Rocky Ford enterprise., 1897-08-05
ROCKY FORD COLORADO. THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 1897

turning his head. His infrmity was
now apparent-he was stone blind.
John Sutherland walked across the
room, gave his sister passing kiss.
and placed his hand affectionately on
the old mans shoulder.
"It's yourself, my lad! / ken you moo.
feel your breath about me! What
way did ye no write to tell us you were
on the road hame?"
II was not sure until the last mo-
ment that could start so soon. but l
jumped into the train last night, and
down came"
who's alang wi you?" asked the
weaver. smiling. I'll wager it's Mar
jorie Annan!"
"Yes. Mr.. Sutherland" answered
Marjorie, crossing the room and join
ing the little group. 81 met Johnnie in
Dumfries, and we came home together"
The weaver nodded his head gently.
and the smile on his face lightened into
loving sweetness.
Stand close. side by side." he said.
while l talk long look at bath O.
ye."
while you look at us!" echoed Mar
jorie in surprise.
"Ay, and what for no? Dinna think.
because my bodily cen are blind. that !
Gamma see weel wi the cen O. my soul!
Ay, there you stand, lass and lad-my
boy John and Marjorie Amman; bath
fair, bath wi blue cen; John prood and
glad, and Marjorie b!ushing by his
I,ot
light all roond and abune ye, coming
oot O. the golden gates O Heaven!
Stand still q wee and bark! Do ye hear
nothing? Ay, but l can hear! A
sound like kirk-bells ringing far AVA
As he spoke he sat with shining face
as II he indeed gazed on the sweet WIS.,
ion he was describing. Marjorie grew
red as fire, and cast down her eyes;
for she was only too conscious of the
old mans meaning. and. remembering
what had taken place that day, she felt
constrained and almost annoyed. John
Sutherland shared her uneasiness. and
| to divert the conversation into another
channel, he spoke to his young sister
who stood smiling close by.
Marjorie, uneasy lest the old mans
dreamy talk should again take an awk'
ward turn, was determined TO make heI
escape.
Goodbye now. Mr.. Sutherland
she said, taking his hand in hers, -
must run home; Mr.. Lorraine Will b'
expecting me-"
And before any one could say . wort
to detain her, she was crossing ehs
threshold of the cottage. Young Sush,
erlaud followed her as far as the gar
den gate.
Marjorie" he said. II hope you're
not angry?"
mo, no." she replied; but l wish
YOUR father would not talk az II We
were courting, Johnnie. 1t makes mt
feel SO awkward, and you know 1t IL
not true"
"old folk will talk" said John suth'
erland, "and father only speaks out o.
the fullness of his heart. He is yer,
fond Of you, Marjorie!"
"I know that, and I OF him-that Is
why 1t troubles me to hear him talk
like that"
There was a moments pause; then
Sutherland sadly held out his hand.
"Well, goodbye. just now. Ill be
looking We up at the manse!"
"Good-bye!" she answered. Come
soon! Mr.. Lorraine will be SO glad
to see you."
So she FASTENED away. while Suther-
land. with a sigh. stood looking after
her. He had loved her SO long and &c
silently, and now for the first time in
bis life he began to dread that she
might not love him in return. To him
lust then, It seemed as II all the world
was darkened. the blue sky clouded
all the sweet spring weather touchd
with a wintry sense Of fear.
(ro BE coSrfSUED)