KITTY'S PROMISE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2130, 20 December 1894, Page 25

KITTY'S PROMISE.

{Specially written for the Witness Christmas Number of 189^ ) r i>

By MARY E. POYNTER.

**Last May a braw wooer cam' doon the lang gl-n, And sair wi' his love he did deave me ; I eaid there was naething I hated like meu ■ ITTY broke off her song, and shading her eyes, gazed across the long paddock of English grass. " Oh ! those cows," she sighed; "they have gone right to the farthest end of the paddook again." But it was with a very contented air that she trudged after the four brown cows, humming Rr.n'cbaß of her song, and pushing back fhe Hi. '<? fiu>-lh of fair brown hair that Woiii 1 ' h : <Mv fv<> - \\*-r face. I said he micht die when he lik»t for Jean— I woijder what Roo would Bay if I spoke to him as Jean did to her lover? "What would he s»y I wonder 1 " She had reached the cowa now, but instead of turning homewards again, she Walked past them a few steps to the gorse hadg«, all yellow with sweet bloej-oms. " Rob should be ooming in from hU work hood," she said half aloud ; " I'll go to the gate and Bee." She broke first a piece of gorse from the hedge, and fastened the priskry blossoms in her grey cotton dress, and then moved glowly towards the gate with her eyes fired oa the ground, and her hands clasped together. "I believe 111 be a little bit cold to him," she thought — " just a wea bit. Poor Mlow I he's so fond of me, but it's a bit slow to be always good. He's such a tease, too, sometimes, when he says, ' Kitty, do fettle it, dear, «ay yes or no.' Jasr. as if he can't leave me alone a wee bit longer ; I don't want to be engaged too soon. Why can't we stay as we are now, instead of being tied down 1 If I promised to marry him he would be quite jealous if I even spoke to another man. Yes, I'll be cold to him to-day— that's to say, if he teases me ; if he doesn't, I'll be good." She had reached the gate, and leant over It, but there was no sign of Rob ; and bo she turned away and walked slosvly baok to the COWB.

She was no lady, this pretty little girl with the pink cheeks and soft, fair hair— only a little country girl, a plait* farmer's daughter. Her father had come ont to New Zealand from Scotland early in the sixties, and when he died, two year* igi now, he left his farm to Dave, his only hoxi ; and here Kitty lived her quiet, life with her brother and sister and h<:r widowed mother.

Dava Campbell did all the work on his own farm with the help of Rob Sutherland, who ploughed and harrowed and cut the crops, and in his spare momenta made lov-i to Kitty. And Kitty was quite willing to have him make love to her, although she did sing, " I said there was naething I hated like men." When Bhe went out every ev«Ding to biingin the cows to the milking, she watched for Rob coming in from his work, and lingered about in the paddi ck until he and bin horses Came in sight, and then he would join her and they >vould walk down the paddock together. Then they would waste a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes together before the cows were milked or the horses fed.

The fctabliog and feeding of Rob's howes was often hurried over.aed then Rob would go round to the cowshed where Kitty was milkIng, and Binding softly In her clear, sweet voice. Then »he would get up from the milking stool, and Rob would finish milking the cows while she stood and talked to him. Of course his handa were stronger than hers, and the milking was done in half the time that Bhe would have taken, and no one knew anything about those minutes that were wasted before the milking was begun. Only jaannie grumbled a bit when Kitty was late, for Bhe had to set the table and get tea ready while Kitty was " dawdling over the milkirg." Jeannie was younger than Kjtty by two or three years, and no sinters could have been mons different than they were. Kitty was fail and small and fight, and Jeannie was dark and big and rough ; her cheeks were rer 1 , too, aDd Kitty's were pink aB the roses in tb« g?:r1 n outside. Then Kuty vtkb sweet tempered and Je^iT ie ws- not, the grumbled when the work v i uid rot zo ri^ht, and when she could urn gf'. hoi tv" v,- A y about anything, and V h t . ■<> . ». , [.a vi &he would daßh about ai..i >. . , r- 1 1. ?y*k 10 those around her.

j) - *■„; unhki> sit her of his winters. A hapio •<-" lw\> Tom..* fellow he was; easygoing and Lt 1 5 he.rtfd, but the most careless, forget f ul fellow .c the world. He used to laugh at both his sisters and tea*>e them unmercifully ; but to his widowed mother he was never anything but kind and gentle. Jeancie came in for most of Dave's teasing, because she was so easily roused, and could not stand it as well a» Kitty.

