Stand Fast, Craig-Royston! (Volume II)

correspondent in New York, to suspect-nay, to condemn unheard-this proud and solitary old man with whom he had all this while been on terms of such close and friendly intimacy? Had he not

on and his gratitude? What if he talked with too lofty an air of birth and lineage, or allowed his enthusiasm about Scotland and Scottish song to lead him into the realms of rodomontade: may not an old man have his harmless foibles? A

uch a flagrant breach of trust. Then Lord Musselburgh's patronage, as the young man knew very well, had taken the form of a cheque; so that the charge brought by the writer of this letter practically was that George Bethune had obtained, and might even now be obtaining, money by fraud and false pretences. It was a bewildering thing-an impossib

red in his eagerness to claim this topic as his own, surely that did not prove him to be a charlatan all the way through, still less a professional impostor? But then his making use of this scheme to obtain money-and that not only from Lord Musselburgh? Oh, well (the young man tried to convince himself) there might not be so much harm in that. No doubt he looked forward to issuing the volume, and giving his patrons value in return. Old George Bethune, as he knew, was quite careless about pecuniary matters: for example, if the b

f there had been any malfeasance in this matter, she, at least, was no sharer in it. And the more he pondered, the more anxious he became to know whether Maisrie had any idea of the position in which her grandfather was placed. How much would he be entitled to tell her, supposing she was in ignorance? And when could he hop

t of the house, alone. Here was a chance not to be missed. Waiting for a couple of minutes, to make sure that the coast was clear, he passed downstairs, crossed the little thoroughfare, and knocked. The

th a little smile of welcome,

rom America to-day about that proposal I made-to get some one to collect materials for your grandfather's book; and the answer is rather a strange one-I don't quite understand-perhaps you ca

and with a certain ap

told me there had been talk of su

ared

. "Then surely you

eproach-that brought the blood to her face; and

have known that no one was so familiar with the subject as my grandfather, and that it would be foolish to try to interfere with him. At the same time I have alwa

wholly in ignorance of t

ffect, but rather the reverse. To tell you the plain truth, the American or Sc

her lips grown suddenly pale, and her eyes bewildered: and then she turned away

claimed in astonishment, for he foun

steal an old man's good name from him, and that for so small a thing! What harm had he ever done

Maisr

grandfather will be compromised! He undertook to bring out the book; he got friends to help him with money; and

ung man threw to the winds all his doubts and conjectures conc

hall not. I will go. It is a question of money: I will pay them their money back. Tell me who they are, and

swift glance of more than gratitude

rious look of resignation that he had noticed when first he saw her, and that seemed so strange in a young girl. "I might have expected this," she went on, absently and sadly. "My grandfather can persuade himself of anything: if he thinks a thing is done, that is enough. I am sure I have urged him to get on with this book-not that I thought

of a friend, and you cannot refuse. Who are the people to wh

fferently, as if no hope lay that way. "And there is Mr.

mstances have occurred to prevent Mr. Bethune bringing out the volume he had projec

r head again

tter how we are situated. But it was shameful of them," she said, with her indignation returning, and her lips becoming at once proud and tremulous, "to cheat an old man out of so poor and small a thing! Why, they all knew he was going to write this book-all the writers themselves-they were known to h

ext minute they could hear old George Bethune coming with his active step up the flight of stairs, while

cts; or perhaps had been able to blind himself to them. But what troubled the young man most of all was to notice that the old look of pensive resignation had returned to Maisrie's face. For a time a brighter life had shone there; the natural animation and colour of youth had appeared in her cheeks; and her eyes had laughter in them, and smiles, and kindness and gratitude; but all that had gone now-quite suddenly, as it seemed-and there had come back that strange sadness, that look of

her position, may have been inclined to resent what he could not but regard as a callous and cul

ew York that someone over there has taken up your subject, and that a volume on th

ther; but there was nothing to fear on

mple expressions of the human heart are as deeply interesting as the more finished, the more literary, productions of the professional poet. A single verse, rough and rugged as you like-and the living man stands revealed. Ay, ay, so the book is coming out. Well, I hop

d Maisrie, "you were to

ngly give my help for nothing-a little guidance here and there-a few biographical facts-even an amended line. But after all the men must speak for themselves; and well they will speak, if the public will but remember that these verses have for the most part been thought of during the busy rush of a commercial life,

than you, my

ed the ra

e blythe, th

never se

come sing

u' o' o

think we're

ain heat

plough; and I think, Maisrie, when you and I take a walk along Princes-street in Edinburgh we may see more than one or two copies in the bookseller's windo

piteously, "surely you forget that you un

association of one's name with such a band of true and loyal Scotchmen. No; I do not grudge it; on the contrary I am prepared to give the volume the most generous welcome in my pow

eak plain-with Vincent listening to every word? And yet she knew that now he was aware of

ou cannot forget the obligations you put yourself under-to Lord Musselburgh and Mr. Carmichael, and perhaps others. You undertook to write the book. If that is

himself behind his gay and discurs

the introduction of business matters is uncalled for, and, in fact, unbecoming; and one of these is, surely, when we come out to spend a pleasant evening with our young frie

d her grandfather saw it. I

us under, are surely a very secondary affair, to one who looks at human nature with a larger view. I thank God," he went on, with much complacency, "that I have never been the slave of avarice, that even in times of great necessity I have kept subsidiary th

