KATE CARNEGIE.*

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9604, 19 December 1896, Page 2

KATE CARNEGIE.*

»n By Lvn- Maci^aren. CHAPTER XVl.—Drmd Rose Leaves. Townspeople are so clever and know so much that it is only just something should be hidden from liieir sight, and it is quite certain that they do not understand the irresistible and endless fascination of the country. They love to visit us in early autumn, and are vastly charmed with the honeysuckle in the hedges, and the corn turning yellow, and the rivers singing in the sunlight, and the purple on the hill-side. It is then that the dweller in cities resolves to retire, as soon as may be, from dust and crowds and turmoil and hurry, to some cottage where the scent of roses comes in at the open window, nnd one is wakened of a morning by the birds singing in the ivy. When thu corn is gathered into the stackyard, and the leaves fall on the road, and the air has atouch of frost, and the evenings draw in, then the townsman begins to shiver and bethink him of his home. He leaves the fading glory with a sense of relief, like one escaping from approaching calamity, and as often as his thoughts turn thither, he pities us in our winter solitude. " What a day this would be in Drumtochty," he says, coming in from the slushy streets and rubbing his hands before the fire. This good man is thankful to Providence for very slight mercies, since he knows only one out of the four season'? that make our glorious year, ifo had been wise to visit us in the summer-time, when the light hardly •lies out of the Glen, and the grass and young corn present six shades of x;reen, and the scent of the hay is everywhere, and all young creatures are finding themselves with joy. Perhaps he had done better to have come north m our spring-time, when nature, throwing off the yoke of winter, burst suddenly into an altogether indescribable greenery, and the primroses were blooming in Tochty woods, and every cottage garden was sweet with wallflowers, and the birds sang of love in every wood, and the sower went forth to how. And though this will appear quite incredible, it had done this comfortable citizen much good to have made his will and risked his life with us in the big snowstorm that used to shut us up for fourteen days every February. One mightwell enduremany hardships to stand on the side of Ben Urtacli to see the land one glittering expanse of white en to the great strath on the left and the hiDs above Dunleith on the right, to tramp all day through the dry, crisp snow, and gathering round the wood lire of an evening, tell pleasant talcs of ancient days, while the wind powdered the glass with drift and roared in the chimney. Then a man thanked God that he was not confined to a place where the pure snow was trodden into mire, and the thick fog made it dark at mid-day. This very season of autumn, which frightened the townsfolk and sent them home in i silence, used to till our hearts with peace, ' for it was to us the crown and triumph of the year. We were not dismayed by the leaves that fell with rustling sound in Tochty woods, nor by the bare stubble fields from which the last straw had been raked by thrifty hands, nor by the touch of cold in the north-west wind blowing over Ben Urtach, nor by the greyness of the running water. The long toil of the year had not been in vain, and the harvest had been safely gathered. The clump of sturdy little ■tacks, carefully thatched and roped, that stood beside each homestead, were the visible fruit of the long year's labour and the assurance of plenty against winter. Let it snow for a week on end, and let the blast from the month of Glen Urtach pile up the white drift high against the outer row of ■tacks, the horses will be put in the mill shed, and an inner stack will be forked itito the threshing loft, and all day long the mill will go with dull, rumbling sound that can be heard from the road, while within the -grain' ponrs into the corn room and the clean yellow straw is piled in the barn. Hillocks was not a man given to sentiment, yet even he would wander among the stacks on an October evening and come in to the firelight full of moral reflections. A ▼ague sense of rest and thankfulness pervaded the Glen, as if one had come home from a long journey in safety, bringing his possessions with him. The spirit of October was on the Doctor as he waited for his guests in the drawingroom of the manse. The Doctor had a special affection for the room, and would often sit alone in it for hours in the gloaming. Once Rebecca came in suddenly, and though