But for the last two or three days Jeannie had been unusually good tempered, and Ki'tv, who was quick at seeing anything, told l (-rpelf that it was all owing to the fact that Will Saunders, the Bon of one of the neiphli.'un. near by, had been payirg Jeannie a good deal of attnntion lately, and Fanny, Will's sister, had askt-d Jeannie two or three times to go over and see her in the evening whenever she felt inclined. Now this troubled Kitty. Not that Will had a bad character in the district in which they Hved, — any girl roundabout would have been glad to be in Jeannie's place, for Will wax h favourite t-mong 'he girls, — but Kitty did r.'»t like ihe He- 1 - of Je-">nie cariog for a man who c.a- d more for pleasure than work, and who would leave his farm uncared for while he wasted his time with any pretty girl who was willing to ta'k and flirt with him. Moreover, Rob had warned Kitty ag 'inst Will Saunders, and if R>b disliked htm he could not be nice, she thought, and therefore the fcooner Jeannie coased 'o talk and laugh frith him the better it wou d he for all. Bat it was not of either Jeannie or Will

"I can't do it," Kuty thought— •• poor Rob I " Then with a toss of her bead — " It's only for once, and it can't kill him ; I'll only do it if he teases mo I "

She heard the singing stop ac Rob opened the gate, and when he had fastened it he caught sight of her and hastened his footsteps, but she turned away her bead and pretended not to see him.

" Why, lassie," he said as he reached her gide, " I thought you were in at the milking, and I wasn't going to see you. I'm late the day." " Are you 1 " she said ; " I didn't notice it, Rob."

11 Didn't yon ? " he aßked, opening his grey eyes in Rome surprise. " I've been harrying too, thinking you were missing me, my girl." " Oh, I have been looking for you, but I didn't notice that yon were late. What, kspt you. R'>b?"

14 WVll," Rob said, looking down ax, h,.r abe walked by her side, "I met Will Saunders, and he was telliag me that his father was going to sell some of. his lavd — that on the south side, just enough for a small farm— and, Kitty, I was thinking " He paused, and Kitty, thinking to herself " Now he's going to tease," asked somewhat sharply : " Yee I What were you thinking ? " M You know, Kitty — you can guess." " No, indeed ; why should 1 1 What was it?"

" That if you and I— if you say ' Yes,' Kitty — why, lassie, what do you draw away your band for?"

" Because you are always tensing me to say •Yes,' Rob. Why can't you wait a bit longer ? " " I'd wait years for you, Kitty ; but if you'd only say ' Yes ', then, dear, I could look about, and make a wee bit home for you."

He smiled ache saw th« vi«ion of the "wee bit home" before his eyes. He fanri^d he .-aw himself and " his little lasxie" sauted together in their little kitchen, or straying together through the paddocks in the Bweet gmmer evenings. But Kitty answered him coldly : "I've told you I don't want to say 'Ye-*.' I don't want to leave home even for a home of my own. You ought, to mind that, Rnh." " But, Kitty, I don't want to make you lt-ave home yet awhile — I'd have to work a bit longer firat; only if jou'd only settle it it would be so much better."

" Why 1 "

" B ctuse it would be best for both of us. Ohl Ki'tf, Hove y.>u so mad 1 , and if I wore to go on day after day, t-w m^ y-'U an.* loving you better end day, and r.hvn you were in the end to say ' No,' I don't know what I'd do."

•• Then I'll say • No ' at once and have done with it."

" Kitty 1 you don't really mean it 1 " the poor follow crifd in dep.iir. La*«eb were wayward, but surely none as wayward as hia little Kilty.

" Well, I've told you I won't Bay • Yes,' so it must be ' No.' Now, Rob, you needn't try to hold aiy hand again. lamin a hurry and want to get on, and you needn't follow me — I've had enough of yon to-night. I don't want you at the milking ; I can get on fino without you," and go faying sh« gulled her hand away and hurried on ahead, leaviug Rob to follow Blowly behind.

Poor Rob was perplexed and astonished. What was wrong with Kitty to-night ? Something must have put her out, poor lass 1 or she would never have spoken as she had done just now. Often when he had asked her to answer the question that he had put to her months ago she would put him off and answer, " Not yet, Rob; wait awhile." Bun *he always hmi led and t-poke so prettily that Rob was content to enjoy the present and leave that one question unanswered " till tomorrow."

Then a fe^ful thought came to him— t-uppobe he had gon« too far, and Kt*y *-ab really tired of his " teasing," an she culled it 1 Suppose she was really angry now ? He had not meant to tea«e her or make her angry, only he had bo longed to know for certain that she was bia own. And now she bad told him that she had had enough of him that Dight, and he, poor felloe I did not know bow to make it up wii h her again. If he said any more to her ju-st now be might only make matters worse. He would not tease her any more to-night — he would leave her alone, poor little lass I and then at the nightfall — yes, ju«t before be left the warm kitchen for his hut out*.»de —he would press her hand and whimper, '• K'tty, forgive me ; " then she would smile on him again, and they would make it up together, and he would be happy, even with the hope of his farm and Kitty for his own only in the distance.

