The times., 1897-10-31
XIV.
ALExANDER-JoNITA.

Jean anL her father, where found house
well furnished, with oxen and kline knee
deep in meadows, pastures, crofts of
-oars and bear in tie holiows about the
door, ana over all such an air of bien and
hespitable comfort that the place beckoned
me To abide there.
We mad gotten almost to the door Of TIE
farm when we saw a horse and rider top
the heathery fell to the left, aud sweep
down upon US at d tearing gallop.
The old RAN, hearing the clatter OF stones
turned quickly.
Alexander JonitaP' he exclaimed shak-
ing his head with fond blame toward the
daring rider, that lassie viii break neck
bone some o thae DAYS! And that will be
seen
With dark hair flying in the wind, eyes
cleaning like stars, short kirtle driven back
from her knees by the rush of the horse,s
stride, came g girl OF eighteen OF twenty
ON tile back OF a haltered but saddle-free
free mare.
''Lassie,' cried the elder, with not iu-
tolerant reproof in his tones, where hae ye
been that the kirk and the service of GOD
saw ye Got tfis day?''
The gifl came fearlessiy forward, looking
me directly la the yes. The reins were yet
in her hand
Father" she said, gently enough bat
without looking at him, Il had the marches
to ride. the avai sheep to turn, the bitten
ewes to dress with tar the oxen 20 keep
in bounds, the horses to water Besides
which Jean wanted my stockings and
Sunday gear TO be Draw the day AT the
kirk So / hal to bide at haule''
Think shame o. yourseP, Alexander
Jcnita;" cried her father; ''ye are your
mither's dochter. Ye TAX not after the
douce ways o your father. Spite . a
excuses ye should haze been at the kirk
lis this the young minister lad2" said
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS looking al NE more with
the assured direct gaze Of a man than
wiki. the customary bashfuIness OF d maid.
Singulariy fearless and forthlooking was
her glance
Even 81, said her father. the lad has
spoken well this day!"
She lsokeG me through and through.
"I anl no ldrk-goer-no, She said, nor
yet great kirs:-lover. But ken u man when
/ see him"
She held out her hand frankly, and
curIously enough, / took 1t with an odd
sense OF gratitude and comradeship.
The kirk" said /. lis not indeed ali
that thee might be, but kirk and CON
venticle alike are the gathering place Of
those that love the good way. We are
not to forsake the assembling Of ourselves
together
) ''Eyen so, misteri" she said, with some
sudden gravity, and this day have been
preaching the Gospel to the sheep and
the ow sen, the kye and the horse beasts
within the bounds of my parish, while We
spake your good word 10 human creatures
that We're maybe some what less grateful.
The folk 10 whom i spake have i'm
mortal solls!r said !, little indignant
To be thus bearded by a lassie.
And how she retorted, turning on
me az quick as fire-flash, ken ye, that
the beasts nave none. or that their spirit
goeth taownw ard into the earth? Have
they not bodies also and gratitade7 There
Was a sore distressed sheep-this morning on
Torncrrach that looked at me with eyes
that spake q prayer. But after l had
claarsed and dressed the hurt it breathetl
a benedicttcn. sweet as any said in the
Kirk CT Paimaghie this day!"
Nevertheless it was for men and wom-
5 en-, perishing in SIN that Christ died!" J
persisted, not willing To he silenced
How ken ye that" she said; did not
tie same Lord make the sheep on the hills
y
watches the sparrow fall think H. wrong
To lift a slleeI, ont of pit on the Sabbath?
The Pharisees are surely not all dead to
: this day!"
Fen let her alane. We VIII be as wise, .
said the father: she has three words to
every one that are given to men o sense
But she is withaI a good lass and true of
speech. Alexander-Jonita, stable the beast
and come ben to wait OH the minister in
the hen room."
t The girl moved away leading her steed,
: and we wenton 10 the house OF DrungIass.
When we entered the table was not yet
set, and there were no preparations for a
meal.
r ''Jean-Jeail Gemmeul'' Nathan Gem
nell cried, 'come bither, lassr' He went
and knocked loudly at the chamber door
which opened ell one side Of the kitchen.
Wherefore have ye not set the table fUr
theIneai of meat?'' he asked, frowning upon
the maiden whom 1 had first seen. Sha
stood with meek and smiling face, looking
at US frun the Intel, Her face was shining
e and aer hair very beoonlingly attired, though
as observed in different fashion from
whatit had been in the morning by the kirk
| cate, wlIesi sne gave me her piece to sta y
my hunger.
! Il have heen praying upon my knees for
: a blessing upon the work OF this day in the
! kirk said Jean GenmeH, looking mod
l estlv down, land l waited for Ale Xander
: Jonita to help me lay the table,"
Were yc not vainly adorning your frail
tabernacle? 1t seems more likely" said
her father. some " hat cruelty, as thought
e Then she looked once across at me, and
r ler eyes filled with tears so that | waE
S vividly sorry fol the maid. But she turned
l away from her father 5 reproof without
word.
) I'VE can well afford to wait; there is
l ho haste I said. to ease her hurt, If
3 could. This good, kind maiden gave me
all she had this morning in the kirk-yard
0 or know not how / should have sped al
: the preaching work this day"
. Jean Gernuen lifted her eyes TO mine
0 with look of sweet and tender graft
( tude aud understanding, which more thar
I thanked me FOR the words ! had said.
/, AT that moment in came Alexander
& Jonita, with q free swing like some strip
: ling gallant OF nigh degree. / own that
| liked to see her walk. She, at least, was
Z no proud dame like-well, like one whoSt
t eyes abode with me, and whose ayerter
l. uoza God no rdft- ,rpl Ia Y heavy ho1tt m,