The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-08-26

in deep. musical voice. but withou
! turning his head. His infirmity wa,
now apparent-he was stone blind.
John Sutherland walked across tn,
room, gave his sister passing kiss
and placed his hand affectionately OF
the old mans shoulder.
Its yourself, my lad! I ken you moo
l feel your breath about me! VIVA,
way did We no write to tell US you were
on the road hame?"
Il was not sure until the, last mo-
ment that could start so soon, but
jumped into the train last night. ant
down I came"
''Who's alang WI you?" asked thu
weaver, smiling. "I'll wager it's Mar.
jorie Annan!"
Eyes, Mr.. Sutherland" answered
Marjorie, crossing the room and join.
ing the little group. II met Johnnie in
Dumfries, and we came home 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 TAX a long look at bath o
ye."
while you look at u.s." echoed Mar.
jorie in surprise.
cay, 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 by his
side; and I see what you Gamma sea
light all roond and abune We, coming
cot O. the golden gates O. Heaven!
Stand still wee and bark! Do We hear
nothing? Az, but 1 can hear! A
sound like kirk-bells ringing far ava"
AS he spoke he sat with shining face,
as if he indeed gazed 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 to make her
escape.
Goodbye now, Mr.. Sutherland"
she said, taking his hand in hers, 81
must run home; Mr.. Lorraine will lie
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, 81 hope you're
not angry?"
"No, no." she replied; "but wish
your father would not talk as if we
were counting, Johnnie. 1t makes me
feel so awkward, and you know it is
not true"
"Old folk will talk" said John Sutn-
erland, 'and father only speaks out OF
the fullness of his heart. He is very
fond of you, Marjorie!"
81 know that, and of him-that lie
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. I'll 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,
Just then, it seemed as if all the world
was darkened, the blue sky clouded,
all the sweet spring weather touchd
with wintry sense of fear.
(To BE coNTINUED)