The herald., 1897-12-19

think herself ayont the mark for the
wedding ring-when I had sons and
dochters man and woman-muckle!"
"Then," said I, "ye will not be hard
on Hob If he marries and settles him
self down at Drumglass!"
My father clapped me on the shoul-
der.
GOD speed ye!" he said; IT need not
tell ye to be noways feared. And If
ye come to the bottom Of your purse
well, your father Is no rich man, but
there will be aye a bit of yellow siller
for we in the cupboard or Ardarroch."
l had meant to take my way past
Earlstoun without calling. And with
that intent it was in my mind to hold
directly over the moor past Lochinvar.
But when it came to the pinch 1 SIM
ply could not do it.
So to the dear gray tower among the
woodlands 1 betook me once moro. MY
eyes had been looking for the first
CLINT of 1t over the tree tops for miles
ere I came within sight of it. "There"
and "there," so I said to myself, "un-
der that white cloud, by the nick of
that hill, where the woodland curls
down, that Is the place" At last ar
rived.
"Quintin Mac Clellan. come yourways
in. Welcome are ye as the smell O. the
supper brose!" cried Alexander Cor
don, coming heartily across from the
far angle Of the courtyard at sight of
me. WHITTIER away so travel-har-
nessed?"
''To the Upper Ward" said I, ITO
make a beginning on the widest minis
ter's charge in Scotland"
"You are, then, truly bent on leaving
all and taking upon you the blue bon
net and the plaid of the Remnant?"
II have already done it," said I,
burned my boats, emptied my house,
sold my plenishing and my bestial.
And now with my scrip and staff I go
forth-whither I know not, perchance
to hole in hedgeroot and the death
of a dog"
''Tut. man." cried Alexander Gordon.
"tis not thus that the Apostle of the
Hill-Folk, the bearer of their banner.
should go. forth. Bide at least this
night with me, and will set you up
the waterside and fit you with q beast
to ride on forbye!"
II thank you from my heart, Earls-
toun. This is spoken like true man
and from the full heart. Only .Alexan-
der Gordon would offer it, But I would
begin as must end. If am to be the
poor mans minister, must not set out
on my pilgrimage riding on the bacl,
Of Earlstoun's charger. I must tramu
/ it, moss and mountain, dub and mire,
Yet. friend of mine, I could not go
without bidding you kindly adieu!"
"At least bide till the mistress and
Mary can shake We by the hand!" cried
Alexander Gordon.
And with that he betook him to the
nearest window and without ceremony
pushed it open-for the readiest wav
was ever Sandy Gordops way. Then
he roared for his wife and daughter
| till the noise shook the tower like an
earthquake.
In moment Mary Gordon came out
and stood on the doorstep with her fin
gers in her ears, pretending a pretty
anger.
What a hideous uproar, father
Well do they call you the Bull OF
Earlstoun and say that they hear you
over the hill at Ardoch bidding the
herd lads to be quiet!"
Then seeing me Gas It appeared) for
the first time, she came forward and
took my hand simply and openly.
you will come in and rest, will you
not?" she said. Are you here on busi-
ness with my father?"
May" said I. smiling at her. II have
no business save that of bidding you
farewell"
FAREWELL" cried she. dropping the
needlework she held in her hand, "why
FAREWELL"
II 60 far away to new and untried