Rocky Ford enterprise., 1897-10-07

VUcoS A9S0OIA IOtVe
ways said you were my best friend.
But ! cannot come with you to-day"
when will YOU Gomez" demanded
the lady.
Give me time. please pleaded
Marjorie; ''in a day or two. maybe
after the sale. l should like to stay
till l can stay no more"
So 1t was settled, to MarjorIe's great
relief: and Mr.. Menteith led the great
lady back to her carriage.
At sunset that day. as Marjorie left
the manse and crossed over to the old
churchyard, she was accosted by John
sutherland, who had been waiting at
the gate some time In expectation of
her appearance. She gave him her
hand sadly. and they stood together
talking in the road
They tell me you are going to stop
at the Castle. Is that SO. Marjorie?"
I'm not sure: maybe"
III you go. may | come to see you
there? I shan't be long in Annandale.
In few weeks am going back to Lon
don."
He paused. rs II expecting her to
make some remark: but she did not
speak. and her thoughts seemed far
away.
Marjorie he continued, II wish
could say something to comfort you in
your trouble. for. though my heart is
full, I can hardly find my tongue. 1t
seems as II all the old life was break
Ing up under our feet and carrying us
Tar asunder. For the sake of old times
we shall be friends still. shall we
not?"
"Yes. Johnnie. of course" was the re-
ply. You've aye been very good to
me-"
Because loved you, Marjorie. All,
don't be angry-don't turn away-for
I'm not going to presume again upon
our old acquaintance. But now that
death has come our way. and all the
future seems clouding. want to say
Just this-thnt come what may, I shall
never change. I'm not asking you to
care for me-Im not begging you this
time to give me what you've maybe
given to another man; but want you
to be sure. whatever happens. that
you've one faithful friend at least in
the world. who would die to serve you,
for the sake of what you were to him
lang syne."
The words were so gentle, the tone 20
low and tender. the manner Of the man
SO full OF melancholy sympathy and
respect that Marjorie was deeply
| touched.
"Oh. Johnnie" she said, you know
I have always loved you-always trust
ed you, as II you were my brother"
'As your brother, then, let 1t be-" an
swered Sutherland sadly. 81 don't care
what title it Is. SO long as it gives me
tie right to watch over you"
To this Marjorie said nothing. She
continued to walk quietly onward, and
Sutherland kept by her side. Thus
they passed together through the
churchyard and came to the spot where
Mr.. Lorraine was at rest. Here she
fell upon her knees and quietly kissed
the grave.
Had Sutherland been less moved by
his own grief. he might have noticed
something strange in the girls man
ner. for she kissed the ground almost
passionately. and murmured between
her sobs, "Good-by. good-by!"
She was recalled to herself by Suth-
erland's voice.
Don't cry, Marjorie" he said
"Ah. can't help it." she sobbed.
You are all so good to me-far better
than deserve"
They left the churchyard together,
hoo
When they paused again. Sutherland
took her hand and kissed 1t.
"Good-by, Johnnie"
mo, not good-by I may come and
see you again. Murjorie. mayn't I, be-
fore go away?"
"Yes," she returned, Gift you
like"
"And, Marjorie, maybe the next time
there'll be folk by. SO that we cannot
speak. l want you to promise me one
thing before we part this night"
What do you wish?" said Marjorie,
shrinking belf fearfully away.
"Only th!s, that as you've given me a
sisters 10, }. you'll give me also sis
ters trust; want to think when I'm
away in tb great city that IL you were
in trouble you'd send right away TO me.
Just think always. Marjorie, that I'm
your brother, AID be sure there isn't
a thing in this world wouldn't do for
YOU"
He paused, but Marjorie did not an
swer: she felt she could not speak.
The unselfsh devotion of the young
man touched her more than any OF his
ardent love-making had done.
Marjorie, will you promise me-
Promise what?'
ITO send to me If you're in trouble
to let me be your brother indeed"
She hestated for a moment: then
she gave him her hand,
"Yes. Johnnie, l promise" she said.
"Good-by."
No; goodnight, Marjorie"
"Good-night," she repeated, as she
left his side and entered the manse.
About ten o'clock that night. when
all the inmates of the manse had re-
tired to rest, and Marjorie was In her
room about to prepare for bed. she was
startled by hearing sharp,shrlll whis-
tie just beneath her window. She start
cd. trembling sat on the side of her
bed and listened.
In few minutes tho sound was re-