Year: 1874




and they were all busy in making up use.
ful presents for Ailasa, and in sending to
distant parts for the best whisky that could
be got. just in case the bridal procession
might come their way. The people were
we'll disposed toward the young lass of
Carn-Slean; they knew her mother had
not much money IN the bank and so they
bought blankets and made clothes and set
aside portions Of their own furniture for
her, and many was the visitor who travel
ed all the way to Killeena to ask the blush
ing Ailasa what she would like. Then,
one day came letter from Aister Lewis,
addressed to Mrs. Macdonald and the
postman made her sign a receipt for that
letter, much to her wonder. And inside
there was nothing less than parcel Of G1
bank notes--ten in all and Alister asked
the mother if she would take that to help
in buying AiIasa's outfit, when she went
toStornoway for that purpose. Moreover,
the young man had long ago sent back to
Nicol Lewis all the money the brothers
had lent him when first he left Darroch-
be was clearly prospecting in the world.


Then Alister Lewis came back to his
native place to claim his bride, and he
was more than ever overcome with Won
der and delight at the beauty of her
bright and tender face, and he was vastly
pleased to see how smartly she was dress.
ed while she, trembling. proud and glad,
dared hardly speak to him, lest he should
think she had not as yet quite mastered
the good English. And all the friends,
relations, and distant a,quaintances Of tie
two families came over to Hector Lewis's
farm in Darroch seven days before the
marriage to celebrate the forthcoming
event.


1t was great gathering. IF Alistcr
Lewis had been going to marry princess
they could not have made more stir. For
they cleared out the barn, and put long
tables into it and Nicol Lewis made a
wonderful chandler out Of spars of wood,
and this was hung from the roof of tho
barn, with no fewer than twelve candles
uit Then for supper they boiled twentj
fowls in the boiler used for preparing tur-
uips for the COWS and such as could get
seats at the board had the soup and the
fowls placed before them just as if they
we're kings Others were we'll content to
have theirs outside under the clear star.
light, while they sat upon grindstoacs. or
harrows, or even on the grass.


That was abou. eleven at night. Then
all at once there was a wild skrl Of pipes
inside the barn; and presently all the
people rose. and the piper, playing The
Campbells are coming marched proudly
down the middle of them, and came out
into the hight air, the great company fol.
lowing Then when he had come outside
the music was suddenly changed into a
reel and in the strange glow shining all
over the midnight sky there was enough
light to show the people how to form rap.
id groups for tho dance 1t was great
festivty. There was more than one guest
there who had himself sent over fge-gal.
lon cask Of whisky to help the store /; and
there was no lack Of the best Lagavulin
from lslay or Of the purest Completion
Ountire. All the Night through the stur'
der members Of the company mOstly
married men and women-kept up the
dancing with many wild shout and Eur
rah, even until the day appeared IN the
east and the sun began to shine out and
over the sea. Then those who had farms
near went off to attack the work Of the
wi lie those who had come from
great distances lay down in the barn or in
some empty cart to have snooze before
setting out to go home.


No one noticed that Duncan Lewis had
absented himself from this gathering-no
one but Aister, who was surprised and
grieved. Next day Alis;er went to ALA
sa. and said,


,,Ailasa, did you know that my brother
Duncan was not among the people last
uight?"


IL did not know it, Alister," she said.


ut is something hard he is thinking OF
us, Ailasa," her lover said. "Now there
is no one who can win over Il man like q.
young lass; and If you would go to my
brother Duncan you would learn what he
is thinking about. and be would be friendly
with us again"


..Oh. Alister, can not 60 to your
brother Duncan ~ the girl said, almost
with a look Of alarm.


.But shy will yon not OF" her lover
said, startled by this look.


She remained silent her face downcast,
her manner showing great embarrassment.


~ :. ,o ~ conr.t vnn hava from