The times., 1897-12-12
XXXVIL.

A-AA IL
THE LAST ROARING OF THE BULL.
Come" she said, after a while, "Iet
us go to my fatherl'
And now, the Rubicon being passed.
there shone quick and alert gladness
upon her face. Her feet scarcely seemed
to touch tue ground. The mood Of Sc
dateness passed away and she hummed
gay tune as we went down the stairs.
Alexander Gordon was coming across
the yard TO speak with his Wife, as Mary
and appeared hand in hand at the stair
foot.
He stoppeda asst had eensudd emil aghast
when he caught sight OF us.
"Mary!' he cried.
She nodded and made him a little prim
courtesy.
What means this?'' he said, sternly.
Just that Quintin and l love one an
other!''
As she spoke 1 saw the rrown gather
eniuously on Alexander Gordon's face.
His wife came near and looked at him.
i saw MIN flash a glance at her so quick.
so stern and fun of meaning that the
ready river oil her speech froze on her
lips.
This is rank fooIishness, Mary,,, he
cried; go indoors this instant ana get to
your broidering. Let me hear no more
OF thfs''
But the spirit of the Gor,ions was in the
daughter S we'll sin the sire.
1 VIII not" she said; L am Of age, and.
though In all else VIII obey you, in this
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 | trusted as nv
friend, how came you here under pre-
text OF amity 70 lead away my daugh-
The question was fiercely spoken; The
tone was suilenly angry. Yet somehow
both rang hollow.
was about to answer, when Mary inter
rupted.
Nay, father she cried, looking him
rearlessly In the face; lit was [ that
proffered my love. He would not ask n1,,
though l tried to make him. l had to tell
him that [ loved him and ma Ike him ask me
TO marry himl'
Was it fancy that the flicker of a smile
passed at that moment over the grim coun-
tenanee OF the Bull?
His wife was about to sneak, but he,
turned fiercely on her and bade her he
silent.
And now he said, turning to his
daughter. what do you propose to do
with your man when ye have speererf
him.
He used the local country exnressiop for
proposal of marriage.
will marry him here and now :, che
have me-
'Ye had better speer Iin that, tool'' said
her father, grimIy.
viii do BETTER" cried Mary Gordon:
1 will acknowledge hinll''
And holding up my hand in hers. she crief,
aloud:
ia ke you for my husband, Quintin Mac
Cieiah' she looked up at me with a
challenge in her eye.
My wife!' was all that could utter
Well, said Sandy, that is vonr ha,I
made, my lassie. You have both sa ii II
before witnesses. Ye must take him uo1u
whether ye will or notI'
tiegsl. he cried, suddenly And rron,
the haymow in the barn where he had been
making pretense of work. retainer an
pcared with a scared expression on his
face. ''
Run over TO the cethouse at the road-enfi-
and tell the minister lad that the Dunfrses.
reseytery deposed to coma to the EarIstolIn
him myselfl'
The man W as already ON his way ere tn,
sentence was ended, and when the laird
roared the last words after him he fairly
seemed to Jump.
He wss-ent Of sight among the trees a
moment after.
Now said Alexander Gordon. "Alarv
and you have proclaimed yourselves n,;,,,
and Wife. Ye shall be soundly married
Dy minister, and then we shall go forth
Think not that / viii give YOU the worm
OF a boddle, either in gear or land. Ystia. -
asked me no permission. Ye eshave fdefsed