The times., 1897-12-12

Il am to have no stipend, 1t mas not
been mentioned between as"
20, Quintin--s she cried, her eyes
growing ever larger and darker, TIL the
pupil seemed To invade the iris and swallow
it up.
But though waited for her to speak, she
said nothing more.
So | went ON to tell her how / WAS
going TO the w West, to spend my life along
with the poor folk there who mad been SO
long without shepherd.
And will you-tsne pausedl-will you
leave us all"
Nay" said /, for this Earistoun is
ever kindly and beloved spot to me.
Often when the ways are long aud dreary,
the folk mfriendly, shall my heart turn
nit her. And when / am in Galloway, be
sure that / will not pass you by. 1oW
father hath been a good and loving friend
| to me-"
Nay father,'' she cried, with little out
ward pout of the lip.
Aye, and you. too, Mistress Mary.
You have been all too kind to broken
| nina; man, who, when the few coins he
carries in his purse are expended, knows
not whence he Will get his next golden
guinea"
was silent for while, and only looked
steadily at her. She moved her feet this
way and that on the floor uncertainty.
Her grace and favor spoke TO me anew.
IA for me, Mary" / said, Il need not
| tell you that l love you. have loved
| you ever since l met you on the' Bennan
| brae-face. But now more greatly-nnore
| terribly, that l love altogether without
| hope. l had not meant TO speak again,
but only to take your hand once thus, and
| get me gonei"
She held her fingers out to me, and
| clasped them in mine. I thought she was
I'll shu "A.
| sired not To prolong the pain OF the inter
| view.
| Fare thee well, then, Mary" said L
| Il have loved the cause because 1t is The
| cause of the weak. / have loved the
banner of blue. l have loved my people
| But none of them hath this aching, weary
| heart loved as il has loved Mary Gordon,
! the sweetest maid under the sun. l have
| neither heart nor right To speak of my love
nor house nor home to offer; 1 can but gol''
Tell on" she said, little breathlessIy
| butnever once taking her yes from my face.
| There is no other word TO tell, Mary"
said L. Il have spoken the word. and now
| there remains but to turn about and set
| face forward as bravely as ma y be- to shut
| out the pleasant Sision, seen FOR a momen C.
| toleaYe benin dforever the heart sdesire-'
'Eo-no-noi" she interrupted, Jerking
her clasped hands quickly downward.
| To lay aside the deep, mspoken
hopes of man who has never loved WON
| an before"
She came a little nearer to me, still
| exploring my face with her eyes, as
| spoke the last words.
Did you not, Quintin, are you sure?'
Il never loved BEFORE" said l, 'be
cause l have loved Mary Gordon from
the beginning, every day and every hOul
since l was a herd boy ON the hills. Once
/ was filled with pride and the security o
position. But of these the Lord hathStrippe.
me. am weil-nigh as pooras when l cam,
into the world. l have nothing now tooffei
you or any woman"
Nay" she cried, speaking very quickl,
and suddenly, laying her clasped hands oI
my arm you are rich-rich, Quintin! Lis
ten, lad! There is one that loves you now
who has loved You long. Do you not under
stand? Must /, that am maid, speal
! for myself?"
And then she smiled suddenly, glorious
ly like the sun bursting through black an,
leaden clouds.
Mary / cried suddenly, you are no
playing with me? An for Gods dear sake
do not that! IL would break my heart
You cannot love man brok en-, pennile ess
outcaSt, one OF a down trodden and despise,
folk. You must not give yourself to on
whose future path is lone and desoIate."
Il love you, Quintin.''
"One who has nothing to offer, nothin,
to give, not even the shelter of roof tire
any more-a wanderer, a beggarl"
Il love you, QuIntinl''
And the hands that had been clasped O
my arm, OF their own sweet accord stoI
round upward and rested lovingly abou
my neck. The eyes that had looked S
keenly into mine We're satisfied at las
ana with long, sobbing Sigh Of content
Mary Gordon's head pillowed itself on m
| breast.