akes with all

ast, and turns t

-"Deserted

ation. Now it is not my intention to travel quite so far back into the past, but I must confess to a desire to dig somewhat deeply into the history of Ardmu

ed to start with Willy's wife, Bell. Their dwelling is nearest to ours; it stands, indeed, but a few yards down the road which leads past our gate. It is a white-walled, thatched house of one st

ce of the family in question, others by the calling or trade of father, mother, or other relative; thus we have "Margot of the Mill," "Sandy Craigdhu," as examples of the former, and "Nell Tailor," "Duncan the Post," of the latter. Still more variety is obta

ever I chance to visit her, and is usually arrayed in a white "mutch" cap, spotless apron, and small tartan shawl over her shoulders. Willy and she have reared up a large family, all of them now settled in the world and most of them married. They are most proud of their youngest, Margaret, who is a lay sister in a t

ben "within.") To "gae ben" is to pass into the inner room, which at one time opened out of the ordinary living apartment or kitchen, but is now usually separated from it by a little entrance lobby. Besides these two chief rooms, the initiated will be able to point ou

e that I intended to make public use of her communications. Though I have retained the substance, I have often altered the form; for it would be useless to expect the reader to translate (if it were even possible to do s

decoration of any kind distinguished it from the houses of the people. It was a small, low building of rough stone, unplastered, even inside, and roofed by a heather thatch. There was a single door in the side wall. Th

, ye ken," Bell explained, "but the mais

thin which the vestments were stowed away; for there was no semblance of sacristy, and the priest's house was some yards distant. At the opposite end from th

think it scarcely possible that so penitential a chant could form the usual musical accompaniment to Sunday

ability, all the world over, to conduct a band of singers? The practices were held in the priest's

ch ear for m

e of weaver; on Sundays he was at his post betimes, carrying a lantern with him, from which he took the light for the altar candles. Bell describes him as a stalwart man with fine features and dark eyes. Clad in his green tartan plaid, he always accompanied the priest round the little chapel with the holy water for the Asperges, and with his "lint-whit

ct, and the priest the recognized potentate, whom every one was at all times ready to serve-working on his croft, plowing, harvest

glebe-land," he would announce. "You will kindly

he winter fuel. The day and hour would be named, and all who could possibly hel

cannot give it as dramatically as she did, and if I attempted to do so the pathos would be marred by the broad Doric-unin

iest, were yet secretly proud of the honor of his special notice. Shyly they stood about in groups, watching for a time the resumed labors of fathers and brothers, until afternoon was wearing away, and it was time to betake themselves home to make ready for the still more important event of the day. Gaily they rushed down the hill, their joyous laughter and merry shouts-relieved as they were from the restraint which good manners had imposed in the priest's presence-awak

ommencement had worn off; lads and lasses were thoroughly enjoying the somewhat rare opportunity of taking part in so large an assembly; Archie Cattanach, the piper, was throwing his whole soul into the skirls and flourishes of his choice tunes; all was gaiety and innocent enjoyment. The good priest sat looking on pleased because his

, and a girlie of about ten, wild-eyed, bare-headed, panting for breath, rushed into the midst of the gathering. She was evidently laboring under the stress

of the familiar face she sought, and rushed toward her mot

s, "oor Jessie's nae to be foond! She's

es which had led to this abrupt cessation of the dance; for Archie's melody had trailed off into an unmu

ns for the workers. All had gone and returned in a body, and no one noticed that Jessie was not with them. It was only when Peggy began to assemble her own little charges, to conduct them to their own house, that she missed the wee lassie. Peggy knew that her father and mother, together wit

distracted, toward the hill they had left earlier in the afternoon. Shouting out for Jessie by name, she wandered hither and thither-terrified,

ned for some needful rest and others took their places. But though they traversed the moors all day, and searched crevices and water-courses with diligence, they met with no better success. Sometimes a sound would break through the stillness which would stir their hearts with renewed hope. The cry of a child! Weak and faint, indeed, but tell

eir homes from all that district, and hand in hand they started in a long line stretching across a wide tr

anging rock, and half buried in the heather. Moss was clutched in her clenched hand, and shreds of moss were on her cold lips; the

that none but a mother can know. But the child had

ories called back by her story, "was well-nigh broke. He burst into tears at

No single creature attached a shadow of blame to her; on the contrary, it was the dearest wish of all to try to console her and assure her of her innocence in that respec

ally, as she wiped her streaming eyes with her apron;