Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-25

Sir Alexander frowned as he pulled off
his gloves. ard noddiRg to Mrs. Jock"
who was deaf, and who curtseyed and said
nothing after her wont, took his accus-
toned seat by the peat fire, which hardly
threw out enough light or warmth to raise
mans spirits on this cherries evening.
"fe're on your way to the hoose. sir?'
inquired Jock, after minutes silence, dur
Mg which he eyed Sir Alexander with cold
dignity.
Yes. but I think I shall stay at the cot
tage tonight I'm not in the mood for that
lonely seven miles on wet road Every
things ready. 1 suppose?"
'Oh, aye, as near ready as may be-" re-
piled Jock, discontentedly. "Auld Fan or
myself will ha' to go down to the village
to get something to eat
mo. no; I'll take my share of what
you've got for yourselves. I'm not in the
mood for eating" interrupted his master
Jock looked at him narrowly, with a sus-
picious eye and Sir Alexander glanced up.
I'm in the blues. Jock
$50 see. SIR
"Confound it, man, don't treat me like
that, as II your eyes would drop out of
your headr' cried his master. noting sud-
keeper had fastened upon him. Its not
matter of life or death. But-but I've
lost the first prize at the cattle show for
my short-horns-had 1t carried off under
my very nose by a miserable Southron
who All, well. If it had been fair
award I shouldn't have minded But mine
were the best. Everybody on the ground
who knew COW from a custard Gun said
30. 1t was unfair, absolutely unfair
And Sir Alexander, whose short-horns
were to him as the breath of his nostrils
and who prided himself on being the most
successful breeder in the kingdom, got up
from his chair and began to pace up and
down the stcne-hagged floor
''Short-hornsr' calculated Jock, with an
odd infection; and then, after a pause he
said again, in a Illuminating tone: Short
horns, Oh-aye!''
whats the matter with your" asked Sir
Alexander, irritably, noticing a popularity
In the old mans tone
Matching, naething, sir" answered the
trouble was maybe about different sort O.
cattle. that's a, sir"
And before his master could ask him
another question Jock had disappeared
through the back door of the hut on his way
to the cottage.
Sir Alexander was half inclined to go after
him and insist upon an explanation of mis-
mysterious words and manner But re-
fecting that it was only some within of
Jocks, he changed his mind and gave him
self up again to the wratbful meditatsons
which had occupied him ever since the
judges decision st the show.
He had been wounded in the most-per-
haps the only-vulnerable part For his
short-horns he neglected society, his duties
as landlord. his duties as a husband. Three
years before he had married a young beauty
temporarily fascinated by a freshness and
charm which did not. in the long run, out
weigh the solid attractions of his prize cat
tie
Sir Alexander now left Lady Auchlean
chiefly to her own devices, and never doubt
ed that, In providing her with house IN
Dover street ard a mansion In the high
lands, as well as handsome allowance Of
pocket money, he had done as much for her
as a woman had a right to expect.
And 1t was safe to say that no one In the
whole world was further from his thoughts