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SWAN AUTHOR or "ALDERSYOE;" "a DIVfDEI) H0C8B;' "tIH.MAS DltVBtTHQH'.S DKEAM;" ■TC, EltJ. KEW EDITION TORONTO, CANADA WILLIAIVI BRIGGS EDINBURGH and LONDON OLIPHANT, ANDERSON & FERRIER 1889 i til !il' Entered according to Act of tlm riiriiunicnt of Cannda, in the year one thousand eiglit hundred and eighty-nine, by Wilt^iam BKlons, Book Steward of the Methodist Hook and Publishing House, Toruuto, at the Department of Agriculturu. ^ •* ♦l CONTENTS. m 'HAPTFR I. THE INVITATION, . II. MY W'EI.CO.MF:, III. A PROUD HEART, . IV. IN YARHOW KIRK, V. MY CHRFSTMAS CilFTS, . VI. PEACE, VII. MY INHERITANCE, . , »*AOE IT 18 •12 r>7 71 82 P: ■Iv' : I iss iiwii Ks i!i(iii|;sT. • ■> n «*■' \ rii\ni;i( I riM I N V I I \ I |M N ^Fj A n i'' III il liiii.' Mi') HivI.i'm iiiiiiM (.11 MpMii niv ■ riMM \\:i'i wll. It I \MI • II Ni'lllin WiiMl'lll fll l|ii|iM> in mv ImHi.i «i immh m' ..| \ nhl miid Mlln.iiirli H\!l( IM lii:n|\ Ii;ill •\ iilihli\ i.M I ti nil hiln I IIimI \VIUl III Ijic <|iiiiin> iniini m| (|||. immii'^i' Mi\ inot lii-i , iiiv ^;|^(r| I ,i IK | ;i \ , 'i i ii | I , w li. t \\ ,'m 's •» X ImiimI y I \ nimmi". iiii oM .ilK • Jniil, ulinli |i;i.| |m iImiih i| \n < IimiJ ImIiIv Imi'oiui- ill.' |>i.<|>i rl\ o| II'! (w.i II. |iltiiiii I'lili " < Mil <:»;iiniiii.«( li.i Koi l».' : iMij J liMM' Ih'I'ii III !i v< I V SM\ino tnill .«! IIIIIhI, lllnlll.l/' hmJiI I. " |n|- mII Imt rhuhcs Mil' I In r,lt|I>Mli' 111 llii' l:i .( (|im;|i (• " " Ami wii.it w.ii \uiir iiiv.iihvi' Im.iiii (liinKin^ fd \\\'^\^o oiil ol iMMinlinollii r > iii.inl If ** " ;islvi'(| iiiMlliir looking up iVoin III I kiiilliiii; Willi ;i sniilo. Miss HAXTi'.Ks luvnsr. ili ;» 'I "I WMs woutlrrini;. tnollnr. wlulljrr ! roiiM \\n\ immKo ji urw «|Uilt«M| rltt.ik I'oi \(tii nut (if it," s:«it| 1 soImtIv. "I SMU Aniil l''i>il»('s with one llu- l.i^l linif I WMS Ml (lI»'iil»Mi»"h. Mini I liMVt' rovcltMl "11, > lui \i)n r\rr siiitiv" "Oil. MMj^tlMK'n, \iMi Ml»sni(l rn>Mlnrt\ l»i>\v roiild von «>v«'r iumIm- m new tIomK oiil ol mii miiI iijiiMltMl llim<4 like lliMt ' rxrlMiuK'd LiutlsMV. with m look ol inon iiiMiil on luM' w in^onio Imco. "It nii^lit liMVi* l>«'(-n so worn. Mn srnins so iVMVotl. Mnd — l>nt. tl>ort\ it is ni» nso to talk," said I. Mini I'oMod np tlio oM floak with m si^li. " Von 11 jiisl n<'»Ml to wear tin- t»lti Koiln^s ulaid Mnolkor uintor. ni«»tlior doMi'." "My Iviirn. 1 nux well olV to Iimvc m ijood. WMrin |>l.'iid. " sMiil nuMhor, in hrr ^I'onltMittMl \vm\. and tlu>n slio stirrod the tin> into :\ v\n\A\ \)\i\/i\ siu'li ms wo lov(-d in tln\si» iMw and cIuhm'Ioss NoviMnluT al'tornoons. Lindsay tlmw lursi'll" on tho ni^' at niotln^r's toi't, whilo 1 walkod to tin* window and stood lookini: ont. moditativi^ly on tlio winiry lands(\'H)t\ liotwoon tlu^ matisi^ and tho villa^i^ ot' Ardstrnan tluM(> was a wid(» stivtoh ot divarv moorland ; it lo«>kod osnoi'iallv droarv that day, for thoiv w;us no brii:;litni>ss in tho sky, and soiuo bijLT snowtlakos. ]>roonrsors of a foctlinn" storm, wore HoatinLT in tho still and hoavv air. 1 was in a very sober framo oi' mind that dav, for housohoUl cares wore weighing a little on my mind. My mother ;. rm: i\virMn»M. Ii:in\ wlini I 111- lll.llt.-l^rliK'lit nl" till' llullsf li.iii (|i\n|\(i| ii|ni|i liH', :iii<| I li.nl Imtii l|MiiSf'k((|H'r rvcr siiH'*'. Tin- |Ht I WMS III) sinmiii', lor I u;i. lin'l juit, to it to iii.'iKo l.'itli*r's siii.'ill sti|triiil (|<) :ill tli.'it \\:iM rt'iUliml nt il. .-IIkI I W.-l'^ son- di^t irssrd tli:it ll|io|| l>:il.'iii*'jii!^ iiiv ;i) < mints .-it llio M:ii t iiiiii:is tmii I IoiiimI it woiiM Im- iiii|M) siM,. to Imv inollni ;i ihu wintir li:i|». And slic net di il it so soiolv. in spito •»! Ikt piMiso ol I lio l<'orl»os tMll.ili Jil.ild ' Wo Wore liul ;i |;ir;,'o liolisollold, oiiiv l.itlnr :iiid nioilin', LindN.iv inv sistor, .ind I, mid M.'irjorN nnr r;iitliliil m r\ .nit :ind IikimI. lint llio iMidM «»r.'i nniiisloi s limisc ;ii r ijiit .->iii.'ill. Ilo li;is to Ih- ayt' ^Mvini;, Jiiid iini-^l ki(|» .III o|M n tlour for :ill :nid >nndry. I d;ir«'s;iy niv t.itlnr, uitli Ids jil>ilitirs, iiii;^dit luivii lound Ji widor lirld oC nsolnlncss, Itiit lie nnd my niotlior boc.'lino so III l.'K'lird to llir olilv liolllo tllcil' Wodtlod lilo liiid over Known, ili.it, tlii>ii';li .-i cli.'iii'^o wms olti-u t;dk»'d of, it u.is m \or iilkIo. 'I'o Im- ji Soll;iiU ni.'in, fMtlioi- li.'id l.ikiii v.iy kindly to Ids llinld.ind lioiiic, and then inothrr l)oin'_r of Ili'diktiMl liirlli, ono of (li(» FoiIm'sos o1( ill id hi id I. il \v;is lint: n;it iiral t hid, slir should feed most ;it homo .inioni^r hoj- own |k'<»|iIo. I s;iw a figure wondiiii; its way across the moor, :uid oven in tlio i;alhorinL;" dark I coiild rocoirnisc. my fiithcr's swin|^- in^ L;.'iit and ihc jMriiliar drajtc of his Hii^hland plaid. My hoart warnnMl at siL;ht of liim, for I was very proud of my hantlsouie lather. Tlioy .said I was Jiot k (Hi 1 ■ ' ' 10 MISS BAXTERS BEQUEST. ( iii < Ji . i : i ■ i ,, ■'!> :]■ i ■ i 'li 'inlike him, but I had over boon considered a plain substantial kind of person, more for use than ornament. As I was in my twenty-sixth year, and no suitor had ever conic to the manse for me, thev said too that I sliould bo the old maid of the family. I was very well content that it should be so, and in no way jealous or envious of my sister's beautiful face. She was a Forbes, and that family had ever been famed for the loveliness of its women folk. " Father has been at the post-office, and the mail is in, for he is carrying something in his hand," I said, as I turned from the window, and went to get the lamp from the sideboard. Lindsay jumped up. " I hope there will be a letter from Cousin George to say he is coming again ! " the bairn exclaimed ; and I smiled to myself, knowing that the sojourn of our Edinburgh cousin with us last New Year time had been a very pleasant season for her. Then I took the tea- caddy and went away to the kitchen to see whether Marjory had the kettle boiling. I had to wait a few minutes, I remember, and when I returned to the dining-r* om father was takinsr off his boots at the fire- side. I stooped down and unlaced them for him, and got him his warm slippers from their corner on the fender. " Have you had a nice ">valk ? Is it not very cold ? " mother asked. " Yes, dear, bitterly so. We shall have half-a-foot of ,■'" . ^' THE INVITATION. 11 snow bof.^re mornincr, or I am mistaken," answered father, stretching out his chilled finger.s to the cheery blaze. " Are tliere any letters, papa ? do let us see them," said Lindsay coaxingly. A smile touched for a moment father's grave lips, and he slowly put his hand into his breast pocket. '' T know what you want, pussy. Yes, there is one from that mischievous lad," he said, handing Lindsay her anxiously-expected letter. " Tiiere is one for you too, Magdalen, from Glenbuich 1 think; and now, my dear," he said, leaning forward and looking into mother's sweet foce, Nlo you think you cpuhr guess who I have a letter from to-day ? " Mother shook her head. "I am not a good guesser," she inswerod, smiling too. " Is it from a very unlikely person ? " "Very. Susan Baxter of Broadlands." Mother sat up suddenly, so great w\'is hor surprise. " What has she to say to you, Robert ? " she asked in such a (pieer voice that I stepped tlie ])erusal of my own letter (only an invitation from Aunt Stuart Forbes to spend a few days at Glenbuich) to listen ior father's ansv.-or. "Listen, girls, while I read this letter," father said, and Lindsay very reluctantly tr.ok her eyes from the' closely-written sheet upon which she was intent, and tried to give father her attention. 'I* IP 1 1 h \ I ^\ i I J:' i , 1 tf 1 i ' 12 MISS BAXTERS REQUEST. *' b''oadla\ds, Sf.lkiukshirk, 22»J A't-., 18 — . "Pear Korert, — Althouo-h you liave not hoard from Rie for a long time, I am still alive, and in as good liealtli as a woman come to my tinio of life can expect to be. Very likely yon have forgotten my age. I was sixty-nine last month. I have often thought I should like to see vour yirls — I hear vou have two; and I write to see if you will send one to stay for a wliile with me, perhaps till spring. I am not so able to go about as I was, and I am very didl sometimes in this lonely house. T>orhaps you will wonder why I ask for one of your girls, but the Olivers, who used to come about Broadlands, are all marrii'd and awav. As for the Prinoles of Honeyburn, thev are near enouuh — neither of them married, nor likely to be; — but they are women I could never bide. 1 want you to send whichever of your girls is the most sensible and stai^l ; keep the pretty one at home, because she would fret her life out here. Of course I will bear all the expense; and if your daughter can content herself a Avlii^e with an old woman, she will find it worth hei* whil'\ I don't say this to tempt you : you v» on't grudge me whac I ask, for auld lang sync. With best respects to yourself and your wife, whom 1 have never seen, I am, yours sincerely, o td " •^ Susan Baxter. " What a strange letter," said mother musingly. TMK INVITATION. 13 "It is very charactfiistic of the woiiiaii wlio poniicd it," said fallicr, and looked at nit'. "]t is iiitcR'stino-," was all I said, and looked at Lindsay; but she had no coimnont to niako liavin"- rcsunu'd flio perusal of what to her was ot more moment than ^liss Baxter's blunt elll'usion. "What is to be said about it, mother?" asked tatlicr presently; but mother only smiled and hx.ked at me. " It is for ^Fa^i^dalen to say," she said at length. " The invitation is for her." " We can talk it over after, mother," I sai.l. "But I don't see how I can leave home at this time of yea* — with the school-treat and the connieujitional soiree and the New Year so near at hand. What dues George say, Lindsay ? " "He is comincr en the 22nd, he says," answered Lindsay, her cheeks all aglow; "and he wants to know whether father and mother have any objections to him bringino; a friend with him,— a college chum, Walter Inqlis. His father was ])r. Inglis of Humbie Parish," added Lindsay, looking appealingly at father. "Ay, I knew his father well. Lie was a fine man. Of course the lads can both come ; write and tell them so," said father absently. " Well, my daughter, is tea ready?" Father always said " my daughter " to me, never to Lindsay. She was his \h'{, his bairn, his lassie, and a ■) ■ J 'A \ 14 MISS HAXTKUS HKOrKST. i I lii ilo/(Mi oIIhm* omlo.Mrin^ t«M'inw, buf T w.ms "liis dntii^lifrr, .•nul soiucliow n li it 1 \VM.^ nrvcr «'\]»r('ss(Mi in words, I know I wMs more to inv iiitlii r tlum Jiiiulr-Mv wns ; ]>( rli.'ips it WMS naturMl, lor 1 luul Iummi his rii^lit-lmnd <'onn>;unon siucN^ iho d.Mys w]u>n, a little luony child, 1 sat proudly in front of liini whon ho rode ovct lull ;uid d.>l(» on tho shaeixy back of Shetland Donald, who had lone;' sin(V> heiMi _i;atlnM'(Ml to liis lathers. Tea was n^a«ly, and W(> qathen'il about the table, and there was no nu»re said about Miss P>axter's hotter. But it was mtich in my h(>ad, and I saw that father was verv ahstMit-niinded, as if his th«)uuhts had tra>(>lliHl baek to the days of his (\arly youth. After t(\'i h(^ wiMit away to his study, f«)r it was Friilav niuht, whieh was alwavs devoted to nninter- rupttnl study for the Sabbath dav. Lindsay ran sinir- iuiX b> tlie parlour to write her letter to George, and 1 turned to mother with a smile, and said that the bairn seemed just bound up in our Edinburgh cousin. MiUher smiled ioo, wcV pleased like, for George Dunsyn^ was as dear to her as a son of her own could be, and indeed evorvbodv loved him, he was so frank and kind and true, and so clover with it all. He was not really our cousin, for his mother had only been a tirst C(Misin of our mother's, but he was always proud and fond to call mother Auut Margaret, and us two eirls his cousins. *' Mother, who is Su.iau Baxter? aud why have we TIIK INVITATloy. 