Evening star., 1902-03-15

such an accompaniment OF meeting hands
and fiutteering hearts. He raised his eyes,
am, 10. the shellpnk deepened on her cheek
to rOSe-red. Infin4tiEeS were never more
perfect than those which John explained.
This hour was TO John the crown Of the
day-nay, of all the barren year. The bit
terness of his late Homecoming. VerOni-
ca s acrid tonics of the morning. the soli-
tary tramp with dismal thoughts along the
lochside the disappointment Of the walk
home-all were forgotten.
1t with start that he became con-
scious of a sudden hush stealing over the
kitchen. Without word Fairlie pushed
away her books. Old David stepped to
the door. and in loud voice sent forth
mOnOSy liable which cracked in the frosty
air like pistol shot.
Boys
Then he went to the open cupboard and
lifting down the family Bible and laying
it open on the table before him. sat in wait
ing, erect and stately priest about to
perform a sacred obla ation. All David
Glendinnings folies and peculiarites SEEM
ed to fall off him at the approach Of the
hour of prayer.
Rupert had risen to his feet with in
tent to take his leave. but David stopped
him with a large gesture of the hand not
unimpressive in its dignity of simplicity.
Stay he said then that company
wi us IN this my hoose. bide to worship.
wi likewise"
John did not fall into the same mistake.
being stopped by the slightest touch Of
follow his brothers example.
Once or twice Johns eyes fell on his
brother during what followed. Rupert sat
a little dazed like man, who turning
the handle of a door to enter theater
finds himself unexpectedly in a crowded
church.
1t was the time OF departure The three
lads had filed up the stairs to bed immed-
lately after the close Of the Taking Of
the Book
David came to the door to bid his visitors
good night, and stood talking to John about
Fairlie's work at the Acauemy. in which,
in spite of his contempt for literature, he
was genuinely interested.
John wondered whittier she had gone.
but in an instant the sound OF horses hoofs
was heard and Fairlie came forward
little hastily. taking her fathers arm and
leading him out upon the road beyond the
spared paiings Of the little cottage
Looking back over his shoulder John
saw his brother and Kate Glendinning
coming forward as it had been from some
outbuilding where Bravo" had been teth-
cred
On pretext of altering thegirths or arrang-
ing the stirrup. Rupert stopped. and after
saying something in low voice, he took
Kate's hand ana raised it. foreign fashion,
TO his lips.
on her face. and the next instant David
Glendinning had turned toward them and
the little scene was over
The two brothers ie4. the little group of
three standing by the gate-thefr figures
dark against the thin sprinkle of frozen
snow on the ground. Turning round once
more John nOticed that 1t was Kate who
had gone in first Fairlie stood by her
father and watched them out OF sight
But John was far too young and simple
to read the riddle Of that.
1t was Rupert who spoke first
Il suppose 1t will be 'ride-and- tie :"
he said. with a glance at Bravo who strobe
alongside. lifting his feet straight up with
a dancing movement and tossing his head
continually. We will go by the long ave
nue. and tie first at the end Of Potion mill
You take next turn Of Bravo You can
leave him for me at the Boyle Thorn. Then
l will stable him with Alec Steel at Park
hill. and you can ride him home.
Rupert, said John heavily, first must
know that you do not intend any mischief
to those girs-I want to be sure of what
am doing before there can be any further
converse between us"'
"Hoity, toityr' cried the elder brother,
laughing, what have we here? Mon Dieu
my good Master Sly Boots did you expect
to keep such a couple of country beauties
all to yourself? What Grand Turk 1t is
and parson to boot! Well, they often go
together"
With me. l have known them all my life.
l am simple fellow. and they both know
me root and branch. You come down on
them from far countries and grand courts.
You appear to them like a fairy prince See
how all the servants at the castle bow down
to you. Yeu can only do harm here,
Rupert. You know that after what has
made for You. You simply Nust marry Miss
Carsiaw. 1t is your only eAaaee-i ] ash
you'll pray you. Rupert, TO let these Girls
aicne. You can only bring sorroW On o