The herald., 1896-05-03

good deal in pique, it was little in revenge,
it was much in genuine admiration; the de-
vii may decide the proportions I cannot,
and it is very likely that Frank could not
mighty attractive milkmaid," he OBJ
served, on the way home.
"Who?" said Archie.
"Oh, the girl you're looking at-aren't
you? Forward there on the road. She
came attended by the rustic bard pre-
sumably, therefore. belongs to his exalt-
ed family. The single objection! for the
four black brothers are awkward custo-
mers. If anything were to go wrong, Glib
would gibber, and Glenn would prove in
clement; and Dand fly in danders. and
Hob blow up in gobbets. 1t would be a
Helliott of a business!"
Every humorous, l am sure" said Ar
chic.
"Well, I am trying to be So" said
Frank. "It's none too easy in this place,
and with your solemn society, my dear
fellow But confess that the milkmaid has
found favor in your eyes, or resign all
claim to be man of taste.''
ut is no matter" returned Archie.
But the other continued to look at him,
steadily and quizzically, and his color
slowly rose and deepened under the glance
until not impudence itself could have de-
MED that he was blushing. And at this
Archie lost some of his control. He
changed his stick from one hand to the
other, and-"Oh, for Gods sake, don't be
an asst he cried.
"Ass? That's the retort delicate with
out doubt" says Frank. Beware of the
homespun brothers, dear. If they come
into the dance, you'll see who's an ass
Think now, II they only applied (say), a
quarter as much talent as I have applied
to the question Of what Mr.. Archie does
with his evening hours, and why he is so
unaffectedly nasty when the subjects
touched Oh"
"You are touching on it now," inter-
rupted Archie with vince.
THANK you. That was all wanted, an
articulate confession" said Frank.
II beg to remind YOU" began Archie.
But he was interrupted in turn. "My
dear fellow. don't. It's quite needless.
The subjects dead and buried
And Frank began to talk hastily on 9TH
or matters. an art in which he was an
adept, for it was his gift to be fluent on
anything or nothing. But although Ar
chic had the grace or the timidity to suf-
fer him to rattle on, he was by no means
done with the subject. When he came
home to dinner he was greeted with sly
demand how things were looking "Cauld-
staneslap ways Frank took his first
glass of port out after dinner to the toast
of Kirstie, and later in the evening he re-
turned to the charge again.
"I say Weir, you'll excuse me for re-
turning again to this affair. I've been
thinking it over. and I wish to beg you
very seriously to be more careful. It's
not safe business. Not safe, my boy"
said he.
"What?" said Archie.
"Well, it's your own fault II must put
name on the thing; but, really, as
friend, l cannot stand by and see you
rushing head down into these dangers.
My dear boy" said he holding up a warn
ing cigar. consider! What is to be the
end of it?"
1.-THE end OF what ?'-Archie, helpless
with irritation, persisted in this danger
GUS and ungracious guard.
''Well, the end of the milkmaid; or. to
speak more by the card the end of Miss
Christina Elliott, of the Cauldestane-
slap?"
II assure you," Archie broke out, "this
is all flgment of your imagination.
There is nothing to be said against that
young lady; you have no right to introduce
her name into the conversation
'Tll make a note of it, said Frank.
"She shall henceforth be nameless, name
less, nameless, Grigalach! / make a note
besides Of your valuable testimony to her
character. ! only want to look at this
''''~ as man ~ the world. A'~-''--