The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-31

Even so. minister" she said. with
some sudden gravity. 'and this day l
have been preaching the Gospel 10 the
sheep and the owsen. the kye and the
horse-beasts within the bounds Of my
parish, while We spake your good Word
10 human creatures that were maybe
somewhat less grateful
"The folk TO whom / spake have I'M
mortal souls" said I. a little Indignant
TO be thus bearded by a lassie.
And how" she retorted, turning on
me quick as q nre-fiash, Ken ye' that
the beasts have none. or that their spir-
it goeth downward into the earthE
Have they not bodies also and grau-
tude? There was a sore, distressed
sheen this morning on Torn0rrach that
looked al me with eyes that spake
praver. But after I had cleansed and
dressed the hurt. Il breathed benedic-
ton. sweet as any said ia the Kirk OF
Balmaghie this day.
Nevertheless il was FOR men and wo-
men perishlng in sin. that Christ died.
I persisted, not willing to be silenced.
How ken We that" she said; did not
the same LORD make the sheep on the
hills and the kve in the byres? VIII He
that watches the sparrow fall. think II
wrong 10 lift a sheep out Of a pit on the
Sabbath The Pharisees are surely not
all dead 70 this day.
Zen let her alane ye will be as wise,
said her father: she has three words 10
every one that are given 10 men o sense.
But she is withal good lass and true
Of speech. Aexander-Jonita, stable tne
beast and come ben 20 wait on the MIN
lister In the ben room.
The girl moved away, leading her steed.
and we went on 10 the house Of Drum
glass.
1Vben we entered, the table was not
We. set. and there were no preparations
"Jean-Jean Gemmellr' Nathan Gem
nell cried. come hitler. Lass
He went and knocked loudly at the
chamber door. which opened at one Side
Of the kitchen.
Wherefore have ye not set the table
for the meal Of meat?' he asked, frown-
inc upon the maiden whom ! had first
seen. She stood with meek and smiling
face. looking at us from the Intel Her
face was shining and her hair very De
comlngly attired. though (as ! Observed
in a different fashion nom what II had
been in the morning by the XIX gate,
when she gave me her piece 10 stay
my hunger. 49,
L have been praying upon my knees
,or a blessing upou the work OF this day
in the Kirk" said Jean Gemmel, look
inc modestlv down. and ! waited for
Alexander-Jonita 10 help me lay the Ia
BILE"
Were We not valnly adorning your frail
tabernacie7 II seems more hkely.' said
her father, somewhat cruelty as /
thought.
Then she looked once across at me
and her ewes filed with tears so that
was wildly sorry for the maid But
she turned away from her fathers re-
proof without word.
I'VE can we'll afford 20 wait; there
is no haste" / ssid. 20 ease her hurt,
II so 7 could. This good. kind maiden
gave me ali she had this morning In the
Kirk-rard. or l know not how ! should
have sped at the preaching work this
day."
Jean Gemmeu lifted her eyes to mine
with a look Of sweet and tender graft
tude and understanding, which more
than thanked me for the words l had
said.
At that moment In came Alexander
Jonita. with a free swing IKE some strip
ling gallant OF high degree own that
j liked 10 see neI VAIN 0''Nf a. ico7''
was no proud dame like-weli like one
whose ewes abode with me. and whose
averted gaze God pardon me- lay hea-
Wy about my heart when ought to
have been thinking Of other and higher
things
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS waited Tor no bid
ding hut after a glance which took IN
al once the empty board and Jeans
smooth and well-ordered hair. she hasted
TO spread a white cloth on the table
coverture.. bleached and fine as IL had
been for princes repast. 1hen to cup
board and aumrie she went, bringing
down and sitting IN order oaten bread.
scenes Of honest cTispness, dried ham
of-mutton. which she sliced very thin
before serving. the rarest dainty Of Cal
lowav. and enough 10 make hungry
mans mouth water only to think upon.
Then came In Jean Gemmeli. who made
shift 10 help as she found occasion. But.
listening over-closely 10 the converse Of
her father and myself, II CHANGED that
she let fall a platter which. breaking
set her sister in a quick. high mood. So
that she ordered the lass 10 90 and sit
down while folk with hands did the
work.
Now this somewhat vexed me. for I
could see by the modest. covert way
the girl glanced up al me as she set
herself obediently down IN the low win