THE BEADS OF TASMER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 95, 25 April 1891, Page 6

THE BEADS OF TASMER.

BY AMELIA E. BARB, Author of ' Friend Olivia.

CHAPTER IV.—(Continued.)

UNDERCURRENTS.

Asthoy stood thus toother, Sir Rolfe BE d Lord Lenox entered. Sir Rolfe had a moment's intense satisfaction in the fino aupearance of his children. 'They are trueTorquils,' ho though*, and £"«*>» momentary glanco ab his companion;, ai if to what effect so much personal read. He did not permit his countenance to index his emotions, and its general **- preeeion was of that complex character which is tho natural result of complex civilisation. He was the young of his generation, who had been o™ryvrhere, aeel who could do cverything-sslhsh, ambition, but wUhal notably good-looking, and Dctsosaed of that air of distinction, on y eiven by intercourse with men on the highest social peaks. Lenox, moreover, was a Pennine s-oortsman. Hβ could imagine no creator pleasure than following grouse through tho heather—or waiting for a red Bta- on tie mUty mountain tops—Or putting a fine grilse through its facings, with fifty yards of line. _~ , Maclane was a different man. The love ot the chaat—inheront in all-had in his caso been directed towards wealth, power and position. Ho had neither tho natural aptitude nor tho physical stay necessary for a recreation that was indeed repugnant to him in other re ? pact3. With far greater zest, ho turned with Donald to tho sea and the boats. , , ~, T 'If I am to get web and be untidy, l would rather be web with fresh salt water than with black moss water,' he said, and 1 like the awing of tho boat far better than tramping about Bteep hillsides._ And then, Donald, thero is no necesaity *o kill anything ab soa. Ib would nob bo " sport " to shoot that diver in motley, and her red-breasted swain, or even to bag that ugly, greedy-looking cormorant Happing his dark vans and protruding his long bare neck. Would it?' When Maclano made this remark they were en the Sea Bird, sailing easily before the wind. ■ The mysteries of the northern night ware gathering around them, palesailed ships vanishing like phantoms beyond the horizon, and along the restless sea shadows everywhere fighting the cold lights falling from moon and stars to pierce and scatter them. The eorie sense of the lonely ancient ocean soon grew predominant. Tho present life became faint; they beo-an to talk solemnly of things beyond it. And ib is such subjects that unlock tho hearts of men, and mako them froe of each other's besb nature; for very few are as irreligious as they appear to be. Donald was touched by confidence so freely given him by a man many year 3 his senior, and who had proved his manhood by conquering povorty and ignorance and taking his place ainoug the nobles and lawgivers of his age. In return, he felt that he niusb be equally frank, bub tnere was nothing in his young life that appeared worth talking about bub Roberta Balfour. ' Jly days' had been spent in 3tudy and play, 1 he said, ' until I met her. She discovered my s&ul to me. It is only aboub two months old, I think.' 'Do you think that? Oh, no, Donald ! If you have really thought on that subject, yon must feel that your soul is older than any reckoning. Ib had no age when it was incarnated. Ibwill have no ago when it ehall free itself from your mortal vesture. Ib will nob grow old in eternity. But let us sail as far as Ellerloch. I would like to sco this girl you love so dearly. Is she handsorno?'

' I think so ; but when one discovers tho soul, the body is not much. It is Roberta I lovo, and yet I am not indifferent to the sweetness of her voice, the charm of her bright face and the grace of all her motions. Oh, no ! Altogether she is perfect. You will agree with mo, I am sure.' ' And her father ?' Donald's face fell a little. 'He is a good man, I believe that; nub he is quiet and grave, and, I think, a little stern ; more so lately than when I flrat knew him. I am sure tbrt he understands that I lore Roberta.' ' You ought to speak to him, Donald. Set your love in a clear atmosphere—the sanction of earth and heaven—that is what it asks, and ought to have.' ' Yes, but I am afraid to speak. Did I tell you Ahat Mr Balfour was a Froteetanb minister—a Free-Kirk minister?'

