anald sat silent, finding no words in which to express the thoughts
and feelings her singing had aroused in him.

There is that in noble music which forbids unreality, rebukes frivolity
into silence, subdues ignoble passions, soothes the heart's sorrow, and
summons to the soul high and holy thoughts. It was difficult to begin
the conversation; the trivial themes of the earlier part of the evening
seemed foreign to the mood that had fallen upon the company. At length
Mr. Sims ventured to remark, with a giggle: "It's awfully fine, don't
you know, but a trifle funereal. Makes one think of graves and that
sort of thing. Very nice, of course," he added, apologetically, to Kate.
Ranald turned and regarded the little man for some moments in silence,
and then, with unutterable scorn, exclaimed: "Nice! man, it's wonderful,
wonderful to me whatever! Makes me think of all the great things I ever
saw."

"What things?" Kate ventured to say.

For a few moments Ranald paused, and then replied: "It makes me think
of the big pine trees waving and wailing over me at night, and the big
river rolling down with the moonlight on it--and--other things."

"What other things, Ranald," persisted Kate.

But Ranald shook his head and sat silent for some time. Then he rose
abruptly.

"I will be going now," he said.

"You will come again soon, Ranald," said Maimie, coming toward him with
a look on her face that reminded him of the days in the Glengarry manse.
She had forgotten all about his red shirt and silk handkerchief. As
Ranald caught that look a great joy leaped into his eyes for a moment,
then faded into a gaze of perplexity.

"Yes, do come," added Kate.

"Will you sing again?" he asked, bluntly.

"Yes, indeed," she replied, with a slight blush, "if you want me to."

"I will come. When? To-morrow night?"

"Yes, certainly, to-morrow night," said Kate, blushing deeply now, for
she noticed the slight smile on Harry's face, and the glance that passed
between Mr. Sims and the lieutenant. Then Ranald said good night.

"I have never had such pleasure in my life," he said, holding her hand
a moment, and looking into her eyes that sparkled with a happy light.
"That is," he added, with a swift glance at Maimie, "from music or
things like that."

Kate caught the glance, and the happy light faded from her eyes.

"Good night," said Ranald, offering his hand to Maimie. "I am glad I
came now. It makes me think of the last night at the mans