The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-02-01
CHAPTER I,

CONTINUED.
'sHe will rage round and make
everyone miserable"
Jamie will not let him. Good
night, mammal" and she shook her
mothers cheeks between her hands
and kissed her face many times, say
ing between the kisses: "You are
such darling mamma-such lovely
mamma Il cannot tell how you ever
stopped to pick up my disagreeable
Btepfather-young as I am 1 could
find q better and nicer mani am
sure could. Goodnight, and good
night; and, mamma, do make up
your mind to do your will and fear
not"
Then she turned the key and stood
still to listen to her mothers retreat
ing footsteps. She feared the laird
would come clustering to her door,
and she stood ready to "do her will, "
every nerve at high tension, her head
lifted, her eyes cleaning, her lips
parted-a little woman all on fire with
ouuutu duu JuSC 1Eooii1oh'
There was no challenge, however,
and gradually the expression of her
face softened into smiles and tender
recollections. She slowly unfastened
her green and primrose gown, and let
it fall to her feet. Then with infinite
neatness she folded it and laid it away
in wardrobe smelling Of violets and
lavender. This common act of daily
life soothed and calmed her unusual
feelings. She sat down in her snowy
skirts, lifted her small right foot, and
began very slowly to unbutton her
boots. At every little button she
paused, for she was full to the lips of
sweet thoughts and sweet hopes and
dreams of happiness.
: "He called me Katherine! Rather
iser' she whispered. Indeed, I
think he calls me now" But it was
only the strong vibration of her heart
that struck upon her ear.
She rose and she sat down. She
rubbed her pink palms with pleasure;
she sighed; she smiled; and all alike
for very Joy. All that Mowbray had
looked and spoken she recalled, and
then musing she thought of what she
would say when he returned. And
she was troubled because with every
change of words "something" seemed
to be lost.
Mowbray also was at this hour as
little fit for human companionship.
With many excuses he declined Doc
tor Telfair's further hospitality at that
time. He said 'the man who drove
him to Krtle-hope from Galeshiels
expected to return that night, that his
own valet was waiting in Edinburgh ii
for him, and that he had urgent bust
ness in that city on the following
day."
In reality he felt the same need for
solitude as Katherine felt. He wished
to rid himself of all necessity to con-
slider any mortal but the beloved one.
He was glad when oil necessity for
courtesies was over, glad to obtain
the solitude OF his own dreams.
"God be thanked!" he said, as he
recalled his visit, but especially those
few rare minutes in the conservatory.
"'God be thanked, the meanest of his
Boasts two soul-sides; one TO face the
world with;
One to show woman that he loves
her."
And his whole countenance bright
ened and flushed to the last line.
"Drive quicker, Wat Forster, he said.
"Driye quicker. "The wind begins
to whistle. 1t is really getting up. ,
Let US hear the music of the horses
hoofs."
And Watty sent them beating to an
old border gathering song in voice
that woke the echoes far and near:
".Doughty Dan OF the Houlet Hurst,
Dan that was always good at burst,
Good with bow, and better with a
spear,
! Come thou hero! x.-
S Fie, lads! Shoutl
A'a' a'a
Mygear is A. ganep"
The rattling syllables seemed to be
\struck out by the iron of the horse
Shoes and the flint of the road, and
they stirred Mowbray's blood like q
trumpet. But there was far differ
ent melody in his heart, and beneath
all the marching, the sense of shak-
ing brides and clashing spears, he
was singing softly to himself this far
more sweet prophecy Of love:
"'By earth and heaven she shall be
mine
The bonnie lass OF Gala Waterp"