The herald., 1897-11-14

take the pay Of the State. To be faith
full and devoted were not enough fol
Alexander Gordon. To please him, on'
must do altogether as he had done
think entirely as he thought.
Yet 1 was to be more kindly received
than anticipated.
All at once. as 1 stood in the midst
of the road where the wood turns SHARP
along the water side, heard a gay
voice lifting at a song. l wavered a
moment in act to flee. my heart almost
standing still as WELL
For / knew among a thousand the
voice of Mary Gordon. But had nc
time to conceal myself. A gleam OF
white and lilac through the bushes, a
bright reflection as of sunshine on the
pool. then the whole day frightened
and she stood before me.
The song instantly stilled itself on
her lips.
! We stood face to face. 1t seemed to
me that she paled a little. But per-
haps it was only that 1, who desired so
greatly to see, saw part of that which
1 desired.
! The next moment she came forward
with her hand frankly outstretched.
II bid you welcome to Earlstoun,"
she said "alas! that my father should
be from home. He is gone to Kirkcud-
bright. But my mother and l will show
you hospitality till he return. My
father hears a great word of you, he
tells us. The country tongue speaks
we'll of your labors."
Now it seemed to me that she smiled
to herself, and that put me from an
swering l could do naught but be
stiffiy silent.
II thank you. Mistress Mary. for
your kind courtesy" was all that 1
found within me to say. For 1 felt that
sic must despise me for country lout
of no manners and ungentle birth. But
when l saw her so lightSome and
dainty, so full of delight and the ad-
mirable joy Of living, a sullen sort Of
anger came over me that l should
chance to love one who could in no
wise love me again, nor yet render me
the return which l so greatly desired.
you have travelled all the long way
from the manse of Balmaghie." she
said, suddenly falling back to my side
where the path was WIDER as if she
felt the pause of constraint.
ANdy, dISN Ci GU VIC OCSA dS
Ardarroch with my father and mother
for two days. And tomorrow l must
return to the people among whom I
labor"
She stole quick glance at me from
beneath her long dark lashes. There
was infinite teasing mischief in the
glance.
You have an empty manse by the
water side of Dee. Ye will doubtless be
looking for some douce country lass to
fill it."
The words were kindly enough spok-
en-, yet in the very frankness of the
speech, I recognized the distance she
was putting between us. But l had
not been trained in the school of quick
speeches nor of the light debate of
madens.
Lady" said I, there is indeed an
empty manse down yonder by the Dee,
and l am looking for one to fill it. But
I will have none who cannot love me
for myself, and also the work to which
l have set my hand
She held up her hand in quick mer
riment.
DO not be afraid" she cried gaily.
II was not thinking of making you an
offer. Ye are still over great Whig.
Mind that 1 stand for the White Rose"
She stamped her foot merrily.
"'Tis matter ye ken nothing
about" said 1. roughly; ''maidens had
better let the affairs of State alone.
Methinks the White Rose has brought
little good to you and yours"
BY this time we were near by the
gate of Earlstoun and there came out
a lady wrapped in a shawl and this,
though the day was hot and the sum-
mer air had never an edge upon it.
Mother" cried Mary Gordon, rum
ming eagerly to meet her. The lady in
the plaid seemed not to hear, but |
turned aside by the path which led
along the water to the north.
The girl ran after her and caught |
her mother by the arm.
Here is Mr.. Mac Clellan, the minis |
ter from Balmaghie, come to see my
father" she said. "Bide, mother, and
make him welcome"
The lady stopped till 1 had come i'm
in front of her.
you are a minister of the Kirk?" she
asked me, eyeing me sternly enough.
T told her that l had been ordained |
q week before.
Then you have broken your faith |
with the Prosecuted Remnant, they tell
me-" she went on. keeping her eyes
bankly upon my face.
Nay" said 1, Il have the old ways
at heart and will stand till death by
the old faith
What do ye then clad in the rags
of the State?"
Whereat 1 told the Lady of Ears-
toun how that 1 was with all my heart
resolved to fight the Kinks bat
tie for her ancient liberties and
the power to rule within her own
borders. But that if those in au-
thority gave us not the hearing and
liberty we desired, l. for one, would
shake off the dust of the unworthy
Kirk of Scotland from my feet. AS in
deed l was we'll resolved to do.
But Mary Gorden broke in on my
eager explanation.
Mother, mother" she cried, come
your ways in and entertain the guest.
Let your questonings keep till our
father comes from Kirkcudbright. AS
suredly they will have a stormy fore
night of it then. Let the lad now
break bread and cheese"
The lady sighed and clasped her
hands.
Il suppose" she said, at must even
be so. For men are carnal and their
bodies must be fec. Alas, there are
but few who care for the health of
their souls. AS for me, I was about
Lot ,iu1,