Playing With Fire

as two drops of rain might look i

love can nev

the face, but

y kept for this day, and, as they noiselessly prepared the breakfast, they talked softly to each other in monosyllables. Marion was used to this formality, and indeed was herself involuntarily affected b

I ought to go to God's house and honor Hi

d had forgotten that it was the Sabbath; she took the steps quickly, with

re's no wonder you stand at the open door, Marion. Look at that little summerhouse. It is

ng to walk i

why

the S

abbath to the g

ng how we were to get there. Aileen says it is ne

not going to try it. I'm not going to th

ng to Ki

morning I heard larks singing up to the very gate of heaven. I saw one rise from the brae just outside. I'll warrant you his nest was there

ill Fat

your breakfast go into the garden and say a prayer among the flower

d y

rs since I had a Sunday that rested me. I have m

leen an

k. It will do them good.

a light wagon in the carriage house, and she

em in any kind or manner. The girls can walk to Kirk if they want to go; if not, they can bide

the table immediately after breakfast and then the girls disappeared, and were not seen until it wa

od get encouragement, and the wicked are plainly told what kind o' a future they are earning for themselves. But, with this man, it was just 'Love God! Love God!' as if there was any use in loving God

I was just lovi

ess with wondering eyes, and, though she did not venture

making; for in the evening, as she was walking there with Marion she pointed to an inscription above the entrance to the jasmi

ook in this pi

garden ther

rbs for the

need. That day Jessy Caird had found herbs in the sweet shadowy place for all her unsatisfied long

ughter was at his side, and Mrs. Caird's presence added that sense of oversight and of "all things in order" which was so essential to his sa

d how is he faring

then he said with distinct anger, "I did not se

k Maggie wh

e he was going on the Sabbath. It will be a black day wh

e only went with Matthew Ballantyne to his father's place near

e seen him where he

rch of the

en

mbing the mountains. They were in God's holiest temple. I

y, Donald ought to h

ard is preaching there now, and both M

always last. He would rather hea

don't thwart his wishes and scorn his hopes and set him to work that he hates.

eated Donald with

line you made for him. You had your own will. You

essy, that I wanted

wer was all you could lay your hands on. Donald was willing to go eith

life is all the Macra

the same position be

ose the salvation

t take it, so you tied him to a counting desk. It was like harnessing a stag to a plo

you would consider t

enever I can, in season or out of season. There is a

spoke of its contents, though Mrs. Caird and Marion had their part in its m

e. She wishes me to stay until Wednesday afternoon, then she intends coming

t of two days. What for? She has her la

th her is beyond lawyers and councillors.

keep it to yo

left some papers on scientific and theological subjects

all is true I have heard about him. I think Marion a

qualities of men differ from those

Inequalities of sex, indeed! They do not exist! Th

y, I

double yours, and, if given fitting education and opportunity, would preach and write you out of all remembrance. And where would you be, I wonder, without Jessy Caird to guide and look after all yo

ing. I do nothing without your advice. I admit th

Give me all the cre

ou have kept me socially right, also. I would h

go to your room now and put on the handsomest suit in your keeping. You'll find linen there white as snow, and pack a fresh wearing of it

. Macrae went with cheerful, rapid steps to his toilet, and Mrs. Caird looked after him smiling an

air and manner that elicited the utmost respect, almost the servility, of the coachman and foot

If he would be patient and considerate with your brother, I w

I must marry Allan Reid, and I would not-would yo

the very end of the controv

p and look at the

book w

e said he was common, and would take me only into vulgar and im

most uncommonly good and lovable. For myself, I cannot be bothered with Scott's long pedigrees and descriptions. If there's a crack in a castle wall, he has to describe how far it runs east or west. It is the old, bad world S

everything in beautiful o

will be at any hour Lady Cramer chooses to

e blue damask. The walls were covered with a delicate paper, and hung on them were pastels of lovely faces and green landscapes. The latticed windows were open, and a little wind gently moved the white lace curtains. The vases

id Copperfield," and she had just arrived at that pleasant period when David finds out that D

e Cramer carriage coming, sta

in white organdie. A white satin belt was round her waist, and a necklace of polished white coral round h

ter and as good as any lady in the land. And beware of flattering my Lady in any form or shape. It is the worst

othing and all the pleasant stir of arriving guests. She sat still until Lady Cramer entered, then rose to greet her. For a moment

t, Lady

sation and Dr. Macrae, who feared his daughter would be shy and uninteresting, was

ns? There was a maid in cap and apron to perform that duty. The Macraes were a proud family, but it was not temporal pride that actuated the Minister. In all cases and at all hours he followed St. Paul's example and "magnified his office." He had always retired from anything like service, either at home or abroad, and it would b

song," she said, "that I hear everywhere I go, and never too o

so, Lady Cramer. And what

in a boat; it is the music that charms.

nce, she played a few chords embodying a wonderful melody,

omrades, row,

pt of the ni

moonbeams wa

ander abou

er is here

mory lose t

home we have

of content

baritone, and was used with taste and skill. Every line raised Marion's enthusiasm, no one had ever heard her sing with such

his daughter to him. They looked, and they loved. The feeling was instantaneous and indisputable. Richard was on the point of calling her "Marion" a dozen times that happy hour; and "Richard" came as natu

