The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-07
XVII
ANll.
ONE WAY OF LOVE.

| after me 10 MIND my HldnneiS' az II ia"
| been a herd boy summoned into the pres
ence Of the great Ny father asked me
| when I would be back. Only Anna said
| nothing. but her eyes were sad. Well, she
| knew that / went to give myself an ach-
! ing heart.
/ had not expected any especially kind
| welcome. The laird Of Earlstoun had been
a mighty Covenanter, and now wore his
! prsOnngs and sufferings somewhat osten-
| tatlously. like so many orders OF merit
| lie would think little Of one who was
| minister Of the uncovenanted kirK, ana
who. though holding the freedom of the
Kirk as his hearts belief. yet demeaned
him TO take the pay Of the State. To be
| faithful and devoted were not enough for
Alexander Gordon. To please him, one
must do altogether as he had done, think
! entirely as he thought.
| Yet I was to be more kindly received
than ] anticipated.
AN AT once. as ] stood In the midst
of the road where the wood turns sharp
along the water side. heard gay voice
lifting AT a song / wavered moment
I'm act 10 fee, my heart almost standing
still as well.
FOR knew among a thousand the voice
OF Mary Gordon. But | had no time 10
conceal myself. A CLEAN OF white and
lilac through the bushes, bright refiec-
ton as Of sunshine on the pool. then the
whole day frightened and she stood be-
| fore me.
The song instantly stilled itself on her
lips.
we stood face TO face. II seemed to me
that she paled a little. But perhaps ii
! was only that /, who desired 50 greatly
10 see. saw part Of that which desired
The next moment she came forward
! with her hand frankly Outstretchcd.
| II bid you welcome TO Earlstoun' she
said: "alasl that my father should be
| from home. He is gone 90 Kirkcudbright
| But my mother and / will show you hos
pitality til he return. My father hears
| "a great word OF you, he tells us The
| country tongue speaks well Of your la
| bors."
Now II seemed 10 me that she smiled
| to herself. and that put me from answer
ing. 4 could do naught but be stflly ST.
lent.
81 thank YOU Mistress Mary. for your
! kind courtesvr' was all that found with
! i'm me to say. For ! felt that she must
! despise me for q country lout OF no man
ners and ungentle birth. But wheh l saw
her so llghtsome and dainty, so run OF
delight and the admirable joy Of living
! a sullen sort of anger came over me that
/, / should chance 10 love one who could
I'm 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 hack 10 my side where
the uath was wider as il she felt the pause
OF constraint. 49,, -. Ar
Nav / answered. 81 have been al Ar
| aorroch with my father and mother lot
,vvo DAYS And tomorrow ] must return
10 the people among whom l labor.
She stole a 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 wa
ter side Of Dee. We will doubtless be
looking for some douce country lass to
fiji IT,"
The words were kindly enough spoken
yet in the very frankness of the speech, !
| recognized the distance she was putting
between us. But I had not been trained
in the school Of quick speeches nor Of the
light debate of maidens
Lady. said 1, there is indeed an
empty manse down yonder by the Dec.
and am looking for one to IN it. but
l will have none who cannot love me for
| myself. and also the work 10 which
! have set my hand"
she held up her hand in quick mer-
| riment
81 was not thinking Of making you an
| offer! Ye are still over a great Whg.
| Mind that / stand for the White Rose q"
/ She stamped her foot merrily.
TITS matter We ken nothing about
! said !. roughly: "maidens had better lct
! the affairs of state alone Methints 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 q lady
! wrapped i'm a shawl. and this. though
the day was hot and the summer air
had never an edge upon IT,
Mother" cried Mary Gordon, runni1y
eagerly To meet her. The lady ~ 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 Ciellan ~, minister
from Balmaghie, come TO see ny father"
| she said "Bide. mother, AMI make him
| welcome"
me lady stopped till ] had come be-
| mediatey I'm front OF her
"'You are minister Of the KrG2" she
asked me- cycling ire sternlv enough
I told her that 1 had been ordained
week before.
Then you have broken your faith with
the Prosecuted Remnant. they toll ne 4"
she went on keeping her eyes blanbly
upon my face
NAY" said ]. ~ have the old ways
at heart and will stand TIN death by the
old faith"
What do We then clad in the rags Of
the slater"
Whereat told the Lady Of Earlstoun
now that | was with all my heart re-
solved to fight the Kinks battle for her
ancient liberties and the power TO rule
| within her own borders. But that II those
in authority gave US not the hearing and
liberty we desired. /. for one, would shake
| OF the dust OF the unworthy Kirk OF
scotland from my feet. As indeed l was
well resolved to 10.
But Mary Gordon broke in on my
eager explanation.
Mother. mother" she cried. come your
ways IN and entertain the guest. Let
your ouestionings keep TN our father
comes from kirkcudbright. Assuredly
they will have a stormy foresight OF il
! then Let the lad now break bread and
cheese"
The lady sighed and claspcd her hands.
Il suppose" she said. 1T must even
be so. For men arc carnal and their
bodies must be fed. Alas there are but
few who care for the health OF their
| souls. AS for me. ! was about 10 retire
"a the wood. that might for the hundred
three score and ninth time renew my
covenaniing engagements"
You must brock them very often, mo-