CHAPTER I.
"A WILD BIRD SCABCELY FLEDGED."
I
F you had peeped into the parlour of Glenogle Manse one summer evening you would have seen a
pretty sight, and heard a curious sound — something like the tinkling of mountain burns and the
cooing of doves blended together. <...> Occasionally there would break on the combined melody a stifled
cackle as of suppressed mirth struggling with its bonds, and then there would be a rustle and hiss as of
ripened grain when the breezes pass over it. <...> As that "hush-h-h" echoed through the room, a number of
bright eyes would be turned towards the door, and a bevy of young, pretty faces would break into
smiles, while one would be suffused with blushes. <...> I said you would have seen a pretty sight in that homely room of a homely house. <...> Is there anything
in nature more beautiful than a girl in the bloom of her youth? <...> And when you have seven girls
picturesquely grouped together—seven sisters differing very much from one another in appearance as
well as in character, yet all nice-looking, and all carrying the nameless charm of family resemblance,
can you imagine anything more likely to attract admiration? <...> As for
their mouths, noses, complexions, and figures, I dare not try to describe these, beyond repeating that
collectively they helped to make up a pretty, even charming picture. <...> Perhaps it may help us to individualize the girls better if I point out their positions, for, after all,
mere cataloguing of features doesn't tell much. <...> The eldest, Mary by name, was on the sofa, with Janie,
a shy, pale mite of ten, on her knee; Peggy, next herself in age, was sitting in a very dignified attitude
by her side; Mary's hand was around Nelly, who was perched on the sofa arm, with a sweet blush on
her face and a graceful droop of the head, which gave a new charm to her whole appearance. <...> Up to that
date Nelly had been regarded as the tomboy of the family, and I must admit had acted up to the
character, although she had reached the age of seventeen. <...> Katie was kneeling in front of the sofa, with
her elbows on Mary's lap, and Nancy was sitting on a footstool <...>
Sisters-in-love.pdf
A RAMBLE BY THE SHORE
Стр.1
SISTERS-IN-LOVE
2
SISTERS- IN-LOVE
BY
JESSIE M.E. SAXBY
AUTHOR OF “DORA COYNE; OR, HID IN THE HEART” “SALLIE’S BOY”
“VIKING BOYS” ETC
LONDON
S W PARTRIDGE & CO
8&9 PATERNOSTER ROW
Стр.2
JESSIE M.E. SAXBY
3
C O N T E N T S
CHAPTER I.
"A WILD BIRD SCABCELY FLEDGED."…………………………………………………..………...5
CHAPTER II.
"A SMALL THING WITH A GREAT THING TOPPING IT."………………………………...……....7
CHAPTER III.
"KEPT HER SAFE MEANTIME FROM TAMPEEIXG HANDS."…………………………….....….11
CHAPTER IV.
"FOOT-CATCHING ROBES OF WOMANHOOD."……………………………………………...….15
CHAPTER V.
"DANGER OF BEING WRECKED UPON A FRIEND."………………………………………….....18
CHAPTER VI.
" SOULS WERE DANGEROUS THINGS TO CABBY STRAIGHT."………………………………21
Стр.3
SISTERS-IN-LOVE
CHAPTER VII.
"I KNOW NOT IF 'TWAS PITY OR 'TWAS SCORN."……………………………………………....24
CHAPTER VIII.
" THE FREE BLOOD FLUTTERED AT HER HEART."……………………………………………..26
CHAPTER IX.
"AY, THERE'S THE FRUIT HE PLANTED."………………………………………………………...29
CHAPTER X.
" A BECKONING MYSTERY, OR A TROUBLING FEAR."………………………………………..33
CHAPTER XI.
"THE NAIL THAT HOLDS THE WOOD MUST PIERCE IT FIRST."……………………………...36
CHAPTER XII.
" AND BOTH WORLDS HAVE GOD'S PROVIDENCE."…………………………………………...40
CHAPTER XIII.
" OPPRESSED BY SUCH DELIVERANCE."……………………………………………………...…44
CHAPTER XIV.
" THE PRICE PAID DOWN FOR KNOWLEDGE."………………………………………………….47
CHAPTER XV.
" WIND OUT FROM US THE DISTRACTING WORLD."……………………………………….….51
CHAPTER XVI.
" SWEETER STILL FOR LOVE TO GIVE ITS GIFT."…………………………………………...….53
CHAPTER XVII.
" SHE TOOK IT AS YOU DO AT SACRAMENT."………………………………………….………56
CHAPTER XVIII.
"GOD MADE WOMEN TO SAVE MEN BY LOVE."………………………………………...…...…61
4
Стр.4
JESSIE M.E. SAXBY
5
SISTERS-IN-LOVE.
CHAPTER I.
"A WILD BIRD SCABCELY FLEDGED."
I
F you had peeped into the parlour of Glenogle Manse one summer evening you would have seen a
pretty sight, and heard a curious sound — something like the tinkling of mountain burns and the
cooing of doves blended together. Occasionally there would break on the combined melody a stifled
cackle as of suppressed mirth struggling with its bonds, and then there would be a rustle and hiss as of
ripened grain when the breezes pass over it. As that "hush-h-h" echoed through the room, a number of
bright eyes would be turned towards the door, and a bevy of young, pretty faces would break into
smiles, while one would be suffused with blushes.
I said you would have seen a pretty sight in that homely room of a homely house. Is there anything
in nature more beautiful than a girl in the bloom of her youth? And when you have seven girls
picturesquely grouped together—seven sisters differing very much from one another in appearance as
well as in character, yet all nice-looking, and all carrying the nameless charm of family resemblance,
can you imagine anything more likely to attract admiration?
The eldest was not more than twenty, the youngest about seven. Their abundant hair was of every
shade of brown, from the rich dusky hue of newly-ploughed soil to the golden-red tint of bracken in
late autumn. Their eyes were every shade of blue, from that of grey mist to that of spring violets. As for
their mouths, noses, complexions, and figures, I dare not try to describe these, beyond repeating that
collectively they helped to make up a pretty, even charming picture.
Perhaps it may help us to individualize the girls better if I point out their positions, for, after all,
mere cataloguing of features doesn't tell much. The eldest, Mary by name, was on the sofa, with Janie,
a shy, pale mite of ten, on her knee; Peggy, next herself in age, was sitting in a very dignified attitude
by her side; Mary's hand was around Nelly, who was perched on the sofa arm, with a sweet blush on
her face and a graceful droop of the head, which gave a new charm to her whole appearance. Up to that
date Nelly had been regarded as the tomboy of the family, and I must admit had acted up to the
character, although she had reached the age of seventeen. Katie was kneeling in front of the sofa, with
her elbows on Mary's lap, and Nancy was sitting on a footstool with her head laid back, so that she
could gaze into Mary's face. The baby of the family, whose Christian name of Eva had been lost in
many pet names, was noiselessly rolling among the skirts and hands of her sisters, and occasionally
startling them by some quaint or shrewd question. She is steadying herself on Nancy's shoulder, as we
look in upon the group, preparatory to making a remark. Let us listen. "Will Nelly have to go away
with Mr. Moidart—away from us, Mamie?" Eva asked, and at her question Mary's arm drew Nelly
closer, and her eyes filled with tears as she turned a most motherly gaze on her blushing sister.
"Nonsense, Baby," Nelly exclaimed, growing more red still; "what are you talking about?"
"But that's what happens when girls are engaged," said Katie, the quick-ideaed sister, three years
younger than Nelly, but far ahead of her in book-lore. "Girls have to go away with the men they
marry."
Стр.5