ghed a loud, scornful laugh. "Nae doubt everybody kens
that for the maist part my evenings are spent at the 'Twa Dogs'; and as
to the company there, there is nae sae frequent guest as your honored
father."

"And wha led him into sic ways but your ain sel'? Weel does the Bible
say a man canna touch pitch and not be defiled therewith."

"Just to hear her quote Scripture! Ane wad tak her for the minister, or
a holy elder, at least. But leuk you here, lassie, say it was I that
put the cup to my neebor's lips, for you see I can quote Scripture,
too. Wha was it taught him to be a thief?"

"Gang awa, Andy Ferguson, awa, for I will na listen to sic words anent
my ain dear father. Awa, I say," she repeated, waving her little hand,
as he seemed inclined to follow her.

"Sin' ye will na believe me, gae ask him what he has done wi' the
laird's siller and gowd. Just speir him that," called Andy after her,
and then he strode away down the glen.

She hastened on, and leaving her few sheep to wander at their will, she
sought her father. She found him sitting on a knoll behind the byre,
leaning his head on his hands. Throwing herself on the grass beside
him, she told him of her interview with Andy, his offer of marriage and
her refusal.

"I hope ye did na anger him," said he, hastily.

"Why, father, what ill can his anger do us? Ye wad na ha'e me marry a
ne'er-do-weel, like Andy. And, father, I ha'e na told ye all. He called
ye a thief, father, a thief. I knew it was a lee, a wicked lee. Dinna
think your little Nannie believed it. And then he bade me speir what ye
had done wi' the laird's siller and gowd."

To her great grief and surprise, her father sunk his face in his hands
again with a low groan, but answered not a word.

"Winna ye speak to me and tell me what it a' means?" said she, twining
her arms over his shoulder.

"Sin' ye maun know, then, it is true; a' true that he tauld ye. O, my
bonnie bairn!" said he, in a tone of ineffable sadness. And then he
told her how he had found the treasure, and of the sinful compact he
had made with Andy.

"But ye ha'e kept it a' safe, dear father?" cried Nannie, joyfully.

"A' safe. I ha'e not sae much as ta'en it frae the box."

"Then there is naught to do but take it back to the laird and tell him
here is his treasure, safe and sound."

"And then he'll speir me how I came by it, and wherefore I kept it sae
lang, and a' about it. And then, belike, he'll shut me up in prison. O