rested first of all on the face of her own dear mother, pale with weariness but bright with thankful joy. Poor child, she felt too bewildered to speak: they gave her some warm drink, covered her up again, and bid her lie a little while longer.

The cottage seemed full of people. Craigmore's tall figure was there, reaching almost to the smoky rafters; the kind doctor's face bent over her as he felt her wrist; and some one else (Rose found out afterwards it was the minister of the district) was standing in the doorway with the old woman of the house, who was telling him the story in an undertone.

By and by Ronald woke too, a great deal more lively than Rose; and soon after, with the doctor's leave, they were both warmly wrapped up and taken off to the carriages, Craigmore insisting on walking off with his own boy, the doctor smilingly consenting, and allowing that the laird was as good as himself in a case of sickness, as he drove off with Mrs. Leycester and Rose.

Wonderful to say, none of the actors in this adventure were any the worse for it eventually. Mr. Leycester was perhaps thrown back a little, but a few days' care and rest set Rose up, and Ronald scarcely felt it at all. But for years after the mother could never miss one of her children beyond their usual hour of return without a look of solicitude, which they all knew how to account for.

On Rose a very lasting impression was then made; she and her mother had several long talks during the few days she had to keep her room, and she was able to speak more unreservedly than had hitherto been possible to her

reticent nature. Mrs. Leycester's heart was full of joy when she heard her child resolve, more humbly and heartily than she had ever known her do before, that from this time she would try to serve and please that God whose merciful care of her and answer to her prayers made her realize very strongly His nearness to all His children in their time of trouble.

By and by, when the excitement caused by this little incident had worn off, the children learnt the subject of the discussion among the parents on the moor that day. Craigmore had heard of a vacant post in Glasgow which he thought might be worth Mr. Leycester's acceptance; Mr. Leycester, stipulating for time to complete the restoration of his health, became a candidate for the appointment. It did not require to be filled up before the New Year, and that being the case he thankfully accepted the offered employment.

But the news was received with almost a groan of dismay in Glen Ellarich. Poor children, they had been so happy in their Highland home that the very thought of leaving was a pang! Their parents had to put them in mind on what special terms their cousin had so kindly lent them the place. Mamma reminded them, too, that in any case Philip must now begin to try and find employment too, that Arthur must go back to school, and that the Glasgow plan would suit admirably, as education in Scotland is very reasonable.

"After all," they said among themselves, "we have nearly three months' more happiness before us-let's make the most we can of it."

CHAPTER XXII.

EDITH'S FIRST RIDE.

N the beginning of November Mrs. Leslie sent

Norman down to the glen with an earnest

entreaty to Mrs. Leycester to spare her both Rose and Edith for a little while, as she had had the misfortune to sprain her ancle, and the necessary confinement to the sofa was particularly trying as the club sale was at hand and it was an extra busy time. Mrs. Leycester would not consent just then to part with Rose, who, she fancied, still felt at times the shock of that night's fear and exposure, but she allowed Gertie to take her place. Gertrude's appleblossom face was one dimple of delight when this was given out; indeed both little girls, Edith as well, in her capacity of what Gertie called "elder-sister mother," were radiant, and Norman had some work to keep their spirits in check during their drive to Baranmore.

During her summer visit Edith had taken great interest in the idea of this clothing club, and had even assisted Mrs. Leslie when that lady every Saturday morning received the contributions, which were sent her generally

by the hands of the school-children. The sums varied from twopence to one shilling weekly, and were all entered regularly in a book, and at the end of the year taken out and invested in warm clothing, blankets, shoes, etc. Mrs. Leslie did not add a present, as is often done, because it was unnecessary as an inducement; and besides, at the New Year, she had her own gifts to make as gifts, and considered it the perfection of an association that it should be self-supporting. So all that she contributed to the club was her time and trouble in collecting the subscriptions and in choosing and distributing the articles in requisition.

Edith and Rose had often regretted the bare-legged condition of the children about Ballabruich, and though it must be confessed that in summer the custom answers well enough, in the cold of winter the poor little feet often get cut and are difficult to heal, those painful "bielins," as they call a gathering, being the result, which keeps them from school among other evils. But as they could not undertake to get up a clothing club by their own unassisted efforts, Edith, after consulting with her mother, asked and obtained Mrs. Leslie's consent to the following plan. The three little sisters were to collect the weekly pence of the cottars round Ballabruich, and handing over the sum to Mrs. Leslie, to be laid out with their own funds, the subscribers would have the benefit of making their own choice at the Baranmore sale.

This always took place during the first week of November, and for some days previously there was quite a bustle in the house, arranging the rooms that were always

used for the purpose, and unpacking the large bales that were sent down from the great shop in Glasgow. Each buyer had to be provided, too, with a card ruled with money columns, and bearing the subscriber's name and the amount to which she was entitled to go for her purchases. Mrs. Leslie was to act as cashier; Mrs. Cameron and Agnes always came up to assist during the day, and Mrs. Leycester promised to do the same, whereon Norman engaged to go down and fetch her; the schoolmistress and Andrews also were very useful, as the party to be served numbered nearly a hundred, many coming several miles, to say nothing of the reinforcements this year from the cove and Ballabruich. They were fortunate in their weather; and, beginning early and only leaving off at dusk, were glad to get it all through by the evening of the second day.

But oh, what strange dusty figures they presented whenever they chanced to look at each other! The fluff from handling so many yards of grey cotton, blue-striped shirting, and coarse flannel having all settled in their hair and dresses, they looked as if they had come out of a cotton mill. Still, it appeared to give great satisfaction, and in a neighbourhood where shops were so distant it must have been a boon. As all the women took leave after having had some refreshment, either soup or coffee, with their big bundles of material in their arms, they looked as if they had thoroughly enjoyed their shopping, the chat with their neighbours, perhaps from a distance, and the friendly intercourse with the laird's family.