The herald., 1897-10-24

down to help my mother, but Anna bade
me to bide where l was. l would only
do harm. She had been sent to keep Hob
and David on the hill, my mother be-
ing well assured that the soldiers
would do her no harm, for all the
roughness of their talk.
And who is this?" said Anna, look
ing kindly down at little Mary Gordon.
l expected the little maid to answer
as high and quick as she had done to
me. But she stood fixed and intent a
while upon Anna, and then she went
directly up to her and put her hand
into that of my sister. There was ever,
indeed, that about Anna which drew
all children to her.
you will take me to my mother,
will you not?" she said, nesting con-
tentedly with her cheek against Anna S
homespun kirtle.
THAT will I blythely, lambie," my
sister answered, heartily, 'if ye win
tell me who the minnie O. ye may be,
and where she bides."
But when l had told her, I saw Anna
look suddenly blank, and the color
fade from her face.
"By the water-side!-your mother"
she said, with a kind of fluttering, un-
certain apprehension in her voice. For
my sister Annals voice was like a
stringed instrument, quavering and
thrilling to the least thought of her
heart.
We three turned to go down the hill
to the water-side. I caught Anna's S
eye and, observing by its signalling
that she wished to speak with me
apart, l allowed the little girl to pre-
cede us on the winding sheep track
which was all the path which led up
the Bennan side.
1.-The soldiers had taken her mother
suspected that she came to the water
foot to meet. her husband" whispered
Anna you must take the little one
back to her folk, or else, if you are
afraid to venture, Hob or David will
go instead of you"
Neither Hob nor yet David shall get
the chance-I will go myself" cried 1,
firing at the notion that my two broth
ers could carry out such commission
better than I. IF you, Anna, will look
to the sheep, I will leave Ashie and
Gray behind to help you"
Il will indeed gladly stay and see
that all is kept in due Order" said
Anna, and I knew that she was as good
as any one. and that when she under
took a thing she would surely perform
it.
So took leave of my sister, and she
gave me some pieces of barley bread
and also few savory crumblings she
discovered in the pocket which swung
on the outside of her short kirtle.
IT will not go with you; 1 want to
stay with this nice, great girl or else
go home to my mother" cried the i'm
perious little maid, shaking her yellow
curls vehemently as if she cherished a
spite against me.
"Your mother has been obliged to go
home without you." l said, .and she
has left word that you are to come
with me, and 1 will take you home''
Il do not believe it-you are nothing
but a little ragged, silly boy" she an
swered, shaking her finger contemptu-
ously at me.
l appealed to Anna.
rs it not so?" I said.
Anna turned gently to little Mary
Gordon.
GO with him, childie," she said;
your mother was compelled to leave
you. My brother will bring you safe.
Quintin is a good lad and will take
great care of you. Let him take you
home, will you not?"
And the child looked long UP into
the deep, untroubled brown eyes of
Anna, my sister, and was vanquished.
81 will go with the boy ANYWHERE If
| you bid mel" she said.