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


teeth and voice that might vile a
bird from tree.
"Helen! Helen! My beautyw He
stopped in the middle of the song to
say the words, and he said them on her
lips, with his hands on her shoulders,
as he stood face to face with her. Then
he leaped the wall and asked if she
would come down to the water and
have walk and talk with him.
And Helen grew suddenly ten times
lovelier. Her heart throbbed like a hive
in June. Yes, she wanted to go down
to the water, for love has still some
thing of the sea, but she said, II must
first go and tell father, for he is in the
byre."
''Let the auld man be, my beauty!
He will be sure to say, Don't go, Hell
en- or 1T is too late and near the ex-
ercise,' or There's a fog coming from
the east or the like of that. Take
your own leave. You are no bairn
now"
AYE, but am. I am fathers BARN
always. Wait minute. 1 will be
back anon"
She returned in a few minutes lit
tile dashed, but she lifted her plaid, and
Roy took it over his arm. Then they
strolled down to the sands together.
AS soon as they were little distance
from the cottage Roy asked:
"What did the auld man sayw
"Dinna speak of father that way,
Roy" answered Helen. "I'm not ik-
ing it. Father isn't auld. He can do
as big a days work as any man in
Arran, and he has neither sign nor feel
of old age yet. God forever bless himw
81 am meaning no harm, Helen.
He was speaking very sharp to me
a few days since, and l was not liking
it. But for you, my dautie, l would
have given him as good as he sent"
'What were you saying to make IA
ther sharp with you? 1t isn't his way
to be interfering"
81 was only telling Will Sennex
about Matte Robinson and her two
lovers. The lass is very butterfly of
vanity and oonceit, and any lad that
will flatter her cam
"Pm not caring to hear about Matte
Robinson. 1t is few people that know
the lassie well enough to judge her,"
"Maybe. but there is not a man or
woman between here and Inachar that
does not ken how poor Archie Lagg is
treated by that wife of his. She won't
even go to the kirk he likes. She says
she can think for hersarD
How can she have the presump-
ton" asked Helen, with dubious lit
tie laugh, whose mocking character
Roy did not notice. est. Paul would
never have believed in such a wom-
an"
Tndeed he wouldn'tw answered the
unsuspicious young man. "You know,
Helen, it is the Scripture rule that wa-
men shall ask their husbands about
things they are ignorant of. And !
was just saying this and that about
women in general when the auld man
Il mean the elder-snapped me up
with a very impertinent remark about
my ain mother"
"Roy, father was hearing something
can scarce believe possible about
your cousin Willis boat"
ST ken what you mean."
"Some one was telling you did the
deed, but am sure that is simply un-
thinkable."
"Of course! OF course! Would I, for
anything, smirch the name of the wo-
man love better than my own life?
l would be born fool to do it! would
think shame of myself forever"
They had reached by this time a
large rock, and Roy sat down and drew
Helen close to his side. He then tried
to turn the conversation, but Helen
was not satisfied.
"Roy," she said, 81 am not doubling
you, but would be pleased to have the
denial. straight and plain, from you.
There's folk that will be talking, and l
want to be able to speak the words for
you that you will perhaps be too proud
and too angry to speak for yourself.
So. my dear lad. did you paint your
cousins boat name out or did you not?"
81 did not. will swear it if you want
me to-"
'No, no! If could not take your
word, / would think still less of your
oath. Yes or no is enough for any man
to say; more is just weakness"
81 say No! then"
"That is all l want. Who do you
think is the guilty person? l would
wish to give him, whoever he is, a
warning. / know well the look on my
fathers face when he told me of his
name and my name being blacked out.
And just because he said so little and
threatened none l know he is set on
making an example of the blackguard,
whoever he may be. So would like
to warn him either to confess his fault
to the elder and get his forgiveness or
else put himself out of the reach of his
just anger. Who do you think was
able for such bit of contemplate
spiteY
~ think Will Anderson did the deed
with his ain hands,"
"You do not know what you are
saying, Roy"
81 know fine. Will Anderson did it
himself. He thought would get the
blame of it and so lose your respect
and liking"
"You are clean mistaken! Will did
not do it. l would as soon blame my
self. An act like that Il clean below
and beyond him. The ven thought of