Year: 1878




Tell Jean she must stay,n were almost
her first words; and it then at once oc-
Cured to me that his coming home might
bring about painful complications; and
that if Kenneth had forgotten, Jean still
loved.


kenneth's marriage had been surprise;
but when Mrs. Grant put his letter into
nv hands and begged me to read it, |
quite understood the pain it must have
caused her.. He wrote in sad despond-
ing way-was evidently sorry for his
young wie-found it impossible 10 remain
there, surrounded by her relations-began
several times to send message to Jean,
carefully scratching out what he had be-
gun and finally leaving all unsaid, he
ended by hoping his grandmother would
be kind and make allowances. 1t was q
letter written in such evidently low spirits.
and the want of happiness was so painful
ly manifest, that it was quite sad to read.
| sat long, and talked with the old
woman She told me Jean never would
listen to KENNETH but even she did not
know why. She was sure she liked him.
She thought some one had made mischief
Altogether. it was comfort to her to talk
it over with me and though felt utterly
incapable of giving advice. once the re-
serve she usually showed was broken in
to, she opened up to me more OF her own
thoughts and feelings than had ever yet
seen-and the confidence comtorted her.


| went down by the burn side. intend
ing to speak to Jean, but stopped when [
saw her sitting, her face buried in her
hands. As she heard my footsteps, she
raised herself up. She had so sad. so des-
pairing Il look that felt could not speak
to her just then. Her lips parted. and raj
sing her eyes, she murmured, so low that
| could hard y catch the words. "A day
will come when we will know the reason
Of all. " and went slowly up to the bank,
her head dropping, and her hands clasped
together, as though endeavoring to sup
press her excitement.


When arrived at home found tee-
gram summonng me South. The dearest
friend | possessed had been severely in
jured in a railway accident and within
few hours was going to him, my thoughts
too fully occupied TO think of Burnside.





Winter had come early. Storms had
already caused havoc amongst the ship
ping, and brought distress to many
home was plodding my way through
the daily cares and troubles Of my large
parish. when one day | received letter
from Jean. reminding me of promise
had made her OF doing her favor, and
entreating me to get her place, ever SO
humble. it did not matter.


Her letter distressed me. 1t was writ
ten in such evident sorrOw-nOt a word
OF Kenneth or his wife, and of Mrs. Grant
only that she was much the same.


Perplexed bv her letter. still had it be-
fore me when heard hustle in the little
hall, and my friend Mr.. Macrae, the min
lister of the beautiful parish where had
spent those well-remembered summer
months, stood before me, his coat sprink-
led with snow, his color raised by the
frosty air, and look of quiet happiness
that told me at once his long engagement
was drawing to an end. He had come to
try and persuade me to take his duty for
one fortnight. and was delighted to find
small persuasion needed.


Two days more saw me on my way.
Not long after started, most violent
snow storm set in. So long as we were
in the railway our progress was pretty
good, but with something like forty miles
of coaching, through the widest scenery,
and over a road that divided tremendous
hills, it became work OF the greatest
difficulty. Gangs of men had to accom-
pany US, and every now and then we were
obliged to get out of the drifts. When
night came we had to spend it in mis-
eeable little inn, where the peat-smoke,
having no proper outlet, made the air of
the room nearly intolerable; and the only
provisions were oatcake, very hard cheese
and whisky.


Next morning we pushed on, TO find, as
is often the case near the sea, that the
snow had given place to rain, which was
pouring down pitilessly: and never did
SO rejoice over "a welcome as on that wea-
ry day when | found myself greeted by
a splendid fire, a cloth that rivalled the
snow, and all sorts of home comforts be-
fore me, from kippered salmon TO home
made marmalade.


The early morning was one of unceas-
ing rain. Early in the afternoon, the old
servant, with evident reluctance, brought
me word that a man wanted to see me.
1t was Kenneth. As is usually the case,
be was entirely different from the idea |
had in my own mind conceived OF him
tall and fair with sunburnt face, and the
manner and appearance OF man who
had seen a good deal OF the world-one
of nature gentlemen, in outward SEM
blance at any rate. lie came TO sac me,
and to tell me OF old Mrs. Grants APP
preaching end. Then, with lowered
voice, he spoke OF Jean, and with frank
ness said that the position at home was
intolerable to her. Without casting blame
On his wife, he showed me that Jean could
find no LONE with her if old Mrs. Grant
died, and asked me what could be done.


had often seen the sore need that ex-
listed in a children's hospital near me for
just such person as Jean, and spoke to
him of it. He bent his head little, and
saw that the idea OF any service SO far
from him gave an acute pang, and that
he put force on himself, and was trying
to think it was for the best.


Something | said brought out the fact
that his wile's people in Australia were
not very respectable, and flash in his
eyes showed that certain remembrances
were not pleasing. All at once he flung
bacL hia h.ir ndipn