16 Ifniuk was 'en a noud two le wc ncvor lif'avd of ]i< r iH-forc ?" T Mskcd in my l>l"nf way, c.lra\vin«jr in my I'liaii- ln'sidc Tuotlicr. " Sli(» is a consiii olyotir ladicr's, my dear, aii I may toll yoii. Slio oxpoctcd to marry your Un<'l(> Di'iuild, and Ix'causo ho took on<' of tli(» Miss rrinL;I('s slio lins never hocn fricMids citlicr willi your father or ll.eiii ai;ain." *' How strange ! I slionid thitik slie slioidd he very glad now that she (li(h\'t niairv laieli* Donald," said I musinelv, I'nr I was old eno(i«'ii to know a littler of Unele Donnld's ne'er-do-woel life, ll(» had heen a b:udonn;ui^li. Mini 1 llnnK \onrl;!ilnr woiiM liKo \.>',i lo ^.1." l"'oi M low <1;\\> thoio WM^ no inoio s.inl Ml»onl Miss IV-lNlois lollor. osropj wlion l( UM^ or. ;i -IoumIIv niiMl- tionod Iv'twoon LuuKmn niv sb.toi .'iml mo. jtul tlio l>;nrn h:i«l lilllo inloiosi in it. hnno so tiKon np will) (lio ronnno ol our ('ou^in (Jooi'M' on (lio Monil.iv. KmIIh'V nski^l nio \\ 1 li;nl «lnl\ woioli.J ilio lollor .•nul its oonltMits. "Would \ ou «lowir,> \\\c to .^o, l;iili(>r ^ "" 1 .msKimI. "Not no:\in''t \oiir wi^li, nn tl;iui.;litor ; luit vour iu«Mb ,i ]tl.'.p^;nit ohanm' lor \ou ; and wIumi would suoli ;i olinnoo ol sooiiio- iln^ sinilh oiuuc^ to _\ ou .'ioaiu '. ' " \cr\- wcW. \)\{hc\. 1 will oiM iv.idy." I s.iid : and sonioliow 1 was woll ]>U\'ist d tliat it w.i^ s.> doiidtMl. So 1 s(M tt"* w.nk to ]>ut iu\ wardrolu^ in ord invstdl' a i^own 1>'V oNiinu^ woar out o\ a oriin^on liroomli* silk. AtUM'it was uiad<^ and trimiuod. 1 tliou;.;ht it to.* L;av lor a sctbor \ouai; woman liko iui\ h\\\ luoiluM- and land.say doolarod it }>ortool : and wlion 1 ])ut it on to Km latluM" see it, ho looked surj^risod, and said I looked like a ■Mi I Tin: iNvirAiio:^. '"'I. mimI t"»\ . ' I li;ivt> iin t Imi<4 • • m( 1 Im' Ii'JiImihI n m ». Ill Miss ly iiHMi- r<(ii i)i(< lip willi W<»nv, It-r .111(1 .1. i< your i I IL >• 1 1 K ^ (i ; mimI nI. So (1 .'iricr iys(>l<" a lo silk. uny lor -indsay like a II'KIiI.-MI.I I.lil,n..M. Sn l.n.y W.-.S I. II,;, I ,„ |, , ,),,,„ ., ^^'-I< I W.'.^ .|""" "•.'••IV <0 ^r,,; „,„| ,,„ ,,,„ M,„„,,,y ' '""- ' '""'" n...!,,,,!! mm.mI |,y,. u,ll, ,,, iMMvy |„.;,,l. '•"■ I ll.'!.! M sh,.I.M.. |„.-V|S„M. f|,..,l I WM. lukll.ir a s'rious sl<'|M" I'i'". I WMM i.oi. ...r.Mi.l. (,„• I K,„,w I I,., I i|„. (;,.,| vvliol,,,,! kopi MM- sMi;. ..mmI |,M|,,,y .1. n.v (i.di..,-. |,o„M. WM.I.I Low, (I, „„. fMu„„|,. ,,n.| sl,i..M „„. ,, u;j: (I... sIlMl.^VrS lo \V|,M|„ I WMM Lr,.i„!^r. ( ,„,| C . | ^ | , k „ AlMMl.Min S..(li„,r oMf fu,- ,, st,;,,,..- I.-MhI. „ot, l<„Owin^r wl.illior |„. u,,s 1,o„,mI. |,„( y.-l .•.l,iidly through the streets out to a suburb called tiie Grange ; and shortly we drew up at a garden gate, and when I got out f saw a pretty house standing in its own grounds, and in a very few minutes I was welcomed into its warmth and comfort by that] dear woman Mrs. Inglis, whom I was long proud and glad to call my friend. " My dear, I am a minister's widow, and you are a minister's daughter, so we are friends," she said, taking my hands in hers. *' I could not possibly allow Magdalen Hepburn to go to an hotel when I had a shelter to offer her. I remember your fnther quite well ; and besides, George has made your name and your sister's household words among us." After that, wIkj would not feel at home ? I never experienced so much kindness irom strangers in my life, and I assure you 1 lay down in my bed that nigut M: 20 MISS IJ.WTtUS inCQt'KST. 6 h r ' J. il w \\\\]\ a i^rafcTiil jind liopcful heart, for my welrome to K\\n rrrntws of tho imwIv- ploii^licd liiiid sliKUi'd Well }ii(ainst tlio stnbhlc. I was astonished at the f^rroii tVoshiirss of th(; lea, and to set; brown and vi-llow leaves still upon the boii^dis. Kvcn the hedi^^'S in some sheltered nooks wen? i^iven ; evidently winter did not so soon hold th(; earth in icy chains as I was aeeustonu'd Co set; it in my iiortlurn home. The air of the D'-ccmbcr afternoon was so mild and pleasant that I could atl'onl to strap up my plaid, which had done me such gixxl service <»n my journey of yesterday. Dusk had fallen when the train sto})ped at Galashiels, which seemed to be a manu- facturing town, as I saw many tall chimneys show'ing sharply against the clear sky. J had not many minutes to wait till we were off again, and now my heart began to beat a little quicker, for I was coming very near indeed to my destination. It is a very lonesome feeling arriving in the dark at a strange place, and I began to think what should I do if nobody came to meet me. I got out at Selkirk, and having seen all my traps safely landed on the platform I stood rather disconsolately beside them with a dreary feeling of isolation and dread in my heart. Just then I saw a woman's figure attired in a long black cloak bustling along the platform. Her face was veiled, but if that common-place uninteresting-looking figure pertained to Miss Baxter I was grievously disappointed. She came directly towards me, however, and put up her W 11 ' I 93 MISS RAXTKIIS IU:(.>rF,ST. tliick v»«il. "Miss Hr|il)iirn, mki'mih," ^lic s;nr<»Manion opened the door and recpiested mo to enter. I did so, and sank back amonij the soft cushions, whi<'h wtMc all covorod in spotless hoUand, sure si^ii that the owner of the carriiiLTc was of a careful and thrifty nature. It ^vas a i^rcat surprisx' to mi* to learn that Miss liaxter drove a carriage and pair, and I beu^an to wonder how 1. the j>lain daughter of a country mans(», should com- }X)rt myself if the other (Mpiipments of Pnoadlands were equal in grandeur to the carriage. "Is it fiir to Broadlands?" 1 asked, turning to my companion. " Seven miles up the Yarrow, ma'am," was the respectful answer, and at mention of Yarrow my heart thrilled. "Miss Baxter would have come herself, but she never goes out at nights." " Is she very frail ? " I asked. "Middlin' for her years," ^vas the answer given, a little sadly I thought, but probably my companion had been with her mistress for many years. There was i- 't ! W^ I ■ ! |J ' I t , willi :» ill ; will iff, aiul vith my ii)]»:i)iir(| vas only •ys, :iii(l I ()|l(>IU'll so, mill \o\\* all (' owner natun'. ^ J^axtcr lIlM* llOW 1(1 COUJ- (Is wore to my kvas the y heart isclf, but jivcn, a lion had ere was MV WII.i OMK. 2:5 littli' nmri' ^aiij. mimI tlmn^li Mi-s U.-ixfcr's rniria'^'o was «liliL;li( tiillv i'n-^v ,'iiiil vv.-nin I was nut sony wlwii we r.nnr lo ;i slMDil-slill ;il llic cntiMMi'r to Urnaillaritls. liiiokini; out I saw tl.;it tin- a|»|»rM;i<'|i w.-is ;;iiMiilrt| liy a inassivi' stone ^atrw.iN , Mnil that tiirii- was a ipiaint little loili^n- witliin its precincts, lioni tlie front window of" wliieli ;i ori.;lit, iiL,dit, shone out, pleasafitly upon the darkness of t lie niijht. It wa^ not a lon^ avenno, lor in tlie space ot" thn-i? or lour minutes we slopped ai^ain, and my lompanion e'ot out and tln-n assisted me to aliL-iit. I looked with some curiosity and not a little timidity upon Miss I5axiers dwrljiii''-, hut in the dnrkiiess I could oidv see that it seenit'd ji Ion;,', low huildin<,', ajtparent ly in tlie {irchitectun? of a hyL;oiie da}'. The front, door was open, and 1 walked into the wide; hall, which, with its rpiaitit oak ])ancirmt(s and polished floor, was (piite a sij^ht in itself. " Mkss Baxter said I was to show you to your rooms, ma'am," said a pleasaut-featured (piiet-voiced maid- servant, coming towards me. " Will you please to walk upstairs ? I assented, and followed the girl upstairs. Perhaps I thouj^ht my welcome a little cold ; but doubtless people in Miss Baxter's position stood more upon ceremony than we simple Ilif^hland folk. I found my rooms tlie very picture of comfort and luxury comVjined. There was a fine large bedroom and a delightful 2i MISS BAXTEU'S BEQUEST. I :<3 drcs'jlnnr.room oponinir off it, and both wcro wnrinrd and li^'litcd by blazing tires. The girl set down my portnumteau and asked if she could wait upon mo. I smiled and thanked her. I was accustomed to wait iipon myself. "I will tap at your door in half-an-honr, Miss Hepburn," she said then; "dinner is to be served at half- past six." When she withdrew I sat down rather helplessly, a little overwhelmed with everything, for how could I, plain Magdalen Hepburn, accustomed to the (piiet ways of a country manse, ever feel at home among the formalities of this grand house ? However, now that I had come, it behoved me to make the best of it, so I opened my basket, took out my brown merino which had been bought for this visit, and proceeded to make my toilet. I was never one who spent much time or thought on my clothes, but I did think as I put on my fine lace collar that I had never had so neat and well- fitting a gown on before, nor one which became me so well. I was just ready when the tap came, and I found the maid ready to escort me downstairs. She opened the drawing-room door, waited to see me enter, and then witlidrcw. I saw nothing in the room except the ligure on the hearth — that tall, spare, yet stately figuio ; my eyes were riveted by the face — that poor, proud, patient face, which seemed to tell its tale of disuppuiutuieut and heart-bickncbs and weariness of l\'f MY WELCOME. 25 wnrinrd DWii my pon mo. to wait nr, Miss erved at clplessly, )w could he (juiet iioiig the aovv that of it, so no \vhich to make time or t on my ,nd well- ;ame me e, and I rs. She pe enter, 11 except stately at poor, tale of Uuess of self and of ail the world. The delicate white hands were both outstretched in greeting to me, and a smile smoothed away for a moment all the hard lines upon the brow and about the firm sad mouth. *' Magdalen Hei)burn," said Miss Baxter, and her voice shook, " you are welcome, thrice welcome, to Broadlands." I am not a demonstrative woman, I do not kiss and make a fuss v3ven over tliose dearest to me, that is not my way, but I felt so sudderdy and strongly moved that night, that, still clasping the thin slender hands, I raised my head and kissed Miss Baxter's cheek — ■ I had to raise my head though I am not a little woman, for Miss Baxter was considerabiv taller than I. " V^ou would have a long tiresome journey," she said, and slightly turned away. *' You must be fatigued and hungry. Let us go to the dining-room; I fancy dinner will be served." She offered me her arm. I smiled as I took it, for it struck me as very comical that we should go downstairs arm in arm. What fun Cousin George would have made of it ! I was hungry, and did ample justice to the delicious cookery of Broadlands. We did not talk very much in the presence of the maid. Miss Baxter asked several questions about our home life and parish work, which I answered in my plain straightforward way. I noticed that Miss Baxter ate little or nothing; I noticed too, now that the little flush of excitement had passed away, that she had 2« Mi^s 1'. WTKU s nvsM-j-^T. M*- if tlNMN"* WM'i inwnr.l y.ww. 1 li.i-l l]iou;;^l\l. lirr ViMillu'nl l«>>>11;(m1 Iut :\oo 1o tll(^ full. r>Mt sh(^ WMS si ill M IlMMil -OUK' Mud lliost. lM»]vliK(^ w .Mu;ni. Afl(M' «l;nniM' W(^ rriunu^tl io flio (lr;n\ iii'V vo(M\i. mikI s:i1 »]>Mi iMtlirr si»l(^ of iIk^ lioMitli. " V»M] Mr<^ \(M\ lik(^ VtMir ImIIkm'. M;"V||,m1(^h " snitl " So iMNM^lt'' SMV. mul so 1 Min '^l.'iil 1V"\vbt^s o\ ( ll(M\liiiirl), ;nul \\\c\ :\ro fninotis for bo.nnv. Mi^s IVivtrr," 1 iniswcrcMl. "My iiiot1i(M' is tho 1i;nuls(MUi's( woir.Mu in tho I'Mnsh." " \\"(M-(^ \ (>u (]uit(^ willino- lo ooino lu ri\ M.-i'mImIoii ?" Avns Miss l\i\tKl vtMi so, 1 tliiuk, wlioii 1 wrot 0." " Vos. T shall not bo dull. T am n <]tnot., oasily- contouti^l pors\))oolod moMi linvoonon mo Iim^I ^'^»n liml mo now m. dos(»I;H(\ misoiMhlo old womnn, wlut lum |>r«)Vod lifo to l)o ijolliini; l>nl v;niilv Mnd voxulinii of Kniril." SI)o spoko with hiltiMMU'Sf^ IIimI. wm^ !ilmoM(, |>MssiotK Mnd llioworn oy(>s fjlo.'imod with n. I>i iL;Iihi(>ss 1 did not lik<» to moo. " DoMV Miss r.MxIor." I snid, sjioMking vory ,s;«Mifly. for inv lu'Mit. WMM soro lor lior. " il t,niovos mo (o lio;ir V(ni spoMk HO l)iil(Mlv. Snroly thoro Mn> soiiio kiini, liiio liOMi'tH in llio world yol." " Non ' for nu\" sln^ SMid rnTcoIy. "Tlioy nimo rMwn'in'4 tipon nto lor wIimI I lind. nnd wlo n I did not, irivo iMvisldv ononoh \\\{'\ loO i\io willi Itillor words on tlioir lotiuMO. Wlu'ro nionoy is, tlioro ciin ln' no riidifc ('(Mdini; l)ol woon kindriMJ, It. iw tlio roof, of conlontion mid bittornosM, it poisons; trnlh Mud sMjts iho Mlforfions of tho boMrf; ay, inoin^y ia nn ovil llnn!