The Washington times., 1913-02-02
By Stephen Chalmers

, conscious of sense of nakedness In
thus displaying my sturdy legs.
When / at last escaped from Mac
kinnon and his cringing people I firmiy
believed that every public eye was
turned upon me and that ali Glasgow
was grinning at Rorie, Maclean In
breeks. AS walked toward the house
IN Glasgow Green my self-conscious-
ness increased, for I was yet to face
Mariposa and the other ladies in this
unaccustomed attire.
1t was Mariposa herself who opened
the door to let me in. and / am sure
do not know which of us was the more
confused. The Macmurtrie girls, you
see, had been putting dainty hands ION
her. There she stood in the doorway.
as sweet a thing as was ever made, In
her gewyaws and ribbons, and neatly
coiled hair-blushing and : blushing,
| with big expectant eyes and a tremu-
lous smile on her lips. / do mot think
she was more than conscious at first of
tine change in my appearance: but pres
emily as we looked over each other we
both burst QUE laughing.
"Oh, you bonny lass.,' cried.
"Oh, Rorie!' was all she said, but a
light Of satisfaction danced In her
eyes. Come away ben"
AS we entered the parlor. both OF US
very red in the face after the moment
in the hall, the Macmurtie girls greeted
us With With a great s a;.aa clappins Of hands, .,
Janet, you will be feeling cold with
out your kilt"
NO." said I: "but, certes. l. would be
feeling more comfortable with it, AT
| that they laughed until they had to
run out Of the parlor.
Mariposa and / were left together.
She stood in the middle of the floor,
with her hands clasped demurely in
you are not to mind them, Rorie."
said she, ''for they have been very
kind to me- And her eyes filled with
moisture.
make the man? IT they have BEEN
good to you, they have been more than
, good to me-
She let her hand lie in mine for
while. then she looked up and said:
And your troubles are overpast."
Yours are, lass. Ah,sbut you are
She slipped her arms around my neck
and drew my ear close to her lips. She
whispered:
AYE. but I have raped up my
plaid and bonnet and will keep them
safe. for they are dear to me-and to
you. lad?'
AYE, lass. And when you are the
grand lady you will give them to me
to keep-for what else can poor Rorte
have Of Mariposa?''
I will not set down what her an
swer was to this. nor how We passed
the next five minutes. 1t could not
have been five minutes. for back came
the MacMurtrie girls. and with them
their mother. The elder lady glanced
swiftly from me to Mariposa. Ny lass
and I were sitting at separate corners
of the hearth. Mistress Macmurtrie
smiled at me and said:
"And now, Maclean," settling herself
for crack, and how would you be
liking Glasgow
why. madam" / said. "I have seen
but little of it-that is to say" for felt
that ] had made a bad start. having
self well content with 1t"
I accomplished this surprising-for me
speech with a bow to the ladies. The
girls Immediately applauded. but were
silenced by Mistress Macmurtrie's dis
"And when will you be leaving Glas-
gow?" asked the dame.
I was only able. to say that I was in
deed sorry they should be anxionus to
hear when I must depart. This remark
did not seem to please the young ladies,
but Mistress Macmurtrie began to
chuckle hugely.
"Hoot. toot!" she said. in a manner
So like her husbands that / expected
her to produce a snuff-box.
When she had got over her fit of
chuckling she turned to Janet the elder
OF the two girls. and commanded her to
play for Mister Maclean." Janet, like
a well-trained daughter. obeyed without
hesitation. She played with a great deal
OF accomplishment-at least, so it SEEM
ed to me-and afterward she sang
love-sonR which, have since learned,
was written BY the King himself. /
have heard Mariposa sing II, but all
can remember Of It Is:
Worship. o ye that lovers be, this May.
For of your bliss the calends are begun.
1t was very fine, but in my heart the
spirit and the singer more awakened a