The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-01-13
7HE EVENING STORY
Jock o. HazeIdene.
(By Leslie Davls.)


him amused. And you mustn't mind
hearing a great deal about the Mac
kenzies; he's very proud of his family.
He has a bit of Mackenzie verse to fit
every occasion, as you will soon learn"
There was a merry twinkle in her
eyes as she spoke, but when she turned
it died away. leaving a sadness there
that puzzled Miss Harris.
'She has everything a girl could
wish,'' pondered the nurse. Now what
is the mystery?"
She stumbled on the secret when she
heard Miss Nora sing.
'Come, Nora lass, give US a song"
proposed her uncle in the evening.
I've not heard your warbling for many
a day. You should hear her in the old
ballads, Miss Harris. There's no one
can handle a ballad like our Nora
He was right, the proud old gentle
man; her voice was glorious, but the
sad strain that crept through her rich
tones would have brought tears to a
stone image.
".And aye she let the tears run down
For Jock O. Hazeldeen.'
crooned out the sweet voice and then
an idea popped into Miss Harris head.
It's love that's the matter! There's
a Jock in her life. that's plain, but
what in the world
Mr.. Mackenzies voice interrupted the
speculations.
I'm heavens name, Nora" he cried,
funeral? Stop waiting and give us a
decent, lively tune!"
The song stopped suddenly.
81 think I'll not sing any more to-
night" she said. '"My head is both
ering me-" and with wan little smile
she left them.
81 can't think what's come over
Nora" began her uncle, fretfully. "A
girls head has no business with ach-
ing?'
IF you'll excuse me, SIR" ventured
Miss Harris, @Is there a chance that
it might be her hearth"
He gave her quick look.
There's always chance of any wild
thing, I suppose" he answered. nom
comn1ittally He would never discuss
his family affairs with a stranger.
MY grandmother was a Mackenzie,
announced the nurse. unexpectedly.
Mr.. Mackenzie's face lighted.
"a Mackenzie!' he cried JoyfulIy.
Then if you're Mackenzie I'll tell
you about Nora. In the spring she
CHANGED to meet young Allan Mac
kenzie, and the poor, foolish creatures
have not been the same since. They
wanted to marry but could never give
my consent"
Not DIR. Mackenzie, of st. Johns
Hospital? Why, he's a man in a thou
sand! What possible fault can you find
with him.
II find no fault at all with him."
Mackenzie. But my grandfather and
his great grandfather were brothers
and they had trouble over piece OF
land outside Dunfermline. When the
Mackenzies quarrel it is for all time.
Don't you remember the verse
"And do you mean to tell me- broke
out Miss Harris Indignantly, that on
account of an old, worn-out verse you
would break the hearts of two young
people?'
Tut, tut he protested.
Miss Harris went upstairs full OF the
story and stopped at Miss Nora'S door
to ask about her head.
Your uncle and I have found mu-
tual acquaintance" she remarked. Dr.
Mackenzie, of New York.
eve met DR.. Mackenzie, too" She
tried to say it casually. Did he see
that is, was he looking well when
you saw him last?"
NO answered Miss Harris, truth
fully: ''he was looking wretchedly.'
"The Mackenzies can bear the trou-
b1es that come to them,' declared the |
girl, but her fair head dropped.
Miss Harris hesitated, then she
thought of young Allan Mackenzie
fighting it out alone down there in the |
citv and all because of an old worn-out |
Miss Nora" she ventured, impulsive-
lv "you were singing Jock o. Hazel |
deem In the last verse the girl fol-
Miss Nora looked quickly up sur
prised.
"Perhaps. My grandmother was
Mackenzie"
A relieved expression passed over
Miss Morals face Although born IN I
America she had been trained on
Scotch lines and was as STEPPED in
rld a rd n
his castle.
.eThen if you've blood, Miss Har-
ris, YOU know that the Mackenzies
are faithful to their trusts; first TO
the king, then to the clan and then
to the family
isn't any clan.'' interrupted Miss Har-
ris. land as for the family, it will be /
a short time before that is gone, too
If every marriage is to hinge on some
worthless old jinglei"
Miss Nora's color came and went,
but she only answered Scotch wom-
en- obey in a numb sort of fashion.
Like Lochinvar's Ellen and Lord
Ullen's daughter blazed Miss Harris.
sarcastically Miss Nora, dear Miss
.But if you'd ever been happy in love
and then you'd had your love taken
away, you know what 1 feel tonight
and you'd think and pray on your /
Bonded knees before you'd let your
chance of happiness slip awayi'
Never a word said Miss Nora, but
round the older woman's neck two
soft arms came stealing while she
drew her close.
when they parted for the night Miss
Harris did some serious thinking. She
had done her share toward stirring
matters up and she wanted to do her
share toward Strengthening them.
The next morning Miss Nora ap-
peared at breakfast wearing trim |