' No. A Free-Kirk minister and a Scotch Lowlander ! Oh, Donald, I think that will complicate matters very much. I know the type; ruggedly conscientious and immovable as the Bass Rock about) a principle- Balfour is a name among their worthies. Pcsiiibly he is of Covenanting stock ; and if so, he looks upon the Shorter Catechism as the pillar of immortal salvation and the Magns Charfca of Scotland's safety and prosperity. Does he know thab you are a Roman Catholic V '' I am nob sure. I have not told him, and he is onlj 'a stranger in Ross. Four years aoro he came from Galloway. In his own rough boundaries, among the shepherds and fishers, ho is almost worshipped. He is a better sailor than many of them ; he is a good fisher ; he is a learned scholar. Roberta says iie ia an eloquent preacher. I never heard him, but I know that he is a good pastor and no moan physician. His people rely on him for hulp in all their sickness and in all their sorrow.' '* He is a wonderful man, Donald. What ia he doing in an obscure Highland parish?' ' Oh, indeed ! Maclane, ifs is the ob-1 seui - e parishes that need tho wonderful men. Look at Father Contach! He ought to be a bishop, and he is content to be a priest of Torquil. Don'b you think that a poor country priest fighting against the devil in his parish has a nobler and a harder fight than Alexander had? , •No one can gainsay you, Doaald. But it is the pa-fc of honour as well as of duty and prudence to speak plainly to Mr Balfour. Roberta is his only child. If he loves her he will surely sacrifice his prejudices to make her happy.' ' She is very dear to him. Will you really go as far as Elierloch and Bee him ? You could say much for mo thab I cannob Eay for myself. Then, when you haye prepared the way, I also will speak. , The proposal wa3 nob unpleasant to Maclane. He was happy at sea. He liked Donald's society, and he was glad of an opportunity to bind the young man to him by some such service. For his own heart) was set upon Sara Torquil, and he was accustomed to compass all his desires by careful attention to every favourable ally. The weather was nob unpleasant. There was a young moon riding cold and still beyond the shifting clouds, and there was a bright starlight. In tho grey glimmer they eat and talked, while the Sea Bird kept gallantly on her northern course; Just when there was a streak of lemon in the easb, Donald sighted the low, gray manse at Elierloch. Maclane was aileep; bub the lover's haart and longing had kept him awake.

Simple as Mr Balfour'a life was, ib was scarcely possible to call upon him before breakfast; and, indeed, Donald hoped he would see the boat, and come to the pier and ask them to take the meal with him. Ho had frequently dono so in the beginning of their friendship ; and, although lately the kjndnoes had been generally omitted, Donald never conld gob over the hope ot ita renewal.

Balfour saw the boat. Its fluttering flag was the first thing that met his eyes when he rose. The sight was evidently not one that gave the minister pleasure. Hisstrong, rugged face grew as hard as if it were carved out of granite. But a great nicety about his raiment was one of Davidßalfour's characteristics, and this morning he did not neglect it. Ho brushed every speck of dust from his decent black coat, and threw asido ono suit of lawn neckbands because they fell short of the immaculate whiteness he demanded. But ib was pride in office, rather than personal pride,which made him so exacting. He was a servant of the King of kings, and ho felt that ib behoved him to be pure in person as in heart. Yet ha was much disturbed as he procooded with his toilet. His lips parted continually in short ejaculations, regrets, resolves and quotations from Tho Book. ' I hare always heard that to eavo_ a stranger from tho sea was to bring calamity on one's own house. It's like it ! What for did I go to the help of yonder youth ? He is neither kith nor kin of mine. Think shame of yourself, David Balfour ! A man in trouble is more than kith or kin. If I have done foolishly, God save me from tho harvest of my folly. My trust is in the Hope of Israel, tho Saviour thereof in all times of trouble—what for am I thinking of troublo ? A young man's fancy and a young girl's dream; that is all of the argument. But it is time it was settled, and I'll settle it this very day, and then I'll have neither word nor wittens of tho matter again.' To such musings he deliberately dressed himself, neither omitting nor hurrying any of his usual duties. When he entered tho parlour, his heart felt that sudden glow of pious gratitude which everyone experiences more or loss in the actual presence of pleasant and comfortable surroundings. _ The firo was a picture in itself. It was in an old-fashioned basket-gro,t3, glowing and blazing and crackling high up above a hearth-3tono pipe-clayed white as snow. The brass fender and irons, the hearth rug, tho round table so prettily laid, the delicious emell of broiled salmon and hot cakes and good coliee—the general air of comfort and refinoment tilled his soul with 'a sweet and gracious gratitude. The household Bible lay open upon its stand near his own chair. He wont straight to it, and pub his hand upon ib, and said, softly : , „ ' Bless tho Lord, oh, my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy Namo !' He was reciting the thanksgiving psalm when Roberta entered the room. Hearing her footstep he finished it, and thew turned to meet her. Never had her beauty struck him bo forcibly ; perhaps it was at this moment that he first realised how beautiful she was. Evidently she, also, had seen the Sea Bird. She had put on her best dress, a dark-blue cloth ono, with a plain, ample skirb, a tightly-fitting bodice, aud narrow bands of white linen ab the throat and wrists. Sho needed no ornaments ; gold bracelets and brooches and rings would have been ' barbaric gold ' on such au incarnation of vital beauty. She had the due of her youth, tho glow of tho fresh, salt air, a colour that no words can describo, an air ot happine3S, of froidom, of grace, that imparted itself like an atmosphere to the room as soon as she stood with it. ' Good morning, father. Here is the Sea Bird again.' ' I have seen ib, Roberta.' ' Are you nob glad, father?' ' You wiU be to take care of yourself with that young man, Roberta. It is little wo know of him ; aud I am nob caving to know more.' • Father !' • Ono will require to act judiciously, Roberta, with a person coming north with every wind that blows. He'll be having a reason, and when a guest comes with a reason, there will be two sides to iD, and we must watch for our own side. That is only prudent and right, Roberta.'

