Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1899-08-26

clearly understood at the outset; but there
was something wonderfully fascinating
about the red hair and bewitching eyes of
that girl.
But must begin at the beginning. 1t
happened two years ago, just before was
qualified doctor and A. M.
spent a great part of that summers
vacation at Ballater, because Lefty and
her mother had gone there for a change,
and as Lefty and l were engaged, nat
urslly we liked spending most of our
time together.
About September "a, however, we all
returned to Aberdeen, and resolved to
spend the remaining part of my holidays
in the Buchan district, whete had few
friends. So, after saying 'goodby" to
Lefty for what seemed an interminable
period-though it was only for a fort
night took the train for Mintlaw. The
Buchan trains are slow but sure and the
scenery not specially interesting, so was
glad enough to arrive at Maud, where the
energetic stationer shouted out at the top
of his voice: "New Maudl Change for
Fraserburgh!' We waited till the Fraser
burgh and Peterhead trains arrived, and
then we started again.
Soon afterward l arrived at Mintlaw,
where was met by my friend who, for
convenience sake, l shall call George
White.
Old Deer, which lies barely two miles
from Mintlaw Station, is one of the pref
tiest villages in Buchan. 1t nestles snugly
, in hollow surrounded and sheltered by
many trees and beautifed by the neigh.
boring estates of Pitfour and Alden, and
/ by that weli-known stream the Ugie.
II was also an admirable center for a
cyclist, and as the weather was good
White and took long spins together. II
was toward the end of harvest, and, al
though "stooks" were still standing i'll Z
few fields, most farmers had already I'm
ished leading, and it was assuredly the
time for "meal-and-ales. "
Now / had never been at one of those
functions, so, after spending delightful
week at Old Deer, prolonged my visi
by day to go to Barnhill's harvest home
George promised there would be some
fun. Barnhill was one of the larges
farms in the district, and this year thu
"meal-and-ale" was to be a big affair.
The evening came. We drove owe
rather late, and when we got there thu
dancing had begun. A wooden floor haC
been laid in the immense barn, the wall
were decorated with flags and flowers anC
ripe corn, and at one end was a raiseC
platform for the fddlers. At the othe
end of the room huge pole had beer
stuck up, on the top of which was tn
"clyack sheaf," all dressed with brigh
scarlet and blue ribbon.
White introduced me to his host,
short, jovial-looking man, and to his tive
daughters, Miss Kate and Emmy Smitl
and several others; but directly entered
the barn became conscious of girl witt
flaming red hair, dressed in pale-blu
muslin, who, although dancing at tn
time, kept looking at me with her grea
eyes till felt a queer thrill go through
ME and feeling as if somewhere befor
l had seen that girl.
was standing by Miss Smith. trie'
to give her all my attention.
"You know, Mr.. Keith, this is reall
the servants night" she was saying
"but we always invite few of our ow
friends, too. Then we dance here till l
O'Clock and after IL father makes it rul
that the rest of us must go into the house
and leave the others to enjoy it better b
themselves; they keep it up till in tn
morning, and sometimes even till g."
"Tell me-" said, more hurriedly tina
politely, "who is that lady dressed i
pale-blue, dancing with the tall dar
gentleman"
Miss Smith laughed slightly.
1.-THE tall gentleman is my brother an
the girl my dearest school friend, Mis-
Nora Stuart Shall l introduce you?"
. Although fascinating in certain way
I thought of Lefty, and did not partici
larly wish an introduction, but now
could not we'll refuse, and soon / wa
dancing with the red-haired girl.
There was an Undesirable somethin
that made her very attractive and kel
> me by her side, and again and again {
she talked she made me think that l ha
met and known her somewhere befor
: but memory would not help me. An
! soon did not think of that, but felt onl
happy to live in the present and kno
her and talk to her now.
The hours flew swiftly by. l ha
danced. With her nearly the whole evel
t ing and scarcely left her side. lively
O'Clock came. Miss Stuart and l wei
in the garden. The harvest moon WI
shining brightly, and from the barn can
the distant music of the fiddles and col
y certinas. We walked along the mario
!. path. -,
{ THE roses are almost over" she said
!, "Oh, moi There is one yet. The la
c rose of summer 1t is a yellow on
< Let me get it for you.
: THANK YOU"
i She stuck it in her dress.
f "You know" she said, laughingly,