The times., 1897-11-07

lips.
We stood face to face. 1t seemed to me
that size paled little. But PERHAPS it was
only that /, who desired so greatly TO see,
saw part Of that which desired,
TheneXt moment she can't forward with
her hand frankly outstretched.
~ bid you " eIcone 10 Earlstoun, she
said; alasi that nay father should be from
home He is gone 10 Kirkcudbnght. But
my mother and VIII show you hospitality
ullheretgrps- My yfatherh hears great word
Of you, he tells MS. The country tongue
speaks well OF yonT labors.''
Nov i seems 10 me that she smiled TO
herself, AID that put me from answering.
could 80 naught Tut be stiffly silent.
Il flank you, Mistress Mary, for your
kind courtesy" was all that ! found
within me To say. For 1 felt that she
must despiSe me for q country lout of no
manners aud ungcntle birth. But when l
saw her 30 tghtsome and dainty: So fun OF
delight and the admirable joy OF living,
a Sullen sort of anger came over me that
should chance to love one who could III no
wise love me again, nor yet render ule the
return which, 50 greatly desired.
You have travelled all the long way from
the Inanse of Bainiaghie," she said, sud.
denly falling back to my side, where the
path was wider, as if she felt the pause of
oonstraint
Nay" ] answered; Il have been at
Arda-roch with my father and mother for
two days, and tomorrow must return to
the people amung whom ! labor"
she stole d quick glance at me from be
neaJh her long, dark lashes. There was
sy.Ff
You have an empty manse by rhe water
side OF Dee. Ye VIII doubtless be looking
for some douce country lass TO fiji it :
The words were kindly enough spoken,
yet in the very frankness of the speech
/ recognized the distance she was putting
between US. But / had not been trained
IN th, school or quick speeches nor OF the
light debate Of maidens.
Lady SaidI, There is indeed an empty
manse down yoEder by the Dee, and am
looking for one to fill it, But l viii have
none who cannot love me for myself, ana
also the work to which ] have set my hand
he held up her hand in quick meTri-
ucnt.
do not be afraid" she cried. gayly. Il
was not thinking Of making you an offer!
We sre stu over a great Wing. Mind that
stand for the White Rose She stamped
her foot merrilY.
a. 'Tis a matter ye ken nothing about
said 1, roughly "Mddens had better let the
affairs o. state alone. Methinks the White
Rose has brought little good to you and
yours
Hy this time We We're near by the gate
OF Earlstoun. and there came out a lady
wrapped in a shawl, and this though he
day vas hot ana the summer air had
never an edge uponIt
Mother" cried Mary Gordon, running
eagerly 10 meet heT. The ladyin the plaiu
seemed rot 10 hear. but turned aside by
the path which led along the water to the
north
The ad ran after her and caught her
mother by the arm.
Here l. Mc. Mac ClelIan, the minister
from BaImaehie, come to see my father
she said '-Eide. Inother and make him
welCume."
The lady stopped till had come immedi
ateiy in front Of her.
You are a minister of the kirk" she
asked me- cyeing me stemly enough.
] told her that l had been ordained
week before.
the Persecuted Remnant, they tell me.
she went on, keeping her eyes blankly
upon my face.
Nay, said ], 4 have the old ways
at heart aud viii stand till death by the
Did faith.
What do ye, then. clad inthe rags Of the
state?"
Whereat 1 told the Lady OF EarIstoln how
that was with al my heart resolved to
fight the kinks battle for her ancient liter.
ties ana the power to rule within her own
borders. BUt thatif those in authoritr : gave
Us act tine hearing and liberty we desired
!, for ore. Would shake off the dust Of the
unworthy XIX Of Scotland from my feet
As indeed was Wen resolved to do.
But Mary Gordon broke III on my eager
explanation.
Mother, mother" she cried come
your ways in and entertain the guest.
Let yGUr questionings keep till ouJ father
comes from KirkoUdbTight- Assuredly they
VIII have a stormy forenight of it then
Let the lad now break bread and cheese
The lady sighed and UIasped her hands.
Il suppose" she said, lit must even be
so. For men are carnal and their bodies
must be fed. Alas, there Re but few who
care FOR the health Of their souls As for
me, wsS about to retire to the wood, that
l might FOR the hundred three score and
ninth time renew my cUvenanting engage
ments.'
'ACU must break them very often, moth
er, that they are ever needing m erdingr'
sad Ler daughter. not so nkindly as the
words look when written down. Bet rath-
er carelessly, ike one who las been often.
times over the same ground and knows the
landmarks hy heart.
How long we might have stood thus in
the glarnr sun ! know rot, but, without
waiting for her mother 10 take tie lead
or to go in of her own accord. Mary Gordon
wheeled her round by the arm AMI leo
her uGreSistlng toward the court ard gate
she accompanied her daughter With the
same weary unconoern and passionless pre-
occupation she had shown from the first.
twisting and pulling the fringes of the
shawl between her fingers, while her thin
lips moved, either in king or in
murIu uTed praises of her favOrite child
The room to which we were brought
was large one with panels of oak, carven
at the corR!ces into quaint and formal orna
ments.
Mary went TO the stair-head and cried
down as to enc in the kitchen.
Thomas Alleni Thomas AHen!''
thin querulous voice arose from the
depths.
''slr a fashi Wha's come stravagin, a.
this time day? He viii be wantin' vic
tual dootless. never saw the Ike
Thomas Allen Haste ye fast, Thomas,''
''ComiE, raem, comm! What's your
fret. There's naebody in the deid-
tf,rau-S - tbaraP'f