South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-11-09


still IN knee breeches. 70 look at the
new Aud LIGHT minister. was
there. the dominic OF Glen Quhar-
ity. four miles from Thrums, AMI
heavy was my heart as I stood OF so
that Gavin's mother might not have
the pain OF seeing me. I alone OF
the crowd looked more at her than
at her son.
Eighteen years had passed since
we parted. and already her hait had
lost its brightness, and Margaret
was an old woman at only 43, and
who have loved her since I was
hobbIedehoy and shall till I die. am
the man who made her old.
Many scenes I'm the little minis
ter's life come back 10 me. The
first time / ever thought OF writing
his love story as an old mans gift
70 a little maid since grown tall,
was one night in the old school
house, when my gate creaked in the
wind. and my mind drifted back 10
another gate creaking. the first time
I ever saw Gavin and the Egyptian
together.
Gavin was brought up TO be a
minister from his earliest days and
took 20 the idea enthusiastically. 1t
had been the dream OF the two Of
manse, OF which Margaret was mis-
tress. and Gavin the minister, and
now II was fulfilled.
Gavin became at once popular in
Thrums. and though short OF stature
he cast a great shadow. He con-
verified a drunkard. Rob Dow, who
adored him. and would do anything
in the world for him.
On the fateful evening OF Oct. II,
Gavin was returning from Rob
Dow's. and going home through
Caddam woods when he heard sing
ing
The singer came dancing up Win
dyghOul. Only when she passed
him did Gavin see her as a gypsy
elf. her bare feet flashing beneath
a short green skirt. a twig Of rowan
berries in her black hair. She was
pale with an angels loveliness. A
diamond on her finger shot a thread
OF fire over a pool as she danced by.
Undoubtedly she was the devil.
Gavin leaped after her. but as she
saw him she beckoned mockingly,
then kissed her hand, and was gone.
\ moment later came the sound Of
horn. The minister was on the
alert at once, and hurried to the
square. That horn was a signal that
soldiers were marching on the VII
lag folk TO arrest some malefactors
among the weavers. who would re-
sent it.
In the square was On uproar. II
was the gypsy who had given the
warning. Gavin tried to persuade
the people to dispense to save blood
shed. but the Egyptian cried:
EDO not heed this little mani
Save yourselves" and they obeyed
her The soldiers came, but caught
only "a few. the real cuIprits escap
ing. The Egyptian was even caught,
but escaped the officers first through
"a clever ruse, and again through
impudently pretending she was Ca
wins wifel
He was furious, and yet he felt
his anger die as he looked at the
beautiful girl with the appealing
eyes, and coaxing laughing mouth.
lie even told her TO hide in the
manse garden in the summer seat.
TIL the soldiers had gone.
Gavin was in two minds after that.
angry at himself because Of the
Egyptian. and yet he constantly
thought OF her, and wondered. He
preached sermons against women,
were the devil.
one winter day, the Egyptian
timely appearance saved old Nanny
Webster from the poorhouse. The
evpsy fmpuIsively offered i've pounds
90 support Nanny till her brother
came back from jail. Then it was
THAI Gavin first believed in her, and
said he'd trust her word.
The happy Nanny persuaded the
minister 20 stay for tea. That ,ea-
drinking bewitched the little minis
ter, for the fascinating Babbie leased
him-and he liked it,
Babbie brought him the money 10
Caddam Woods next day. and gave
Gavin a holly spray that he secret
lv treasured. Again and again ne
was drawn TO Nanny's cottage where
Fabbie frequently came. and he
didn't understand at first that he was
in love with the mysterious girl with
her many caprices-all of which
charmed him. He lctle knew that
Roo Dow had discovered him with
Babbie in their trysts. and wonder
ed why Rob avoided him, and was
drinking again Rob's greatest fear
was that the kirk elders should learn
Of the Egyptian and the minister
and stone him out Of Thrums
one night. Babbie flashed a LAM
teru IN At the manse window 90 at-
tract Gavin's attention He waited
breothlessly till the manse was quiet
u slumber. then stole out 20 meet
B8bbie az the summer seat There
an the darkness Gavin Kissed her
and Babbie realized for the first time
his love for her She had beer
playing with him, and felt ashamed
She wanted 20 run away. and she
wanted 10 stay and have him put his
Kiss into words But II was late
and IL was that night as Gavin took
her back 20 NannyS that I saw them