^^" "Not. so, otdy tlio r.hnso of it. is evil." I niMintninorl stoutly. " Monoy is a j^ood nnd prooioiis [(iC if us(«(l aright, tlio k'lok of it sm|)s tho sprini^H of liopo juid youthfulnosH in niM.ny lioMrts." Miss l)M.xtor lookiMJ snrprisod, and lur lips pMrlod in a grim sniil«\ "I liki^ that; yon Iimvc* mh opinion of yo ir own Mnd OMii stick to it, l)M,irn," slio sMid, " Yon Mro hko your father in more ways than one." I lMUL;liod jumI looked V : im 28 MISS BAXTERS IJKQUEST. towards tlio spindlc-lcii^i^cd piaiinlurto in tho roriior. Botli Lindsay and 1 wero musical — indeed .sin«jiniif was my sole accomplishniont. " Do you play, Miss Baxtor ? " ** I ? no, not those many years ; you may open the instrument if you like." I rose and erosscrl tlie room and lifted tlu; lid. The keys were worn and yellow — 1 doubted mueh if there could be any melody left in tiem. Howi'ver, at touch of my fingers they gave forth a sweet if rather tinklins^ sound. Then I saiiuf "The Rowan Tree." It was my father's fayourite, and through long practice I had learned to sing it well, to giye expression to eyery feeling of the pathetic words. So absorbed was I that I was oblivious of everything around me ; when the echo of the last refrain died away in the room I looked round, and to my astonish- ment found myself alone. I saw Miss Baxter no mere that niiiht ¥i fu r» rornor. p »1 ^ TvVv '^ ^§ ^^^ l^i open tlio \]\c room yellow — [\y left in liey gaw 'n I sang nrite, and it well, to !tie words. jverything train died astonisli- r uo more CHAPTEll III. A rnouD HEART. WAS downptairs before eii^ht o'eloek next morn- ing, and foui.d breakfast laid in the library, a small but cosy room, wluM'e a cheery bit Hre brightened the gn^y morning gloom. I walked away oV(M' to the witidow, and stood looking out with interested and delighted eyes. Truly it was a goodly and pleasant land to which I had come. Right in front of the house was the close smooth- shaven lawn, round which the avenue swept in a graceful curve. Beyond that the somewhat thinly- wooded park sloped' down to the road, which ran parallel with the river. The sun was just rising in the soft grey sky, and a subdued briglitness touched the windings of the stream till it shone like a thread of <'()ld. That nmst be Yarrow, thou'jht I, and ar I always presided at the tea-table at home. "What a beaulitid eoiintiy.sidc l^'is is, Mi^-s liaxlcr; I have bei'H jta-liirj iiiv eves iip(»ii it iov tlic last tm minutes. 'J'ell me, is (hat, \'arre\v ilowiuL^" ddwn there i" "That is Yarrow," answci'ed my hostess britlly. "And, Miss iJaxter, what lovely old house is that beyond the trec^s on the right?" "That IS Wolllee, ihe I'andly seat of the Olivers," answereil Miss liaxtcr, brielly as before. "The Olivers; do you knt)W them?" 1 asked, all unconscious that i was treadin or b(vi>iii(» at'<|n.'iiiit(Ml witli llirm," she said in a liard, (|ui('t, cold voico. " 'I'liat, hill (I'.ci'tlv fariiiLT us is on \ho I)nkc's t'stato of Bowlnll, an«l tlio liousi* s]u'ltorin and kirk of ^'arrow, and on ai'-ain until the river linds its soni<'e in St. Marv's Loch, That.' she .said, point insj^ to the i;roy old house wliiih hail interested nie before, " is Wollh^e, as I told you, \\\v family s(*at of the ()livers. Tlioy were wont to be* a sjoodlv stock before h)v«; of oain ]U)isoned tlie best in)pulses of tlieir li(>arts. In times «'(»ne bv the Baxters and tlie Olivers were as ono fanulv, but that has not been these nianv years." " What broueht about tho ditHerence, Miss Baxter?" I felt compelled to ask. She lookt'd with darkening brow. "I suppose it is tlie way of youth to be ever questioning," she said grindy. " Well, Magdalen Hepburn, old Walter Oliver of Woltiee did me a grievous wrong. He stole part of the lands of Broad- hinds from me — that i)ark which separates the two dwellings, and which pertained to the Baxters from time immemorial." "Stole it^, ]\Iiss Baxter!" I t^xclaijucnl, in a vague way, my thoughts reverting to tlu' old llorder raids and fends of which I had wad so much. A riioui) ni:Ai:T. S3 led with " That, 'stntc of -; WCsUTU 1 iho road VarnAv, .'(> in Ht. tl\o grey s \V.)lHoo, IS. Tlioy ,»5 of oaiii In times I'Ci as one j-s. l)axter?" darkening bo ever Magdalen did me a of Broad- s the two xters from in a vague T raidb and "It was stolen, thoiigli tlic law said it was his. Ijiit it, is a thinii achnittcd oti all hands that tlie honour and trutli of the hiw of Scotland has bcconio a thing of tlu; past. MiL;ht is right now, and so, because my Laird of Woltlcc was the intimate friend of all th(\judg('s and lawyers in the (Jourt of Session, and because he w.is abh^r to bribe than I, a ])oor weak woman, the Know(5 Park was severed from Broadlands and unrighteously added to the lands of Wolflee," — with a bitterness whicli told that these morbid fancies had become convictions. "That wicked and grasping old man went to his account last year, and his son abides in Wolllee. They say he is a goodly young man, but he is too near-of-kin to the former laird to be all they say. Because of his father's sin his inheritance will never be blessed to him. I hope and pray that I may live to see the downfall of proud Wolflee and the scattering of the Olivers to the four winds of heaven." She drew her tall figure to its full height, her eyes flashed, her wasted fingers pointing to the battlements of Wolflee seemed to invoke a curse upon it and its solitary inmate. I was sore afraid, for amid the blessed- ness and peace of my father's home I had never dreamed of feelings so revengeful and passionate, of a hate so bitter as this. I laid my hand on Miss Baxter's arm. I lifted my fearless eyes imploringly to her face. " Oh, Miss Baxter, hush ! We all need to bo for- given. God does not bid us hate our fellow-creatures | ! ( ! ; i 31 MISS nAXTKiis ni;(ii'?:sT. wc nie to do jLjood to llioso wlio (It'spilcfiilly iiae us," I s;)i«l IrciiiMinnlv. TIk' ontsl rrlclicd ruld .Miin IMI. nml slowly Miss Uiixlcr turned IutscH' iil)()Mt IVoni ino uud Nvcnl awav <>vtT to tlio lircplMcc. TIiouliIi the ronni was waiin to clostMirss slic was shivciini; — tho outl)urst of |)assion would toll sorely on lior enloobled iVanio. "1 t\)ri;()t tnysolf," slio niuttonMl; "tliiid; no nioio of it. Mandalcn Ilophurn, you look at nio with n'l)ukinLj oyos, but what d«) you know ot" it? l»airn, may tho God you s|)oak ot, and in wlioni I used to hclicvo, prosorv(» you IVoni such tribidations as niino! Now, got your bouju t and tak(^ ii walk .-at ot do(Us. I have not brou,i;ht y ^i^'h }-. 'ir I " I was scarcely aljinucil, sir," 1 aiisweivd. And thon, soiiicwlial t(» my (liscoiiiHtiin;, I jx-rceiviHl that 1 liad waiidtrcd i'loni tlu' beaten way, and that 1 nov st»H)d ill the vrrital)l(' Knowo Park wiiicli liad proved the bone of colli I lit ion betwixt th(! houses of IJroadhinds and W'oltlec. "f ben" jiardon, sir," I hastened to sny. "I was thiiikiiiL; of other tilings, and so liave become au unwittiiiL;" trespasser upon your huids." 'I'he latter part of my sentence slipped out unawares, and yet it was correct, for I had no doubt in my mind but that I was speakin*^ to the Laird of Wolflec*. " No ajjolo^y is necessary, madam," he said very court- eously, and 1 wondered why his eyes never for a moment left my face. " Mjiy I inquire to whom I am speaking, in order that / may apohvgise for my dog's rudeness?" " My name is Magdalen Hepburn. I am staying at Broadlands," I said sim2)ly and frankly, for, accustomed as I was to the free untrammelled ways of country life, I saw nothing out of the common in his question. He looked surprised. " My name is Oliver, Douglas Oliver of Wolflee," ho said. " Good morning. Come, Reiver." Again he lifted his cap and strode away across the Knowe Park, his dog following closely at his heels. And I? The face of Douglas Oliver occupied my thoughts as I slowly retraced my steps to Broadlands. How strange that >ve should meet on tliis the very A IMtnrn HKAUT. t 1 l»:td )V st(«»r niv sujourn on tlio hajiks of Varmw Straiii;*' iiHlrccI, l)iit not. so stiannc as \vli;it was yet t< \\h come. unoi I had t.'ikcn olt niy tinngs 1 went down to the (hawinL;-i'ooM), nnd found Miss Haxttr there, lying on a coneli, reading tlie morning paper. She laid it [isid(» when I entered, and looked keenly, I had almost written afVectionately, into my face. "You have got some red in your cheeks, Magdalen," she said kindly. " Have you had ;«, pleasant walk ? " "Very. Guess wliom I eneounteicd in my stroll, Mi.ss Baxter?" I askt-d, for I eould not conceal my meetiniT with Douirlas Oliver from her. She shook her head. "TliG Laird of Woltlee," I answered fearlessly. "I was walking so absorbed in thought that 1 wandered through your shrubberies into the Knowe Park with- out knowing where I was going. Tlien a big dog questioned my right to trespass, and then I saw the Laird himself." "That was most indiscreet of you, Magdalen," she said harshly. " Did — did the young man speak ? " "He only apologised for his dog, and told me his name. I thought him a very manly fellow, Miss Baxter," I said boldly. "Ay, ay, the young are easily deceived, and the Olivers ever had smooth false tong-ues and winninir ways. Beware of Douglas Oliver, Magdalen Hepburn, he comes of a bad stock." 38 MISS T?AXTERS BEQUEST, I ill' 'it 'IH if » I i I m I [If. I kept unspoken my inmost thought, ^vhich was that the soul which had looked out from ])oughis Oliver's grey eyes was incapable of deceit. I have ever proved the eyes to be the mirrors of the soul, and they cannot lie. "Shall I read to you, Miss Baxter?" I asked, drawing my chair closer to the couch. " No ; talk to me. Tell me of your home, of your father's parish and work," she said, and slipping her arm under her head she lay back wearily and fixed her tired eyes on my face. A great rush of jjity swept across my heart. I knelt down by her, I put my strong arms under the feeble shoulders, and bade her rest awhile uj^on them, for I was strong and willing, and glad to do even so little a thing foi her. " My dear, you are very good. I like you," she said, and a gentler softer expression stole across her face. "You are frank and fearless and true. Fo?6 will not se^ve me as others have served me ; I can trust you. I wish I had known you sooner." " We will make the best of it now I am here," I said cheerily. " Now tell me how you occupy your days. Are there no duties I could perform for you ? I am accustomed to work, and am miserable when I am idle." "I have no occupation," she said drearily. "I rise in the morning wondering how the dt^y is to be put in. 1 count the hours till night, and when night comes, I i hich was Douglas have ever soul, and I asked, e, of your pping her and fixed ;h of pity her. I put ;, and bade md willing, ," she said, s her face. }ii will not trust you. ere," I said your days. ou ? I am vheii I am y. "I rise be put in. io-ht comes, A PROUD HEART. 9 lying on my sleepless couch, I count the hours till mornino-. >> " How awful ! " I exclaimed, for I could not help it. To me it seemed truly awful to spend such a life when all around there was so much to do and so few to do it. " Have you no social duties nor enjoyments ? no church work — nothing ? " I asked blankly. •' I hold no intercourse with my neighbours, as I told you," she said quietly. " I give liberally to the church, which I never attend. I head charitable lists with considerable sums, and I never turn the needy from my door." " But, Miss Baxter, why live such an isolated and dreary life ? I am sure you could be the centre of a happy social circle, beloved and honoured by all," I said impulsively; "and with your means what personal good you could do ! There are a thousand things which might interest you and make your life happier than it is." "I was disappointed in my youth, Magdalen Hep- burn," she said, shaking her head. "What good or kindly impulses I may have had once have been poisoned by the treachery of friends, the unkindness of neighbours, and the coldness of the world. I will die as I have lived, unmolesttd and uncared for by any." Before I could reply a visitor was announced. It "Was a relief to me to think that even one stranger set S: M iii '«M 40 MISS llAXTKIl'S BEQUKST. i '1 1 1 i I ; ! ^ i V !