Meanwhile Kitty was driving her cows into the milking yard, and feeling just a little bit dull now that she had forbidden Rnb to follow her or help her with the milking. She had not quite expected him to take her words as he had done. Sue knew that he would not follow her just at once, but thought that in spite of all he would come round to the cowshed and try to make it up with her. But the milking was finished, and Rob had not come near her. To Kit ty it was the longest milking she had had for many a long day, but in reality it was finished 10 minutas sooner than was u-ua), for there had been no love- making iv ihe gorse-hedged paddock that ni,^ht. Now as she carried the buckets of milk soberly up to the house, she thought what a dreadful thing it would be if R jb took up all her words in earnest, and really thought that she did not care for him, and she decided that she would be kind to him when he spoke to her, as he was aure to do some time during the evening. When ah* carried the mills into the

kitchen she found Jeannie running about in a great atate of excitement, setting the table for tea She had on her best dress, and a bfg canvas apron to keep herself clean.

"Why. K't.r.v," she cUled out as Kitty entered, ' you are early to-uight. O-ime, give rao a hand to set this tablo."

" Where are you going, Jeannie ? " Kitty asked. "What have you got your good dress on for?"

" I'm going to Saunders's," Jeannie anBWered. " Gome I be quick and help me."

41 What do you want to go there again for? You w«re there only the night before laet."

J«auni«i toased her head.

" Fanny's asked me to go whenever I feel inclined, and I feel inclined to-night."

" You might at least tell the truth," Kitty said. " It's not Fanny yoa care to see— it's Willy ; aad, Jeaanie, I'd advise you to leave off thinking of him — Rob nays he'B not nice."

' Ri>b, indeed I You ar« so fond of R»b thar. you think he's perfection, and knows everything."

" How do you know that I care for Rob ? " Kitty a»ked shvply. " Perhaps, for all yon know, I don't care two straws about him," but she hung her head a little and smiled and blushed.

"What a disagreeable piece you are tonight, Kitty," Joannie said crossly. " You have your sweetheart, and- 1 think you might let me have mine "

" Mother," Kitty said, turning to her mother, who was sitting by the fire knitting, " doVf l<i l Jeannie go. tihe sees too much ut' Will, and Rob Bays he's not nice — he djii-k* ''

"I ye told her she's best at home the nitfht," her mother answered. " Gome, J«annie, you must just bide at home like a sensible lass."

But Jeannie only grew red with anger, and snatched * pile of plates from Kitty's hands. "I don't want your help now," she said Btiortly.

So Kitty turned away to light the lamp and draw down the blinds ; and presently Dtive entered the kitchen. He glanced qnicUy at. Jeannie's red, angry face. "Why, Jeannie, what's up?" Then as Jeannie answered never a word, he turned to his mother.

" What's wrong with Jeanoio, mother 1 " he asked.

"She wants to go to Sanndera's again," his mother answered ; " and Kitty tells me I'd best not let her go. Rob says Will drinks "

" Kitty's quite right, mother— don't you et her go."

" Juannie," the mother said firmly, " you can jmfc %o upstairs and change again ; you're no' going io Saunders's the night. You're only a lassie still, and it's for your good I'm spenking. If Will drinks, he's no' the sort of husband for a daughter of mine "

Jeannie shot an angry glance at Kitty.

" AH right, my lady ; I'll pay you out for thai, see if I don't I " She <lid not dare to disobey her mother, and with both Dave and Knty against her «he knew there was no hope of getting out that evening. But she still left her good dress on, and rattled the dishes about and made as mnch noise as she could while she dished up the tea and boiled the kettle; then in a very *ulky tone »V,e sinnou^ced that tea was ready.

"Well, you needn't look so blick about it," Dave said, as he took his seat at the table.

They had begun tea before Rob came in, and then he just blippad quietly in and took hiw place at the table without a word to anyone.

Now he and Kitty were generally the life of the place, but to-night neither spoke a word to the other, and both were glad when tea was over.

That was a long, miserable evening. Jeannie refused to let Kitty help her with the dishes, find when she *«poke at all it was crossly and rudely. D*ve drew his chair up to »he fire, and »mokfd and read the paper. H<=- c*-t cariouu glances every now and then at Kitty and Rjb, and wondered what was wrong, but he said nothing to either of them.

Poor Rr>b was feeling very anxious and mißftrable. Ha longed to Bee Kitty alone - even only for a minute — just to take her hand in his and s*y those few words, ** Kir.ty, forgive mcl" But Kitty had taken out nor knitting aud seated herself by her mother, and though he watched her all evening she never raised her eyea nor looked at him.

And Kitty, too, was feeling a UHle bit miserable. When she had pulled her hand away from Roft's gra*p, and left him to believe that she wav angry with him, she had nor, expeoted things ro turn out as they had done that evening. Now that Rob had taken no notice of her, and had not even tried to speak to her, she began to think that he had really taken up her words in earnest, and believed that she did not care for him. And she did love him so very much ; but she ia» proud, too, and if Rob chose to believe that she meant all she said, he could do so, and she would not be the one to make the first advances towards a batter understanding. Rob coald speak to her or not, she told herself ; she did not care which, but in her heart she knew that she did care very much indeed.

