The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-03-08

ward the sun, it's head thrown back,
its breast swelling with ecstasy.
"He is singing to his love-" said
Mowbray. "The bird is enchanted
See how his wings futter!'
wings! Wings" cried the minis
ter,
"'Wings! that our hearts may rest
In the radiant mornings breast!
ooh, that had wings like dove!"
His face was sad; he was already
sorry for the letter he had written.
II have been angry this morning,
Mr.. Mowbray," he continued, land I
am out of favor with myself; for I can
tell you that the moment man feels
angry he has ceased striving for the
truth; and he has begun to strive for
himself. I think you had better ride
to the manse. Miss Telfair will have
q word or two to say to you. AS for
me, must talk with my own heart for
an hour"
Then Mowbrsy understood that
there was some annoyance, and the
laird's behavior on the previous night
gave him the key to it. So he thanked
Doctor Teltair and rode rapidly for
ward, his joy having been suddenly
turned into anxiety.
In the meantime the laird had been
making every one at Leyens as un-
happy as possible. He was scolding
about the strawberry beds before
breakfast, and nothing at that meal
satisfied him. The oatmeal was half
boiled, the chops were bulned, the
rolls cold, the coffee muddy. He kept
the footman on o trot between the
breakfast parlor and the kitchen most
of the time, and it gratifed him to see
the young man in state of tears and
trembling. For he was angry at the
silent dignity of Mrs. Brathous and
Katherine. He felt that his complaints
ought to have been indorsed by
them. Tt cir non-interference was a
tacit disapproval Of his misconduct.
Alter the disagreeable meal was
over, the ladies were leaving the room
together. He recalled them in what
he intended to be very authoritative
manner; but Mrs. Brathous detected
in it that tone of bluster which is al
ways the sign of cowardly timidity and
she asked promptly:
"What do you want with US, Alex
ander?"
"I have something very important
to say to Katherine. Come here, miss.
You will be married on the 29th of Sep
tember. 1t is Jamie's birthday, and
he may as we'll make it his marriage
day."
"You are going beyond bounds on
every side, laird" answered Mrs.
Brathous for her daughter. cit is the
right of the bride to choose her we'd
ding-day, and her husband also. And
I doubt if you have word or warrant
from Jamie for what you say. You
may be laird of Levens-hope, but
Katherine Janfsrie is beyond your Or
dering."
"It is high time that took matters
in hand. Girls that are as good as
married playing shuttlecock with two
mems heartsl It is not respectable. I
am not able to bear it. I did not sleep
we'll last night, and to lose my sleep is
as much as my life is worth. I am so
nervous this morning it is really pitt
full. I will not suffer in this way for
any girls vanity. Flirt, firt, flirting,
morning, noon and night"
alexander, take heed what you
say. You are slandering my daughter. :"
II say Katherine is fiirt! She is
all the same as Jamie's wife, yet I saw
her making eyes at that Englishman
and whispering in corners with him.
I saw her"
"It is not the truth"
cts she not betrothed to James Win
toun?"
emo"
"Helen Brathous!"
"I say No. not unless she desires
the marriage. A promise .made at
twelve years Of age could hardly be
binding on o woman of nineteen, even
if it had been an unconditional promise.
Katherine nor I ever regarded it as
anything but provisional-if she liked,
if Wiutoun liked, if we were both in
the same mind"
"Well, women beat all! I will have
no more to say to either of you. But
the wedding will take place. So you
make ready for it or not, just as it
pleases you. It is no longer ques-
ton of women's likes or dislikes. I
will take the law to my side. Just
understand that, will you? For be-
hind Alexander Brathous stands the
lord chancellor and the court, and if [
caunot manage my lady katherine 1
will even make her ward of chancery
and put Mr.. Mowbray-or whatever
the fellows name is-under bonds for
good behavior. Now you may 60 your
ways-both of you-for I am just worn
out with the care and worry of another
mans daughter. lost my good sleep
all night, and have palpitation of
the heart even now, that is like enough
to get worse"
"I suppose Katherine has some
rights, Alexander"
"Rights! No! She has privileges
and they are oil and everything that q
good girl wants. She has the privi-
lege of as fine o home rs there is in
Tweedside. She has the privilege OF
a good mother and of guardian wise
and faithful beyond the common; she
has the privilege of marriage far bet
ter than she merits, for as lot of fools
have called her the Flower of Gala
Water she has the very great privilege
of owning many a bonnie brae and