• > fool witliin llu^ walls of P)ro!i(ll.'i!Mls. Tlii^ iufnidor was iho llevoivnd Mr. Drybiiru^li, iininst(>r of tlio parisli. My luv'irt warnu^d to iho kindly old man, and I folt more at lionio in P>roadlands wliiK» h(> was tluTc than 1 had dono yi^t. ]\Iiss BaxUn' talkinl to luni courteously but coldly, I thoui;]it; but alwnys when liis ('y(\s rcst('pl)urn," said Mrs. Drvhuriih with a tear in lM>r eye. " His mother was my dearost iVitMid, and a son of Mary ()livor's must uocds 1)0 all that is tiuest and best in a. man, be- cause she was an an^id on earth. Woll, iL;()od-bye, my diMr ; AV(^ will look for you on Wodnosday ^vithout fail." Miss ])axtor seemed pleased to see me come back a<2ain. " 1 missed you \vheu you were away, lyfagdalen," she said. " I fear you will become so necessary to me that I shall be for kiH^ping you altogether." I smiled in a \yell -pleased way, for if I could win her heart, niigdit I not be able to soften it towards all those against whom she was so embittered now ? To my thinking it was an unspeakably sad thing to see one so near the brink of the grave nursing such feelings, for it was not the spirit of revenge and bitterness which w«>uld sustain her in the hour of death. I never lay down in my bed any night without praying very earnestly that her heart might be changed, and that she mirht ere lono^ come to see that the law of love is best. We spent the evening in quietness together, and I read for a little aloud from one of my own favourite IN YAUKOW KII{K. '7 k hands »|mm1 oiV. horse, I aid Mrs. thcr was t's must man, bc- l-byi', my loiiti fail." •mo back alen," she 3 me that il win her 5 all those To my o see one iclings, for CSS which never lay y-iiig very and that of love is ether, and favourite books, whicli I had l)ronnlit with tiio IVom hojric. I do not nfnicMdx'r th(^ name ol il. no\\, udy 1 know it spokcj much of tli(^ lovo of ( iod in i"irit of (•hrist can niaki; (ivcn i\u' iiardcst, poorest, tinloveliest lifi! a thing of woinhous beauty and power and peace;. Miss J>axter ma(h! tm rcMuark upon my reading, nor did I, but I was very agreeably surprised next day to conic upon her poring eaiiicstly over its pages. SIh; seemed rather ashamed at being caught. "I was looking over one or two senteiices which you read last night, and whicii 1 did not quite understand," she said, as if in a[)ology. " It is a cl(!Vor and rather interesting book, but theory and practice are two very (litlerent things." " 1 have seen the theories you find in its pages put into practice, Miss Baxter," 1 said, "and it is all true, every word." That was all we said about it then. Miss Baxter was quite pleased for me to go to the n^.anse on Wednesday, and she was very particular that I should look well. She was greatly taken up with my brocade gown, and expressed the utmost astonishment when I told her how I had come by it, and that I had madf; it myself. She also showed me a great quantity of jewellery, and desired me to choose what I would put on, but I just shook my head and said I would rather wear my gold and pebble brooch, made in the shape of ;> i^4 u ,'- ' I' 'A 48 WISS MAXTKH S HKtir MST. \'i i; a tliistle, wliich I liad gut IVoni lUtlu-r and mother on 111}' twi'iitic'tli birthday. " Well, i)erhaps ycu are right. You look very well, an l»<->nf'ir rti>tn lho't» \\]\\\ \\\\<\]\i '•«» l\i;H I'l imIIv \\.\\o In ii'IiIpih-iI Iut lt>)\i'l\ lilt* M\ 1 li.>\i«;h(M iMmli> lut' inuHMV h.'il ilih.n'lrd \\\ iu\ ni;nn\lii'\(«. :n»«l i( wm'j n'»i lill I In :imI Mv'i Pi\l»\noli rr^Kinij luc <»> winij iUmI I iicovrittl i\n '<'11 I r«>' ni oin <•. lor MO \\:\<\ boon <,\\iol\( Ml l\.Mno lh;H ij, wmm oin tl\il\ lo \iso wliMJoxor 1,\lou< (loil \\;\{\ >M\on (o lit lor |Ih» ]>lt\'»s\no «>1 llio^o ;»l>o\i( ii'i I Mmno-.o ij i'j jjio oiit- oonit* ol \]\:\\ o.nlv itwnnno ih.\\ io \\\\'i A:\\ 1 l\:nono |vHiono»> \\\\\\ lliov«> mIVooIo.I \.M)n<: woiuon \\]\o, |Ih>\i«;Ii tho\ pos^(*>^>; tin* mImIUx. lo.nmo so nnioh oommiu; nml l],i1<«Mino l>oioro ihov xvill smo or jiImv in oon>n;(uv. 1 no\ or s;niv^ ;\n\<)nnv; luit S,'(>'0'><0(i il^olf lo nu\ I »lo nol lvi\o\v \vbotl\iM' 1 sMUj^i' it \X(^]1 or ill. onlv 1 Kuow i\\:\\ \v1um\ 1 «m\\s(h1 luv tuvn «^\os\xorr lull oi \V(Mrul is (Ik* <*1Vo(M oi iimsio u]>o\\ im soul. No ouo sMui Mnvi^iniL;- lor n li!tl«\ ImjI 1 s,i\v ih^l nviiu'' \V(M\* no < til u* onlv \v»M ovt^s in <1 \o r»\>iu. (ir«\'U wns inv nstoiusiinuMi t tl UM\ \o ^h'VCOW \hc \.:\\\\\ o( \Volll(\* st;ni*1ing \vitl\ liis 1>moIv (»> tlio ti*\M-. Wo nmsl ]\i\\o slij>]n\l into \ho room \\h'\\o I was sinoni.C ^ooii\v:" ho >vns not tluMv \v]nM\ I lH\oMn. Mrs. PrylMuvli voso niui s]u\>k han^is with liini. i\\\d \\o .•v.vloois(\i tor not ooniinsj to t(\-\, as ho ha*l hoon i\oUm\0({ nt lioino In liis noii^libonr of rhilipliaui^li. ]\c o.vmo last to mv side, and in a low voioo thanked IV YAKIMMV KfUK. 01 \ Ii.mkI (>»\( «\ lor I A\\\\ <»♦ lor l'»«' \\\^^ OUl 1 b:nt» no o, O\o\ijih iwuo Mnon\]>!tnv. o 1 ho'lMM lust ih'M wr \ SMU! 1 \nv own ,>s in r tnv "ntt^r T Idmw iml wliy I niiiM umI |(m.|( up iiilo Ihm «| |i I'linjflt' rlM'^i'^cd till' I iniil .'Mill smI down on llii' ,M(i|;i l»i i<|i' lin \\ lit'ii I loiijvcd inji) hn Imci' I ■M-nniocj lu i^cr IIh'mjhmI ol ni\ Aiinl A'Mum. niv I'mlr hnn.'iMVi uilo. Innlsintr onl n|)i)n \\\r .luil I iitiild ir.nrrlv h|m'mI\. " Mv doar Mr;; ll<>jil»mn. wo iiiav Ito (ViondM. I Iimjio, lor llio salvo (»l ni\ .ai^lor Ajmio^^ SIio Imd ovof a jm* at talk vMio ol M;n';ai('l '^ naiMi':, as slio nijlcd yon and \oiii MiMlor," said M ' ;'< l'',li/:ilto| li '.M'lillv, and slio |,'ii<| uiio of lioi nnMon*>d liands ainiosi, ml rml iii'd v on inino ; " niy lioarl wannod lo \ on uiionovoi' I saw >"" '""' li'ard vonr naino." " I'lianK \on. Mijm Mli/.altol Ii." I said, and prrsKod llio lian«l wliioh lonoluMi niino. 'I'lnai* wmm ji. lilllo slianii in niv lioail, lor was il not mv I'nrlo Dunnld, my lalht^rs own l>roll\or. -vlio liad i»y Iuh no'or «Io wool wavs and loniL; no<;I(>c|, l)iokon liis wilo's ^(>nllo li(-aii, and h(M>n llio oan^o ol lior oarly doalli / "And aro yon lo like iho Low lands, lliiidv you V slm asked ])r(>sonlly in a unuo clicorlul voice, Ht'uiiig that 1 was a hit oviMconn*. "I lu^iM' saw any plaro so b(Miu(it'ul as all al)()nt Yarrow, Miss KlizalxMh," 1 niado answer, and sIk! sniiliHl well pleascnl. " Wo are of your iniud also," she answered ; " but wc FH I ««ai 62 MISS BAXTERS BEQUEST. J : m ' ■:< I- lit |j;;i {''h w IM il! have lived by Yarrow all our days. Is Miss Baxter well?" she added after a moment's pause, and I saw the gentle eyes cloud as if there was a sorrow in her heart about Miss Baxter. " No ; far from it," I answered, but said no more. Fain would I have spoken some of the innermost thoughts of my heart to Miss Elizabeth, but something kept me back. " There Is a sore gulf betwixt Broadlands and Honey- burn now," said the old iady in a lower voice. "Often the hearts of my sister and me are *wae' for ^usan Baxter. If you could tell her that we still feel towards her as in the pleasant days of our youth, she might take a thought either to come and see us with you or to send you by yourself." " I would like to see the home where Aunt Agnes spent her young days," I said impulsively. "I can remember how she used to talk about Honeyburn." "Ay, we never forget our bairn's hame, where our fathers and mothers dwelt, Miss Hepburn," said Miss Elizabeth ; and then we got no more private talk, for the Laird of Wolflee canie up to the sofa, and standing by my side began asking me questions about my opinion of the south country. And shortly Miss Elizabeth went back beside Mrs. Dryburgh and her sister, and the Laird and I were left in the corner alone. " Do you think Miss Baxter would let me in if I were to venture to Broadlands ? " he asked suddenly- .Li IN YARROW KIRK. 53 Baxter I I saw V in her lo more, inermost mething I Honey- " Often )r ^usnn I towards ioht take ^oii or to nt Agnes " I can >urn." vbere our said Miss 3 talk, for standing ibout my irtly Miss and her ner alone. [1 if I were "Truly I think not," I answered hastily, for tlio very idea called up a picture of Miss Baxter's wrath. "Look here, Miss Hepburn, has she been makiuL,^ mo out a reprobcite in your eyes ? " he continued with such earnestness that I could not but laugh at hini. "There is a gulf betwixt Broadlauds and Wolflec as wide as betwixt Broadlauds and Honoyburn, Mr. Olivo?*,'' I said, just to quiet him. "And all about that wretched bit of land my father disputed wdth Miss Baxter about. I believe it (/id belong by right to VVolflee, but my father ought to have left the thing alone. It was just a cr/ichet he took, and he would have his way. 1 assure you I would very gladly restore it to my neighbour if it would make peace between us." "Perhaps there will be peace some day," I answered, not thinking very much of what I was saying. " I hope so ; 2:>erhaps you will make it, Miss Hepburn," said the Laird, and I felt sore angered with myself that the red siiould rise so foolishly in my cheeks. "How long are you going to stay at Broadlauds?" he asked presently. "I don't know; just so long as Miss Baxter desires me to abide with her," I made answer a trifle stitHv. "Then it is possible I may be able to redeem my character in your eyes," said the young man in the same earnest way. ,1 !■ ii;,: Ai Ml 8^ KAMKu s nKunwr, M "I nr\rv m'1 inv'^t'll 1t> jiitlni' \.'in i leu ml i i , Mj-. \r\'! n«>( '!i>)i\ w li. n m in;\iil 1 WAi vntliii pin !»l>on1 ^ilfino l\i--;ii|i' (lir l/nnl ol W .^1i]o- I uo^l \ , hi* i1 1^^ in\ 'irll 1 l»iMi. \ Kn<'\\ (1\:H it w t ; m ucw :n\tl >!(rMni>i» I'rt 1in^ o1 ]iMp|MU«'^^ io i\\«' <«> b.> Ht ;n to Imw. to li ttu to tlio tono^ o1 ln>' U);mlv Xoiro. wwA to WMlih tlio l>l;|\ oi ovoiA \,\Mniu ovpvo>^^io») o\) his |i]« ;is.iiit (';\oi> I snid o"00«] 1>\o to :\]] tlio l:i\lio^ boioiv 1 lojt tlio loom, .\\\\\ v«'tnin.^«^ Miss 10i'/;iboi1i"s Knul |m«' ino ot tlio IimihI Willi ;ins\\ .>vnu^ w.-nmih. 1 lolt l\->nnltiV wito. wlio ]\:\\] boon so *lo.n- to ns .ill ;it .\v>]'-. \\ lion 1 o-ot ont t.>tlii> «;un;n;o 1 Min* 1 11 1(^ nt nistoi ;in. Poii^li IS 1 MIX s 1'or nu\ ,'nni w ;i"- o\ * n movo solit^ions l1i;in Mr PivlMn'^b linn^i^ll" ]«^sl 1 sbonl.i i;\]s A.\ Alsv"> Ins oloso wMim l»ai\vl- ol«sp \VMS iho l.ssi >\1uol\ hold n\\ lino-ovs. jnui his \\;\s the last jivvvl-iusilit. ShuU 1 wii^^ »iowti, ] womlor, IN VAIIIiMW KMtK, 55 n\v 'Minlt' wlifil llif^ iin|ii.| iiMi|.! V'MIm; immd MMi \i, s«-(> yoK Monin." II.' MfrMJ. mikI I lll(..| IIm- -miiihI ,,[ IIip (M.nd old Sr.tlrll \\(.mI ItMlii liJM li|iq " AlMl'idc) mII iI, W!I4 (riy (mIIk'I Willi will. Ill mIh> w.'I'! )iI umi I'iiIimiim I (nfiy Ipo !iMi' lit iiimIvo niv I If 'MCI' u'illi ln'i " I sniil iii.lliiini, ImiI. I tliiiil< III. |uM l»r }.l;|.| I.I si'i' lillll Ml IIimmiIImimIm 'riicti A«|)lFri '^'''*<' ,UM\.' llli' i;|i'\M lln> M'lll, Mllll Ui' (Mtllcd MW!iy '"">>•' 'IViilv iH'M'i liMil luo mill J s;i.i.m<'(l so KJiorl, m, ili^lMii.p :\^i llmv Ii'!i^;;uil <'\pniiijr, nrid li/id Mrs. n\\iiinoli Mnv ••iMii|i(niv lo iihm'I v<"! ^ " sli<> Mwkcrl. ' In^mM.'d m IiIIIp mm I immiIi' miisui'i, " TIm' iMtJirH IliMn I liMli'V Itlini well' |||('I(>. |\||SM liMJid ol \\ tt|llri> cMmc ImI iiuitisc," slio snid h.MisIdy. " Now Icmm* mo list(M> io vom lidlx lo uiidd." lor I I toll Imrl t\\u\ <;iio\od, lor il Iimi] 1 Mill l,o(> vvo/uy to icon iioiK' oi III' sooUim; iIjmI I woid io llu* i iiJiiisc, iioi ii.'id I .'iiiy liaiid |ii no MISS HAXTKUS lU-HV^'MHT. 1 1 V I < \\\ < li«\i;Milirrmo ol" llu* ("oinpnnv loj;(>lli(>r. N<>\tM(liP- ioss 1 rnisluMl \\\\\ llic liillc liHIi'iiH'SM wliirli nrosr in n\\ h(\»H, ;in«l l>Mil(» licr m mantle miuI Kiiul oooil iiiolil. WluM) \ I io luv own rli;nnl)(>r I «li»l ;i very nmisuMl l1nu>_i for in»>. 