And so the evening pasßod. Jeannie washed up the tea dishes, and then with a sulky "Good-night" to her mother went away to bed. No one thought anything about this, for Jeannie was in the habit of going off to bed very early whenever she was put out ; but when Kitty kissed her mother and left the room at 9 o'clock Dave and his mother cast curious glancss at e*ch other. Rob looked up at the clock — just 9! He never left the kitchen before halfpifet, and Kitty never left till after ho had gone away. She used to follow him to the door and bid him " Go d-night " in the shadows, and he went away to his hut outside; and when be had put out his candle he saw Kitty's face in the darkness, and heard h<-r .sweet voice in his dreams.

But. to-night she had gone away without •'yon wishing him "Good-night," and he had noi been neai her even for a moment. H« lingered for a few moments by the warm fire, and then he rose, and leaving the kitchen went out into the cold outside.

He thought as he walked acrofis in the darkness that perhaps he had been foolish in not speaking to Kitty before ; perhaps be should have followed her to the milking shed and spoken to her thoro, or he might have waited till' she bad finished milking and walked with her ud to the house. But then she

had told him quite plainly that she had had enough of him that night. What could it all mer*n ? Poor Rob sighed ; he could not mike it out at all.

"What's the matter with them all, mother ? " Dave anked after Rob left, the kitchen. " Jeannie'a Bulking ov«r Will Sauuders, bat what's wrong with Rjb and Kitty I cau't make out. They must have been quarrelling, for Kitty'B been fretting all evening and Rob looks as dour as I don't know what."

"Leave them alone, lad," the mother answered — " meddling '11 do no good ; leave themalone and they'll come to soon, you'll see. They are best left to themselves."

Next morning K'tty moved about her work not with her usual brisk step, but slowly, and very soberly, for all night long in her dreams Bhe had Been poor Rob s face as he spoke of the " wee bit home " that it was his chief .nmhition to make Cor her.

She was beginning to wiuh that she had not followed the example of Jean, who said " There was naething site hated like men," and she was beginning to bate Robert Burns for writing that song. But she bad made up her mind that Rob must apeak to her before she would speak to him. He had no right to sit and never speak a word to her as he had done last night, and if he had had any sense he would have known that she had not meant a word of what she had said. When Rob camtt up to her and spoke to her again she wonld forgive him and be kind to him.

But Rob bad no chance to speak to her that morning, and in the afternoon something happened to prevent him from speaking and to change all bis thoughts of Kitty.

Ha went out to his work in the morning fully determined to get a chance somehow to ask her to forgive him for teasing her. and to bring back the happy time that he had had only yesterday morning. But he did not frfng to hia horses this momiug as he was in the habit of doing, and ht took no interest in his work, but, only longed for evening to come that he might get home to Kitty's side.

Jeannie woke tip in the morning, not one bit better tempered than she had been the night before. She would not speak a word to Kitty, and only answered ber mother ac shortly as possible. She brooded over her disappointment of la»t night until she believed herself very badly u»od indeed, and her intention of paying Kitty out had become stronger than ever.

In the afternoon as she was gathering up chip* at the wood heap she heard a rider coming up the road, and presently Will Sounders rode up to her. Jeannie's frowning face brightened up as she saw him, and she smiled.

" How are you, Will ? " Bhe asked.

" How are you, Jeannie ? I thought you were ill when you never turned up last night."

jeannie's face darkened again.

" I wae all ready when Kitty set up mother and made her »ay I was not to go."

" Not, really ? I wouldn't stand that if I were you 1 "

" I won't I " Jeannie answered ; " I'll pay ber out yet." Wi>l laughed. "I" D ive in ? " he aßked. " N<>," Jeannie replied, " he won't be in till night. D<> you want to see him 1 " " Nor, particularly— l have a note for him, thut'a all. Will you give it to him ? "

Jt-anuie took the note from his hand, and he askod : "H >w are Kitcy and Rob hitting it?"

"They've been quarrelling, I think," Jeannie answered, and told Will what had passed the night before. "Well, 1 Will said when she had finished, "if you want to pay Kitty out for spoiling your fun Inst night, you couldn't find a better chance than just now. Keep your eyes open, and yon won't have to wait long for yonr opportunity." Will knew Jeannie's temper— he know she was a creature of impulse. The angry light leaped into her eyes. " I juat will 1 " she cried. Then Will changed the subject, and f hey stood together for a while, laughing and talking, and neither noticed Kitty oross the yard with the milk buckets, on her way to the milking, fully half an hour earlier than was uhuhl.

