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

81 saw you not at the ordination. Alex
ander-Jonitar said her father
mo" she answered sharply. IL was
a brave day for the nowt to stray, anu
there was never a man. woman or o''."
about the house. Well might rema'"
TO keep. the evil-doers from the doors'
felt soft hand touch mine. as II oy
accident and a low voice whispered ci"Se
10 my ear;
But 1 was there. watched 1t al. and
when / saw you were kneeling before
them all VITA the hands OF the minister
upon your head. had almost swooneu
away
The soft hand was fully IN mine now
was not conscious of having taken H.
but. nevertheless. II lay trembling a little
ano nesting contentedly in my PAIN.
And because I was tired and the day had
been a labor and a burden 10 me. was
comforted that Jeans hand abode IN
mine
I pressed II. and said: Little one.
am glad you were there But the Work
Is a great one for one 50 young and un-
worthy as I. II pressed upon me
".3ul YOU have good friends said
Jean. friends that-that think or you
always and wish you we'll
We had fallen a little behind ana 1
could hear Alexander-Jonita IN her hish
clear voice telling her father now she
had found a sick sheep on the Ducnrae
Craigs and carried it all the way nome
on her back.
What cried her father, over 'he
heather and the feli2'
Ave" she answered. as II the thing
were nothing. "and what is more, the
poor beast Is like to 1--we and thrive.
So 7 was settled In my parish. which
was a good one as times went Mause was
a pleasant stone house, which sat IN a
b,oldv hollow beneath the kirk hill OF
Balmaghle. Snug and sheltered II lay
an encampment Of great beeches sheltered
il from the blasts. and the hills looking
down on II with kindly tolerant silence.
Nv brother Hob abode with me IN the
nanse OF Balmaghie 10 be my man. II
was a great good fortune thus TO keep
him and in the coming trouhlous days
I ken not what should have done with
on. his good counsel and strongly willing
rlrhthand Ny father and mother came
over on the old pony from Ardarroch.
nv mother riding on a pillion behind my
father and both Of them ready. on the
sign OF the least brae. 10 get on and
walk most Of the way. with the bride
over my fathers arm. while my mother
discoursed Of the terrible thing II was 20
have two OF your sons so far from home,
strangers in strange land
II had not seemed so terrible 70 her
when we went to Edinburgh.
But this parish Of Balmaghie, II was
a far CRY and a coarse road. said my
mother. and she was sure that we both
took our lives in our hands each time
that We went across its uncanny pas
lures.
Nevertheless. once there. she did not
matt nor slacken till she had taken In
hand the furniture and plenishing OF the
manse. and brought some kind Of order
out Of the piled and tortured confusion.
which had been the best that Hob and
/ could attain.
Keep US. laddiesw she cried. after
the first hopeless look at our handiwork.
II Gamma think on either o We takin'
wife Yet I'm feared that a wife We maun
get atween We. For / Gamma thole to let
We gang on this wild gate. wi your meal
o. meat ready, and only gomeril Hob
TO do IT,"
Then yen let Anna come 10 bide with
rs for a while. If We are so vexed for
us" l said 70 try her.
Nay. indeed, I Gamma 90 that. Anna
is needed at hame where she is There's
your father. now-he's grown that bairnly
he thinks there can be nae guild grass
in the meadow that Annas foot treads
not on. The hens wouldna lay, the kye
wouldna let doom their milk without Anna
Ardarroch STAINS on the the braeface
because It's anchored doom wi Anna.
Saw we ever such fyke ABBOTT lass2'
"Quintin hasr said Hob. with inten-
ton. for which I did not thank him.
What" cried my mother. instantly
taking fire. "hae some o. the impudent
queans o. BalmaghIe been settin' their
caps at him already"
There We are. mither." said Hob. 'ye
speak bravely ABBOTT Quintn gettin mar
ried. but as soon as We speak ABBOTT any
lassplaff. We gang up like a watt O. tow
thrown in the fire"
II wad like TO see the bosom that wad
make up to my Qulntin" said my moth
er. her indignatian beginning to simmer
down.
Then come over TO the" he was be-
ginning.
Hob" said sterny. that is enough
And when / spoke 10 him thus. Hob
was amenable enough.
CTo be continued)