The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

A Strange Revenge. 721
" I didna come tae force mysel upon ye," Kirsty continued,
in a voice so tremulous that John at once wheeled
about, " but things dinna seem tae be driftin' very sair in that
direction."
" The auld story," said John, again turning his back
and patting the floor vigorously with one foot ; " the same
as I cud mak' money ony quicker or help folk deein' ;
besides, this's a fine day tae talk o' marriage— it wad be
wiser-like tae speak o' kirkyards an' read the Psalms o'
Dauvit.''
" It's no that."
" It's no what ?"
" I dinna want ta hurry ye, I'm sure."
" No, ye canna ;
that's the best o't."
"John, dinna be sae ill-natured, for I hae bad news—
that's what I came tae tell ye afore e'en I telt my faither
I've lost a' my siller !"
" What, Kirsty," questioned John, with a look of con-
sternation, '• lost yer hale £2 17s 3%d ?"
" Every penny !"
"An' wha's the thief?" asked John with an air that
meant the offender would have a hard time of it.
" Oh, it's this way, John :
—
the Professor hasna paid a
bawbee o' his debts, an' the lawyers o' Inverness have
taken awa' every stick in the hoose, includin' my ain kist
an' the money I've saved wi' the sweat o' my broo."
" Good gracious, Kirsty, yer money taen awa' by a
wheen lawyer scoondrels ? An' for that vagabond's debts !
I aye thocht there was something queer about yon cliap,
wi' his sneakin' prowls in the wuds, an' keep mysel' tae
mysel' kind o' style. What about yer half year's wages ?"
" Not a penny hae I got."
" An' no' a copper need ye expect."
" What's the world comin' tae," soliloquised John,
leaning up against the dresser and rubbing his stubbly chin,
" death, ghosts, witch's gane daft, an' folk that dinna believe
in ghosts— it'll be the millenium next."
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