Before Will rode away he completed hi» plecu of mischief-making by saying : " Take my advice, Jeannie ; don't let Kitty boss it over you— »how her you have uorjae spirit and are not to be put down." And Jeannie answered : " Ob, yes ! She won't do it again in a harry." Then after Will had left her she set to work wondering in what way she could have her revenge, and while ber thoughts were on this BubjfCt Kitty's words of last night flashed across her mmd — "How do yon know that I care for Rob ? Perhaps, for all you know, I don't care two straws about him 1 "

" I'll let Rob know that," Jeannie thought as nhe turned away from the wood-heap.

What a long day that had seemed to Kitty I The hours had passed so slowly, it seemed weeks since she had had a smile or a word from Rob. And across her mind how often there had come the thought of the " wee bit home " that Rob was so anxious to mike for her, and how often she wished that shft had said "Yes" to him the night before. Poor Kitty 1 She was beginning now to suffer the consequences of her folly. Bat of onethlDgshe was determined — Rob should make the first advances towards reconciliation, and to obtain this end she took a step that only made matters worse than ever.

She determined to have the milking over before ito^ came in from his work ; then he would bo sure to think that she was indeed angry with him, and would never rest until he had spoken to her and they had made up their quarrel. So Kitty milked the cows and carried up the milk, and then she sat by the kitchen window and, leaning her head on her hand, wondered how long it would be until Rob came in.

Rob, coming in from hia work, passed through the long green paddock hedged with the yellow goise, and though he looked for her, there was no Kifcty to be seen, and no asgn of the cows until he reached the stable, and there he saw them all quietly feeding in thi little paddock into which they were always put after milking time. He had made sure he should ccc Kitty, as he always did whan he came in at night, and now he

hod been baffled again, and he was begin* ning to feel desperate.

He opened the stable door and led in hi* hor«eß, and there in the stable was Jeannie, filling her apron with oats for the fowls.

" H>w are the cowa milked so early tonight? " Rob asked, trying to appear unconcerned

41 1 don't know," Jeannie answered with her back turned, and then she aßked abruptly:

" Have you and Kitty been quarrelling 1 n Rob mad* no answer, bat he flushed and turned away his head.

11 Because, if you have been," Jeannie went on calmly, " I can tell you something, Rob. Kitty's only playing with you; she doesn't care for you at all ; sbe told me so 1 " " She did not I " Rob cried indignantly ; "that 1 * not true I"

" Bhe did," J«&nnie answered, " and I can tell you the very words she used." " What did she say ? " " Hhe said, ' I don't care two straws about him.' Those are her very words 1 " " I don't believe It," Rob answered. 41 You needn't. She said it, though, whether you bulieve it or not." " When did she say this ? " " Last night." " Then she wasn't speaking of me— -it was someone else."

" No it was not. I told her she was so fond of yoa that she thought yon were perfect, and Bhe Baid those very words — ' I don't care twe straws about him 1 ' "

" Then she never meant it ; she was only In fun."

A good and evil spirit strove together In Jeannie's heart, bat the evil spirit triumphed, and she turned to Rob and said, " She did mean It."

" She did not 1 " Rob oried in despair. Then he said desperately : 41 Can you look me straight in the face and tell me that she really doex not oare for me ?— that she really said those words of m$ f Can you tell me that it is no lie ? "

And Jeannie hardened her face, and looking straight Into his eyes, answered steadily, «' Yes I can I " Then Rob turned away, and the look on his face Jeannie did not soon forget. He set his teeth, and bfrs face was almost rigid as he moved about his work, and not a glauce did he give to Jeannie, who looked curiously at him every now and then.

He fed and groomed his horses, and still his face never changed ; then as he was leaving the stable the good spirit in Jeannie'a heart cried feebly, " Confess 1 before it is too late." As Bob passed her she cried impulsively, " Rob I "

He took no notice — he never looked, bat shut, the stable door and went away, leaving ber alone, frightened and guilty. She had not expected that h« would take it so, and his face frightened her. She felt uneasy, and her conscience reproached her with the lie that had just now passed her lips. Revenge was beginning to lose half its sweetnea».

She went up to the house, and after feeding the fowls went inside. While she moved about setting the table, she kept her face turned away from Kitty. She could not look her calmly in the face as she had looked at Rob when Bhe told him that ciuel lie. By-and-bye she lit the lamp and drew the curtains, and then Da,ve came in, but there was no »ign of Rob. Tea was half over, and still Rob bad not come in. Then Kitty looked across at Dave, and asked :

"Where's Rob to-night, Dave?" Her voice trembled a little, and Jeannie glanced up sharply.

" Oh 1" Dave answered carelessly, " I met him ju«t before I came in, and he said he was going over to Saunders's or somewhere. Perhaps he's gone to see about this land Will was hpoaking of."

The lt wee bit home !"

This was too mnch for Kitty. She rose abruptly from the table, leaving ber tea almcßt untasted, and, crossing the room, she knelt down by the fire.

