The herald., 1897-12-19

looked at him. I saw him flash
glance at her SO quick, so stern and
full Of meaning that the ready river
OF her speech froze on her lips.
This Is rank foolishness, Mary!" he
cried; "go indoors this instant and get
to your broidering. Let me hear no
more Of this!"
But the spirit Of the Gordons was
II will not" she said; II am of age
and though in all else will obey you,
In this I will not"
Glance for glance their eyes encoun-
tered. nor could see that either
Quailed.
The laird Of Earlstoun turned to me-
And you, sir, whom 1 trusted as my
friend how came you here under pre-
text of amity to lead away my daugh-
ter?"
The question was fiercely spoken; the
tone was sullenly angry. Yet some-
how both rang hollow.
I was about to answer, when Mary
Interrupted.
NAY, father" she cried, looking
him fearlessly In the face, ut was I
that proffered my love. He would not
ask me, though l tried to make him. I
had to tell him that I loved him and
make him ask me to marry him!"
Was 1t fancy that the flicker OF q
smile passed at that moment over the
grim countenance of the Bull?
His wife was about to speak, but he
turned fiercely on her and bade her be
silent.
"And now" he said, turning to his
daughter, what do you propose to do
with your man when ye have speered
hin1?"
He used the local country expression
for proposal of marriage.
Il will marry him here and now" she
said-adding hastily, that is, If he will
have me-"
Eye had better speer him that, tool"
said her father, grimly.
II will do better" cried Mary Cor
don. II will acknowledge him.
And holding up my hand in hers, she
cried aloud,
x take you for my husband, Quintir
Mac Clellan" She looked up at me
with challenge in her eye.
my wife!" was all that could utter
"Well," said Sandy. that is your
bed made, my lassie. You have both
said it, before witnesses. Ye must take
him now, whether ye will or not!"
Hugh" he cried, suddenly. And
from the haymow in the barn where
he had been making pretense Of
work. retainer appeared with scared
expression on his face.
Run over to the cot-house at the
road-end and tell the minister lad tina,
the Dumfries Presbytery deposed, tc
come to the Earlstoun and that smart.
ly, else I will come and fetch him my.
self"
The man was already on his way, ere
the sentence was ended, and when the
laird roared the last words after him
he fairly seemed to jump.
He was out of sight among the trees
g moment after
"Now." said Alexander Gordon
MARY and you have proclaimed your
selves man and wife. Ye shall be
soundly married by a minister ant
then ye shall 60 forth. Think not thai
will give you the worth of a boddlt
either in gear or land. Ye have asked
me no permission. Ye have defied me
I say not that will disown We. Bu
. at least owe you nothing"
"Father." said Mary. did I ask 70,
for aught-or did Quintin?"
NAY" said he, grimly. mot even To-
my daughter"
, "Then." said she, do not refuse tina
, for which you have not been asked!"
, "And how may you propose to live?'
, her father went on. "Ye would no
, look at him when he had kirk ant
glebe. manse and stipend. And now Y,
take him by force when he is no better
ut 1x,1yo
1t is to be woman!"
She kindled at the words.
"And what a thing to be a man! Y,
think that woman's love consists IL
goods and gear-comfortable beds ant
fine apparelling!"
Comfortable beds are not to b,
lightlied." said her father, "as ye will
, find. my lass. or a. be done"
She did not heed him, but flashed OF
with her defiance.
you and those like you, think tina
the way to win woman is to bide til
We have made all smooth. so that ther
be not curl on the rose-leaves, nor ye
a bitter drop in the cup. Even Quin
tin. there, thought thus till he learned
better!"
She did not SO much as pause t,
|
but covertly.
NO" she cried, II love, and becaus
, I love will (as you may say floutingly
be ready to lie at dyke-back like
tinkler's wench. I will follow my mai
through the world. because he is m,
man. and all the more because he i
injured. despised, one who has had lit
, tie happiness and no satisfaction II
life. And now I will give him that
II only will make it all up to him
, With my love I can do it. and I will
Her father nodded menaclngly.
eye shall try the dyke-backs this yer,
nicht, my lass! And see how ye lik
, them after the fine linen sheets an,
, panelled chambers Of the Earlstoun."
. But her mother broke out at last.
mo, my BARN." she cried, marie,
or single ye shall not go forth from u
thus"
, Hold your tongue, woman!" roare,
. the Bull, shaking the armament witt
his voice.
'Be not feared. my lass, ye shal
, have your mothers countenanc
, though your father cast you off," sal,
Janet Gordon, nodding at us with un
, expected graciousness.
Hold your peace, tell you"
AYE, Sandy-when I have done!"
Though he set you on the doorstep
will pray for you," she went on IAN,
for company. on the long way, I viii
give you q copy Of my medltations
, which are most meet and precious"
Her husband laughed q quick, mock