Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-11

JODilnS ana Jasper Slyne uiu theiI pese
to make the time pass pleasantly for her.
she was very glad when message the
butler brought her gave her an excuse
for leaving the table little before she
would otherwise have got away
She had hoped to escape alone. but
Slyne had overheard what the man had
said and accompanied her to the hall.
where the old housekeeper was awaiting
her.
What's all this. Mrs. NJ Kissock?' he
asked. somewhat sharply. And-whos
Mr.. Herries?''
"Mr. Herries is the factor in charge of
the estates SIR" she answered, ana
some of her ladyship's tenantry have
come up from the village with him to Of
fer her welcome. 1t was not my place
to turn them away from the door without
word from her ladyship's SELF.
'Oh, no." said Sallie. her eyes aglow
and a sudden lump in her throat to think
that her own folk were making her well
come. Il must see them, Janet. l must
thank them
Slyne frowned. but made no further de-
muir as Mrs. M'Kissock gave orders to
open the doors.
The glare OF the torches half blinded
Salie as she stepped out: and she halted
beneath the portcullis But she saw an
old man alone on the drawbridge and
went on alone toward him. He dofed
his Highland bonnet to her and bowed
with old-fashioned Difference. Then he
looked her in the face for a moment or
two. very keenly. while she returned his
searching glance with happily smiling
eyes which had nothing to hide from
him. And all the time the pipers In the
background were blowing their best:
He held UP trembling hand to them
and the shrill music ceased. The sputter
OF the torches was the only sound that
broke the stiffness until he spoke.
Lady Josceline Justice?'' he asked. and,
as Sallie nodded still smiling, Il am Ian
Herries." he told her. factor of Loqu-
hariot and your ladyships humble serv-
ant. I had no news of your ladyships
coming or I would have been here in time
to say welcome home on behalf Of your
ladyship's tenantry and myself"
'Oh. thank you. Mr.. Herries.' said
Sallie. in a shy and very tremulous voice.
whose tone changed suddenly to one Of
urgent alarm. "But-you're ill. You
must come in and rest.
"Oh, Jasper"
The old man had almost collapsed, but
Slyne hurried forward in time to save
him from falling.
'I'll see to Mr.. Herries." said he, with
great air Of sympathy, and helped the
sick man indoors.
Salie looked little uncertainty after
him, and then faced the Pickering torches
alone again. The silent scrutiny OF all
the eyes regarding her was something OF
Ill OTQedl, out she went DTdScly Oh dCIOSS
the drawbridge.
She did not notice the nip in the air.
but some one among the asSemblage had
wrapped her about in a heavy plaid and
drawn back before she could see who 1t
was.
Your ladyship will find the Jura tar
tan as warm as the welcome we all wish
your ladyship," said a stalwart bearded
mountaineer. who had stepped to the
front to speak for his fellows; and, as
oh 1nd OBJ but for tod Y1r,
into his scarlet face. he bent his head
above the hand she had held out to him.
One after another the hillmen and fisher
folk Of the village filed past her then,
each with some stammered salutation. In
difficult English or cultural Gaelic. And
for each she had a shy, grateful smile
and word Of thanks. until at the last
came Justin Carthew, who had also stoop
| ed and kissed her hand before she could
prevent him.
He would have passed on like the
others. but that she. blushing hotly, beg
ged him to walt. For Janet MKissock
had come to her shoulder to say that al
the Jura Arms. in the village. would be
provided loving cup, In which all might
drink her ladyship's health, as was proper
on such an occasion. and had brought
out the big, silver-mounted hunting
quaich. in which every new Earl of Jura
had pledged his people on his accession.
|. The butts Of the torches had been flung
in heap on the ground before the girl,
and formed a fiery pyramid between her
and the waiting throng.
She lifted up the drinking horn. her
eyes very bright, and cried. at the pitch
of her clear, sweet voice, single.
strangely sounding word in the Gaelic.
that Janet M'kissock had whispered to
her once or twice. And the sudden, thun-
derous roar of response that rang out in
answer, as il from q single throat, awoke
wild echoes among the surrounding hills.
Your ladyship will come inbye now"
begged Mrs NJ issock, as the pipers
struck up again al the head Of the gath
ering on its way back to the village.
But, Just a minute, Janet said Sallie.
I'm quite warm. And-you needn't
watt
The bonfire before her was burning low
in spite Of the wind. which had just be-
gun to blow and promised to freshen. She
Carthew were gone. And then she turned
to him. the tears very near her eyes and
her starved heart almost satisfied.
'Oh, Mr.. Carthew," she said. timidly,
I am about-everything 1 had no idea
at ALL when you told me on the Olive
Branch"
"Of course not" said Justin Carthew
conciSely.
And Mr.. Jobling was so-abrupt: and
l didn't know what to do. Won't you
please forgive me; had no idea
Il was pretty much taken aback my
self, said Justin Carthew, and laughed q
little. though not very merriy. But
I'm all right again now. And you mustn't
worry about me. please. I'm all right
again, and"
You'll wait for little?" she inter-
rupted. she was so eager to reassure him
II can't help being who I am. buff you
will only wait for little, everything will
turn out all right for you, too
She could see that he was puzzled.
Il can't explain" she went on, hur-
riedly, afraid that he would demand ex
PLANTATION. But I want you to give me
a little time, If you will. I want you not
to go away. If you will just wait-for
only three months-everything will turn
out all right for you in the end"
"But-how-' he was beginning, when
she cut him short again.
Il can't explain" she repeated. "Only
you once promised that I might ask you
to do anything / wanted. VIII You not
just wait here and trust me-for only
three months? And then you'll under
stand"
He looked helplessly about him.
TN wait here-and trust you-all the
rest of my life," he said, IF you say So
And then I'll still be in your debt"
IAN l ask is my three months" she
told him, gravely And, then
He looked his utter perplexity.
You don't mean that you're Lady JOS
celine Justice only for the time being?"
he asked, his forehead wrinkled.
ooh no. she answered, aSsuredly. I'll
be Lady Josceline Justice all my life.
And-you'n keep your promise?"
"Pll keep my PROMISE" he affirmed.
"I'n wait here and trust you for three
months-and for the rest Of my life, If
you say So
Chn mil od q i'm ntav, fod1x