The Ely miner., 1930-10-24

were a wee bit laddie, was used to
tell you stories Of my brother, Robert,
In American"
Sir George, absorbed In lighting his
cigarette, nodded.
Hes still there, and he's big man
in his way"
"What is his way?
"Some kind of contracting business,
Putting up weirs and grand public
buildings, bridges and they awful sky
scrapers that crowd streets over there"
Sir George nodded to signify his
comprehension.
"He's by way of being something
awful well Off"
Sir Georges eyes opened.
Aggy nodded solemnly. Him and
mes been at outs for many a long
year on account of a real impident
letter he sent me some time before /
married your father He doesn't know
I'm married. / refused to go out to
America and be pampered the way he
said he would pamper me. Rob let
fly some awful words about 'd-n OBJ
stinate females so l jst didn't an
swer his letter. When he sent some
lawyer bodies after me jist told them
to take his money and his messages
back to him, 1 would go my own gait.
You see,'' she added, as Sir George
looked at her inquiringly, 81 was badly
needed at Sandisbrae then. 1t would
have been demoralized, but for me.
Your father was rarely himself, and
things were not as they had been in
my lady's time. You were away In
France"
Sir George nodded. He did not
want to remember those times.
II couldn't see my way to leaving
the place, especially as your father
was making up to Jocks lass, as l
told you. And she with little sense
in her wee, putty head! SO / judged
that it would be better for you II
stayed and let your father compromise
himself with me. At least that's the
way I let him think" she said, with
a nod at Sir George.
81 daresay there was a lot of gossip
about us, but none of it was true.
However, it was my chance to set
things right and I took it. Jist when
Sir Steenie knew he couldn't be left,
I says to him: This is no place for
an unmarried respectable woman
Then d-t, marry me, Aggy,' he said,
as l have asked you more than once
Thank you, Sir Steenie,' I says, Wen
take the night train to Gles'ga and get
the license, and I'll warrant you a
peaceful life and no more extrava-
gances.' Plenty of whisky and peace
to drink it in, Aggy, my dear, is my
notion of pleasure he said"
She paused and sighed, 81 did better
for him than most, and l saved some
thing for you, Sir Geordie."
Sir Georges head was bowed on
his hands. "Oh, Aggy, I'm ashamed
that 1 thought of you as did"
Aggy's firm lip trembled for mo-
ment "You might have remembered
me better than that, Sir GeOrdie,"
was on the tip of her tongue, but she
held it back and said: "Bless me!
What does a lad remember about his
old nurse? And it looked bad. But
that's by and gone, if only" and
here her composure was shaken for a
moment-"if only you believe me now"
Sir George leaned forward and took
her fat, pudgy hand, which still bore
traces of hard work, and patted it.
hn If I didn't
believe you?"
She laid her other hand on top OF
his-a rare caress from this most
reserved person.
"That's my laddie," she said. "Sir
Geordie, l have often thought if you'd
come back that first year-but then,
how could you? 1t was probably bet
ter as it was, and now We'll take stock
of what's left u.s.
"Very little, I'm afraid. The lawyer
told me that l had nothing but
Sandisbrae left"
did he so? There was a little
something left over, that your father
didn't spend. let Sir Steenie think
he gambled it away one night he
wasn't himself, while as a matter of
fact l had it hid up the stair, in the
tower"
"But that" Sir George began.
"Its yours. It's no much, but it'll
help"
"It's yours" he declared hastily.
Its all the widows portion you have,
Aggy. I'll never touch a penny of it."
Two obstinate Scots stared at each
other. 1t was Aggy, Lady Sandison,
who spoke first.
"You were ever set laddie There's
no change in you.'
"There will be no change in me.
Agnes, Lady Sandison, must take her
lawful share"