the light was dim and the Doctor was seated in the shadow by the piano, she was certain that he had been weeping. He Would not allow any change to be made in the room, even the shifting of a table, and he was very particular about its good keeping. Twice a year Rebecca polished the old-fashioned rosewood furniture, and so often a man came from Muirtown to tune the piano, which none in the district could play, and which the Doctor kept locked. Two little pencil sketches, signed with a childish hand, Daisy Davidson, the minister always dusted himself, as also a covered picture on the wall, and the half-yearly cleaning of the drawing-room was concluded when he arranged en the backs bf two chairs one piece of needle-work showing red and white roses, and another whereon was wrought a posy of primroses. The room had a large bay window opening on the lawn, and the Doctor had a trick of going out-and in that way, so that he often had ten minutes in its quietness ; but no visitor was taken there, except once a year, when the, wife of the Doctor's old friend, Lord Elupindie, drove up to lunch, and the old man escorted her ladyship round the garden and brought her in by the window. On that occasion, but only then, the curtain was lifted from the picture, and for a brief space they stood in silence. Then he let the silken ▼eil fall and gently arranged its folds, and offering his-arm with a very courtly bow, led the Cotmtess into the dining-room, where Rebecca had done her best and John waited in fullest Sabbath array. The Doctor wandered about the room— looking out on the garden, mysterious in the fading light, changing the position' of a chair, smoothing the old-fashioned needlework with caressing touch, breaking up a log in tho grate. Trie fell at last into a reverie before the fire—which picked out each bit of silver on his dress and shone hack from the black velvet—and heard nothing till John flang open the door and announced with immense majesty, '' General Carnegie and Miss Carnegie." " Welcome, Kate, to the house of your father's friend, and welcome for your own sake, and many returns of this day. May I ■ay how that white silk and those rubies become you ? It is very kind to put on such beautiful things for my poor little dinner. As for-you, Jack, you are glorious," and the Doctor must go over Carnegie's medals till that worthy and very modest man lost all patience. ** No more of this nonsense; but, Sandie, that is a desperately becoming get-up of yours; doesn't he suit it well, Kit T I never •aw a better calf on any man." " You are both '«rael bonnie,' and ought to be Terr grateful to mc for insisting on full dress. I'm.aorry that there is only one girl to admire two such handsome men; it's a poor audience, but at any rate it is Tery appreciative and grateful,'* and Kate curtsied to each in turn, for all that evening she was in great good humour. "By the way, there will be one more to laugh at us, for I've asked the Free Kirk minister to make a fourth for our table. He Is a nice young fellow, with more humanity than most of his kind ; but did not I hear that he called at the Lodge to pay his respecter" . "Certainly he did," said the General, •• and I rather took a fancy to him. He has an honest eye, and is not at all bad looking, and tells a capital Btory. But Kit fell upon him about something, and I had to cover Wm. It's-a wonder that he ever came near the place again." "He has been at the Lodge eight times since then," * explained Kate, with much composure ; " but he will on no account be left alone with the head of the household. The General insulted him on politics, and I had to interfere; so he looks on mc as a kind of protector, and I walk him out to the Beeches lest he be massacred." " Take care, my dear Catherine," for the Doctor was a shrewd old gentleman j " protecting comes perilously near loving, and Carmichael's brown eyes are dangerous." "They are dark blue." Kate was off her guard, and had no sooner spoken than ■he blushed, whereat the Doctor laughed wickedly. " y°« need not be afraid for Kate," said the General, cheerfully; "no man can byliS^Si ßß6, ' to "* Utttt * ,Sto * B<rf *■■*• j