Jeannie did not see the tears that fell on Kitty's grey cotton frock, but she saw the stooping forward of the slight figure, and she looked away and hardened her heart.

Then when tea was over, and Jeannie began to clear away the dishes, Kitty rose from the hearthrug and moved softlj about helping her. When the dishes were done she said " Good-night," and went away with noiseless ntep and downcast looks.

Now if Rob had gone straight to Kitty after hearing Jeannie's words all might have been well ; but he went away to his hut, and Jeannie's words rang in his ears, until he fancied he could hear Kitty saying, " I don't care two straws about him."

He felt that he could not see her sweet face that night — perhaps to-morrow he could tell her that noro he looked for no answer to his oft-repeated question— now he would accept "No," and wonld "tease" her no more. Oh, lit tlf Kitty!

When Dave came up he went to the door of bis hut, and said: "I'm going over to Saunders's tonight; I won't be in to fcua," and Dave answered " All right I " But Dave never knew that Rob only went back into his hut and bolted the door and tried to read. But Kitty's face came between him and the paper, and he could not ccc the words. Kitty's manner towards him had been so strange lately. Could it really mean that which Jeannie had told him — that Kitty did not really care for him ? He must see her, he thought ; must speak to her, and hear from her own lips that she had ceased to care for him, and then he must leave her for ever if it were so.

And in the morning he woke, only half believing Jeannie's cruel words, and resolving that the day should not pass before he knew his fate.

But in the morning he never saw Kitty alone, and this morning Bhe was looking pale and unhappy, and only looked once at him when she wished him "Good morning" faintly. It waß altogether an unhappy state of uffuirft, each misunderstanding and misnndergtood.

Now on tbis day there was to be a Bale in the township, to which both Dave and Rob were going, and before he left the breakfast table Dave ?aid to Jeannie :

"You can expect us back early to tea, Jean ; we wou't be long away." However, when he and Rob were out at the stable, almost ready to start, he said :' " I believe we'll ride on to Barklev's. anfl

Saunders that Kitty was thinking when she reached the spot where the oowa were quietly feeding on this bright spring afternoon. Har thoughts were still with the " Braw wooer who cam' doon the lang gien," and her own wooer who whould soon be by her side, and for whom she was now impatiently waiting.

She laid her little brown hand on the side of- old Daisy — " Get up, old woman ; come along 1 " Then the ecood still again as she heard Bob's whistle in the distance. Poor Eob ! as he came oloser she heard him singing:

" A country lid is my degree, And few there be bli^t Icon me, oh ; But what rare I how few they ba? I'm welcome aye to Nannie oh I "

*

stay the night. He's been at me again to know if I was coming to look at the cattle he's selling, and we may as well bring them home together to-morrow morning." " All rtght," Rob answered shortly. " Are you goir g up to the house ? " " Yes ; I'll get my coat," Dave answered ; •'it's coming on to rain, I think." " Then you'll let tho folks up there know vre won't bo back to-night 1 " " Ob, yea." And Have want up to the house whistling to bimsf-lf.

I have said before that Dave was the most forgetful follow in the world. He just went Into the house and passed his mother and Bisters in the kitchen, and without a word to any of them he reached down his coat and went out, fitill whistling,

"Thoswecte^t hours that e'er T spent,

1 spent amany the l-isso.-s oh ! " The day parsed away as asuu.l, and the gloaming came agair. " They are surely very long," the mother said. . Bat Jeannie answered carelessly : " Ob, I don't think so— they'll be in soon." But tea time came, and there was no appearance of either Dave or Rob. " We'll wait a whil9 longer," Jeannie eaid. •Til not make the tea until they come, mother." " I hope nothing has happened to them 1 ' her mother answered. KUfcy ro9e from her seat by the fire, and opentog the back door, stood looking out. The rain bad been falling steadily all day, and was ponring down now. The mist was hapging in thick clouds over the hills, and the night was cold and dark. Her mbther's words had roused a great fear Id Kitty's heait. Suppose something had happened to her brother and Rob at the fiver whioh they had to ford— in the darkness perhaps 1 She closed the door and came back to the bright fire-light. "Are they no there, law?" her mother asked.

