The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-02-22

stead of Monday, he might have found
her in that mood of despair which is
grateful for affection; but Sunday had
brought her hope, and she was san
guine and happy, and far more in
clined to look forward to her new lover
than to enter into sentimental conver-
sation with her old one.
Day after day Wintoun went the
same hopeless road. The laird scolded
and threatened, but he could find
nothing tangible to complain of,
though he was quite sure there was
everything to complain Of. For,
though Katherine, rode and walked
and talked and sang with Wintoun
very much after the usual form, all
could see that it was but form
that the old girlish kindness and free
dom which had been its spirit were
gone, and that though they were very
constantly together, there was wall
of separation between them, trans
parent, but more impossible than ad-
amant.
It was in this daily yelled antagon-
ism that the laird first found out the
power of the majority. Katherine's
womanhood had made her her mothers
ally, and Mrs. Brathous began to show
signs of restlessness and rebellion un-
der the laird's domestic autocracy
which amazed her husband, and ought
to have given him notice that his reign
of terror was over. There were now
two against one, and he was sure that
Wintoun would join the enemy, either
on his first open disspprovsl or their
first open favor. Then there would
be three wills against his will. In
that case he doubted, and consequent
ly he feared.
But the spring grew to summer and
the roses were blowing in the rose
garden and the blue heaven and green
earth and soft wind made the place
around Levens-hope little bit of
paradise. Katherine, however, had
been for ten days restless and un-.
happy, for the laird, as last annoy
ance, had forbidden her visits to the
manse. He said it was "because the
hillsides were infested with 'trippers'
and tourists whom nobody knew,
and who were not to be trusted" He
gave his gamekeeper the strictest
charges about the woods and the trout
streams, and vowed she would be glad
enough if some strangers round
Levens-hope got shot or two"
Katherine knew that'h he was hitting
Mowbray over the shoulder, and she
talked scornfully to her mother about
the coward wish.
Because, mamma" she said, "he
will not have the courage to utter one
word to Mr.. Mowbray if he ever does
come here again. He will pretend to
be delighted to see him. He will carry
him to the stalls to praise his prize
oxen, and then wink at the game
keeper to. do his bastard will for him"
And Mrs. Brathous did not defend
her husband or invent excuses for
him, as she had been wont to do.
However, Katherine knew that if
any news came, or any event occurred
which was of interest, Jessy would be
sure to let her know in some way.
Jessy's resources were infinite, though
generally it was enough to move the
minister to make all other moves sue
cessful. So Katherine's heart beat
fast one morning when she saw Doc
tor Telfair at the door very early. He
said he had come to take the laird to
Selkirk for day or two. There was
to be an important meeting of the
clergy there anent a matter of heresy.
And, Brathous," he added, lit is
such men of the laity as yourself who
must stand by the clergy"
Brathous was we'll pleased to 60. II
there was title of creed to settle, he
was just the man to strain at gnat.
Before he had finished dressing for
the journey ne had persuaded himself
that the meeting at Selkirk would be
at dead loss if he was not pres
ent. Yet amid oil the theological i'm
portance he felt, he did not forget to
give Katherine strict injunction not
to leave Levens-hope unless in the
company of her mother. The minister
said he had message from Jessy
which would break that order, but the
laird would hear tell of no interfer-
ence.
cit was beyond talking Of" he said.
When the two men were out OF
sight, katherine turned to her mother.
"Never mind, Katherine, my
dearie," said that lady cheerfully. II
am going to Galashiels this afternoon,
and can leave you with Jessy till I
return"
"Can you not go this morning,
mammal"
"No. Iwish I could. I have the
dairy and linen-room to attend to this
morning. else we would start immedi-
ately and make day out of it. But
we can bring Jessy back with us
Mamma, darling, you ore as kind
as you are pretty, and that is saying a
great deal!" and the pleasant words
and the kiss which went with them
sent Mrs. Brathous to her household
duties with q light heart.
"It is such an easy thing to make
people happy" she reflected, as she
sat down with the dairy book and be-
gan to count the quarts of cream and
the pounds of butter it represented.
Meantime, Katherine had one of
those warm impressions, those instinc-
lively sagacious presentiments which
enable sensitive soul to anticipate
ornnte Sba lnau Richard NToybroy