he?" began Duncan.

"Hold your tongue till I've read it," Elsie replied. "I can't stop to
explain beforehand. This is it:--

"'DEAR MRS. MACDOUGA
I have to be
teller of very bad new
sister, my poor wife die
morning. It will not be a
shock to you than it wa
me. I had no thought
it was likely to happen
a few hours previous
sent her love to you
her mother.
The two little things ar
but I have been
what I can do with th
I have not seen them'"

(here the page turns over and the missing words are from the
commencement of the line)--

"'night and I don't feel
to see them yet. The sound
ir voices is too much for
hat can I, a helpless
wer do for them. They
be better off among their
kinsfolk than left
mercy of strangers. I often
I made a mistake in
nging poor Nannie to this
cat crowded city away from
ive moors.
The children I am told
eak and delicate. There
be a chance for them'"

(here the fresh page begins)--

"'in their mother's native
The woman who has charge
trustworthy. She shall brin
to you, if you will take
they live, bring them up with
your own, and as your own.
the girl turns out anything
her mother, she will be we
enough. I shall not interfe
the children. All I want to
is that they are well care
In a year or two I may
able to interest myself
them. For the pres'"

(fresh page)--

"'likely I shall wander
t, Reply at once
Yours truly,
R. GROSVENOR.'"

When Elsie had finished reading she sat looking at Duncan. "It doesn't
seem very plain," he ventured to say, presently; "and there wasn't
anything about you or me in it. You said there was."

[Illustration: "MRS. MACDOUGALL GLANCED AT HER MOTHER" (_p. 8_).]

"Stupid little thing! isn't