, gloomily; that quiver of Mais

he facts were revealed. It was when he came to consider the position and surroundings of Maisrie Bethune that the young man grew far more seriously concerned; indeed, his heart became surcharged with an immeasurable pity and longing to help. He began to understand how it was that a premature sadness and resignation was written on that beautiful face, and why her eyes so rarely sm

is heart to leap when he heard her footfall on the stairs, or when he happened to look up at the table to find her regard fixed on him, there was no wild desire for a declaration of his fond hopes and dreams. Rather he hung back-as if something mysteriously sacred surrounded her. He had asked her for a flower: that was all. Probably she had forgotten. There seemed no place for the pretty toyings of love-making in the

when he approached; oftentimes she called him 'Vincent' without seeming to notice it. She had given him a flower?-yes, as she would have given him a handful at any or every hour of the day, if she fancied it would please him, and without ulterior thought. They were almost as boy and girl together in this daily inter

ing of his irresolute hopes and fears. The opportunity arrived quite unexpectedly. One morning he was as usual on hi

arm, for it was the rarest thing in the world

smaking, I think. Poor lass, she has to be economical; indeed, I think she carries

ith the old man, across the street into Hyde Park. "I have often wished to spe

inning; then he pulled himself togeth

be, if anything happened to you-and you seemed concerned. Well, it is easy to understand how you should be troubled-it is terrible to think of a young girl like that-so sensitive, too-being alone in the world, and not over well-provided for,

lind to the friendly and even affectionate regard you have shown towards my granddaughter all this while, or to the pleasure she has enjoyed in having you take part in our small amusements? No, I have not been blind. I have looked on and approved. It has be

al of the uncertainty with regard to the future be removed? You see, Mr. Bethune, I haven't spoken a word to Maisrie-not

"Yes, it may be as you say. Perhaps it is only that she likes the companionship of one of her own age. That is natural.

ted: as he walked on he saw n

ions; you are looking too far ahead; you and she are both too young to burden yourselves with grave responsibiliti

f this old man to speak so patronisingly of Maisrie as but a child when it was he himsel

very utmost of my power. To-morrow?-to-morrow never yet belonged to anybody-never was of any use to anybody: give me to-day, and I am content to let to-morrow shift for itself! Yes," he continued, in firm and proud and almost joyous accents, and he held his head erect, "you may have caught me in some unguarded moment-some moment of nervous weakness or depression-beginning to inquire too curiously into the future; but that was a transient folly; I thank God that it is not my habitual mood! Repin

aloud in

looking at these things; they knew the hills and the clouds and the fields; the world existed for them; but you could see nothing, you were as if lying dead. Then comes your brief instant; it is your turn; your eyes are opened; and for a little while-a passing second-the universe is revealed to you. Don't you perceive that the marvellous thing is that out of the vast millions of ages it should be this one particular moment, this present moment, that happens to be given to you? And

d not understand why this should make him less concerned about Maisr

in our tiny microcosm. It is not exciting; it is simple, and wholesome; and I hope not altogether base and gross. And as regards Maisrie, surely you and she have enough of each other's society even as matters stand. Let well alone, my young friend; let well alone; that is my advice to you. And I may say there

but these few words instantly aroused his attention: perhaps this

a position very different from that she occupies at present; and I should not wish her to be hampered by anything pertaining to her former manner of life. Not that she would ever prove forgetful of past kindness; that is not in her nature; but in these new circumstances

lf dragged along a small boy of five or six. She did not look like a professional London beggar, nor yet like a country

g?" old George Bethune said to

ed round start

r home, sir," s

that?" he

y, sir-Abbot's

ve you co

atherhea

t all t

," she said, with

ittle food, I wa

indeed

ou any

ther-she thought she was dying, and sent for me to bring the two little

, deliberately, "I don't know whether what I have will am

lf a handful of shillings and pence; then he searched a small waist

bread and butter when you get up to the shops. And then when you're outside the town, you'll just give some honest fellow a shilling, and you'll get a cast of an empty cart to help you on your road. Well, good-day to ye

he had hardly a word of thanks; and when he had gone for some l

romised Maisrie I should not ret

ing?" the young man exclaimed. "Well, that'

em better than that poor creature with the long tramp before her. To-night," said he, rubbing his palms together with much satisfaction, "to-night, when we meet at Mentavisti's, I shall be all the hungrier and all the hap

take forethought for the morrow; while the venerable gray beard was gay as a lark, delighted with the present hour, and defiant of anything that might happen? And what if the younger man were to follow the precepts of the elder, and lapse into a careless content? Their way of living, as George Bethune had pointed out, was simple, happy, and surely harmless. There were those three forming a little coterie all by themselves; enjoying each other's society; interested in each other's pursuits. The hours of the daytime were devoted to individual work; then came the glad reunion of the evening and the sallying forth to this or the other restaurant; thereafter the little dinner in the corner, with its glimpses of foreign folk, and its

, he did not in the least consider the relationship now existing between him and her as being merely a pretty little pastoral episode, that would lead to nothing. No doubt their present way of living had many charms and fascinations, if only it would last. But it would not last; it was impossible it should last. Looking back over these past months, Vincent was