1 IIuul: «»IV luv «'1omK, jmmI. sl.'HxIiiijr s\y:\uj^\\\ in iVonl ol llit^ n\inor. 1 look ji siuncv ol' nnsoli'. ! s;\\v :\ ImII. si vaiuht, woll-pronoil iontMi limm>, M y\:\\\y l>u< «'l(\\r skinnod I'Mct* \vith vrrv ordinMi'V 1t\H\n»^'^. A j>;nv ol" dnk Mno t^xrsMnd m hroml hrow, lV\in;; niMssos «>(' «k\rk, olossy Inown li.nr \\«M'o l>vn^lh^l lo.>s.^l\ l>M»'k Mnd knotlrd ciri'lcssly bohind. No, 1 was not liandstMno. nor »>V(M> oo,hI- lookm*'. 1 io\y\ nnsoir. Mn»l Mrlnnllv sij^hi^l ms I tnrncMl nw.n. 'l'h \]\o oonnonl sid*^ ol inv niOiMMMlinps sirnck ni«\ ;\nd 1 l'\ni:li<^l ;uul sliook nivsol!'. Trnlv il wms a now ;\nd v;\lMnn was boronnn^ oonotMnod aboiil lior a]>}H\uantv. ,Vnd thai was not tlio lasi k'lngli I had ovor it iMthtM". Doar nu\ hnt i\u^ lioarl ol" a woman is a, vStvaui^v and wavwavvi tliinj;. t^sjuvnally when il begins io wiikcn beneath the toneh of love. s(> in i»iol\l. ■ uunsn;il slMndiui; m1 limn<\ or«lin;nv nww \\:\W i';\rt>l»>ssly ( n oootl- i I turnril il >v;\s !i \o\\ \A;\\]\ ,i;]\ 1 \v,u\ oiu;\n is ;i il bogiuH (MIAITKK V. MV CIIIMSIMAM (JII'TH. ^WT INDSAY. my HJMJrr, \vrol(» lo mo Vi^vy TV((iilMrly II J IVom liumr, Mini ucc'isioiifil N'Mcim from fjiilirr Mild iintlhor rMiiip (o MSMinr m«' I wmh m I 1im(I I(>II liom<». ( JliristrnjiH week wmm iisIkmciI ill l>y M. licMvy ImII «»!' snow, mimI tlirn iridrcd I HMW nrw Mini iMtiindlcsM li('Miif.i(>H in YMriovv. I»iit, (Ikuo ! M. phiiii wtniiMii lik(> mr ctmld never dcHcrihr; tlio myslir mimI uondeiiul cllrcls nl' tlic hiiow ii|K)n tlio liills Mild <1mI(',s (»r (IimI. lovely land, nor of tli'; fairy bcaiily of Hie pimj-creHfed liill which wo .saw so plainly fioin tin; fioiil windows of iIk; houHo. Whothor i(. was iho .snow or ilu! ni|>[Miig frost I know not, but as Dccembor wor<' to its ch^si; it .scruncd to nio that Mi.ss liMxtcr t^row feebler and f(!obIor, and whon aho oaino downstairs at all it was only to lio for an honr or so npon tho .sofa in tho d raw iri;,^- room. 1 was much with hor, reading and talking to hur, 67 r\s MISS iMXTi'U s nri,»ri SI'. l>ii< tluMK^h il WM'^ or(.M\ ill 1UV min1(';m1 IIimI <1it^ l.'hlios iVom I lonovl»nrn nni;lH 1»<> m'^K»m1 Io cuinr Mtul so»> l\iM. I nt'vor »Imiir UMincvs or {\\'.\\ «r W olll(M\ l(\s(" il nhoMld ;ik;il.'ii(> hov M llnn»i lo \u' Mvoidod in hov wayk sImI(» oI" 1h»mIIIi. Wo >V(Mo sittino tooiMlior in licr tlrcssinn-rooni one .'Hi (M noon, jn^l n «l;iv or 1\vo boloro ( 'In ishn.Ms. wlion sin* sntltl(M\ly inl«Mrnplotl u\\ ro.'nlinjt; nini Ixnlo nic brino Ikm sinMli writ ink; ih^sk iVoin tho lillli^ luMo in lln^ win»lrido that was in \\w uv.ulo n\o want Io diu'lino hor lOiMun". hut slu* wouhl uol \oi nn 'IM \on. lliink MIO ot what 1 ovMdd got lor tlio doav onos at lionio, of (lio t\ir-lin(Mi oK\\k lor niothor. and a r«M(ain o\[>onsivo book tat hor h.hl boon wantinu' t«^i' «'», lon^r tiuio, and of tho silvor braot^lots Linds.av niv sistiM- so ooviM*hI for h.or lair arni.s, I lit'tod (honi with th.anktuhu'ss ot'hoart, and bonding nu hoad kissod Mivss Maxtor's brow. " Aro yt>u woarying to got away from this droary plaoo, Magt^alou V askod the old hidy wistfully. MY ( liniSIMAS (HI IH. nij jo co]\\o 1(1 m^mImIi* ul" 1\('m1<1i. H\MS>, \\luM\ luM-, \\1hM« s ami l!>'*l ivi«l; " U\\.o on OMU ^vl , nav, t!»l^«' wbai. you sjuilo, lov Tho bit liH'lino luM- K Ihinkiuq- tiiuo, JU\d -ss i>r ho;ir(, )ro\v. this dreary Lilly. lO MO IMlMr MS \Ml| IICImI till' I Wll f'iMfl Iv ^Imv I in.nlc Miiswpi mil 1' 1 ho siiH'rii(\ n( im\ Iic'iiI " ^ on !iro M u(;iirn lo do 1h r liiddnnr 1 novel' lunl so nnicli nion(>y lo ,s|M'nd in loro, mikI | W.MS ipiilo ovcilod ovor il ,'ind ovoi llio Inxiiiy »»! I>iiy- ini; tiling's lor tlioso I lovod. I !.;d| hhiIImi'm cJoMk, tor wliii'h I ))Mid tonr iioiinds (m, iiiid i Kinilcd l,(» niysoir ,'«s I pnl il mIkhiI niy own dioiildrrs, il, w;is so snuL; Mnd w.'uin iind sncli a li.'indsonir ;iiid goodly nrliv'K* Itosidos. Tiion I l»onL,dil. llio luiicrjols for Linds.'iv niv sisloi. .'ind piclnrcd llic itnirn's d< ii'-lil, over (ho |»n>llv hunhlos whm she slionid l»o clnspini^ (Ikmu on lior Mnns. Ljisl of mII I wont lo ihc book- srllor's, Mnd ihongli I liMi'dly oxiicclcd ii in .'i, <'oiinl,ry lown, I got (lio hook lor I'jil lior, mIso m, hii; |niiil Ihhh; lor MMijory, mikI Ihon my ?nonoy \v;is nil ^ono. How lic'h I loll as 1 sjiw mII my pnrcliiiscs lyiiii; on Iho oarriMi!o s(>al. ! I couhl insl, liav(! snnLr out in tliu (wnhorMiico of my doli,L;ht. Jt was galhoring dark whon wo drov(» awny out of the town again, but just us wo rouched the corner of *i :4 60 MISS BAXTERS BEQUEST. ' ' I I !, I' I ■M I w the Yair road I heard tlie clatter of hoofs, and then Adam Se( died up his h d th lorses, and the next minute the carriage window was pulled down from without and the Laird of WolHee, bending down from his saddle, looked in upon me. " Excuse my want of ceremony," lie said blithely, "but when I heard you were in the carriage I could not resist asking what had become of you this long time ; you have not evx*n been at the kirk on the Sabbath days. I feared you had gone away home.*' It never occurred to me to think it strancje for the man to question me thus, as if he had a right to do so; only I know my heart grew glad within me at the very sound of his voice. " Miss Baxter has been, and is, very poorly, and I have never been out of doors much," I answered simply. " But you are keeping well I hope, and not thinking of leaving Selkirk for a while." " Yes, I am well, and I shall likely be here so long as Miss Baxter needs me," I said, and then there was a moment's silence. " Miss Hepburn, will you permit me to come to Broadlands to see you, since there is no other way ? " asked the Laird of Wolflee presently in his blunt impetuous fashion. " Miss Baxter " I said faintly. ■3 ■i MY CHRISTMAS GIFTS. 61 and tlien ct minute 1 without from his blithely, e I could you this the kirk one away ere for the fc to do so ; it the very loorly, and answered )t thinking ire so long I there was come to jher way ? " his blunt (I "Is slie as bitter against me as ev'jr?"ho asked a little iiiipaticiitly. "Truly sho never says vour name. She is too far spent to be bitter against any mortal now," I answered sadlv. "I will risk it," he said, "for I must see you again." I said nothing, and was glad that the night shadows hid my chang-ini^ face. " I wish I could see your face, Miss Hepburn. Why do you say nothing? If y, m^ MY cmnSTMAS i;iy('r in my lioMit. I ate hut littlo dinner that niucht. I \va.nd(U'cd hack lo llu^ drawiiii^-iooni, tried to play and sin^ and I'l'ad, mII hy turns, hul it was of no use, n»y heart and my llu)UL;lits wei'e u]) in Miss Bjixter's dressing;- room, and 1 was in a piM'l'eet lever of anxiety and hopc^ and hodint;- lears. O Cuh\, ^ran( iho hard heart may he soIUmuhI ! was my inward and uueeasini^ prayer. I had hcon \hvoo hours downstairs by myself, when Jessy, the lionse-niaid, eann^ to tell mc Miss Baxter wished to sec nu\ I, stronL;--niinded, self-reliant Magdalen llephui'n, trend>led so as I went upstairs that 1 had to support myself hv holdinix on to the balustrade. .But who auionij ns has not our weak as W(^ll as our str(>ng moments, bi)rn of the deepest emotions of the soul? Miss Baxter was sitting where 1 had left her. only her liead was leaning wearily back among the pillows, as if her strength was far spent. I went to the side of the chair, put my hand on her shoulder, then she looked up at mc with a faint smile. I did not know how or why it was, but to me her face seemed ehani:"ed. " You have won, my bairn," she said. " Get my desk ai;ain and write down what I tell you." I hastened to obey. I felt that pen could never keep 1 I MV CFIIMSTMAS (HFTS. r)7 1 bo Rwopt ycr in luy [ \viUHl(!rc(l (1 siiiijf Jiiul lu'iiri, and ssing-roonj, [ lu)])(' and it may bo far. I bad I J(>ssy, tbo sbcd to soo I llopbiirn, to support woll as our ions of tbe id lol't lior, amonix tbe I wont to T sliouldor, I did not Lice seemed ct my desk never keep tini(> wlfli Ibc ca-vrncss of my licr.rf. And this was wliat I wrote to Miss P>axter's dintatiou : *' liitoAi.L.wns, 23/v/ hrmnher, is.-)!. 'Mv DKAIl KIXSWOMKN,-- Since (lie nnmu'j; ul my b.'l()V(Ml niece, MaodaJcn I lepl)iiii,, (o abide ;,(, Droad- laiids, I ]i;ive been led te see tldli-s in a new li^rl,t. She has shown lo me all I he wn^r and Ijiderness of my I'ast life, and I hat, wi» hout, so mueli as sp.'akin^r ;,b,,u(, i(.. 1 see now, and I.m-I very deeply, that in actiri"- as I liav(! towards yon, simply bec^juisi; yonr sister A^L,nies ''"^'^1 ^'"' I'l-"-*' ' <'X|H<-led to fiil, I have l)(M;n -nilty of a erievons sin. Vnv the sake of tlie old and i,l.;asant days when as bairns we pn'd tin; -owans and thn^ad til- rowans in the dens of Yarrow, i\>v tiio sake of the love which was between our forefathers when ilonc.-y- burn and Broadlands weii; as one, and, last of all, for the sake of my dear bairn, Maodaleji Hepl)nrn, yonr own sistei-'s ni.'ce, will you let l)y^r(,nes be byg<,nes and come to Jh-oadlands, sinc(! 1 atn no longer abh; to go to Ibmeyburn ? It will l)e somewhat of a solace to me in the last days of my life, which must be fi^w now, if ]. can have your com{)anionship, fur there are memories between us which will awake the renewal of our youth —a very pleasant theme for us all.— I am your rJpent- ant and atfectionate kinswoman, SusAN Baxter" 1 folded up the letter, addressed it to MisH Pringle, 'ind tiien looked iuquirinoly at AUsh Jiuxten 68 MISS r.AXTERS JfEOrKST. l\ M *ll! " Adam Scott will take it over to Honoybnru in the nioniiug ; aiul as for the Laird of Woltlcc," she added, with a tend(>r yet huinoroiis smile, " we \vdl let liim eomc when ho is bold eiioufrh ; and if he is very lonof about it we will send Adam Seott for him likewise." I eould not speak for tlie tears rtinnini;' down my checks, bnt I put my arms about Miss Baxter's neck and kissed her. I thiidc she understood. " Now, get , away dcnvnstairs, bairn, for I must go to bed," she said, with a gi'utleness wdiieh did me good. " Eh, Magdalen Hepburn, you have a deal to answer foi. You have done what T thought n(^ power on earth could do. Soldered again the parted houses of Broad- lands and Hone3d)urn and Woltlee." It was long ere I slept that night, so eager was I for the morning light. Immediately after breakfast, Adam Scott, greatly to his own astonishment, was des])atched with the letter to Honevburn. He was told not to wait an answer, and upon his return I set myself to watch for the coming of the ladies. The forenoon passed, however, withoi't bringing them. My heart began to sink. What if thev, conscious of their own blamelessness in the lonij estranii'ement, should be careless or inditfcrent about making up now \ But remembering their kind faces, and also Miss Elizabeth's peaceable words, I tried to banisli my fears. After lunch Miss Baxter bt'gan to get very uneasy, and, unable to witness the eagerness with which her eyes would turn ever and auou to thu ft II"'!, 311 rn in the she added, dl let liim s very long vowise." down piy xtcr's neck must go to 1 nic good, to answer er on earth s of Broad- Lis long ere rninu" light. [, greatly to he letter to answer, and the coming ^er, withoi^.t . What if in tlie long erent about f kind faces, ^, 1 tried to er began to 10 eaovrncss auon to thu MY ("IIRTSTMAS GIFTS. 