Miss Macrae to ride, and that the lessons would require "a week at the very least." And Mrs. Caird was pleas

s of the best society; for Lord Cramer had set the chatter and laughter going, a

wrong thought, Ian; and I was fairly wearying for the sound of happy singing, and the voices of young folks chattering and laughing. This afternoon has

of books a

nd of bo

e long thought of examining. Huxley and Darwin's works, poor Hugh Miller's 'I

n't you read a word against it. In a spiritual sense,

hool of Bible readers ought to be familiar t

ommandments to preach against. The critic

doubting books, and he wrote many refutations of their errors, or at least he believed them to be

entreat you to decli

nreasonabl

ellectual giants. Are you strong enough t

d them. Therefore, I mu

omprehension if

w what I preach. My creed is reasonable and I

All his beliefs were fixed, and he was sure that he understood God perfectly.

ning my life as I am of my creed. In my Bible, the blessed book from which I stu

Faith by which t

ed, a map cor

eeling fond

firmation,

nal truth be p

who carries our sins can carry our doubts. And no one is sure of w

d-and

he has never given you a h

e one this

appy. Ian, you are

er. He would have made lo

t and then ask, what wrong t

ago. His stepmother has been loaning him money ever since, and he is in honor bound to repay her as soon as possible. That duty comes before his marriage, unless he marries a rich woman. My daughter would be

he whole list of th

rought up strictly in the true church, Lady Cramer fears he neve

n. We have no right to judge him out of t

s my friend. He told me whom he wished his son to marry, and it would be a kind of treachery to the dead if I sanctioned the putting o

own keeping if the right man asks f

It is painful to me. I saw plainly this afternoon t

man, full of innocent mirth, and Marion loves, as I do, the

ant places. A short time ago Allan Reid told me he loved her and asked my permission t

. Allan Reid is not handsome; indeed, he is very unhandsome

ubject. A good man, and a rich man,

more than, any man ought to expect. But, before he thinks of these things, he is particularly anxio

nts a handsome moth

Ian, you might as well give up all hopes of Marion's marrying Allan Reid. She believe

marriage. Say all you ca

, Ian. I have nothing to s

ing in favor o

Cramer I like. Do you wa

d you what

obers and changes young men. Ian Macrae, leave your daughter's affairs alone. She

doing wel

omes will tell us that he has taken the Q

you want

nts, and give him his

r in Scotland that would d

d do it. I am sure you m

f they will not listen to their father. I am very much worried,

erfect Faith. When you have gone through those

es the rocks of our own doubt. The danger lies in fearing danger. I made a

by the special instigat

rote them were morally good men, seekers after tr

ut I have read long, elaborate, wearisome reviews of

ou read su

ld and Marion should be warned against

f I think it necessary, they will

n they began to doubt it they went madly into vice and atheism and national ruin. If men have such wicked thoughts as are in the books you are go

table, Jessy. The

naanites; they did it, of course, and you know the result as well as I do. And men these days are so set up with their long dominion and the varieties

ks that are only known to you through some critic's opinion." Then

en would see a

harshly where

n would draw a

r! They'd be

nd went to the room where the fa

hrew her knitting out of her hands and

few sentences of Schopenhauer or Darwin. There! I hear him opening the box. Now begin the to-and-fro paths of Doubt and Persuasion, days full of anxious brooding, nights full of shadowy chasms, that nothing but Faith can bridge. But Ian has Faith-at least in his creed-an

were almost touching the sweet little mignonettes. A tender smile brooded over her face, a tender light was in her eyes, she

you, Marion. Why did

d, perhaps, saying something I wo

nt? I am sure they were everything tha

would not believe any wrong of him. I shall not listen to any wrong of hi

did r

and how exquisite are his man

he highest distinction, and they pract

half-formed manners of a school-girl. He paid you as much respect as he paid Lady Cramer, though you are old and beneath her in socia

you are not a shy, untrained school-girl; you are a young, lovely woman, with the naturally fine manners that come from a good heart and proper education. As for subservience to your father, I saw noth

ery prett

yes, and then lift them with a flash that would trouble any man's heart that had love or life left in it. And see how wisely and warily she dre

ely hair, under the small white l

She should have worn her widow's bonnet for two years, and it is wanting half a year at least of that term. But, this or that, she is a butterfly of

dea! That would be the m

ry reason it

religious way-when they are in trouble

coanut. He has a volcanic soul-ordinarily the fire is low and quiet, but

Aunt, I have seen love leap into his shadowy eyes when I have met

a genius for divine things-but wo

and how sad was his expression when he described the burying of his company's colonel after it-the open grave in a cleft of hills dark with pines, the solemn dead march, the noble words sp

men judge men better than women can; and it may be possible your fat

hat Lord Cramer is the handsomest man I ev

speaking of

thinks I will ma

as your fat

l marry no man of a meaner kind. How tall and straight and slender is his figure! How bold and manly his face! His gray eyes

er will be compelled to marry a rich woman. Your father

tte, and did not answer; and Mrs. Cai

your own, and do not give it

ple tell lies about him. I always stand by anyone wronged. I would eve

eard tell of your opinion, he would g

se I would believe a

. She had forgotten the exception just made in h