Rocky Ford enterprise., 1897-08-12

"only myself out OF our school. l
afternoon. And he Is very, very kind!
He would scarcely take the fees. He
said"
But here Marjorie paused and blush
ed, for she suddenly remembered
Caussidiere's words and ardent looks
of admiration.
"Well, what did he say?"
He said he was ashamed to take
money for teaching. and then-thcn
talked about France. and how he longed
to return, and how sad it was to be an
exile. That was ALL"
Mr.. Lorraine did not question any
further. but seemed plunged in thought.
by the way. Marjorie" he said, after
pause. you know that your school
fees are paid by Miss Hetherington?"
Marjorie nodded.
1T was her wish that you should be
taught French. For my own part. I
never thought much OF either the Ian
guage or the people. but that may be
my prejudice. Miss Hetherington thinks
that every young lady should learn
French. Curious. the interest she takes
| in you!" .a.
There was noise at the front door,
a sound OF feet in the lobby.
Solomon entered abruptly.
"She's outside" he said. "Will !
bring her in?"
who is outside. Solomon. my MANI
"Wha but Mistress Hetherington.
frae the Castle. The carriage is at the
door. and she's wrangling WI the
driver"
Mr.. Lorraine rose feebly from his
chair. while Marjorie nervously put
down her cup and saucer and prepared
to receive the visitor.
"This way. mem!" said Solomon: and
Immediately there entered the room a
woman of middle height, with snow
white hair. leaning upon sta1 or
Handkerchief.
She had black piercing eyes. COM
plexion like alabaster, and her front
teeth projected slightly over her under
lip. Though she had the air OF an old
woman and walked with stoop, ncr
face had scarcely wrinkle, and her
voice was deep and powerful.
Marjorie sprang up and stood trem-
bling Without word, Miss Hether-
ington crossed the room and looked
fixedly in the young girls face.
"Weel. Marjorie Annan?" she said in
strong Scotch accent.
"How-how do you do. Miss Hether-
ington?"
"As you see-well enough not to
complain. Stand still and let me look
at ye! There, you may kiss me II you
like!"
Marjorie did not like. but she bent
cheek.
Ibid We come doom in the wagon
ette? Nae need to answer. for ken.
and l ken who came along WI ye!
What's this between you and Johnnie
Sutherland"
Had bomb exploded under her :eet,
Marjorie could not have shown more
CONSERVATION. She stammered, and
blushed, and cast an appealing glance
at Mr.. Lorraine.
"How's this. Marjorie?" he said,
gently. you did not tell me that
Johnnie had come back"
L
Miss Hetherington, with low, harsh
laugh. "See hoo she blushes! The lad
and she had tryste in Dumfries. and
came down together"
Here Solomon, who stood at the room
door looking on, thought 1t his duty
to interfere.
"And what then? What If Johnnie
Sutherland did convey our Marjorie
hame? There's nae harm in that. I'm
thinking"
Hold you tongue, Solomon Muckle-
backit," said Miss Hetherington, with
a sharp rap of her crutch upon the
ground. Mind your own business!"
ut is my business" retorted Solo
mon. doggedly. Marjorie, dinna heed
her!"
"Solomon!" cried Mr.. Lorraine, with
a certain authority.
''Weel?"
BE good enough to leave the room"
The old man uttered a low snort of
defiance, but Immediately obeyed. Miss
Hetherington took chair close to the
fireplace, and sat in it, leaning heavily
on her crutch.
Nae fool like an old fool!'' she NUT
tered, looking at Mr.. Lorraine, but re-
ferring to the refractory sexton. BE
tween the twa O. ye, you're spelling
Marjorie Amman altogether"
II hope not" returned the minister
mildly, resuming his own seat. After
all, too, Solomon is quite right. John
ME and Marjorie are old friends"
"All the parish kens that" said the
lady of the Castle. Come here, Mar
jorie, and dinna be feared-I'll no eat
you! Look me in the face! Are you
and Johnnie courting?"
Marjories face was scarlet, and she
trembled violently.
"Oh, Miss Hetherington," she cried,
what do you mean?"
And she held out her hand to Mr..
Lorraine, as If beseeching him to take
her part
Really, Miss Hetherington," he said,
Marjorie Is child, and am sure such
nonsense as you speak Of has never
entered her head"
Nonsense, is it," retorted the lady.