hat she really wanted to get away.
Ellen's undeniable trouble was taking away much of the joy of her
sister's good fortune.

When the time came to write Mary, the news of Bruce was not
encouraging. He came to the house very seldom, was almost melancholy
and not at all his old self, and every one in the family noticed the
change. Even Uncle Neil asked what was the matter between Ellen and
Bruce, and he carefully avoided singing the "Standard on the Braes o'
Mar" in the evening, knowing that there would be no McKenzie's man
coming over the hills as in the old joyous days.

And so June slipped away and Allister wrote that he would come about
the middle of July and for Christina to be ready. She felt that she
could no longer put off the evil day of telling Grandpa and one night
as she helped him to bed resolved to prepare him.

"I've got something to tell you," she shouted as she gave him his hymn
book and put back the curtain. "But there isn't time to-night. I'll
tell you to-morrow."

"Eh, eh, that'll be fine," said Grandpa, who was always looking forward
to good things. "Don't forget about it." And after she left, she
heard him say,

"Eh, eh, but it's a fine bit lassie. Eh, there's not such another--not
such another!"

Christina felt a big lump choking her as she went upstairs to dress for
practice.

Bruce appeared at practice again, and as the boys and girls paired off
to go home, Christina noticed with great joy that he took his old place
at Ellen's side and they walked away together.

Sandy had gone off with Margaret Sinclair again, and Christina joined
herself to Burke Wright and Mitty, and later to Mrs. Johnnie Dunn. The
Woman was still hot on the scent of the valentines and her remarks on
the subject were highly amusing. They passed Ellen and Bruce, and
Christina noticed joyfully that they were walking very slowly and were
in deep conversation. It was still more encouraging, as she slipped
into the house alone, to see that they were standing at the gate very
much absorbed.

Her mother was moving about the kitchen. No matter how late her
children were in getting home she always lingered till all were safely
in the house.

"Bruce and Ellen are hanging over the gate," whispered Christina
excitedly. "They've taken about half an hour getting home."

"They'll be all right, then?" whispered her mother eagerly.

"Oh, yes," cried Christina joyfully. "I'll tell you all about it in
the morning.