The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-07-11


if thought you were man like to go
to the mischief for aught that a woman
might do to you l would say a hundred
fold NO this minute. But
"But you will trust me? You will
love me? oh, my bonnie Helen, give
me the one word that will make me
prouder than king or kaiser. Will you
be my wife, HelenW
And she answered, Eyes" Then she
suffered him to taste the sweetness of
her surrender. She allowed herself to
confess that she loved him dearly, that
she had long loved him and would love
him to the end of life. And the tide
came murmuring up, and the purple
sunset frightened the seaward stretch
es as they told in the eerie loneliness
of the rocks their tale of love and be-
lieved that it was something quite new
and special to their own experience.
Waiting for their return, the elder
knew what he would have to hear, and
he tried to prepare himself for it. If
Helen was resolved to marry this man,
he must at least bear his disappoint-
ment without whimpering and with
such silent dignity as became an elder
of the kirk. But it was bitter trial,
for he found out that hour how great
was his dislike for Roy Anderson and
how much he feared his influence over
Helen; also he felt little hard toward
his daughter. She knew that of all the
lads who went into the boats this lad
~, oh @a hn
knew that he mistrusted his moral ma
ture and that the general feeling in the
village was not favorable to him,
though it was hard to say on what
grounds this prejudice existed, for Roy
was prompt observer of all that the
little community held in respect, con-
slant sitter in the kirk and a ready
extra labor; but for all this his cousin,
Will Anderson, who made no particular
effort to please, who was not q good
singer or a good story teller, who was
shy of women and whose sole claim to
favor was good, simple heart, was a
far more popular man.
If it had been Will Anderson, the ia
ther told himself, he would not so much
have regretted the minister. He could
at least have respected Will and would
not have been ashamed of him among
the great and honorable company Of
his forefathers. But RoyI "Ah, weelW
he said as he saw the young people
coming home together. "There is room
for hope yet. Promising is not marry
inur fhau tn
him, and when Roy, with the pride of
a newly engaged man, referred to Hell
en- as his future bride" the elder grim
ly smiled and answered:
"Weel, weel, that will do for q pass
ing remark"
81 hope you have no objections, eld-
err" said the lover, with slight tone
of offense at his want of appreciation.
"No, no! The circumstance is not
likely to be far out of the way" was
the doubtful rejoinder.
81 can assure you that love Helen.
She is my first love, and would die
for her."
Nonsense, man! Only fools die for
love. Wise men and women very Of
ten lNe W lnuuh Nou LAll lHey ulu hOI
get the first foolish desire of their
hearts. We will make the exercise
now. 1t has been waiting an hour on
your self seeking"
When the worship was over, Roy,
who wished to conciliate, said few
words about its excellency, adding:
"We are going to have big musical
reunion in the village, elder. have
the charge of it, and it would be a
great thing for us all if you would take
the chair"
But the elder shook his head and an