The herald., 1896-04-26

said Archie. 81 make you heartily well
come, of course. But you surely have not
come to stay, with the courts still sitting;
is that not most unwise?"
Damn the Courtsv' says Frank. "What
are the Courts to friendship and a little fish
ing?"
And so it was agreed that he was to stay,
with NO term to the visit but the term
which he had prvily set to it himself-the
day, namely. when his father should have
come down with the dust, and he should be
able to pacify the bookseller. On such
vague conditions there began for these two
young men (who We're not even friends)
a life of great familiarity and, as the days
drew on, less and less intimacy. They were
together at meal times. together o nights
when the hour had come for whisky toddy;
but it might have been noticed chad there
been anyone to pay heed that they were
rarely so much together by day. Archie
had Hermiston to attend to. rnultifarious
activities in the hills, in which he did not
require, and had even refused. Franks es.
cort. He would be off sometimes in the
morning and leave only note on the break
fast table to announce the fact and some
times. with no notice at ALL he would not
return for dinner until the hour was long
past. Innes groaned under these desertions :;
it required all his philosophy to sit down
to solitary breakfast with composure, and
all his unaffected good-nature to be able
to greet Archie with friendless on the more
rare occasions when he came home late
for dinner.
Il wonder what on earth he finds to do
Mrs. Elliott?" said he one morning, after
he had just read the hasty billet and sat
down to table.
81 suppose it will be business, sir" re-
piled the houseleeper dryly, measuring his
distance off to him by an indicated curtsey
But can't imagine what business.' he
reiterated.
81 suppose it will be his business" re-
torted the austere Krstie.
He turned to her with that happy bright
ness that made the charm of his DISPOSE
ton, and broke into peal of healthy and
natural laughter.
"Well played Mrs. Elliott!' he cried,
and the housekeeper's face relaxed into
the shadow of an iron SMILE "Well play
ed indeed" said he. "But you must not
be making stranger of me like that.
Why. Archie and I were at the High
School together, and we've been to college
|
together, when--you know! Dear, dear
me! what a pity that was. A life spoiled,
fine young fellow as good as buried here
in the wilderness with rustics; and all for
what? A frolic. silly, if you like. but
no more. God, how good your scones are,
Mrs. Elliott"
'They're no mines. it was the lassie
made them,' said Kirstie. "and, saving
your presence there's little sense in taking
the Lords name in vain about idle vivers
that you fill your kyle wiz
."I daresay you're perfectly right,
ma am" quoth the imperturbable Frank.
"But, as I was saying. this is a pitiable
business, this about poor Archie; and you
and might do worse than put our heads
together, like a couple of sensible people,
and bring it to an end. Let me tell you,
ma am, that Archie is really quite prom
Using young man, and in my opinion he
might do well at the Bar. AS for his father,
no one can deny his ability, and I don't
fancy anyone would care to deny that he
has the del's own temper"
eff you'll excuse me, Mr.. Innes, think
the lass is crying on me- said Kirstie, and
foated from the room.
''The damned, cross-grained, old broom
stick!" calculated Innes.
In the meantime, Kirstie had escaped
into the kitchen. and before her vassal
gave vent to her feelings.
"Here, ettercap! Yell have to wait on
yon Innes! I cannae haud myself in.
'Puir Erehi.' Id 'Pur Erchi' him, if had
my way! And Hermiston with the deil's
ain temper! God, let him take Hermiston S
scones out of his mouth first. There's no
hair on ayther o. the Weirs that hasnae
mair spunk and drdum to it than what
he has in his hale dwaibly body! Settin'
up his smash to mel Let him gang to the
black toon where he's mebbe wantit-birl-
ing in q curricle-wi' primatum on his
Matchmaking a mess O. himself wi nesty
hizzies--,a fair disgrace!" 1t was impos-
sible to hear without admiration Kirstie's 3
graduated disgust, as she brought forth,
one after another, these somewhat base
less charges. Then she remembered her
immediate purpose. and turned again on
her fascinated auditor. "Do ye no hear
me, tawpie? To - Ii, hear what I'm