A Daughter of Fife

own strict

death ere th

t their liv

soul that halv

, farthest!

hard-earned h

changed fo

y fill ind

wait and I

a tossing sea all night; and David did not return until the early

ur line in

ouse place. Maggie was scattering the meal into the boiling water for breakfast; and David, weary with his night work, sat drowsing in his father's big chair. Maggie

joy to feel the clouds laying their cheeks to the floods, and the sea laying its shouther to the shor

, O Lord, h

ed up the

ave lifted u

a might

Lord, that

of mig

e of many

sea-bil

rsion allowed by Genera

tla

' Power, doing His will, wad be likely aye to tak' the sea road

ut Glasgow University-'go, and the Lord go with thee.' He has given me a letter to a professor there, who will choose the books you want, and set you the lesso

ut his excitement soon conquered his happy a

the books, far mair for the blessing." He took all the favors to be done him without dispute or apology, just as a candid, unselfish child, takes what love gives it. He was so anxious to get to work

. "David," said Allan, "make the boys clean her thoroughly, and in smooth water you can now use her as a study. Maggie dislikes men about the house all day; yo

he came to the spot where the quarrel of the preceding evening had taken place. Here he stood leaning against the rock unconscious of outside influe

marriage could be entertained. He loved his father, and not only respected, but also in some measure shared his family pride. He felt that it would be a sin to desert him, and for his own private pleasure crumble the unselfish life-work of so many years to pieces. Then also, beautiful as

ggie's house work was all "redd up;" and she was standing at her wheel spinning, when All

oon, sir. Is a'

her wheel and stood looking at him. Then he plunged at once into the story, which he had determ

m fearing, sir. He'll hae b

e, education, travel, leisure, wealt

ursel' a bad son. I didn

udes all my future life. If I obe

?" asked Maggie, and she spo

arry her, Maggie, I shall unite the two branches of

to ask that much o' you. H

r my life, but life having been given me, I thi

fully. It tholes storms, and is glad in the sunshine, and if it didna bear fruit, when it was weel cared for, it wad deserve to be cut doon and burnt. My bonnie rose

love the lady I a

head back a little sco

folks ken w

ou, M

I ken? Is the

and gentle

she li

ogether. She likes m

e your wife? That's

not know such a thing a

and blushed crimson. "The

. My father wants me to

ared she'll

Now what would you

I told you. Whatna for t

a great respect for your good sense, Maggie. I

naeb

to an

r. I must be sure to gie you true coun

about five minutes. Then she stilled it, and Allan s

e leddy just hoo you love her, and ask her to tak' you, even though you arena deserving o' her. Your fayther canna

a knot with a v

g enough to un

om, and locked its door. Her face was as gray as ashes. She sat with clenched hands, and tight-dr

lled me!" she whispered; "yo

t as one entirely impracticable with a refined, conventional girl like Mary Campbell; but when a long dreamless rest had cleared and refreshed his mind,

been natural, they had been expected of her. But now she was brought face to face with a grief she must hide from every eye. If a child is punished, and yet forbidden to weep, what a tumult of reproach and anguish and resentment is in the small pathetic face! Maggie's face was the reflex of a soul in just such a position. S

fret aboot me, Maggie," he said kindly, "I am going where I hae been sent, and there's nae ill thing will come to me. And we sall Hae the summer thegither, a

ould be able to bear up until they were gone. Fortunately the tide served very early, and almost at daylight she called the travelers for their breakfast. They were both silent, and perhaps no one was

n tried to make the parting a matter of little consequence. "We shall be back in a few days, Maggie;" he said cheerily. "David is only going for a pleasuring"-and he held out his hand and looked her brightly in the face. So they went into the boat, and she watched them out of harbor; and Allan long remembered how g

. She did not lose herself in analysis; the tide of sorrow went on rising, rising, until it submerged her. Accustomed to draw all her reflections from the Bible,

. She had to enter common life again, to listen to wonderings, and congratulations, and wearisome jokes. To smile, to answer questions, and yet, to hear amid all the tumult of words and laughter, always one vo

ry! It was an entirely new, strange feeling to her. In that simple community; joys and sorrows were not for secrecy. A wedding or a funeral was the affair of every one. Women were expected to weep publicly, and if they wore sackcloth and ashes

scorn and reproaches, her confidence would be met with. Yet she would talk freely enough about Angus Raith, and when Christie Buchan told her Raith's

d Christie, "and marry h

forced to, for he'll

ng aft

She found a safe vent for her emotions in the subject, and she continued it until her visitors went. But it was an unwise thing. Raith had kin and friends in Pittenloch; all

r himself the pleasure of buying your first books, David," he said; "you must let me select your first scholastic wardrobe; or rather we will go together

nows what may happen, I shall deposit to your credit in the Western Bank of Glasgow, the sum of ￡400. It will be for your fees, and board, and books, and dress. You will have to be very careful, David. I wanted to make it ￡500, but Dr.

, and I'm gratef

this summer. If he does so, I shall take that opportunity to visit my friends. Then we can return to Pittenloch until the classes open. I look f

hame far

ink it strange I do not as

such thochts, sir. I hope

ouble with my family. If you won't mind my s

airs, sir. I wad think it the height o' di

rching to and fro of soldiers, the streets and kirks made sacred by the sufferings of the Covenanters and the voice of Knox, filled his soul with unspeakable emotions. Glasgow, at first, almost terrified him. "It's the City o' Human Power," he wrote to Maggie. "It is fu'

ere made, for David received a cordial welcome to his house. He had taken naturally to his black clothes; never for a moment ha

natural theologian; wh

pbe

postles, in the fishing bo

will walk up to fame as they wou