Year: 1866

Stewart unfolded them, spread them out
on her knee, regarded them wistfully, as il
their hieroglyphics could tellher something
of Sandy ; and had they only anticipated
modern improvements, and conveyed to
her woodcuts, they might have spoken to
her in appropriate language of her boy
At last she folded them up, and deposited
them carefully where they were all found
one day. in the drawer with her best gown,
and the silk stockings, as if she waited for
the arrival of a scholar at Clovenford, who
would bring the key and unlock the mys-
terry occcasioned by the confusion of
tongues.


Sandy went away in the harvest, and to-
wards the close of the next spring Birk-
holm, who had been in Edinburgh all the
winter with his sisters, came back to his
own house, and called afterwards at the
manse to announce the marriage of his ell
dest sister to gallant naval captain, who
had been fortunate in obtaining prize mon
ey, was on shore only for "a short time, and
as he was already posted to another ship,
and had no time to lose had so expedite
matters that he wanted Mr. Stewart to tie
the knot at once at Birkholm


1t is said that one marriage lightly turns
a rowing fancy to the thought Of another
and with more shyness to cover his anxiety,
the young laird alluded to his sisters ex-
pectation that Miss Stewart would pay her
the compliment OF being present at the GER
emony, and would remain a few days at
Blrkholm as company for his youngest Sis
ter Nancy, because Ef1ie was to accompany
Betsy, the bride, in the capacity of brides
maid.


Mr. and Mrs Stewart were altogether
propitious, and very glad that Jess, who
had lived dull life for long time, should
have the grand entertainment, when to
their astonishment Jess declined the invi-
tation for herself with the greatest prompt
ness and decision, wished Miss Spottis-
woode every happiness, hoped to see her
before she left the country, but regretted
that she had engagements at home which
would prevent her having the honor and
pleasure of being one of the company at
the wedding, and staying behind the other
guests to console Miss Nancy, thus send
ing off the laird with another flea in his ear,
and vowing vehemently to have nothing
more to say to "a naughty hizzie," though
she was his early flame, Jess Stewart, ten
times over.


Jess, my woman, why did you give
Birkholm the cold shoulder when he came
Oh so kind an errand If it is for the pur-
pose of making yourself of consequence,
and if the lad be Of my mind, he will not
put himself in your power again, madam"
observed the minister, with affected light
ness.


81 He need not try it." answered Jess
shortly


And you are not like your mother"
persisted the minister, chanking his cue
'for if | know her, she would be wild to
this day to dance at wedding, and have
the chance Of walking every day in Brk
holm Den, when the birks are shaking out
their buds and smelling like balm, and there
are more primroses on a single bank than
in the whole of her garden beds"


My dancing days are over, minister"
Mrs. Stewart told him, with shake of the
head, but smile still wedding is
bonnie sight, and should like very well to
walk down to Den again and fill my lap
full of primroses, and sit and rest, and get
drink, and gather the hyacinths round
the Lady Well and listen to the throstle in
the thorn, if | were as good a walker as
have been. | cannot think what has come
over our Jess"