• You have been having bad dreams, father, or you havo a touch ot rheumatism, or there has boon an evil spirit in your sleeping-room whispering bad, suspicious thoughts in your ear while you were sleeping. I never heard a more unkind obeorva from you.' 'Answer me this — answer me this, Roberta. Whom does young Torquil come here to see ? Is it I, or is it you ?' ' How can I tell V ' Let U3 havo uo prevarication. If you were not here, do you think tho Soa Bird would come to Elierloch again ? Tell me the truth, Roberta.' ' She might not como so often.' ' She would not come at all. , 'I think Doaald does like me.' « You know well ho iikes you. Why think or suppose about tho thing you are sure of ? Very well—or very ill, more likely—why does be nob speak.to me, as an honest man should, and say ; " I want to marry your daughter, sir ; and I have thus and bo, to warrant my offer i" Why docs he not tell me who and what he is? If he wants to marry you, that is the way an honese man would do it. , • Father, people do not bargain about wives, as thoy used to do. Money questions are not to be mixed up with love.' ' You are very much mistaken, Roberta. What do you know about love and marriage? Money question?, in one shape or other, are ab the foundation of marriage. An hone3b lovor lays this foundation wifcli the father before 'he talks love with tho daughter. If tho foundation is solid, you may" build upon it all the air-castles you fancy. I am n<#t pieased at Donald Torquil'a'ways. I'll say that plump and plain. And he will havo to mind them if ho would keep his welcome warm. • j)q you nob think that fathers can ba too cautious? Age and experience may not knew everything. I speak respectfully, father.' ' Whoever said that ago and experience knew everything ! You will allow, though, that it is very likely fifty-five years may know more than eighteen years ?' • Father, we have not had a nice breakfast, and it ia your fault; I was so happy when I Faw the Sea Bird. After the exorciso do go and meet Donald. If you have had a temptation in the night, give it the back of your hand behind you. Donald ia a good young man ; good and true. Go and meot him kindly. It is beginning to rain, and we may have a storm. You cannot shut your door against him, father.' • Well, well ! I sec, Roberta, that you have arled your heart to him ; but you'll mind this : If I find out) that he is not a good youth, if he is not fit to be your husband, I will not allow him to speak another word to you. Thai is as fact as death. I'll no need to say ib again. . Then he arose and called in his household, and read the appointed portien, and eang the proper psalm, and prayed with an unfaltering faith and fervour. Hie eyes were shining and moisb when he rose from his knees, and he spoke kindly to Roberta, as he put on his plaid and hat, and went down to the sea-shore.

The clouds had fallen low, and were beating themselves against the earth in those whiffs of sharp rain, so common on the west coast; and Eoberta knew tho cabin of the Sea Bird would be damp and uncomfortable. • Then father will be sorry for Donald,' she thought, ' and he will bring him here; and I know that I may expect thorn in halt an hour at any rate.' In much lees time she saw them coming, and perceived also with some curiosity that they were accompanied by a stranger. * He looks far older than Donald ; perhaps he is Donald's father;' and she put more fuel on the fire, and flecked the last speck of dust from the hearth, and ran upstairs to see if her own hair and collar were in perfect order. By that time, the three gentlemen were in the small hall, and she went to meet them with the flush and light of welcome on her face. •Greatly to her surprise and pleasure, she perceived thab her tather had some knowledge of Mr Maclane. Tfaev had become

friends ab once, and were soon so deeply interested in their own conversation that Donald easily slipped away from them to Roberta, who was in a email, light pantry making the pastry for tho day's dinner. ' Father appears delighted to meet your friend, Donald. Are they old acquaintances ?'

' Politically bo Maclnne, who is a member of Parliament, wrote a pamphlet in favour of the Scotch Church, when she was in the thick of her late light with the Government ; a very clever pamphlet, indeod, Mr Balfour thinks. Fancy Maclane writing a pamphlet, or Dothering himself about church government, with all else he has to do I'

' Indeed, Donald, church government is a very important affair. .Father gave up ono oi the finesb livings in Scotland on that very question. " Thorc is in ib all the majosty of the Freo Kirk," as somebody said. I hear they havo gono into the study, and if father begins to introduce his friends, ib may take thorn all day to gob through.' ' Especially as Maclano is a great bcoklover also. "Oh, Roberta, what a happy day wo are going to have '. For onco, fato was kind to all. Mr I'alfour aud Mr Maclano were in perfect harmony. Aa iron eharpenoth iron, their minds caught light and brilliancy from contact. Book after book was taken from the wealthy sholvos and commented upon, and though, in the main, their opinions wore ab one, thoro were still difToroncea sufficient to give their conversation a brisk and piquant individuality. Such intellectual contact waa ii raro mental treat to Mr Balfour, and he trnvo himself up entirely to its enjoymont ; yet, amid all, ho had a constant soase of his responsibility regarding Donald Torquil and his daughter. Bub if it had been difficult to speak hitherto, it was doubly so this day. Before v stranger whom ho honoured, he could ecarcely introduce a subject so personal, and ono which, perhaps, would have to terminate in an ontire withdrawal of his courtosy and friendship from Donald. Such hours of mental refreshment camo to him so rarely, ho could nob boar to mar their harmony, and ho rosolvod to sudor tho relationship of tho young people to go unchallenged during this visit. (Jo be Continued. )