The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-04-26

not have it. I will put you under
bonds, jamie Wintoun. will! I
will"
keep your temper, laird. You
will bring ON an apoplectic fit, setting
yourself in such alike blaze of sense
less passion. Wintoun, good morn
ing. Good morning, laird. 1t is not
every day that n man marries his
daughter, and I have friends to haste
to the wedding. Jessy, my dearie,
you come with me"
But when he had taken her to his
study he looked at her with anger, and
said:
"You have done very wrong, Jessy,
and you have caused me to do wrong
and to make foolish promise that l
might right you in the laird's and
other peoples eyes. And I will tell
you, Jessy Telfair, that the whole
circumstance is a shame, and no one
on the earth but three foolish women
would have had anything to do with
it,"
Except three men-three foolish
men, father-Jamie and Mowbray and
the minister from Innerleithen."
Then Doctor Telfair shrugged his
shoulders and tossed his sermon paper
about; but frally he kissed Jessy,
though he shook his head reproach-
fully ere he did so.
As the laird had foreseen, the story
set Gala Water in n commotion from
the lonely farms in the Moorfoot Hills
northward to Daikeith, and southwark
through all the homes OF Teviotdale.
But time does wonders. and the laird
acted precisely as Mrs. Brathous
anticipated he would. He clustered
little in public, and complained and
even cried little to his lawyer and
more intimate friends; but privately
he went down on his knees to his wife,
and in that excellent discipline was
gradually led to see things as she saw
them. He was first reconciled to
Doctor Telfair, and then he forgave
Jamie. Contrary to all expectation,
Jessy was not tocherless, and her little
fortune set Wintoun lands and Win
toun's master free. And as soon as
this was the case, Brathous made a
merit of forgiving Jamie.
"He is my nephew, after all, Helen,"
he said, land I cannot give him the
back of my hand, though he we'll de-
serves it"
Then he began to be curious about
Mowbray and Katherine. Long and
frequent letters came from various
countries, and it was trial to see
his wife enjoying them all by herself
He heard her also telling visitors
about Texas, California, Japan, India,
Greece and Italy, etc., and he heard
just enough to make him restlessly
curious. One day he said:
Helen, my dear, I think I ought
now to forgive Katherine and her hus-
band. I suppose they will be home
soon, and I do not approve OF quar-
reling in families
"McwbraY expects to 60 into Par
lament, and he is hurrying home for
the election. I think of going to
Mowbray Hall next week."
II will 60 with you. I know oil
about election business. I can give
our son-in-law valuable advice. And
I hope I am a good Christian, Helen,
and know how to forgive wrong. 1t
would be a pity for the two young
things to feel my anger-though h it
was just anger-a shadow in their
home"
There was no shadow in Mowbray
Hall when the laird and Mrs. Brat
hous reached 1t. There is no shadow
likely to be there, for love made
constant glory in the fine old mansion.
And Katherine was so happy and SO
busy, and Mowbray Hall was so much
larger and grander than Levens-hope,
that Brathous felt subdued to a most
conciliating spirit.
And he really was very helpful to
Mowbray in his electioneering. The
young man was disposed to rely on
his ancient name and prestige aud his
rights as landlord. But these things
had lost much OF their influence even
with the kinds and shepherds on the
estate; and it was the laird's Scotch
subtlety and dictatorial manner which
demolished all objections. And
when the victory was won the laird
did not fail to take all the credit due
him.
"Mowbray may thank his stars and
Alexander Brathous that he can write
NJ. P. after his name," ho said COM
placently. THAT is so, is it not,
Helen?"
"You arc just wonder, Alexander,
and doubtless if you had come sooner
the harvest would have been month
beforehand.
She was standing at the window
with beaming face and Brathous
went to her side.
"You are aye iesting at me, Helen"
he said. "What are you looking at so
pleased like?"
Then her glance directed him to
Katherine and Mowbray. They were
in the sunny garden standing together
with clasped hands and uncovered
heads under large laburnum tree. It's
golden rain OF yellow blossoms made
glory on their faces. They were
talking happily and heart was answer
ing heart, and eyes answering eyes in
love and laughter.
"How happy they are, Alexander!
Are you not glad they ran away to be
20 happy?" asked Mrs. Brathous.
cit is an extraordinary exception,