00 window, I left her aloni> and stationed myself on the broad ledge of the library window, from whence I con id see right down the avenue to the gate. About three o'clock, greatly to my delight, I beheld two figures enveloped in grey cloaks, wliich I recognised as"' per- taining to the Misses Pringle, enter the gate. Poor ladies! I did not know then that these old-fashioned' garments, which were ridiculed by some of the rising generation, were only worn because money was lacking for the purchase of more modern attire. I did not run and tell Miss Baxter. I waited patiently till the two figures came up to the door, and then I went down myself to admit them. Each of them wrung my liand, and I could see in their flices traces of deep emotion. "This is a happy and unlooked-for day for us, my dear," said Miss Elizabeth. " God bless you, you have done great good in Broadlands." " Hush, Miss Elizabeth," I said deprecatingly. " Will you come upstairs at once ? I think it better that you should. She has looked for you all day," They nodded, and silently we three went upstairs, and I opened the door. Miss Baxter, sitting alone in the soft blending of firelight and daylight, sharply turned her head. "The ladies are here. Miss Baxter," I said, and then I shut the door and went away. For I was not of them, and it was better that these three lonely women, whose hearts, in spite of long estrangement, were knit to- '0 MISS BAXTKUS nEQl'MsT. i^othor bv tlic bonds of a past Avliicli n>;)clHM] iho tlnir Avh(Mi tlioy li.'id ('lnsp(^d their rliildisli IimikIs in love, Siioidd nuM^t uidiind(M-(Ml and unobserved bv ;iny strange ovos, v\v]\ tlionul> tlnvso cvos, like mine, siiuuM «>vcitl(>\v with sympathy and love. ^1^1 i > i - ^ I » ■ w 1 t\\o tinir S 111 love, nv slr.MiiL;t' (1 DVCllloW CHAPTER VI. PEACE. ^HEY sent for mo '-y-aud-by, and I went upstairs. I looked rather anxiously at Miss Baxter, for I had irn-atly feared tlie agitation of this meeting for her. lint to outward seeming she was calm and self-possessed, though there were traces of tears on her cheeks. T\ui ladies sat a little apart, and they had been weeping too. Miss Baxter stretched out her hand and drew me to her side. " This is the witch who has wrought the ch;>r.n. Who would ever have thought that a Hepburn bairn would make peace between Broadlands and Honeyburn ?" she said with a tremulous smile. "As you know these ladies already, Magdalen, my dear, I need not introduce them to you. And now do you go and order a cup of tea to bo brought up, and we will drink it together before they go, and they will come again to-morrow." "It is ready, dear Miss Plaxter ; I thought you would all like it," said I, and Miss Barter exchano-ed o glances with the ladies. n 7i> Miss n\\ w.u s HI su I SI'. " l^itl I \\<^i iiA\ \<>n \\]\:\\ n \\illin»pl\;ini I\ . nn ("jnipi' \\ l\:n :\ co^v )0«';u-:;nn tt>M iln(\Kin\i«:h 1 ^n.l lml«\it \\\\\ n»<' !;i>im| joli.-n lli.ii \'.\\U o\ 1^1.1 tnno>^. jollv^ MMil ll\in>^;. Thonoh IIkii wimM \\;im U(M n\\ \\(m1i1. I lonM rniiM' H wnli (loiu nml ';\ in |>,nhi^o wiih ili«^ ni< i\i«.rii> 5 in whirli I ]\:\A n.» n;ii(. 1i \\;i^ .]nii(^ (In^^k whiMi lli.-\ w.'nl ;n\;i\. nnil wIhmi 1 1>\^]v iliiMu «]-M\n-<,nrs tlnx 1>mi1i' (i(>il M.-m n)«\ .'iml s;\i\i n !.;v^\n ni.nn kind .nui js'n.'i.Mr^ tlnni;M wliii-li 1 inu«i UiM wvn.^ «].>\vn. W In-n I ';oi hurk <.« Misn rv\\ui 1 lonn.l ]i(M 1\ mo nnuMiv InM )>illo\\s wilh mm " V\miio livno. ni\ Mos^r»l hMim.'sbo saiiHo mo. Mud iho \ov\ lono'^ o\ hoy voun^ soni\ so ivavi\ io iov^wc mo av, it \\ond(Ms and lunnlilos n\o indoovi." *' It is hoitov. is it not. d(\\r Miss l>a\t(n\ to ho at one \sith tlioni a,i:ain :" said 1. "Ay, tar lav hottt^v. M_\ p*>or oiMisins ! Vhoy -ayo s»> "}W>v. Ma^'dalou I^opImuii. tliat tli(\v lia\<^ io work at sowiuiX and tino laoo tv>r tiioir dailv broad. 'Vhoy liavo I'liA'if: 73 Ivmn site lli.M) liilk ^\ ( M 1 1 1 \\ m Mini ':\ m )M<1 wlli'll I )Mi\ .'llul ^H w 1 n « ' I » I will) Ml) > )))»\ ;)))('il) V i'MDK^ so luMos \\\o be at ()1U3 u^y :\Y0 so > Avoik at 'hov have iinllini^ it) llir \v l>;nik " N<>\l. l;iwyM» |mm(, it Hhniilil nndnly mmiIm mt wr.'iiy Iimi. llul, 'Jim y.>i\n< <\ nvMtlosM, Mini a.iisiMiiM lli.'il, IIM I HUM .mIimiiM Im- put, olj^ Ro rally in tli(> rMrMnoMii Ad.'iiii wmhI, mIT mh liMiHMh/icK to Solkirk. I Ii.'hIm liini cmII ih at IIim (ImcIu'm ori Ihh >vay aiHJ a ;K liini lo <'MmM up in l'.i(i;i(||;irM.M in I.Iim cviMiiiiir. Mr. l*'.'ir(piliaiNon arrived aliont liall' pa,st t wm, ami was alone with Mi.^M I'.iixler in llie dia.win*^ rMom lor nioK^ nirioiisly sev. r;i,l tii))( s in of our ('onversat ion, wliicli did not ila_i;-, tl)oni;li we were si rMiij^-^eiM to ejicli oilier, lor Ik; was a vtM-y alVahle man and a, fluent i;ilk. |.>i mKi'i (liMl )1)oi Mi'-'< r»,i\lrr"s inmd \\;is rh\'i)- (Munich !<» li\ ilscll iij»«'n the intnc'ilp ronn;ih(i<>s cvpf itiscpiiiMliIi* iVoni .niy ilr;>Iin';s w illi iho Imw. And then Ix-nnn jin MUMiMis :\\\ \ 'uounilul tiniP I'of n\(\ w.'ilrhiiijj; .'HmI mnsi ' 1, old l'\d\', i(o\ (M' snr«^ »>i Imw snon lh<^ nid ini^lit .■!•«. Tlio l.'idirs iVoiu llnucvlMirn PMino lo my .'\ssisl;inr(\ ;\U(. Mymnldid w.is I lor lh<'ir 'kindMosM. l hrir ^'cMillo \\;i\s, n^s nunontMils ;ind soil, hxtl- tnlls \V(M(^ ni\ .diiMMt^ in ;i sick vixmii. Ihil though I ;nn snnMhcy W(MO h(M t iM" adiiplt'd lor nnrsiii'^' i ii;in I. MisM r>.i\tcr IiImhI niv h;\nds hi'st ;iht>iil Iicr Itcd. 'l'h(tiiL;li sh(^ was unnhh^ 1o s|>(\'d\ much. I h\nii<>d to i-c;id (>vcry o\|M'(^ssion ol' licr i';ict\ ;nid io know tli(> m(\'niinLf <>!" (ho sntisticil h>ok wluMi I did nnvthiiiL!- lor h(M". VUo Dry- burghs \V(M-(^ most kind nlso. ;nul tin* ministiM- <'aino oviMy dny t(> Ihwidk-nul^. And 1 must. not. I'or^cl to >vri;o down that th(^ L.iird of Wolthn^ o;vnu^ very olt(Mi to ask tor his noi^lUnMir. 1 iMily saw liim on ono Ocvasion. in tho hhrary, lor a tow minuti^s, and llicn our demoan(>ur towards oaoh otlu^r was stranmdy stJlV and 0(tnst rainod. probaMv bcoans(^ tho impulsi\s of both our hearts woro so tiL:lit ly hold in ourb. Antl truly it was bottor S(\ t'or it was not tit nor soomlv tliat. tlioro should b.^ anv lovo-makinu' in tho houso of sickness. But thoui^h I did not see him aj^ain, I was kopt in mind oi lum bv constant t^itts oi^ fruit and tiowors from IM A'K. 75 wise ;nnl (|;iv n|)tin )nL;li ft> li\ ns('|t;nMl»I(» I l)i'<;;in MM cIuiil; .'Hid I) (lii> (MhI ;m)<> l<» my • kilullK'SM. St)||. loot- ou^h I :iMi i;in I, MisM 'l'lu)n,y;li r(\'ily siilV ;i\s of both ul truly it that there f sickness. IS kept in )wers from 'I"' >••'"•" l...(,|,Miis.«M .,( WmKNt., Mhrl very f.^M'^'^n^ if, wm.s '" '"" '" '^""^^ '" "'.V IMInnc;!, |m,,,|(. (I,;,!, I u;m Mf, rf|l|r|, '•• llIM ll,unn|,(,M. Sn .l;i|,||.,ry W..M> MW/lV.nil'l tlir.M. wus ""' ''l^'" '" '••■ ""i.li iMlhruMMil (.,r |,.M,r Mi m |;,'.<|r-r. •''"'"""■'' "'"' 'l"l "..(, npiM.;,, in MM.w ;,„v worso. Slio was „ni ;,|,|<, fo |.,||, „„„,|, _.,^ , ^,,„,^ ,^,,, , ,,.„„.„,, „.^ •*"•' •••'l"in..oii. r;,r|y ,„ |,|„, nionll, ,,r |'\.|,M|,-,ry, Kho S.M.ni.MJ lu ;.c.|iii|,. ,,, s;,m|,|,.,, .;ln.|.L,'ni, \nr Jilir, Mfol;*. f,i,t, '" '"" '" ••'■ l""e. 'I',. II „„. j,ow Yarrow and Jiowhill aj.d .all tJ.M counliysidc looks t,o-da,y." In no small ustonislimoFit I ohr^fid. Onco r,r twiw that da,y, lookinnt> IVimu :»»•' wliiji' i';\\)^ \rl "ii W'IhmI l\o|><> :\]\<\ rilmnu' \\\i] (III' jiM^^lnic: :iii' ;ill liiir MiiMin. ImiI i1ii\ lent' m ' 1>Im<' IooIv.m'^ il (li'- -^iimw Iii'I clnllt'il ihi'in llni>n",;li .nul iIii.mi'Ji. 'I'Ih' muK .|..|| lliiULi 1'- ll<<' lir^ «M\ n,i';i' 1m s\nnnni ^ \ntM\ w no \ liK" H ^.'11. h K M MM IM' inn«ni\ stic.no t>\ oi (|.>\\ nn^ its IvinlvM ii\ m v.')\ snili'ii Im'^] lion. n(> t 111 \o om w in';onio \ 11 row It is liko III w \]\\ :\]\\\ io;\nn>' V.\ i vi«K t o tl;i\ ^ on ilo^t 1 iht' \1 w oil . I SCi' 1 1 :ill, SMHl M ISM Um\1('i m :\ '-;i1 i'^liotl 1on» N OW . (■( nno ;iml sit dow n \or ] Il in\ o in.TON 1 linn's s a K\v lionvs. I shall mcci niv Makor laoo io 1'aoo." 1 saiii notlimo. lov 1 oonhi not oontradict how I>r. TurnV'ull liad np|^lisod nu"* but Vi^storday tliat it was but a i|uostion ot days now. " ]>oav Miss Maxtor, \vhat of tliat if yon iwo pro- jxiivd i " said 1 voiy low and softly. " Vovi have lived pr.scr.. 11 (hoiii lor ftriiiv vfUM mimI hriMun rrifinv ^^'»fr»iws. ynir rc-^f Ih (■Mllllllir SMMtl. " IIm\V <|m I I ItMW lli'il f" sIm' M^^kofl «l|!ll|ilv " 'I'llO ll'Sl I t'lllll III' I ll nillif ((It (lie III ri|i|(> i ,\ i\i,i\ | JiMl M'»f, .1 II • '||i> III III; |i< I III l""l il.'. I ll.'l\i' ll\''l )l llJIfl'iW. Mf II'mIi I'.'iinii lid' I liM\f' ?i<'\'f'r' Kf'ivfMJ llitii I lifivf livf'd ii I lii"lil ilji'. |Hili:i|m, liiit liMAf I (Mil liMil;((i_ ri(,t, \<' ! | li.'iv'' iiiiisimI jm liiill ,'i III: tiiiii' |ii''|»;iii f| iiM' ("f fliia rli;mL;i' ^ " I l;iii| ni\' sonlliiiiL; IimikIm on Im'Im. f tii,'i\''l fur lii'lp. (MMiililinu .'it; llif irs|ii»iisil>ilil y wliidi 1,'iy upon III!'. "Miss l';i\liM." s/iiil I, "ill llic iii'irv ,Mis tin 'I lit s!i\i' siiiii'is, in>f IIm' ri^'lil<'oiis " "I Klinw, I islH'W; Idll lllllik III lilV W.'isti'd life, f)f 1MV Mr'.;l(M'li'(| i»p|i'ii I iiiiil i<'s," kIh' ^^rfi.'incd ; "of (hi. l;(>

ditii<\ hut vviiicli I wiHiilIy p,'i<-limcn(, cnn hr; too ^K-nt lor such sins , 'is thcso, Mn^ihilcn Hcfiljiirn ? " "Though thoy bo as .scarlet, they shall ho us wool," J! 78 MTRs r.Axrriis hkouhst. !ii^ •; 1 picadod. " A Lioken and a contrite heart is very precious in Cod's sight, and Ho will not cast out even at the eluvcntli hour. Kc^p hold of the cross of Christ. It is always there for us to cling to, and God is a Father of mercy and love." " It is a i)0()r pitiful thing, Magdalen, to chitch hold of the cross now, just like a drownincr man trvinjj to save himself," she said slowly. " A poor, pitiful kind of thin'' to come to God at the end of a lon<; life which has not been spent in His service, asking forgiveness and bi'gging to be let into heaven." The speech was characteristic of the woman. Her rujjii'ed and in(le|)endent nature shrank from what appeared to her only a form of selfishness. How could I convince her that the God of infinite love and mercy, even at the eleventh hour, gladly wel- comes his children back to the fold ? ''Dear Miss Baxter, think nothing of the past Leave it all behind, it is blotted out of God's book of remembrance, if only you will look to Jesus now," I cried in my great and solemn earnestness. " Think of nothing but His love. Rest upon it — it is for you, waiting for you. It \Yill sustain and comfort you in the darkest hour, and when that dark hour is past there is rest." •' Rest, rest," she repeated dreamily. " How sweet after pain! 'Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,' the Word »says. Well, I am weary, IV'\ TKACE. 70 b is very out even of Christ. God is a itch hold trying to III kind of life which orcTiveiiCss lan. Her roiu what of infinite gladly wel- the past. s book of IS now," I Think of s for you, )rt you in ar is past p low sweet abour and am weary, yes, and heavy laden with tlic burden of the past. And if it is for all, it must bo for mo, yos, for mo." She closed hor eyes, and so rostfn' did hor faro boconio, that T, h-ariiiL,'' to disturb her, noitlur spoke nor iiiovod. Ihit up Irom mv vi'arniii!-- hoart rose a voiceless petition for tlio trombliii<( soid voyaging fast towards tiie mystery of that whioh was to eomo. When I saw at length that sho had lallou into a gontle slum- ber, I bent mv head on luy hands in thanksirivinLT, for it soeinod liko an answer to my prayor. It was so like the sleep of a little child luUetl to rest by the assurance of a father's love and cai-e. I rose very softly at length, and walked to the win- dow ai/ain. Then I saw that the lace of nature had undergone a strange and sudden change. The cloud, "no bigfjer than a man's hand," I had noted above Wheathope before had spread half across the sky. There was a great stirring among the pines on Bowhill, and in the air a deep moaning sough, the warning note of the coming storm. A tierce yellow glare on the western horizon sh-Ai.--*,«^... -,_. , ,".^_ so iNiiss n,\\i'Ki{s Mi;i,M Ksr. IH Nvoiut'iilolk. siHIujl;^ mIoiic in I]m> lionso itl" I'loMdlniuls. l»»(>k»>(l ;\t c.'h'h other uiiii sc.'inMl wliilc jmccs wliilo l.li<> 1(Mun(\s| iMm'd .'111(1 ro.'inMi willmul. Hlinkiiit; lli(» old housi> \i^ its v»>rv loundMlions. And IlirouL^h id ."dl Miss I^nxtcr sIc))! on «'alndy .