The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1899-07-28
The Red Haired Girl.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
An Instance Where q
Man Found 1t Safe to
Go Back on His Girl.

1t happened two years ago, just before
l was qualified doctor and NJ. A. |
spent great part of that summers yaca-
ton ut Ballatcr, because Lefty and her
mother had gone there for Il change, and,
as Lefty and | were engaged, naturally
we liked spending most of our time to-
gcthcr.
About the 9th of September, however,
we all returned to Aberdeen, and ! re-
solved to spend the remaining part of my
holidays in the Buchan district, where |
had few friends. So, after saying good
by" TO Lefty for what seemed an inter
minablc rcriod-though it was only for a
fortnight took the train for Mintlaw,
where | was met by a friend, who, for
convenience sake, | shall call George
White
Old Deer, which is near Mintlaw, was
an admirable center for a cycliSt, and, as
the weather goes was good. White and
took long spins together. 1t was toward
the end of harvest, and, although
"stooks' were still standing in a few
fields most farmers had already finished
leading, and it was assuredly the time for
meal and ales."
Now. had never been at one of those
functions. so after spending a delightful
week at Old Deer | prolonged my visit
for day to 20 to Barnhill's harvest
home. George promised there would he
some fun. Barnhiil was one of the lar
gest farms in the district, and this year
the ''mcal and ale" was to be big
affair.
The evening came. We drove over
rather late. and when we got there the
i hal 4 hal
been laid in the immense barn, the walls
were decorated with flags and flowers
and ripe corn. and ut one end was a rails
ed platform for the tiddlcrs. At the 9th
er end of the room Il huge pole had been
stuck up, on the top of which was the
"clyack sheaf." all dressed with bright
scarlet and blue ribbon.
White introduced me TO his host, a
short, jovial looking man, and to his two
daughters, Misses Kate and Emmy Smith,
and several others. but directly | entered
the barn | became conscious of Il girl
with flaming red hair dressed in pale blue
muslin. who. although dancing at the
time, kept looking at me with her great
eyes till felt queer thrill 90 through
me and Il feeling as il somewhere before
l had seen that girl.
/ was standing by Miss Smith. tried
to give her all my attention.
You know, Mr.. Keith, this is really
the servants night" she was saying, "but
we always invite a few of our own
friends too. Then we dance here till Il
o'clock. and after IL father makes it
rule that the rest of us must go into the
house and leave the others to enjoy it up
till in the morning and sometimes even
till G."
Tell me-" | said more hurriedly than
politely, who is that lady dressed in pale
blue dancing with the tail, dark gentle
man."
Miss Smith laughed slightly
The tall gentleman is my brother and
the girl my dearest school friend, Miss
Nora Stuart. Shall l introduce you?"
Although fascinated in certain way,
1 thought of Lefty and did not particu-
larly wish an introduction, but now |
could not well refuse, and soon was
dancing with the rcdhaired girl.
There was an indescribable something
that made her very attractive and kept
me by her side, and again and again rs
she talked she made me think that had
met and known her somewhere before,
but memory would not help me. And
soon | did not think of that, but felt only
happy to live in the present and know
her and talk TO her now.
The hours flew swiftly by. l had
danced with her nearly the whole even
ing and scarcely left her side. Twelve
o'clock came. Miss Stuart and were in
the garden. The harvest moon was shin
ing brightly and from the barn came the
distant music of the fddlcs and conccr
tinas. We walked along the narrow path |
1.-The roses are almost over" she said
"Oh, no! There is one yet. The last |
rose of summer 1t is yellow one. Let |
me get it for YOU"
"Thank your'