The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-06
p Y R nT, l9OZ BY lRVVN N

watched the HeDflueS ulSAppeaT tnTouBl a mist of tears, and in his lonely house the King of Borva heard John the Piper out on the hillside playing "Lochaber No More'
 That teffel John.' roared the old man; 'I will throw him and his pipes into Boch Roag. Duncan, set out the whisky and call the boys
 But the boys -middle-aged. bearded shepherds and fishermen-drank their whisky as if at a funeral feast and could sing no songs except those about drowned people and mournful farewells. It was the most sorrowful night of the old mans life save that on which his wife had died and the banshee had lamented over the old stone house.
 ender took has bride; but Sheila won dered if the queen lived in such fine place. It was the crowning wonder of her wonderful journey southward and her arrival in enchanted Londan
 Well how do you like your house, my darling?' asked Lavender. 'I hope you I won't find it dull"
 Dull, and you here?' Why, you see, l can't be here all the time l must have a studio-in the neigh borhood, of course. And then you must give me your orders in the morning when am to come around for luncheon or dln- ner."
  day?"
 Yes"
 Then l will come and sit with you
 Much work l should do then" laughed Lavender, 'but we'll see" Lavender set about his standardization experiment with the easy confidence of the amateur. He did not mean to make failure of it. he did not mean to be unkind to Sheila, but the young wife's meek and ready acquiescence in all his commands, the apparently cheerful man ner with which sho attempted to be- come all that he would have her, com pletey deceived him. He told her how she should dress and she obeyed; he told her that she must not say And are you ferry well?" and she tried to avoid doing so Somehow the speech which in Borva he had declared the most beautiful English he had ever heard did not sound well to him from Sheilla in London He ex- pressed petulant anger at the habit that Sheila had brought from Borva of talk ing all the poor people she met into her house and feeding them; and he declared that he always expected to come home and find his wife having tea with the nearest charwoman.
 He took her to see the fierce old aunt on whose charity he was living, and that was a trying experience for the young i wife
 q am glad to see you. my dear the old 1 lady said. Sit down. When you are nerv- ous you should sit down. Why did your maid do you hair in such way? Don't be offended. like it. But you must not make a fool of yourself. Paterson will show you how to do your hair. Why did you leave your father?"
 Because my husband wished me to- answered Shell, simply
 'Oh, you think your husbands wishes the first law of the land, do you, sneered the old woman, even though he is only silly Frank Lavender?' Sheila arose with quivering lips. 'I do not care what you say about me" she flashed out, but I will not stay and hear my husband insulted.'
 "Sheila!' chierd Frank vexed and anx- ious, it was only a joke
 Come, sit down." said the old woman with perfect indifference. You will de- stroy youf nervous system if you give way to impulses. I did not mean to of- fend you. Here Paterson, take Mrs Lavender up to my room and do her hair properly" So Shela was led meekly away by the maid and returned with her hair done in the latest fashion.
 They stayed to luncheon at which there were similar little scenes at regular in tervals between Shella and Franks aunt. A shrewd observer would have seen that the old lady had developed a great fancy for the girl; but Frank Lavender was not a shrewd observer He scolded his wife when they were alone. You should not be so exctable, Sheila. You take such Gn exaggerated view pf things Now Io try and make friends with my aunt. She has been very kind to me, and she will be to you when she knows you
 Then Frank introduced Sheila into "so- ciety." He drilled her and lectured her for a week before it.
 You must try and be just like every body else-do as they do and talk as they do," was his constant admonition. That first big dinner in society was a great disappointment to Lavender He had expected Sheila to make a sensation, to draw all thoughts and all eyes to her as the wonderful Princess of Thule, come from a mysterious northern isl- and to dazzle and charm. But Sheila in her anxiety to please her husband, had learned his lessons too well and, except from the healthy freshness of her beauty, there was little to distinguish her from any other beautiful and we'll bred woman.
 1lhe famous American widow, Mrs. Lorraine, was present, of course Frank had talked much about her to Sheila Now above all things. had been his final admonition as they entered the house. mind you take no notice of me. Another man VIII lake you out 10 dinner, and of course. l shall take out some other woman. And don't come and speak to me in the drawing room after din- ner."
 Frank took out Mrs. Lorraine There was a pang at Sheila's heart as she now how her husband livened up under the spell of the wit and beauty of the dag zling American. As the ladies were going into the drawing room, Mrs. Lorraine put her hand within Sheilas arm and led her to the entrance of the conserve tory. "I hope we shall be friends, she said.
 'I hope so." replied sheila. not very warmly. Mrs. Lorraine sat down by the young wife and did her best to be friends with her until in spite of her self Sheila found that she was attracted to the beautiful creature. But soon Frank came over to where Mrs. Lorraine was sitting. and She'll, mindful of his injunction, felt bound to leave him there and move to another part of the room.
 The young lord who had taken Shela out to dinner led her to the plano. Sud- denly Frank awoke to the fact that she was singing Highland songs, which he had last heard in Borva. The days of his wooing came rushing back upon him, and he pitied the people who did not see in his wife the island princess he had expected them to see. But the next day he resumed his experiments in acclimatization, and told Sheila that he did not why she insisted on say ing "gyarden,' when 1t was just as easy to say garden"
 Sheila began to see less and less f1her