-ind |M';u'rrnlly ms ji cldld. Towards n»idniL;lil i\\c violcnci* of I ho slonn soin(>\vh.'if, ahalod. (Mi!v lo l)i> itMK^wod auain with addod lorct* in tho oarlv nioininij^. Tiioro was no ihoui;htor IxmI lor anv ol" US that niiL^hl. .)«>ssy, (ho housoniaid, sat wilh nu' in tho si»'k idoni. Miss F»a\(or's maid, (-hristinr ,)(>lVri'V. houiL; loo norvoiis to ahidt^ wilh us, joinod iho t'o"k and lh(> kilchon-niaid downstairs. And so that, .awliil nin'hl \Noro away. About, livt* o'clock canu* tlu^ cahn. and I. KnikiniL;' (>ut . thankfully saw the stars of liopo and ])roiniso nloam ai;ain in tho linnaniont of hoavon. Then I sent ])oor Jossv awav to lio down for a littlo, and prc^panul tlu» couch for ny own brief rcj)os(\ Still ^liss l>a\tcr slept. Allhounh not much versed in sickness, tor the manse o\' Ardstruan was cvht a lu'althy house, 1 bcLian to iW\ a trith* uneasy at that j)ro- traiMed slumber. And yi>t I teariHl to awake the sleeper, not knowini^ but that such bless(>d n^posc miiiht be the savini'- oi her lite. Ivesolviuir that, with the tirst streak oi' ilawn, I should send the maid to rouse Adam Scott ti> 540 for the doctor, I lay down, but I could not sleep. 1 rose an'ain at half-past six, and as it was a clear nu)rninn' the lieht was already breakiniif. I diow u\^ thvJ blind and looked t)ut: 'i'he storm had I'lACK, 81 I'ioihUmihIs, iiil; the oM ; as fi cliiM. M '^OlMCwllMt. 1(m1 lorc(» in I, of 1)(m1 for id, Silt willi 1, ( 'liristiu,' ^, joilHMl \]u' UhI so tliat, ■k ciuuo i]w, >(ars of hopo t of lu'avon. for a litl.lo, ,'|)ost\ Still 1 vorsod ill er a lioalthy Lt that pro- awake the .^ssed re[)oso isr til at, with the maid to ly down, but ^t six, and as ,dy breaking, e storm had spent Kseir. I,„|, if, |,,,| |,.a i(, ro„f,pri„fM behind. I(i,s;iit arn.ss Ml,. |;,,wti lay a fall and s(ahiy,.ak (oiri 'ip l»y i(s d,M.p,.s|, n,„(s. TIm. avenue was rend.n d impassable by bn.k.'n ImhimI.s ;,,hJ r,.,||.,„ f,,,,.^_ .,,„j l"-Vnn.| (l.r oa,|,.s ll,..,v n.Ih.l ..,, (;,,,,,. ,,,|,| „,,, ,,,,',,||,,„ "Mlil it was level with (he roa,.| w,, n,i-hty conlrast snivly l(» Ml,, silver llnvad of Yarrow. My eyes (rav.-lled acav.ss (o Howl. ill. The shadows l.-'V dark npon itye(, hu(, | ,,.ul,| diseern what appeared <<» J"' .'t .i^reat eonlnsion. surely the heaiily ..„nd the symmetry of the i^r.nil slope sc-med destroyed. '|'|,r. '''■••■•'re dnrin- ||„, watches of the ni^ht. With a si,.^h I turned away, lifted n,y ear.dle, ;mblinu|y „pon lh(! heart. Still, still, for ever- •nor<> ! Truly, " in an hour when ye think iic't, the Soa I man conietli." :• (.j'*r5:;N •* .<<5tSs,4(±J>> .5 CIIAITKK Vll ^1 V 1 N ni'in i\\ N(M': St» v\ ;n>il *li(";iml(*ss slccn winch s(m](^s :\ loil^- \l<_:il wllH'l) «|(';iill ll.MS »Mh]ri] W luMi 1 ;nv(»l\(' llitM' wmtlow ; nuil wlion I :n"os(« |o lt\-irn lis cms.' 1 Iouih! Io ni\ .Minn/.tMnenl IIkmI il «';mi«> li\MU lln' sctliui;' Sim. ;nul llial ni\ wmIcIi IimikIs nointcd to livo o'('l(H'k. 1 liMstilv »lr(V'-s(Ml nuscll' nixl wriit dowiisiniis. TIkmi 1 IchiumI iIimI tlicrc li.'id Immmi niMiiv c;ill(Ms nt l^ro.iillniuls. ;miono- oiIkts the L;iir {">( ir;\ 1 s;il down ;nul wrojo ;». uoto. w liuli 1 sont .\(l;mi to (lt>li\ cr ;it 1 lonovluini. Il, ooiitinnod llio romu^st thai oin> ov holh (A' lh(> ladios uouKl roliini with tlu^ i'an-iaiii^ and ahido with iii(> until tlio ani\al of u\\ lathor, lor whom I had toloqiapliod boloro 1 sli^pt. In littlo moro than an honr Aliss ij2 !\1V IMII lil lANt'l" wlni'h so Ar:\\\\ 1>MS UN s( r*';n\»- 1 Mroso to at il <';nuo lis ]>»>inl<^ron lUMUV >r\Voltl»M> llossv. how- 1 v*^»\uinMl linl \vrol(> .*> nImivu. It li nu^ until r l'',li'/;il<('l li w M'-! \\ii1) ino ; ;niil \ on' <'">im(| f|(';i(ll. 'roLit'l Ikt \\<> WtMll ll|i'.( MUS in Ii'mK ;i( mII IIimI I "MUMIIH'tl ii| IIm' inisM»"-^o| I >i .>;i(ll;nii I ; lltT I.'Hm- wm^ nio'-it swrd mimI |>li';r;;nii In look npnn. m)i(1 t I\«> ItiMiil \ nl' it '■j »';irl\' v<»iil li li;i;nn Smch, jIkupJiI. |, unless llnin |i;i;issn(| lH>|\\(>n|| II; Imlmn slin |r|| nijn ||i;il slcnp wlilrji \vj|« |o loinw lin :i\\ ;ikniiiM<; mi cmiI II, " N nil li;i\<> iiinii !Mn;illv lt|n;;'>.n(| mIkI |»»I \ I Inix i | , MMJ^d'lkli I |r|il»lll 11." SMul III"' nnnil n|<| l,'l Wnlil (jnw lts|;iirs M L",'! I II, .'I IK I, SI ' i I II J.'' I > V til'' Im.'irdl. \Vn l;ilkn(| |n\v ;in(I Snllly nk llin (Irjid. M I ;s Mli/.'ilicl li sniMiH'd In I'iihI imsiiKill cnin (nil- ;i?m I |il(';isiiro ill rnc'illiii'.; |1h> (|;i\s nl' llmir el 1 1 |i llinnr j, wlmii llm lliico litllo ;_;irls ;il 1 1 nin \ 1 niiii mikI llm i(|n|i~:r(| cjiild nf I .rn,l(ll;ill i)|(lnninss nl ;i k'lh r (|;i\' ns||;iliMC(i | linn llDlii ('JkIi oIIk r. As Inr iiH', ni\' Im.'iil \v;is vnr'y snrn, Inr I Irlt, ;i^ il I iiMil losl, ;i 'iirink I 1i;m| k ;irii<'<| In \i>\r Miss IkiNlof in Splln nl' IkT niir I ( ;i III I < li i | m f ;i IM I Snlil'wlial, lioiii" Alias I imlovjiltjn \\;ivs. .'ind Inr d<;ii|i \v;i,s ;i. rr;\\ <^ri('f I' me SI 'Mi^*^ iMvnus nivM v.;r li-Mi^o Vrr^«Miil\ .K'^-v r,'>nii' .'m >1 I \i M h]\\\ ] -t-.^^y- :\i oil.-.' ;ri.1 liim\.'.| :n\ .n . ImH h.M 1i.I.m<' Ml'-s l\lr/;ll''.M ll ll:l«] b(-.M\ wiln.";" <.> in\ t.ll ImI.' Iii.i' Tli.^ \-\\lh\ m til." lil>\;\\\ w ;u; '^.MUi'w 1i;H nl'.lni.l, or.'.HiN LMin v.'lirl ; ImH wli.n 1 .^_;\\.- \\\\ li:inr 1i> lli.' l.imp :»nil l^^^]v(^^ Willi so.'ir. liuiv^ «~\os nil.> ni\ l,\. .\ 1 ivdil l.\ iiiM' iii\'-.'i1 .niti 1.^ .'iviMl iii\ i-.^iVM'i.^n^ I'moo IV.mu !>• ; cinHi"-!! C;^7<\ bill li.^ .Mii> li.-Kl tui^ ill." tiini.>r. " \\ S«\M11S \.\'1ls sm.'O I S;1\\ \.M1.' !».' :n.l .|MliKI\. '■' Po \,^n ovuilo'O mo n i.'w nnnitd^^. MM<;ii;\l<'n '' Pnc^ 11 *h "-■}■» I *';!-*' N*''U lliiit 1 sh.MiM o;n.' (>!, up.^n tlu' l;^.''.^ .]»\n\'V I.Mii.Mbnn ;\n\ olli.rm ■ In- w.'Hi'"' 1 IvU.nx u.M w !'..it 1 '-.rt.l. Ail 1 ViMnoiul>.'i now is lll;U 1 U.'> l.v ^-.M' sUM^'M.i in \\\i ol;isj>. bul lh;il \\\\ ]-',o:i.l I.Mnii] ;i i\^^tiniO" pl;\. (^ .mi hi^^ ni.inlx 1mo;u;I. " M^CxinliMi, im «l;\vlnio, ni\ wii.^ 1.^ lio, I li.>|i.'.'" Iio s;n«^ pn>>-i.>iia1«'l\ . "onlx toll ni.^ th;il \.mi o;in i'-.Wi^ :i liltK' 1.>v iv,.\ r.-'noh ;\\\y] ron.K I.^H.mv llions.:h I i>o. ;(n«l 1 \v-il c*'* Mv\:n mul not tr.MiM.^ \.mi ;in\ nioro nv 1 snid tliat nu wholo boavt was Ins ior wlitMo himIooI Tailh ;uid Ion*' o\is1 lluM'o weed ho no rosorvo. 1 1 w.mm jt stiaucv 001 uninoliug in \\\\ ]u\\rt that night - griol" t liul. 'MN iMii'Ki lyNf^ii- Rn i'im«; til" Oi Mil c 1, \i M . hi :» 1 \ Mml SO \ \ \ iMH not lirloit' ill' Imci' snl> I i iM' lr,s (';\mi*sl il i)\in lvl\. I'M '' I ^<»rM tll'iMl till' l>.M now is il lli;i< \\\\ I si. llO|)(\ " lio oMU cmo M I 1 bt\ MUtl ^ to nii;l\l." )\\\ 1 SMitl iMi'ool JMith 1( was !i — griol' tluil. ' ''■"' '"•' '"^ '•'•"'! i'M Hril I IlmI (iriMil vlril ,• m,m| '""^* ''^''' '"'. •'"• '"'V\" "I !. UMlnMIIS I,. Mtl MImI III,. ' '"'"* '"'" •'^^^'^ •'< Im i M.ul U.nl I,.,, I; (m M, ., '''■''""' ^""' ' "-^^•"" ,,.|." s|,o smmI \n I, MM K, ^••"" '" '"■' '.^'"^ ■ '= '< i.nl s(,;,n;;o, jl .l,<,| ||,,,| , "'■••* ■^"" •'""' ' ' = '"'"'•' -mH.oM ninn n . nh\ vvonnn, n, Nll'^MIl r.;ix(r|'s Inniso ,,( lllnM.II.-MMJs V' " Av. slnniMo i.mIo,.|!" ,„„| (,,(1,, rlMMnuly. uu<\ ( '■'^'' "'••' '"'^ 'l-niMiii,, ,voro of (lir. ,,,,,,. 'linn (JM y -.», ''"^^" '":;'"'"•■ ■•'tl.l I.-;;,, I (|„M ol.i (JMn rinrk, ,,,d f;,, f;,ff,„,. !,,,j („„ ,^ in Solk,,ksj,„v JM In,,.. a.Ml II,,.,) ,(, wuH vvl.nn U<: \r.yi 86 MISS BAXTERS I5EQUEST. \l !• V i: porfdniKMl tlio ill-f;itc(l ninrrin^'o rcMTinony wliit'li homid liis nc'er-do-wt'cl brother JJoiiald to L;('iitK' Al;ii('s Priiigle of Ilonoyburii. My mother liad boon unablo to accompany him then, bocause I was a baby in aims. Upon the followinL,' aitornoon Miss Jlaxtor was carried to her rest in the kirkyard of" Vanow. 'I'hore was a iireat LiatlieriiiLf at tlio burvin*'', for the name of l)axtei' of Broadlands was one of the oldest in llie countryside, and the deceased hidy was the last of her race. It is a sad and solemn thing for the wonu-nfolk loft behind to watch the slow wendin<4 of the funei-;d train awav from the house, and an experience calculated to make them examine whether they be ready and prej)ared for tlie last summons. For no man nor woman knows how ov when that summons may ( ome. There returned to the house for the reading of the will J)r. Ttu-id)ull, Mr. Dryburgh the minister, and CVi}>tain Scott of llaitrigge; in company with my father and ]\[r. Far(pdiarsc»n the lawyer from Selkirk. There had been a. talk between the Miss Pringles about specially asking Douglas Oliver of WolHee to return also ; and very thaidvful was I afti^rv.TU'ds that the invitation had not been oiven. Mr. Faiquharson, being a very dignified and projjer person, had all his preliminaries to go thj'ough before he ))roceetied to read aloud the substance of the will itscl' So briefly and concisely was it stated tliat I thii k T can recall it word for word. "I Susan Baxter of Broadlands, beinuf in inv sound h >i r iiutrysiile, '. It is a bcliiiul to »wav t'roiu lake tlu'iu mI lor the \\s liow or icd to the ibull, Mr. lartriggv; irsou the ; between as Oliver 111 was I ell _L;'iven. 1(1 proper h before f the will led that mind and jud<^nncnt, do hereby, on this twenty-fonrth day of December, eighteen hundred and lifty-one, dispose of my d 'ties as folh niv so und moneys "First, to my faithful servini; - woman, Christina Jeffrey, the sum of iifly pounds per a?inum, as Ioiil;" as she lives, together with that two-storey house, nuiid)er nineteen in the Nethergate of Selkirk, to be her absolute property to do with whatsoever she will. Also to my coaehman, Adam Scott, fifty pounds per annnm, so long as he lives. Also to my maids at present with me in my house of Broadlands (here followed their names) the sum of fifty pounds, to be paid within a month of my decease. Then to my kinswomen, Joan Pringle and Elizabeth Grace Pringle of Jloneyburu, the sum of three thousand pounds each, to be paid witliin a month of my decease. And with my be([uest I would entreat them to foririve me for mv lona(llan(ls, )e found owellcry. Hcpbiun .1 declare 2r second lid child called by daufrhter ave with blessing ■i my last locument a dead compre- led, how- nie with :ily, Miss in his me that ;uch wise Captain likewise, only my father standing in the window with his bacic to me never moved. Unable to remain any longer, so overwhelming were the emotions which possessed me, I hastily quitted the room and ran away upstairs. Some impulse drew me towards the room which to-day was empty for the first time. I sat down tliere and tried to realise that I, Magdalen Hepburn, who had been so long content to rule the plain and economical household ways of Ardstruan Manse, was now a great lady, mistress of Broadlands, to whom the rightful dues of a great estate would henceforth be paid. I knelt down by the bed, I laid my face on the pillow which Miss Baxter's (|uiet head had so lately pressed, and prayed that I might be guided to walk humbly and wisely in this new strange path whicli was opened up for me. There was neither joy nor pride in my heart in that hour, only great fear and tremMing, for oh ! how few among us can stand prosperity, how few among us can wield the reins of wealth and high estate, and still keep unspotted from the world ! My fervent petitions, my casting all my care upon God, soothed at length my troubled and fearful spirit. And my chief thought as I rose was not of the honour and dignity of my new estate, but of the opportunities thus given to mo for doing good. I had never thought of riches merely for selfish gratification, but as a means for brightening life for those I loved, and beyond that for the alleviation of the burdens of others. Might I think so still ! Might 90 MISS i5.