•• No, mother." •"Tifl strange," the elder woman raurmured to herself, and turned again to her knitting. . Then, as it <?rew later, Jeannio made the tea, and anxious and uneasy they sat down together at the little table, liatening for the sound of footsteps outside. The evenirjg wore on, and still they did not come. "Majbe," eaid Jeancie, "it's been too wet, ■nd they've stopped in the township for the night." "I don't think it," her mother ssid; "they've been out in web worse than this. Kitty, what do you tbink ? " •' I don't koo ./."acd Kitty's voice tremblad. She knelt down by her mother's chair, and leant her head against her knee. If anything had happened, what could they do ? Taero was no one near them for more than three miles, and the night waa cold and wet. They could but watch and wait. Midnight struck, and then the mother roae from her seat by the fire and put away her knitting. " Come, lasseß," she said, " we can do no more; we mußt just away to bed and bide till morning. They are no In our keeping, and maybe the morning will bring them safe and sound.'' So they separated for the night, all frightened and miserable, wishing for the morning to break over the mountain tops and sweep the neist and rain away. To poor Kitty the night was doubly terrible, for lover as well as brother was she knew not where, and the noise of the rushing ford seemed to sound through the falling rain. She had parted from Rob in coldness and pride, and almost her last words to bim had been both unkind and untrue. Oh 1 she would have given worlds to have bad him near her now — to hear his voice and to feel her band in his I Pride bad all melted away now, and her hot tears fell as she knelt by the window and laid her head on the broad gill. And somehow, mingled wiih the sound of the rushing waters, in her mind there came a few words — the words of a Scotch aong that she bad often sung in happier hours—

Ye powers that smile on virtuous love, Oh, sweetly smile on somebody ; Frae ilka danger keep him free, Aud scud me safe my somebody 1

"Kitty I" She looked up quickly, to see Jeannie Standing by her side, with her hair all loose and rough and her drees put carelessly round her.

" Conscience makes cowards of us all 1 " and Jeannie, after lying awake for a long time, had risen from her bed and thrown on her clothe?, unable to bear the reproaches of her conscience and the thoughts of the lie that would haunt her.

"What is it, Jeannie 1 " Kitty asked, lifting a troubled face to her sister.

" Can I speak to you, Kitty ? Will you listen tome?"

11 Yes, Jeannie, of course I" Kitty answered Id surprise at Jeannie's agitated manner. " I want to tell yoa {something — something I have done to hurt you." "What is it ? " and a shadow of the truth Crept into Kitty' 3 heart. " I was angry with you, Kitty, because yon kept me from going to Saunders's the other night," Jeannie began, " and I meant to pay you out, and go — and so " . She stopped, and Kitty said low :

"Go on."

"I meant to pay yoa out, but I would never have done what I have if I hadn't met Will, and he put it into my head. Kitty, I'm beginning to hate him now, I think. He asked me how you and Rob were getting od, and I told him I thought you had been quarrelling, and he said — he told me " Kitty squeezed her hand, and she went

" He said if I kept my eyes open I would find a chance to pay you out soon for keeping me from seeing him; and then I remembered what jou had said when I told you you thought Rob perFecr, and I told Rob 1 " " Oh I Jeannie, what did you tell him ? " Jeannie falteied, and then said : " I told him last night that you did not Bare for him."

"He didn't believe you 1 " Kitty's voice trembled.

Jeannie turned away her face.

"He did believe me. I told him yon were Only playing witb him, that you had said you did not. O.ira two straws about him. and

that you really meant it. And he believed ma, Kitty," and Jeannie burst into pasßionate weeping.

Kitty drew her arms quickly from her sister, and a whole wave of misery swept act 083 her heart.

" Oh, Rob I " she orted in accents of passionate despair. She buried her face in her hands and turned away.

For a long time there was silence save for Jeannie'a boob, and then she quieted down, and in broken words said :

11 I know you can't — forgive me, Kitty— l know you can't — and— and I deserve it 1 " • Tuen Kitty turned towards her, and threw her arrrn around her.

"I will, Jeannie, I will! "

"Oh, Kitty, dearl" and Jeannie'fl teara flowed f gun. When she turned to leave the room, Kitty pleaded : " Don't go, Jeannie; don't leave me." So ihey sat togftther tide by side and waited for the dawning. After a whii« Joannie's eyes closed and she slept, but all ihrough that night of misery Kitty sar, and with anxious eyes watched for the firut streaks of daylight in the sky.

The morning came, and with the night the rain clouds had passed away. Tha skies were blue and the sun shone again, but it was with a heavy heart that Kitty stepped out among the beauties of the new day.

Bright the skies were ; sweetly the larks sang, and the rain glistened on the leaves of the trees and hung in heavy drops on the blades of graf s a 9 ghe drove in the cows from the little preen paddock. But to her rain or sunshine was all the same—Rob alone was iv her heart, and until he returned tb her she could see no beauty in the richness of the morning sunshine.

Jeannie, too, felt miserable and unhappy, although her confession, and Kitty's forgiveness, bad lifted a load from her heart. She was olearing away the breakfast dishes, when who should walk into the kitchen but Dave, as coolly as though nothing bad happened.

" Oh, Dave 1 " Jeannie cried joyfully, 11 where have you been ? Why didn't you come home last night?"

"Why didn't 1 come home last night? Weil, Jeannie, that's good I I told you we were going to stay all night at Birkloy's."

" Oh, Dave, you didn't ; and we have been so frightened. Haven't we, mother?" " Didn't I tell you, mother ? " Dave asked. "No, lad," his mother answered. "You have given us a fine fright."

