The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-05-03

twenty minutes past one-some arrived |
at noon-and the coming of the Free |
Kirk was an event to be remembered. |
Many time had they visited the Kirk |
yard following the dead, and at a time |
some one like Burnbrae would turn in |
from the road to stand awhile beside |
the grave which held his kinsfolk, but |
across the door of the Kirk no exile of |
'43 had ever passed Sometimes a Free |
kirkman lingering behind a funeral
would lok in at the window and identi-
fy the place where he sat in former
days, but this he would not have done
in the presence of a neighbOr. The past
with its tender memories had a secret
hold on the heart of Drumtochty,
but if feeling Of wistful regret ever
touched the heart of Burnbrae as he
looked on his former Kirk he gave no
sign, and none would have expected
him. Burnbrae hesitated for an in
stant at the foot of the outside stair
which led to the gallery, and it was
pretty to see Drumsheugh, who had
been lying in wait for this, coming out
to receive him at the top and escorting
him with much Cordiality to his ances-
tral pew. When Understanding
about below in the exercise of hospital
ity-happened to glance up and saw the
two worthy men sitting each in his ap-
pointed place, as their forbears had
done before them for many genera
tions, he would faln have gone up and
offered his box; as it was, he wagged
his head with much satisfaction, and
had a vague sense of the millennium.
AS Netherton's seat was one affected
by the introduction of the stove,
HillnnkS nj hat
ent Free Kirkman at the out
+ er gate, lest some one should
have an earlier word, and conducted the
whole family to the Hillocks' seat, and
placed them there with much Impress
iveness. AS for his own household, he
distributed them over the Kirk, and
came to rest himself on the coal-box,
where he disregarded Netherton's anX-
ious appeals, and sat with such ex-
pansive dignity that Drumsheugh from
his high place eyed him with pride.
Donald Menzies came to the Kirk in a
| joyful maze, and was taken in charge
by Jamie Soutar TO whom he unfolded
a vision which had been given him that
very morning as he walked in the fields
and meditated on the Song Of Solomon;
| while Lachlan Campbell, who in the
| days Of his bitterness refused once to
enter an Established church lest
| the roof should fall upon him, and
| to whom little children had been an
| ahhOTrence-having made a tryst with
| Elsie Macfadyen, for whom Posty lost
! his lfe--sat with Mrs. Macfadyen that
! day, who declared unto me, as she was
| 2 living woman, that no one enjoyed
| himself more than Lachlan, and that
his appreciation, of the brides dress left
nothing to be desired. 1t seemed to
me- indeed, that day, sitting by spec
ial favor in Drumsheugh's pew, that
| Drumtochty had never appeared to
| such advantage or in happier mood.
| Their reserve Of manner had yielded
| to the atmosphere--audible remarks of
| a complimentary nature We're made on
| the decorations; differences Of creed
were ostentatously ignOred-the Free
| Kirk commenting openly on Johns
| wonderful going to and fro, While the
| Aud Kirk indicated their satisfaction
| with his brother beadle, who followed
the great man like a chief of STAFF; the
names of DR.. Davidson and Mr.. Carmi-
chael were pleasantly woven together,
| and every one spoke well of Kate, re-
calling her acts OF kindness, her trench
ant sayings, and her air of bravery, so
that, although II is doubtless true as
rule that Scotland is a much better
place TO be buried than married in,
Drumtochty was a happy exception on
Kate Carnegie's marriage day.
1t was Marget Howe who had the
idea Of decorating the church, and
there was no other woman in the Glen
who could have gained Johns permits
sion.
"Ye hev charge o. Gods Kirk, John"
she said in her wonted sweet gravity
IAN it's RIGHT ye sud keep 1t free frae
vanity an follishness, but ye wud want