aboured
through the reels as often as she could get a partner, and at other
times had sat gazing in rapt devotion upon the piper.

"Whoop her up again, Scotty!" cried Perkins, when Cameron paused at the
end of a reel.

"Don't you do it!" said Mandy sharply, her deep voice booming through
the barn. "He's just tired of it, and I'm tired looking at him."

There was a shout of laughter which covered poor Mandy with wrathful
confusion.

"Good for you, Mandy," cried Perkins with a great guffaw. "You want some
music now, don't you? So do I. Come on, Danny."

"No, I don't," snapped Mandy, who could understand neither the previous
laugh nor that which greeted Perkins' sally.

"Allan," she said, sticking a little over the name, "is tired out, and
besides it's time we were going home."

"That's right, take him home, Mandy, and put the little dear to bed,"
said Perkins.

"You needn't be so smart, Joe Perkins," said Mandy angrily. "Anyway I'm
going home. I've got to be up early."

"Me too, Mandy," said Cameron, packing up his pipes, for his sympathy
had been roused for the girl who was championing him so bravely. "I
have had a great night and I have played you all to death; but you will
forgive me. I was lonely for the chanter. I have not touched it since I
left home."

There was a universal cry of protest as they gathered about him.

"Indeed, Mr. Cameron, you have given us all a rare treat," cried Isa,
coming close to him, "and I only wish you could pipe and dance at the
same time."

"That's so!" cried Mack, "but what's the matter with the fiddle, Isa?
Come, Danny, strike up. Let them have a reel together."

Cameron glanced at Mandy, who was standing impatiently waiting. Perkins
caught the glance.

"Oh, please let him stay, Mandy," he pleaded.

"He can stay if he likes," sniffed Mandy scornfully. "I got no string on
him; but I'm goin' home. Good-night, everybody."

"Good-night, Mandy," called Perkins. "Tell them we're comin'."

"Just a moment, Mandy!" said Cameron, "and I'm with you. Another time
I hope to do a reel with you, Miss MacKenzie," he said, bidding her
good-night, "and I hope it will be soon."

"Remember, then," cried Isa, warmly shaking hands with him. "I will keep
you to your promise at the picnic."

"Fine!" said Cameron, and with easy grace he made his farewells and set
off after Mandy, who by this time was some distance down the lane.

"You needn't come for me," she said, throwing her voice