conquer her; and as for the poor young padres, she made their lives miserable." "They were so absurd," said Kate, "sq innocent, so ignorant, ao authoritative, that it was for their good to be reduced to a proper level. Bat r rather think-your guest has forgotten his engagement. He will be so busy with his book that even a manse dinner will have no attraction." The Doctor looked again at Kate, but now she wore an air of great simplicity. It was surely not C-irmiohael _ blame that he was late for Dr. Davidson's dinner, since he had thought of nothing else since he rose, i which was at the unearthly hour of six. He went out for a walk, which consisted of one ! mile east and another west from the village, and, with pauses during which he rested on gates and looked from him. lasted two hour.. On his return he explained to Sarah that his health had received much benefit, and that she was not to be surprised if he went out every morning at or beforo daybreak. He ,-lso mentioned casually that he was to dine at the manse that day, and Sarah, who had been alarmed lest this unexpected virtue might mean ill-leas, was at rest. His habit was to linger over breakfast, propping a book against the sugar basin, and taking it I and his rasher slice about, which was, he ! insisted, the peculiar joy of a bachelor's breakfast; but this morning Sarah found him at ten o'clock still at table, gazing intently at an untouched cutlet, and without any book. He swallowed two mouthfuls hurriedly and hastened to the study, leaving her to understand that he had been immersed in a theological problem. It seemed only reasonable that a man should have one pipe before settling down to a forenoon of hard study, hut there is no doubt that the wreaths of smoke, as they float upwards, take fantastic shapes and lend themselves to visions. Twelve o'clock—it was out. aereous—3.x hours gone without a stroke of work. Sarah is informed that as he has a piece of very stiff work to do, luncheon must be au hour later, and that the terrier had better go out for a walk. Then Carmichael cleared his table and set himself down to a new German critic, who was doing marvellous things with the Prophet Isaiah. In three thick volumes—piper-a bound and hideous to behold—and.in astyler of elaborate repulsiveness, showed that the book had been written by syndicate, on the principle that each membe contributed one verse in turn, without refer ence to his neighbours. It was, in fact, tho simple plan of a children's game, iii which you write a noun and I an adjective, and the total result greatly pleases the company ; and the theory of the eminent German was understood to throw a flood of light on Scripture. Schlochenboshen had already discovered eleven alternating authors, and as No. 4 would occasionally pool his contribution with No. 6, several other interesting variations were introduced. In such circumstances one must fix the list of authors in his head, and this can be conveniently done by letters of the alphabet. Carmichael made a beginning with four, X A T X, and then he laid down his pen and went out for a turn in the garden. When he came in with a resolute mind, he made a precis of the Professor's introduction, and it began, "Dcai* Miss Carnegie," after which he went to lunch and ate three biscuits. As for some reason his mind could not face even the most fascinating German, Carmichael fell back on the twelve hundredth book on Mary Queen of Scots, which had just come from the library, and which was to finally vindicate that very beautiful, very clever, and very perplexing young woman. .An hour later Carmichael was on the moor, full of an unquenchable p\iy for Chatelard, who had loved the sun and perished in its rays. The cold wind on the hill braced his soul, and he returned in a heroic mood. He only was the soldier of the Cross, who denied himself to earthly love and hid a broken heart. And now lie read A'rfempis and the " Christian Year." Several passages in the latter be marked in pencil with a cross, and when his wife asked him the reason only last week, he smiled, but would give no answer. Having registered afiew his vow of celibacy, he spent an hour in dressing, an operation, he boasted, which could be performed in six minutes, and which, on this occasion, his housekeeper determined to review. With all the women in the Glen, old and young, she liked the lad, for a way that he had and the kindness of bis heart, and was determined that he should be well dressed for once in his life. It was Sarah, indeed, that kept Carmichael late, for she not only laid out his things for him with much care and judgment, but on sight of the wisp of white round his neck she persuaded him to accept her services, and at last she wa3 satisfied. He also lost a little time as he came near the manse, for he grew concerned lest his tie was not straight, and it takes time to examine yourself in the back of your watch, when the light is dimming and it is necessary to retire behind a hedge lest some keen Drumtochty