M _—_——_—_—_

Kilmeny of the Orchard

to teach her What love means, and no man has ever had a lovelier, purer, pupil.”

At the annual school meeting, the next afternoon, the trustees asked Eric to take the Lindsay school for the following year. He consented unhesitatingly.

That evening he went to Mrs. William- son, as she washed her tea dishes in the kitchen.

“ Mrs. Williamson, I am going back to the old Connors orchard to see Kilmeny again to—night.”

She looked at him reproachfully.

“ Well, Master, I have no more to say. I suppose it wouldn’t be of any use if I had. But you know what I think of it.”

“ I intend to marry Kilmeny Gordon if I can win her.”

An expression of amazement came into the good woman’s face. She looked scru— tinizingly at the firm mouth and steady gray eyes for a moment. Then she said in a troubled voice,

“ Do you think that is wise, Master?

I 38