The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1930-11-14
CHAPTER III-Continued


had airily observed that they would
have TO get along somehow until the
new servants came from the city. and
it was possible they might not arrive
at the island until tomorrow. The un-
pleasantness of this morning had be-
gun with a statement from Roberta
that in this place ii was impossible TO
get or keep a decent staff of servants.
IT was too far from everywhere. The
servants brought from the city would
not put up with its rsmOteness, and as
for temporary help, which was all
one could get in this place, it was
beyond speech.
Robert. the millionaire, groaned. and
turned TO watch the car cross the
bridge and make its way toward the
house 1t came TO a StandStill just
beneath him, and he saw Joe lift out
two or three travelling bags and then
turn TO speak to the first of his pas.
sengers who alighted. This was a tall
young man with golden brown hair,
which cleaned in the sunlight as he
took off his hat and looked about with
interest. He turned to help out a
middle-aged woman with round and
dumpy figure. Bob Macbeth looked at
her idly.
Must be the cook-housekeeper and
the butler Roberta expected, but she
had not told him they were Scots.
Robert Macbeth prided himself on his
ability, gained from years of handling
Immigrant labor. of unerringly recog-
niZing nationality, even city or dis
trict, at a glance. The woman was
talking to Joe Ligori, who evidently
did not quite understand her. He saw
the young man gently touch her arm.
as though to bid her be quiet. and
himself address Joe. Robert saw that
Joe nodded and grinned with pleasure.
climbed back into the front seat and
composed himself to wait The man
and the woman came toward the door.
They rang several times, but there
was no response.
He raised himself painfully in his
chair, raped loudly with his cane
and called out:
"This wayr'
They turned and came toward him.
There was no doubt the dumpy little
woman was a Scot. Robert Macbeth,
so long resident of this country that
he had ceased TO think of himself as
anything but an American, felt warm
feeling of kinship, strong as only
clannish Scots and possibly the equally
clannish Jews can feel at the sight
% Sc los..
land.
She was typical. this little woman.
A gOOd-lOOking woman at that But
what clothes He found himself eager
to hear her speak. He knew before
hand she would have a glorious burr.
and maybe something of dialect 1t
was music to his ears. After all these
years of Americanization, Robert Mac
Beth still thrilled to bagpipes. or the
burr in Scots voice.
He glanced a. the man to whom she
was talking, and whistled, low. Sell
dom had he seen such a handsome
man. The fellow was striking, both
as to his height, the clear-cut beauty
of his features and his fine head with
sunlight. Under his broad brows his
brown eyes, large and finely formed.
looked out with curious directness.
Oh, this man will never do! Robert
said to himself decidedly. Have all
the maids neglecting their work to
look at him.
The woman came forward with a
mil ctn "a nj
self solidly on her feet as she walked
as though each small plump foot was
q f1atiron. Robert had an odd feeling
of liking for her. There was nothing
servile in the way this woman walked
toward and looked at him. She was
directly opposite him now.
pardon me, but l am unable to
rise. owing to bad attack of
rheumatism. Won't you sit?'
She did not move, but kept looking
at him oddly and finally said:
"Rob, do We no know me? I'm Aggy %
He stared at her, speechless. His
eyes searched her face for traces of
the young and blooming sister he had
left, so many years ago, in Scotland.
1t couldn't be Aggyl Yet. when he
looked again, this might be Aggy-an
Aggy that the years had stoutened
and thickened and rounded out little
too much, and put gray in the great
mass of red hair which Sister Aggy
used to have.
"Aggyp He said it aloud. ''Is 1t
you? | cannot rise"
Aggy, if this was Aggy-this strange
woman-came nearer him and took
his hand in hers
''It will be surprise to you, no
doubt, Rob, after so many years, and
after my refusing your kind offer so
decided-like; but I'm Aggy."
Robert, his eyes still on her said
softly: "Aggyl" Then he smiled.
Its like you, coming this way without
warming He laughed. "Why,
thought you were the new cook or the
hOusekeeper."
Aggy smiled. 1t was a slow and
reluctant smile, but ii was pleasant.
$50 did your lady-daughter, who
passed US on the road here. She told
yon driver that you were at home and
would see u.s."
"You didn't tell her"
"Guid Sakesl Mol ! didn't tell