The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1897-07-16

with the same low, harsh laugh as be-
fore. "Weel, it's the nonsense to
which a folk come early or late, gentle
and simple, and trust me to ken bet
ter than either you or that idiot Solo
mon what young lasses are made o..
Do you think Marjorie Annan's made
of stane or arm, and doesna ken fair
favored lad from a rowan tree or a
milk coo?"
81 think she Is too young for love-
making" returned the minister.
"Then you think wrang; it's never
DER early for lassie to begin. AS for
Johnnie. I'll no say but what he's
decent lad and a modest, and he has
talent as weel, the rogue, heaps o. tai
ent, though he's only weaver's SON
en- Marjorie. has he no?"
And as she looked at Marjorie there
was no anger in her stern black eyes;
rather a sort of grim-humored sym
pathy. Seeing his foster-child's con-
fusion, Mr. Lorraine attempted to give
the conversation another turn.
"If young Sutherland has developed
natural gifts he has you to thank for
the opportunity. We all know how kind
you have been to him."
Because | bought two o his pic
lures" she retorted, with her charac-
teristic and disagreeable laugh. Il gave
fifty pound apiece for them, the more
fool l. One was a view o the Castle
frae the south, wi a cuddie eating
thistles in the foreground-a cuddle as
big as a hippopotamus; and the other
was Marjorie hersel,' wi her lap full
o. wild flowers, sitting by the side o
Amman water, and about as like her,
by that token, as it was like Solomon
Mucklebackit."
1--WE always considered 1t an excel
lent likeness" said Mr.. Lorraine, good
humoredly.
$50 1t was" cried Marjorie impul-
sively; every body said So"
"And what everybody said must be
true?" demanded the lady, with sheer.
"Weel, likeness or no likeness, the lad
has talent. as I said and If he works
hard, maybe he'll be able some fine day
to paint a picture. So much for john
ME Sutherland. Now we'll come to the
business which brought me doom. |
want Marjorie to come to me tomor-
row and spend the day"
The very proposal which Marjorie
dreaded! She opened her lips to give
a trembling refusal, to frame some
awkward excuse, but before she could
say a word Miss Hetherington con-
tinued with decision:
"Pll be expecting her early, say at
ten. She can walk the distance, unless
she's DER idle; in that case, I'll send
the carriage to fetch her."
81 am very sorry" stammered Mar
jorie, "but Tomorrow"
She paused, and glanced in supplica-
ton at her foster-father.
1.-THE fact is" said Mr. Lorraine, I'VE
had made other arrangements for to-
morrow. Some other day, maybe"
Miss Hetheringtons eyes flashed, and
her crutch was sharply struck upon the
floor.
Tomorrow and no other day will
suit me. | haze something to say to her
that will ma keep. Do you hear that.
Marjorie?"
yes" answered Marjorie timidly;
but | have only just come home, and
would rather"
Come or stay" she exclaimed.
'Please yourself, Marjorie Amman;
but If you stay at home the morn,
you'll wait lang for another invita-
tion."
Eager not to give offense, Mr.. Lor
raine now interposed.
"If you wish 1t, Marjorie shall come
Every WE'LL" said Miss Hetheringu q
sharply; then, turning to the girl, re
added: "Will you walk, or shall
send the carrlage?"
"I-I-will walk" returned Marjorie
timidly, with the air of one doomed to
| condign punishment.
Then I'll expect you at ten, and nae
later. Now, gle me your arm to the
carriage"
Marjorie obeyed, and with a short
"God-day" to the minister, Miss Heth-
erington left the room.
(To BE ooNT1NUED.)