The times., 1897-10-31
XII.
THELAssINTHE KIRK YARD.

great house oT GlrtnDu ds Idlltlls clitlliAlu
70 the laird, when there came a call to
accept the ministry of the gospel among
tie people OF Baimaghie. 1t was a parish
greatly TO my mind. titles, a. all know, IN
the heart OF Galloway, between the slow,
placid street.-The sof the Ken and the rapid
turbulent irul-race of the Black Water OF
Dee.
when I arrived at the Kirk OF Balmaghie,
having come all the long journey from
Girthon vn foot and fasting, sat me
down on a fiat stone in the kirk yard,
near by where the martyrs lie at the ga bic
end.
50 exhausted was 1 that know not what
should have done but for young lass.
COMEDY and well put on, who gave me the
farle OF oatcake she had brought witt, her
for her 'moIning.'
YoI are the young minister who is to
preach TO US this day?'' she said going over
10 the edge Of the little wood, which at that
time bounded the kirk yard.
Ianswered Ter thatI was, aud that had
walked an the way from the great house Of
Girih0n that npornine-whereat she held up
ber hands in astUnishmeDt-
1T is Just not possibhsi'' she cried.
And after pitying me a long time with
her eyes, and nrEing me to eat her piece"
up quickly, she festIy stopped down to the
water and washed her feet and ankles, be-
fore drawing upon them pair OF white
hosen. fair and thin, and fastening her shoes
with the buckles of silver which were just
coming i'll.
l. was yet fun hour and a-helf before
t,se beginning OF the morning diet OF wor-
ship, for 1 Lad risen betimes and Travelled
steadily. Now the Kirk OF Balma ghie
stands In a lonely place, and even the
mt!C claciian of folk averts itself some
dist auce from it.
Chen being hungry, I sat and nunehed
at the lass piece till, with thinking on my
sermon and looking at her by the water
side, I had weIl-nigh eaten 1t every
suatcli. So, when l awoke from my
rcvsrie, as from deep sleep, l sat With
the little bit 9f bread the size OF my thumb
fn nay hand, staring at it as if had seen
a fdrie imarvel.
And what was worse, the lass seeing me
thus sieechless and with nay jaws yet
working Ga the crust, went off into peal
after peal Of laughter.
WHAT for do ye look at me like that,
young ADJ size said. when She had suffi
cieutlv commanded herself.
III have eaten all your midday piece
witiles / was thinking upon my sermon, -
1 said
More beiit:ing is it that you should
think upoH your sermon than of things
lighter aud less worthy" said she, with.
out looking up at me. / was pleased with
her solid answer, and felt abashed.
But you VIII 20 wanting -" ] began.
She cartercd one shapeIy stocking OF
silk ere she answered me, holding the
TiHlaEG that was to cincture the other
IN ner mouth as appears to be the Gu
rious fashion OF women.
WHIST natter" she said presently, as
size sUr0keu down her kirtle rnodestly with
an air that took nae Iuighuily-it as 70
fun Of distance and respect 4 come not
far, tut only from the farm-town Of Druu.-
glass. down there on the meadows S edge.
Ye are welcome to the bit piece-I an. as
glad to see We eat it as OF a sunny morn
in hay-tirae. You have come far, and a
brave days york we are expecting from
you THIS saiba Ia day"
Then, as was my duty, ! rebuked ;'er
70. looking TO man for that which could
alone come from tue Master and Maker u
mau.
She listened very demurely, with he;
eyes upon the silver buckles of her shOun,
which sire had admirmgly placed side By
side on the grass, when she set herself
down on the low boundary wall of the kirk
yard.
Il ken 7 am too young and light and
foolish L. be fit company for a minis
ter, She saiG; and there was a blush
upon her ci.eek which Texed me, though
it was boERy enough to look upon.
Nay answered ], quickly there
you mistake me. / meant no such thing
bonnie lassie We are all both fond and
foolish, minister and maid Well might |
say It, for God, forgive mei-at that very
moment my mind ran more on how the lass
looked, and on the way she had Of tapping
the grass with her foot, than on the solemn
work OF the day.
No, no." she Interrupted, hastily. u
an nut a silly lass, poor ana ignorant,
and you do well 10 fault me-
Now, this put me in painful predica
uiert. For stin held in my hand the
solitary sorapIet left Of the young lass
piece" ard ] must needs like d dull
sl,lcnetic fool, 20 fretung her for a harm
less word.
She turned away her head little.
nevertheless, I was lot so in-learued in
the ways OF maids but that could see she
was rying.
what Is your name, sweet maid?"
asked. for NY heart was wac that had
grieved ner.
She did not answer me till she had a
little recovered herself.
''Jeau GemmeE," shc said at last. land
my father L. She tenant of DurmglaSs, uL
by there. he is an elder, and VIII be
here by kiTk-tiIne. The session is holding
q meeting al the Manse."
haze pulleG a Rible from my pocket anc
was thinking OF my sermon by this time
Jean Gemuell rose and stood a moment
picking at p flower by the wall
my father viii be on your side" sh,
said, slowly.
''E5ut," cried ] IN some astouishment
"y0ur father has not get heard me preach.
mo more have /, she made answer
smiling on me with her eyes, but. never
thcless. my father viii be on your side
Anu she moved away, looking still Ter.
kindly upon me.
cannot tell whether or no was heIDet
10y this rencomter ia my conduct OF Tn
worship that DAY III the parish Kirk Of Bal
maghie. AZ any rate, went down AM
walked in tie nlea dows by the side Of De
Water tail the folk gathered and the IittI
cracked bell began TO cIank and 5ow frou
The Kirk on the HiH.
XIII.
Ny LADY OF PRIDE.
Within fhe Kirk Of Raln,anhia snr,.a.