not in my own strength but seeking the aid and direction of God's Holy
Spirit."

"While that is sought, and it will never be denied, you will be strong,
and I have no fear of the result," was the answer.

The Morrisons and Mr Skinner undertook to look after Alec's property
during his absence, and he set off on his journey to England.

CHAPTER TEN.

A LETTER FROM MARGARET.--JANET'S ILLNESS.--ANXIETY ABOUT ALEC'S
RETURN.--A DELIGHTFUL SURPRISE.--ARRIVAL OF ALEC AND MARGARET WITH
JANET.--MARGARET HAS BECOME ALEC'S WIFE. CONDUCTED BY THE BROTHERS TO
THEIR NEW HOUSE.--ARRIVAL OF MR. SKINNER'S SISTER, MRS. RAMSDEN AND HER
DAUGHTERS, WHO, AS MIGHT POSSIBLY BE EXPECTED, BECOME THE WIVES OF
DONALD AND DAVID JANET CONTINUING TO LIVE WITH MARGARET, PAYS FREQUENT
VISITS TO HER OTHER BAIRNS, AND IS EVER WELCOMED BY THEM, AND THE
NUMEROUS WEE BAIRNS WHO SPRING UP IN THEIR MIDST.--CONCLUSION.

In those days, when no magnificent ocean steamers, with rapid speed,
crossed weekly the Atlantic, the settlers in Canada, whose friends had
returned to the old country, had often to wait three or four months
before they could hear of their safe arrival.

Some time after Alec had gone a letter was received from Margaret,
written in a less happy strain than was usual to her. Janet had been
suffering from rheumatism, and found it impossible to spin as much as
she had been accustomed to do. The state of her health made her feel an
unwonted anxiety about the future prospects of her beloved charge. "I
know, however, that all will be well," wrote Margaret, "so I do my best
to keep up her spirits, by reminding her of God's loving kindness, in
which she has hitherto so firmly confided. Were it not, however, for
the assistance you have given us, my dear brothers, I confess that we
should have a great difficulty in supporting ourselves. I do all I can
to repay our kind and loving friend for the years of tender care she has
bestowed on us. What would have become of us all had it not been for
her?"

Donald and David had a short time before this sent home a larger sum
than usual, which they hoped would have been received soon after the
letter was written, and they trusted that it would assist to restore
Janet's spirits, and convince her that as long as they lived Margaret
would not be left destitute.

Weeks and weeks passed by, and no acknowledgment of the sum was
received, and no other letter came to hand.

As they hoped that Alec Galb