athe the fresh air. John
saved my life that time, and I will never forget it, nor all his
goodness to me since then. Of course, Mr Strong would not have sold a
rod of it to any one else. But Elsie is an only child, and it would be
hard for him to part from her.

"The more I think of it, the more I wish to go farther West before I
take up land of my own--and you must come when I have got it--"

All this Allison glanced over in silence, but she could not bring
herself to read it to Mrs Beaton.

"He has told her himself, doubtless, though she has no call to tell it
to me. I am glad--or I would be glad but for the sake of Willie, poor
lad."

And then, as she rose to go, the door opened, and Saunners Crombie came
stumbling in.

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.

"Show me what I have to do,
Every hour my strength renew."

"Mistress Beaton," said the old man, "it is a liberty I am taking to
trouble you at this late hour. But I hae been at the manse to get
speech o' Allison Bain, and if I dinna see her the nicht I kenna when I
may see her, and it is of importance."

Allison came forward, and offered her hand with a smile.

"I am sorry that you have had the trouble of seeking for me," said she.

"That's neither here nor there. I am glad to see you safe hame again.
Ye hae been doin' your duty down yonder they tell me. May ye ay hae the
grace to do it. I hae some words to say to ye. Will ye go with me, or
will I say them here? I am just come hame from Aberdeen."

"And you are done out. Sit you down and rest yourself," said Mrs
Beaton, as she rose. Allison put out her hand to stay her as she was
about to leave the room.

"Bide still with me. Mr Crombie can have nothing to say to me, that
you may not hear."

The old man was leaning forward with his hands on his knees, looking
tired and ready to fall asleep where he sat. He roused himself as
Allison spoke.

"That is as ye shall think yoursel'. This is what I hae to say to you.
I hae heard o' yon man again. I hae seen him. And I hae come to say to
you, that it is your duty to go to him where he lies on his dying bed.
Ay woman! ye'll need to go. It's no' atween you and him now, but atween
you and your Maker."

"It has come at last," said Allison, growing pale.

Mrs Beaton sat down beside her, and taking her hand, held it firmly in
both hers.

"It was an accident," went on Crombie. "He had been drinking too
freely, they say. He was in the town, and