The Red Cloud chief., 1897-07-09
in a deep, musical voice. but wfeAsut

In a deep, musical voice. but wfenOut
turning his head. His inirnity was
now apparent--he was stone blind.
John Sutherland walked acroes the
rsokn. gave his sister a passing Kiss.
and placed his hand affectionatsly on
the old mans shoulder.
ITS yourself. my lad! I ken you 100.
I feel your breath about me! What
way did ye no write to tell us you we're
on the road hame?"
II was not sure until the last mo-
mept that | could start so soon. but l
jumped into the train last night. and
down I came"
Who's alang wi your" asked the
weaver, smiling. "Ill wager It's Mar
jorie Annan!"
Yes. Mr.. Sutherland" answered
Marjorie. crossing the room and Join
ing the little group. 81 met Johnnie In
Dumfries, and we came homo together"
The weaver nodded his head gently.
and the smile on his face lightened into
loving sweetness.
STAND close, side by side,' he said.
while 1 TAX a long look at bath O.
ye."
while you look at us!" echoed Mar
jorie in surprise.
"Ay, and what for no? Dinna think.
because my bodily cen are blind, that
Gamma see weel WI the cen o. my soul!
Ay, there you stand. lass and lad-my
boy John and Marjorie Amman; bath
fair, bath wi blue cen; John prood and
glad. and Marjorie blushing b.. his
side; and l see what you Gamma SEGA
light all roond and abune ye. coming
DOT O. the golden gates O Heaven!
Stand still a wee and bark! Do ye hear
nothing? Ay, but I can hear! A
sound like kirk-bells ringing far AVA"
As he spoke he sat with shining face.
as II he indeed gaxed on the sweet WIS.,
ion he was describing. Marjorie grew
red as fire, and cast down her eyes;
for she was only too conscious OF the
old mans meaning. and, remembering
what had taken place that day, she felt
constrained and almost annoyed. John
Sutherland shared her uneasiness. and
to divert the conversation into another
channel, he spoke to his young sister.
who stood smiling close by.
Marjorie, uneasy lest the old mans
dreamy talk should again take an awk-
ward turn, was determined 70 make her
escape.
Goodbye now, Mr.. Sutherland"
she said, taking his hand. IN hers, Il
must run home; Mr.. Lorraine will b
expecting me-"
And before any one could say . word
to detain her, she was crossing the
threshold Of the cottage. Young Suth-
erland followed her as far as the gar
den gate.
Marjorie" he said. Il hope you're
not angry?"
mo, no." she replied: "but I wish
your father would not talk a. II We
were counting, Johnnie. 1t makes me
feel SO awkward. and you know 1t In
not true"
"old folk will talk" said John Suth-
erland, "and father only speaks out Of
the fuilness of his heart. He y very
fond of you. Marjorie!"
II know that, and l OF him--that 10
why It troubles me to hear him talk
like that"
There was a moments pause; then
Sutherland sadly held out his hand.
Well. goodbye. Just now. Ill be
looking We up at the manse!"
"Good-bye!" she answered. Come
soon! Mr.. Lorraine will be so glad
to see you"
So she fastened away. while Suther-
land, with a sigh, stood looking after
her. He had loved her SO long and SO
silently, and now for the first time In
his life he began to dread that she
might not love him In return. To him.
lust then. 1t seemed as II all the world
was darkened, the blue sky clouded.
all the sweet spring weather touchd
with o wintry sense OF fear.
fro RE