\X'ri;iis I'.kql'esT. ii'ii f f\ I ever be foiiiul throu'^di all my life, wliotlior that life be \<)]\(f or short, williiii,'- to spoiicl and \)v spent in the of the Vi God! With these ii d service ings in my s[)iiit I went downstairs, to bo taken to my father's heart. " God bless you, my daugliter, and enable you in your new position to serve Him as you have done since you first understood tliat service is the first joy and duty of a loving heart," said my father ; then my heart was at rest. That night Douglas Oliver came once more to Broadlands. I need not write down how my father, reading at a glance, that fearless, manly, upright soul, bravely stified the natural regrets of a father's heart, and to a brief earnest question freely answered Yes. When Douglas Oliver rose to go, I put my shawl about me and went with him to the door, for I was his betrothed now, under the approving sunshine of a parent's smile. "So it is the lady of Broadlands I am to wed now?" said my ])ouglas, and I fancied there was a shade of regjret in his tone. " Nay, as })lain ^lagdalen Hi^'pburn I was won," I whispered as I hid my face. " 1 will never be the lady of Broadlands to you. It is too heavy a charge for me. I give it to you, Douglas, and so the Knowe Park will be restored ai^ain when Broadlands and VVolflee are one." MV IXniilMTAXCK. 01 Tnio, l)iit f would nithcr have had lass," said DouliI, my toch IS. Will you <^ivo mo np bocnuso ;Miss Baxt or I ess or iiKulo Jiio luT hoiross?" I askod in rutli Give you up: (Jod forbid! 'I' ail orit'ddcd t(»ii (( i < said ] >oii'_;l' ail oariiostnoss wliioli ooinplctcl^- satisfied Aftor a littK; ho addcnl d uiv roaniilv on will not 11 with icart. Kocl) )r('li nio waitiii^ir lonL,^ my MaodaloD ? Wolljre lias 1 -ht so then, but I know now that there are higher heights of % ^ K ^ ■> ^"J^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) "/ <« 4^ _^; 1.0 I.I 11.25 IlilM 121 y m 12.2 " lis 120 M i^^ — 6" <^ ^"J f ^-^7- /A Hiotographic Sciences Corporation 23 WIST MAIN STRSiT WnSTH.N.Y. I4SM (7I«)«72-4S03 '^ 92 MISS BAXTERS BEQUEST. bliss, a keener joy in which deep suffering commingles. But let me not dwell upon it here. ♦ «««♦# It is two-and-forty years since I stood that night with my beloved upon the moonlit doorstep of Brouil- lands. Two-and-forty years ! and I am in the house of Broadlands still, a lone woman, desolate in my autunin time. Desolate, did I say ? Nay, for there is a little hand clasping mine as I write, and a childish voice begs "grandma" to leave writing, for Douglas is weary play- ing alone. I turn and lift him to my knee, and clasp him to my heart. Douglas Oliver — Douglas Hepburn Oliver — the little heir of Broadlands and WolHee ! Then I look beyond the Knowe Park to the house of Wolriee, where abides my one son Douglas Oliver, with his winsome girl-wife, Marjorie Fleming of Wheathope, a daughter of my old friend Janet Dryburgh of the manse. Ten years did I abide a happy wife in WolHee, for nine summers and winters did my darling and I watch together the growth of our one son, and then the desolation of my widowhood fell upon me — my beloved was taken in his prime, to wait for me, with the angel- mother, on the other side. Two-and-thirty years have I pursued my widowed way in this weary world. During these years I have bidden my kinsfolk farewell one by one — father, mother, Lindsay my siir^ter (who was laid to rest with her first baby on her breast), and many others have MY INIIEIUTANCE. 93 mmincflcs. hat night of Broiul- ) house of y autumn is a little voice befjs eary |)lay- and clasp Hepburn WolHee ! } house of liver, with heathope, ^h of the a Wolriee, ng and I I then the ly beloved the augel- 7 widowed rs I have — father, rest with hers have gone nnd left me behind. And I, leaving the house of Woltlee to niy son and daughter, have co.ue back to Hroadlands to abide until the few shadows which lie between nie and my beloved shall Hee away. It will not be long. Already the little ])<)uglas begins to wonder whv yrandma walk; =? so slow, am I wl IV, even on SI mny days in the pleasant garden, she grows wearied so soon and is glad to rest. Grandma, knows why it is. Others are able and willing to do the work for which she no lono-er has sufficient strength. Younger hearts and hands have set her aside a little in the walks of life, and so her hold upon the earth will not be difficult to loose. She is content, nay, glad and thankful that it is so, for to her 1 leaven is liome So may you feel, my little Douglas, wlien the years of youi- earthly pilgrimage are accomplished and heaveu di'aweth niiih ! THE END. '1: I: '! Ar)r)ie 3. 3War). Have you ,'ill the Works of lliis Popular Authoress? If not, send to us, the Canadian PubHshers, for them. The Gates of Eden: A Story of Endeavour. Fxtra criiwii ^\(l, I'xti-ii cluth, with a, hfiiiititiil Stt'cl Kiij;ravin>f of tin- AiitliiirLss, iiiicl OiiuMtiiil Illu.stratioriH $1 00 St. Veda's; or, The Pearl of Orr's Haven. Kxtra cro^vti ^v(>, cloth extra, witli frontispii.'ce hy Robert M'Gre;,'or 1 00 Sheila. I'.xtni crown yvo, clotli extra. Froiitisj)irco .... 100 Doris Cheyne : A Story of a Noble Life, crown svo, clctli cxtni, with l)eaiitiful Ilhistralions of the Kii^^lish I-:ike l>istrict 1 00 Briar and Palm: A Study of Circumstances and Influence. Kxtra crown Svo, cloth extra, with six Ori^'iiial Illustrations l 00 Hazell & Sons, Brewers. Crow n 8vo, cloth extra i) 7h Aldersyde. a I'.nnler story of Seventy Years A>,'o. Cloth extra, with (>rij4inal Illustrations ,;) Carlowrie ; or, Among Lothian Folk. Crown svo, cloth extra, Willi lliiistratioiis in Chalk by Tom Scott T.'i Wrongs Righted. Crown Hvo, cloth f)(' Mistaken, and Marion Forsyth, in one vol., doth, Svo, o 5d Robert Martin's Lesson, cloth, iiiuatrated, crown 8vo, o .'■.o The Secret Panel. Crown 8vo, doth . . .fjo Thomas Dryburgh's Dream, and Miss Baxter's Bequest, in one vol., crown Svo, (rloth ."iO A Divided House : A Study from Life. Crown 8vo, doth, o :>o Twice Tried. Crown hvo, cloth f.O Shadowed Lives. Crown Svo, cloth 50 Ursula Vivian, The Sister Mother. Ciown 8vo, cloth o 5o Dorothea Kirke; or, Free to Serve. Cloth, crown 8vo, ^rilt, Illustrated ."iO Sundered Hearts. Crown 8vo, doth o t>n Across Her Path. Crown Svo, cloth 60 lisLlUUlT^T^ BRICCS 29-33 Richmond Street West, 30-36 Temperance Street, TORONTO, ONT. ,.| Ohjtlni )it , A H>/rrsiin, (("• Firrhrx I'uhl iri'finnii. ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ 4 ml ..j 81 (M) 00 00 1 00 1 00 7f) I il . 7.') I . [)(• \ 1, 50 ). :m 4 . 50 ' s < 1 1 1 . 50 4 1, (t 50 4 . 51) 4 4 4 4 . 50 h 50 ^ 4 . 50 4 . 50 4 . 50 .^ ' ' )NT. ' ^_, -^ Crown Svo, cloth i-xtni. lUu^ti.ittMl, !?l.()(). Doris Cheyne, the Story of a Noble Life. B^ Annii: t^. K?WAN. Autlior of ' Aldersydi',' etc. ' Tlic fal<> is writft'ti with this jriftcil iiufhnr's iiuw w«'ll-ktiown delicarv of I ' •iriictcri/Mtinii ami im.,vit of patii It has a sniuid iMDi-iilifv Iviti;.' ii uiiohtrusivfly licncalh its iiitn-otiiiLr m'Iiciiii' of iiii"iaiin'ss can fail to th(! Knulish Lake i»istrii't. It is tohl with th which characfcii/c all thi' works from Mir s Swan s ])('». ISo on« \h' iiitcit'stcil in till' hi-roiiii', whost* charaftcr ^is one of tho bweotust and most uiiscllish ever di'iiictcd.' — Sariit'i JIi in/iL ' WIhmi w(« t;('t a voluTiH' of Annii' S. Swan's into onr hands we know protty well what to cxin-i-t. Farih- ami j^'raccful narrative, skilfully drawn characters, anoris Cheyne" she teaches important spiritual and moral lessons in a strain so simple ami jiersuasive, tliat tho book is sure to become t: jiopular favourite.'— />(u7// Mail. 'Quietly but charmiiitrly written.' — Mcthmlht Times. ' A story that one L''lides over with the keenest pleasure, and one's sympathies jio with J^oris, ami the book is laid down with a sit^'li of regret that such a deliuhtful companion as Doris should only live by the vivid genius of tho gifted autiioress. !Miss Swau's stories are charmiug.' — Jieformci'. ' We j)articularly rei-ommeud to young women, as well as to other classes of readers, the dfdightful story by Aiuiio S. Swan, entitled " L>oris Cheyao." — Literary World. ' 'J'Ik^ most ambitious and the nmst successful book that Miss Swan has yet written. Her characters are few in number, but they are all drawn with tho utmost care.' — I'hc Academij. 'A (piiet genth^-ilowing narrative of s»df-reliance and energy in the hour of need ; bur under its outward calm, there is a striking magnetic iulluenco at work.' — Educational Neus. *One of the very best books that have come from the pen of Annie S. Swan.' — Helensburgh Times, I: . f ('^/)/iant, Andct'siHt, it' Fttrrvrn Pnlilimtunm. New Edition, crowu 8vo, clotli, r»0 cents. Across Her Palh. \\y Annie S. Swan, Author of ' AM«'r- sydc,' 'Curlowrie,' etc. ' Tlie (l(fs«'rv(Hlly iHipiilnr Hliillinff novol still holds itH own, nnd l>i«ls fair to <»X('r(MS(? H yt't widtT sway in tiino to coirm. AiiioiinHt tim iiioHt aiicct'NHful ol thcKo Vfiitiiif'N iti ilu'Hii literatim' may Ik* raiikud u iitnv iKtvfl liy Miss Swan, a story almost as iiowcrfiil as it is lM'\vit»!liiii>;. It j)oss»*ss«'s. amongst ollu'i virtiK's, tlin ratluT iiiiiisiiiil orio of li«'iii>^ t'litirrly fr"]iposed that an alteration in this respeet wouhl have heen advaii- ta.L'eous — we do hut nuirvel that Miss Swati could have had the strenjrth and Ik'ooiI taste to suppress herself for the sake of her art.' — Literary World. ' As to skilful construction of the plot, is one of the most successful efforts of its authoH'ss, a younj; lady who has, in a rcnuirkahly hrief space of time, };ained a national reputation hy her story ()f " AMersyde." The interest is sustained in her new storv with remarkahle skill ; and few readers, when '.hey have taken up the book, will ho aide to lay it down a^rain until they have reached the denouement. The scene is laid for the most part in liondon, and it must he owned that Miss Swan shows herself ahoutas much at home iu that Modern IJabylou as iu her native Lothians.' — Kilmarnock Utaiidard. •Written in a clear, terse, crisp style, it is at the same time a full and lively i)ortrait!ire of the phases of Kiiglish society with which it deals.* — Brechin Advertiser. * Has a good plot, and the characters are well sketched.' — Scotsman. ♦ A story that no one should miss reading. Althouph published in the now popular shilling edition, it has nothing of the "stiilling horror" about it — indeed, the name of the authoress is a sufficient guarantee for that. The plot, although interesting, is far from being sensational, and it is not worked out at any <'Ost to the character painting or to the desr-riptivo writing. Miss Swan s literary style is grai.-eful, and she can write really good dialogue. The authoress of *' Aldersyde" is certainly at her best in " Across ller I'ath."' — Fi/esh ire Journal. ' The story is well and forcibly told.' — Christian World. 'Much originality is seen in the conception and in the development of the plot. Miss Swan, in her narrative, also shows a marked improvement. It is free from restraint, and it is not encumbered with the verbose commonplaces which too frequently are made to take the place of dialogue, and which are generally irrelevant besides. The gifted authoress of " Across Her Path " has successfully avoided such blemishes, and has turned out a story which, for its interest and for its style, ranks with the most famous of her works, and in some respects exceeds the best of the rapidly lengtiiening list.' — Daily Itevievc 'The interest is cleverly sustained throughout, the plot being constructed with the skill of the practised story-teller; it is indeed a tale difficult to lay down until it has been liuished.' - Christian Leader. -r; irtltlOHH. Its. uthor of * Al«l«'r- ixvn, and l>ids fair to ■< most siirct'ssful u rue iu that Modern rd. mo time a full and i which it deals.' — ,' — Scotsman. luMished in the now C horror" about it — for that. The plot, t iH not worked out tive writing. MiNs ;ood dialogue. The cross Uer Path.'"— I. [levolopment of the improvement. It is bdse commonplaces gue, and which are cross Her Path " has I story which, for its f her works, and in list.' — Daily Revievc it being constructed 1 tale ditliciill to lay