eye should detect the roadside toilet. John had brought in the lamp before Carmichael entered, and. his confusion was pardonable, for he had come in from the twilight, and none could have expected such a sight. " Glad to see you, Carmichael"—the Doctor hastened to cover his embarrassment. "It is very good of you to honour my little party by your presence. You know the General, I think, and Miss Carnegie, whose first birthday in Drumtochty we celebrate to-night. "No wonder you are astonished," for Carmichael was blushing furiously ; " and I must make our defence, eh, Carnegie ? else it will be understood in Free- Kirk circles that the manse is mad. We seem, in fact, a pair of old fools, and you can have your jest at us; but there is an excuse even for our madness. [ "It _3 long since we have had a young lady in our Glen, and now that she has come to live amongst us—why, sir, we must just do her bidding. " Our Queen has but a little court, but her courtiers are leal and true ; and when | she ordered full dress, it was our joy to obey. And if you choose to laugh, young sir—why, you may; we are not ashamed with such a Queen, and I do her homage." The Doctor stooped and kissed Katehand in the grand manner which is now lost, after which he drew out his snuff-box and tapped it pleasantly, as one who had taken part in a state function ; but there was the suspicion of a tear in his eye. for these things woke old memories. " Kate's a wilfu' lassie," said the General, fondly, " and she has long ruled mc, so I suppose her father must do likewise." And the General also kissed Kate's hand. '' You are both perfectly absurd to-night," [ said Kate, confused and red, "but no Queen ever had truer hearts to love her, j and if I cannot make you knights, I must ! reward you as I can." And Kate, ignoring Carmichael, kissed first her father and then the Doctor. Then she turned on him with a proud air, " What think you of my court, Mr Carmichael ? " "It is the best in Christendom, Miss j Carnegie"—and his voice trembled with earnestness—" for it has the fairest Queen and two gentlemen of Christ for its servants." "Very prettily said "-—the Doctor thought the little scene had gone far enough—" and as a reward for that courteous speech you shall take Her Majesty into dinner, and we old battered fellows shall follow in attendance." There was a moment's silence, and then Carmichael spoke. "If I had only known, Miss Carnegie, that I might have . . . put on something to do you honour too, but I have nothing except a white silk hood. I wish I had been a Militiaman or . . a Freemason." " This is your second remarkable wish in my hearing," and Kate laughed merrily; "last time you wished you were a dog on Moirtown platform. "STour third will be your last, I suppose, and one wonders what it will be." . " It is already in my heart"—Carmichael spoke low—" and some day I will dare to tell it to you." " Hush," replied Kate quickly, lifting her hand; "the padre is going to"say grace." As this was an official function in John's eyes, that worthy man allowed himself to lake a general view, and he was pleased to express his high approval of the company, enlarging especially on Carmichael, whom, as a Free Kirkman, he had been accustomed rather to belittle. "Of coorse," he explained loyally, "he's no tae be compared withe Doctor, for there's nae minister ootside the Auld Kirk can hae sic an air, and he's no set up like the General, but he lookit weel an' -winsome. " His hair w#s flung back frae his forehead, his ee'n were fair dancin', an* there wes a bit o' colour in his cheek. He hes a wy wi* him, all no deny, 'at taks wi' fouk. "A'_o no sur* that __•_ beta al awny

denners though, Becca, for he hardly kent what he wes daem'. A' juist pit the potatoes on his plate, for he never lat on he saw mc ; an' as for wine, a' cudna get a word oot o' him." " Ye're lifted above ordinary concerns, John, an' it's no tae be expeckit that a beadle sud notice the way o' a lad wi' a lass," and Becca nodded her head with much I shrewdness. \ "Div ye mean that, Rebecca? That cowes a'; but it's no possible. The General's dochter an' a Free Kirk minister, an' her an' Esculopian- " " Love kens naither rank nor creeds ; see what ye did yersel', and you beadle o' Drumtochty ;" and John —every man has some weak point—swallowed the compliment with evident satisfaction. Meanwhile they had fallen on this very subject of creeds in the dining room, and Kate was full of curiosity. "Will you two padres do mc a favour ? I knew you would. Well, I want to know for certain what is the difference