but James
Ruleson's silence often said far more than words. When all hope of a
call was over, Christine wrote to her brother, telling him in plain
words what desire and hope and disappointment had filled the two days
previous to the re-commencement of the Maraschal classes.

Neil, dear lad, you must know that Mither was watching the road up
the hill, for the past two or three days, and for the same time
feyther didna go near the boats. He was watching the road
likewise, for he didna want to miss you again. They were, both o'
them, sairly disappointed, when you neither came, nor sent word as
to what was keeping you from sae evident a duty. Ye be to remember
that Mither isna as well as she should be; and you must not
neglect her now, Neil. You might ne'er be able to make it up to
her in the future, if you do. I'm telling you, dear lad, for your
ain heart's ease. Yesterday morning, she put on a clean cap and
apron and sat down by the fireside to knit, and watch and listen.
By and by, the cat began to wash her face, and Mither was weel
pleased wi' the circumstance, for she said it was a sure sign
company was coming. So she went often to the door, and watched and
listened, but no company came, till sun down, when the Domine
called. Mither was so disappointed she couldna steady her voice,
her eyes were full o' angry tears, and she drove poor old Sandy
off the hearth, and into the cold, calling him a "lying prophet,"
and ither hard names, to which Sandy is not accustomed. Forbye,
she hasna gi'en him a drop o' milk since. Do write Mither a long
letter, full o' love and hope o' better days, and make some good
excuses to her, for your neglect. Christine can make them out o'
her ain loving heart.

CHRISTINE.

Indeed, Christine in this letter did small justice to Margot's
indignant disappointment, and now that hope was over, she made no
pretense of hiding her wrong and her sorrow. The Domine saw as soon as
he entered the cottage, that Margot was in great trouble, and he more
than guessed the reason, for he had been called to the town very early
in the day, to meet an old friend on his way to the Maraschal College,
where he filled a Professor's Chair in the medical department. Passing
with this friend down the High Street, he had seen Neil with Roberta
Rath on his arm, examining leisurely the attractive shop windows,
while Reginald trailed at speaking distance behind them.

He ke