rifle embarrassed by the continued silence.

'I'm no'; I wish I hadna come,' was the flat reply, which made the
sensitive colour rise in the fair cheek of Gladys.

'Oh no, you don't; you are only shy. Wait till you have seen Bourhill;
you will think it the loveliest place in the world,' she said
cheerfully.

'Maybe,' answered Teen doubtfully. 'I feel gey queer the noo, onyhoo.'

This was not encouraging. Gladys became silent also, and both felt
relieved when the train stopped at Mauchline Station.

The girl, whose only idea of the country was her acquaintance with the
straight, conventional arrangement of city parks and gardens, looked
about her with genuine wonder.

'My,' she said, as they crossed over the little footbridge at the
station, 'sic a room folk have here! Are there nae hooses ava?'

'Oh, lots,' replied Gladys quite gaily, relieved to see even a faint
interest exhibited by her guest. 'We shall drive through Mauchline
presently; it is such a pretty, quaint little town.'

A very dainty little phaeton, in charge of an exceedingly smart young
groom, waited at the station gate for Miss Graham. Teen regarded it and
her with open-mouthed amazement. Again it seemed impossible that this
gracious, self-possessed lady, giving her orders so calmly, and
according so well in every respect with her changed fortunes, could be
the same girl who accompanied Liz and herself to the Ariel Music Hall
not much more than a year ago.

'My,' she said again, when Gladys took the reins and the pony started
off, 'it's grand, but queer.'

'It is all very nice, I think,' said Gladys whimsically. 'Did I tell you
that Mrs. Macintyre, who used to live in the Wynd, is at the lodge at
Bourhill? But perhaps you did not know Mrs. Macintyre?'

'I have heard o' her frae Liz,' Teen replied; 'but I didna ken that she
was here.'

'She only came a month ago. She is a great treasure to me. I wonder if
you have thought why I wished you to come here?'

'I've wondered. Ye can tell me, if ye like,' said Teen.

'Well, you see, I have always been sorry about you, somehow, ever since
that day I saw you in the Hepburns' house; I really never forgot your
pale face. I want you here for your own sake, first, to try and make you
look brighter and healthier, and I want your advice and help about
something I am more interested in than anything.'

'My advice an' help!' repeated Teen almost blankly, yet secretly
flattered and pleased. The idea that h