been
drawn into the quarrel by the ears, too
late to be included in the present skin-deep
reconciliation.
''Kirstie," said Archie one day, what is
this you have against your family?"
II dinna complain" said Kirstie with
flush. II say paething''
II see you do not--not even good day to
your own nephew" said he.
II hae naething to be ashamed Of" said
she. II can say the Lords prayer with
good grace. II Hob was i'll, or in preeson
or poverty, I would see to him blithely.
But for curtchying and complimenting and
col1ogsling, thank We kindlyr'
Archie had bit Of a smile: he leaned
back In his chair. II think you and Mrs.
Doesst are net very good friends" says he
eiysy. "when - havs your India shawls