Patsy

invitation there. Cairn Ferris was the ancient home of an ancient family, the house of a "bonnet" laird, bu

me thither to live his life between his books, his paintings, his music, and the eternally

ituted the whole landed estate of Adam Ferris. The Garlands of Glenanmays had been holders of that farm and liegemen of Cairn Ferris almost from the days when t

where dwelt Diarmid Garland and his brood, on the bank above the swift-running water-race whi

heathery in appearance and outline, but satisfactory for sheep-feeding-that was Glenanmays. Diarmid had

resided at meals, his bonnet of blue on his head, broad as a barrow-wheel, and brought all the way from Kilmarnock. All the rest of the

e high table, over which the blue Kilmarnock bonnet of the master presided. For the minute or so while he said grace or "returned thanks," Diarmid took off his bonnet, but resumed it the m

e, to which in due order came son, daughter, house-maiden, out-lass, ploughman and herd. The only difference was that when it came to the blessing upon the food to be partaken of, Adam the Laird stood up, while the others sat still with bowed heads. Why this was, no one knew, not even Adam or Diarmid. But so it had been in t

ly-wage sort, turnip-singlers, Irish harvesters, Stranryan "strappers" and "lifters," crow-boys, and all the miscellany of a Galloway farm about the end of the Napoleonic wars ate from wooden platters, with only their own horn spoon and po

with him, the scar of which was plain to be seen of all, beginning as it did a little below his ear and running to the point of the shoulder-blade. This made the prestige of Rob Dickson notable, especially among the Irish. Had he not resisted authority? So of him chiefly they sought counsel and direction-so much so that old Diarmid, quick to notice what

hen their own proper broth was finished and the flesh sodden in it had all been distributed, the Young Lions were made free of the debris of the high table, and never were bones cleaned with greater dispatch. Scarce did those which were saved for the rough-tailed, soft-eyed collies, wait

m the dear but dull house of Cairn Ferris, the schooled and disciplined servants, t

mays she could dip deep in the fountain of youth. Of the four girls, Faith and Elspeth were her seniors, and she looked u

. And neither had any secrets from the other. Hopes, fears, anticipations were exchanged, but cautiously and in whispers, like young bather

ryan Grammar School, with the softest eyes and the most wonderful voice

ver the moor, brought Patsy so often that way. But the quiet talks with Jean-Jean who had learned wisdom from her sisters' love affairs, from the escapa

armid for each member of his family, she made her way to the little shed hidden by the burnside, on the green in front

is morning-soon after dawn. Madge Blair and I had our arms in the tubs by half-past thre

e help!" c

are getting to be none so ill with

ancy than the plai

have taste-most have neither one nor the other, but iron

nd smiling at each other, or Jean might throw in a hint as to

came nearer, a pile of f

ing of the press-gang

ways Captain Laurence at Stranryan. On clear nights you can hear his fifes and drums by standing on the s

yet nearer to Patsy

rmured. "They are in it

y a glance she instantly lowered her v

dded sl

Patsy whispered back. Je

s time of the Free Trading. He was at the head of it, and if the boys head a clean run from the Dutch

ugglers and shore lads who helped them-always King's cutters and preventive me

ure from Stonykirk, a man of our own country. He works with the preventive superintendent, and when they cannot or dare not meddle w

is nearly full," the girls slipped each a cotton gown and a towel apiece into Patsy's little reticule and made off to the bathing cove, a well-hidden nook of sand, half cavern, half high shell-bank,

n opener one than that of the Abbey Burn, the banks higher and farther off, and from the

thery knoll Diarmid watched them go. He had noted the swift intaking of the white cleading on the hedges, the disappearance of fluttering garment

the fells. "Careless fellows," she said, "that must have be

learly evident, and Jean was roused to anger against the headstron

bed of the burn," she sa

the boats turning sharply about to make for Belfast Lough, showing a sudden broadside of white canvas as they did so. But little they minded. At present the sky was glorious, the sea a mirror, and here was the Maidens' Cove, into which

time and place meant the pinnace of a King's ship. The thought of Stair's careless bridle-track high on the heathery side of the fell tortured the mind of his sister. What could they want? It was too early in the day for any surprise work in the interests of the Excise. There were no smuggling cellars near to search-but at that moment the girls

d dark of the purple dulse that shaded the cavern mouth

g to take Uncle J

leman? It is that silly Stair who has set them on the track of my brothers. They will land at the Burnfoot and c

ards for your one. Lend me your scar

laird's d

gs. Her kilted skirt came but a little way below her knee and her blouse of fine blue linen let her arms be seen to the elbow. Patsy looked more Pictish than ever thus, with a

ith a string of red tied about it, sped east