h ill folk
that made use of him for their own purposes. There had been much
meddling with the game on the Blackhills estate, and one night one of
the gamekeepers got a sore hurt in a fight with some of those who had
been long suspected. His life was despaired of for a time, and it was
on Willie Bain that the blame was laid. At any rate he kept out of the
way. It was said afterward that Brownrig had wrought on his fears
through some of his companions, and in the meantime to save her brother,
as she thought, Allison's consent was won."

"It will be an ill day for Brownrig when Allison shall hear of that."

"I doubt she has heard of it already. All I know is soon told.
Brownrig came to me one night, saying that Allison Bain had promised to
marry him, and that the marriage must be in haste for this reason and
for that, and chiefly because the mother was near her end, and would die
happier knowing that her dear daughter was in good keeping. This was
for me, it seemed--for I was told afterward that the mother was in no
state for days before that to know what was going on about her.

"As for me, I had many doubts. But I had no opportunity to speak to her
or her father till after their names had been cried in the kirk, and I
thought it was too late to speak then. But oh, man! I wish I had. For
when he brought her down to the manse with only two friends to witness
the marriage, and I saw her face, my heart misgave me, and I had to say
a word to her whatever might happen. So, when Brownrig's back was
turned for a minute, I took her by the hand, and we went into my study
together; and I asked her, was she a willing bride? Then there came a
look on her face like the shadow of death; but before she had power to
utter a word, the door opened, and Brownrig came in. An angry man was
he, and for a minute he looked as if he would strike me down, as I stood
holding her hands in mine.

"`Allison,' I said, `you must speak to me. Remember this thing which
you are to do will be forever. When once the words are spoken there can
be no escape. May God help you.'

"She wrung her hands from mine, and cried out:--

"`There is no escape now. And God has forgotten us.' And then she
looked round about her like a caged creature seeking for a way out of it
all. When Brownrig would have put his hand on her, though he did it
gently, she shrank from him as if she feared a blow. The man's eyes
were like coals of fire; but he was a