" But I must have told you," Dave persisted. " I told you when I came up for my coat before I left yesterday."

"You didn't," Jeannie answered. "You just walked through the kitchen, and never spoke to any of ua." 11 Oh, by Jove 1" Dave exclaimed in amazement, "so I did 1 I remember now."

To Jeannie almost all the clouc3s had rolled away — only one hung over her ; she must Hee Rob and tell him that Kitty loved him. She must ando the mischief that she had made, painful though the humiliation would be. Dave had told her that both he and Rob had left the Barkleys directly after breakfflst, so she knew that UDless she watched for Rob she would have no chance of speaking to bim until night. So she slipped out of tha house and ran down to the stable, and there she waited for him to bring in bis horses to be harnessed. Sno was determined to tell him of the wrong that she had done te both Kitty and himself, and to do so before he had time to see or speak to Kitty. She sat down on a bag of oats and waited, and when she beard hia step Bbc stood up, white and trembling. It was infinitely harder to tell him than to confess her cruelty to Kitty. He entered the stable, and with a great f-ffort she spoke. "Rob, I want to speak to yon." Her cheeks wore burning, and she cast down her eyes.

" Yes," ho answered, and as she hesitated, " What is it, Jeannie ? "

What it cost Jeannie to speak no ona knew.

" You remember what I told you the night before last ? It was not true." " Jeannie I what do you mean ? " 11 About Kitty. It was not true ; I — I — told you a lie."

Tha sudden joy that transtormed Rob's face lasted but a moment. It was succeeded by a blaze of anger, as he turned his dark eyes to Jean»ie's face.

"It was not true?"

" No, I was angry with her, aud I told you that she really meant what she had said ; she did not mean it, Rob."

"And you dared tell me a lie like that 1 " he broke out fiercely. " You dared speak as you did of her "

He checked himself, and turning to his horses, began quickly harnessing them, while Jeannie stood with clasped hands and bent head. Suddenly Rob turned to her and asked : 11 Where is Kitty 1 "

" She will be turning out the cows now."

Jeannie's tears were falling, and Rob saw them though she tried to bide them from him. He was leaving the stable without another word when she said timidly : " Rob 1 " 11 Have you anything more to tell me 1 " He turned back as he spoke. " Will you ever forgive me, Rob ? " She spoke very humbly, and Rob answered :

" I don't know, Jeannie." " Kitty has forgiven me," she s'ud in a low voice.

"I will try to," Rob answered, " but I can't do it yet. I don't mind the misery you have caused me, but the wrong to Kitty — I'll find it hard to forgive you that, but I'll try to do it."

" Thank you," she said humbly ; and then she sat down again in the shadows and covered her face with her hands. She could not expect to he forgiven just at once.

Meanwhile Krty knew no'-hing of her brother and 11 ,h's pafe return. She had turned out the cows into th? l^cg p»ddock, and had wandered down to the gate where she and Rib had so often met, and in her misery she laid her head on it, and a few teats foil on the grasß below.

Oh, Rob 1 Dear R3b ! He believed her ffj.)se to him ; he believed that she did not love him and it was all through her own foolishness that it had come about. Where wj>s lie now ? — what had kept him from comIne home ths nisht boforei What if anr-

thing had happened to him — if he were dead, believing her to be false? " Why, lassie " It was Rob's voice behind her. She raised her head to sea him standing by her side.

" Ob, Rob 1 " she cried joyously ; she could gay no more.

" I know all, Kitty," he said, answering the question that her eyes asked. " Jeannie has told me everything, but I can'c believe it until I hear it from your own Hp 9, lafls. Say it is true that you still love me, Kitty. Let me hear you say ifc, dear." " You know it, Rob ; Ido love you I " His arms were round her, and his lips pressed to her cheek. "And you will be mine, Kitty; you will answer my question now, lassie 1 Let me hear you say ■ Yes.' I have waited so long for it, dear I "

She raised her eyes to hi?, and the colour dec-pened in her soft checks. " Yes," she said simply, timidly, and Rib wos content.

The one great wish of bis heart was realised. Kitty had answered " Yes." He had won her for his own.

" Now I must leave you, dear," he said, "but give me another kiss— just one— before we part. The day will aye seem long till I meet you here again at c'en, but, ob, lassie 1 you have made me the happiest man in the whole world to-day 1 " In the golden glow of the sunset Kitty watched for Rob's return, and on the still evening air the words of his song were borne to her—

" Kitty was the fairest flower That ever bloomed in Gowrie."

She bent nor head, and tears sprang to her eyes. All the misery of the long, dark night had paused and only brightness and peace remained. Could she wish for a happier lot than was now bers ?

Rob loved her and she loved him.

Together they would live, and work, and face the world and the rough winds of life Bide by side in their " wee bit home 1 "