between the two Kirks in Drumtochty. Now which of you will begin?" and Kate beamed on them both. " Whatever you wish we will do, Kate," said the Doctor ; " but you will have mc excused in this matter, if you please, and hear my friend. lam tired of controversy, and he has a fair mind, aud, as I know well, a pleasant wit. Tell Miss Carnegie how your people left the Kirk of Scotland." " Well, the dispute began"—and Carmichael faced his task manfully—" about the appointment of clergymen, whether it should lie with a patron or the people. Lord Kilspindie had the nomination of Drumtochty, and if every patron had been as wise as our house, then there had been no disruption." The Doctor bowed, and motioned to Carnegie to fortify himself with port. " Other patrons had no sense, and put in unsuitable men, and the people rebelled, since it is a sad thing for a country parish to have a minister who. is not . . ." "A gentleman? or straight? Quite so," chimed in Kate ; "it must be beastly." "So a party fought for the rights of the people,"resumed Carmichael, "and desired that the parish should have a voice in choosing the man who was to take charge of . . . their souls." "Isn't that like soldiers electing their officers ?" enquired the General, doubtfully. "Go on, Carmichael; you are putting your case capitally; don't plunge into theology, Jack, whatever you do . . . . it is Sandeman's —a sound wine." "•Then what happened ?" and Kate encouraged Carmichael with her eyes. " Four hundred clergymen threw up their livings one day and went out to begin a Free Kirk, where there are no patrons. " You have no idea—for 1 suppose yon never heard of this before—how ministers suffered, living and dying in miserable cottages—and the people met for service on the sea-shore or in winter storms—all for conscience sake." Carmichael was glowing, and the Doctor sipped his port approvingly. " Perhaps they ought not to have seceded, and perhaps their ideas were wrong ; but it was heroism, and a good thing for the land." '' It was splendid." Kate's cheek flushed. " And Drumtochty ?" "Ah, something happened here that was by itself in Scotland. Will you ask Dr. Davidson not to interrupt or browbeat mc ? Thank you : now I am safe. " Some one of influence went to old Lord Kilspindie, who had no love to the Free Kirk, and told him that a few of his Drumtochty men wanted to get a site for a Free Kirk, and that he must cive it. And he. did." "Now, Carmichael,' began the Doctor, who had scented dangor ; but Kate held up her hand with an imperious gesture, and Carmichael went on : " The same person used to send to the station for the Free Kirk probationer, and entertain him after a lordly fashion —with port, if he were worthy—and send him on his way rejoicing—men have told mc. But," concluded Cirmicbael, averting his face from the foot of the table, " wild horses will not compel mc to give that good Samaritan's name." " Was it you, Davidson, that sanctioned such a proceeding ? Why, it wa3 mutiny." "Of course he did, Dad," cried Kate; "just the very thinix he would do; and so, I suppose," the Free Kir* love him as much as they do yourself, sir ? " , "As much? far more ..." \ " Had I known what downright falsehood the Free Kirk minister of Drumtochty was capable never have allowed him to open his mouth." " Well, I am satisfied, at any rate," said Kate, " and I propose to retire to the drawing-room, and 1 know who would love a rubber of whist by-and-bye. We are just the number." A minute later Carmichael asked leave to join Kate, as he believed she was to have him for partner, and he must understand her game. " How adroit he is to-night, Jack ;" but the General rather pitied the lad, with whom he imagined Kate was playing as a cat with a mouse. " Have you ever seen the face below the veil?" for they did not talk long about whist in the drawing-room. "I do not think it would be wrong to look, for the padre told mc the story. " Yes, a very winning face. His only sister, and he simply lived for her. She was only twelve when she died, and he loves her still, although he hardly ever speaks of her." They stood together before the happy girlface enshrined in an old man's love. They read the inscription: "My dear sister Daisy." " I never had a sister," and Carmichael sighed. "And I never had a brother." Their hands met as they gently lowered the veil. "Well, have you arranged your plans?" and the Doctor came in intent on whist. "Only one thing. I am going to follow Miss Carnegie's lead, and she is always to win," said the Free Kirk minister ot Drumtochty. . (To le continued.)