be--in the hands of Him who is gracious,
and full of compassion and tender mercy. Think of the honour of being
the means, in the Lord's hand, of saving a sinner like that!"

The old man had risen, and with his eyes on Allison's face, spoke
earnestly, almost with passion. But as he ended, he sank back into his
chair again silent and exhausted. At a word now from Mrs Beaton,
Allison rose and went out into the kitchen.

"Mr Crombie," said Mrs Beaton, softly, "it is a great thing that you
are asking of Allison Bain. I know not what to say. I can speak no
word to bid her go. I pray that she may be guided aright."

The old man answered nothing. He seemed utterly spent and helpless.

"You have had a long journey. You are quite worn out," said Mrs
Beaton.

"Ay, have I. And it's no' just done yet, and there is a dark house and
a silent at the end o't. But I'll win through it."

In a few minutes Allison came in quietly.

"Mr Crombie, you are to come with me to the fire. I have made some tea
for you, and you must eat and drink before you try to go home."

He looked at her without a word. She took his hand, and he rose and
went with her to the kitchen, where a table was spread and a small fire
burned on the hearth. She put food before him, and though at first he
refused it, after a little he ate, and was refreshed. Then he leaned
back and seemed ready to fall asleep again.

"Mr Crombie," said Allison, stooping and speaking low, "I will think of
what you have said. I wish to do right, and I pray that God may guide
me. Wait here till I come back again."

She had seen one of Peter Gilchrist's men on his way to the mill with
his cart, at a late hour, and she hoped to find him still lingering
about the place. Crombie must be committed to his care, for in his
present state he could not be allowed to take his way home alone.
Before she could begin to think of what he had said, he must be safely
sent on his way. Fortunately, she met the man coming down the street,
and Crombie went with him. Then the two women sat down and looked at
one another in silence. For the moment, Mrs Beaton was more troubled
and anxious than Allison herself.

"My dear," said she, "it looks as if all these years that you have been
kept safe from his hands, had been in vain."

"No," said Allison, "much good has come to me in those years. They have
not been in vain. Mrs Beaton, I wish to do what is right. Tell me
what I ought to do