rself is consarned, many a hungry mouth, will be filled many a naked
back covered, and many a heavy heart made light through the manes of
it."

"Faith," said a third spokesman, "and that wouldn't be the case if that
skinflint barge of Lindsay's had got it in her clutches. At any rate,
it's a shame for her and them to abuse the Goodwins as they do. If ould
Hamilton left it to them surely it wasn't their fault."

"Never mind," said another, "I'll lay a wager that Mrs. Lindsay's son--I
mane the step-son that's now abroad with the uncle---will be sent for,
and a marriage will follow between him and Miss Goodwin."

"It maybe so," replied Tom, "but it's not very probable. I know the man
that's likely to walk into the property, and well worthy he is of it."

"Come, Tom, let us hear who is the lucky youth?"

"Family saicrets," replied Tom, "is not to be rovaled. All I can say is,
that he is a true gentleman. Give me another blast o' the pipe, for I
must go home."

Tom, who was servant to Mr. Goodwin, having now taken his "blast,"
wished them good-night; but before he went he took the sorrowing widow's
cold and passive hand in his, and said, whilst the tears stood in his
eyes,

"May God in heaven pity you and support your heart, for you are the
sorely tried woman this miserable night!"

He then bent his steps to Beech Grove, his master's residence, the hour
being between twelve and one o'clock.

The night, as we have already said, had been calm, but gloomy and
oppressive. Now, however, the wind had sprung up, and, by the time
Kennedy commenced his journey home, it was not only tempestuous but
increasing in strength and fury every moment. This, however, was not
all;--the rain came down in torrents, and was battered against his
person with such force that in a few moments he was drenched to the
skin. So far, it was wind and rain--dreadful and tempestuous as they
were. The storm, however, was only half opened. Distant flashes of
lightning and sullen growls of thunder proceeded from the cloud masses
to the right, but it was obvious that the thunderings above them were
only commencing their deep and terrible pealings. In a short time they
increased in violence and fury, and resembled, in fact, a West Indian
hurricane more than those storms which are peculiar to our milder
climates. The tempest-voice of the wind was now in dreadful accordance!
with its power. Poor Kennedy, who fortunately knew every step of the
rugged road