The Heather-Moon

did justice to it or enjoyed it much. Perhaps there was thunder in the air, which upset the nerves of every one, even the nerves of Moore, who spilt bouillon

something to say than because, even if rain came, it were likely to last. "It's just th

ly, looking out of the open window a

oon?" asked Basil, interested. "

happen to the people who are worthy of them-and the honeymoon can't come till afterward. I've always wanted s

ained the heather moo

asil and Somerled forgot that there was a Mrs. West in the room. It was a momentary lapse of memory, but Aline

plain, and had been chosen by Mrs. Keeling beca

said Somerled. "The heather moon's the moon of Augus

ing in love. That's why the honeymoon has to come afterward." Then, seeing that Mrs. West was looking at her with a look that might mean astonishment or disapp

y anything at all about love before Grandma or Heppie, but it is talked about so much in books, I thought I mig

al about love whether or no they talk o

I know?" B

their everyday selves to-nigh

You write novels. Or do you leave

ey like about love," said Barrie reflect

re personal interest in heather moons or honeymoons! Mrs. West grew pale, and was angry with herself for caring. Barrie made her fe

she'll answer them better than I can," Aline

tory, and knew that through family misunderstandings mother and daughter had

" said

morning, as soon as the post-office opens. He'll be able to let us know where Mrs. Ballantree MacDonald's acting. We won't trust to the stage p

so tickled that, to his own surprise, he had laughed and forgotten his youthful rancour. It struck him as distinctly funny that he had ever taken old Duncan's waspishness seriously enough to make vows of any sort because of it. And he saw that indirectly he owed fortune to the haughty lord of Dhrum. It had amused Somerled a good deal and pleased him a little that "his highness" (as he called the great one) should implore the "peasant brat" to become tenant of Dunelin Castle for an unlimited term of years; that Duncan should chat to newspaper men of his "distinguished relative Ian MacDonald, who had won fame under the very suitable nom de guerre of Somerled"; and that "Cousin Ian" should be pressed to meet "Cousin Margaret." It was a queer world, and nobody in it was queerer than one's self. So Somerled had felt when, just because the miracle had happened to free him of his vow, he no longer pined to gaze upon his native Highlands. He felt at home and happy enough in America; and if being "happy enough" wasn't quite the beautiful state he had pictured as a boy, it was full of interest. He had taken Dunelin Castle off its owner's hands at a high yearly rent, in

radiated his mind with a light such as had not shone for Somerled on land or sea since he had become rich enough to afford the most expensive lighting. Then as quickly it had died down. He saw himself spinning agreeably through Scottish scenes with Mrs. West and her brother, and suddenly, treacherously, he felt that to spin agreeably was not enough to satisfy him, that it was unworthy of wondrous golden li

s well as I could? Let me see, what would be best? Oh, I could say that by accident her granddaughter had met a guest of mine, a friend of Mrs. Ballantree MacDonald's; that she wasn't to worry, because, though her granddau

to take strict care of me; but now I've gone my own way, she'll see it was predestined. It was just the same with a Dresden china teapot she inherited. She didn't approve of it becau

I didn't do that I should not be able to sleep." She spoke with fervour, for she felt that she m