, Walter Hepburn to Gladys
Graham.'

It may be added that it was a source of profound wonder to many, and of
awful chagrin to a few. In the house of the Pollokshields' Fordyces the
announcement was discreetly tabooed, though George must have felt it
keenly, seeing Gladys had suffered so little over the unhappy
termination of their engagement that she could substitute another
bridegroom though retaining the same marriage-day.

On the fourteenth the young couple set sail for the land of the Southern
Cross, and were absent exactly twelve months, the reason for their
return being that they wished their first-born child to see the light
first in Bourhill. And they never left it again; for Walter made use of
the Colonial connection he had made to build up a new business in
Glasgow, which has prospered far above his expectation. So fortune has
blessed him in the end, and he can admit now that the bitterness of the
old days was not without its purpose.

The faithful Teen, no longer melancholy, reigns in a snug house of her
own, not a hundred miles from Mauchline, but retains her old adoration
for Bourhill and its bonnie, sweet mistress.

There are occasional comings and goings between the Bellairs Crescent
Fordyces and Bourhill, and the family are united in approving the
marriage of Gladys now, though they had their fling at it with the rest
of the folk when it was a nine days' wonder. But that is the way of the
world mostly, to go with the crowd, which jumps on a man when he is
down, and gives him a kindly pat or a cringing salute, as may seem most
advisable, when he is up.

But the wise man takes no account of such, pursuing his own path with
integrity and perseverance, cherishing the tried friends, and keeping
warm and close in his heart, like a dove in its nest, the love which,
through sunshine and storm, remains unchanged.

* * * * *

Transcriber's note: Printer's errors retained.

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