his skin. They collapsed upon the floor with a hideous suggestion of distorted human limbs, as Saunders went about his further preparations. Saunders was a great, soft-b

no secret of his devotion to Margaret Kissock

ld say before venturing within the range of the sharp tongue of his well- beloved-an excellent plan, but one which requ

be careful. First he carefully removed the dirt down to a kind of Plimsoll load-line midway his neck; then he frothed the soap-suds into his red rectangular ears, which stood out like speaking trumpets; there he let it remain. So

'en like spunkies [will-o'-the-wisps] or maybes," said Saunders in a meditative tone. "I

e mak' me fair ashamed to listen to y

ped his thigh so that the pony started and

bristles out of the professional creases in his lower jaw. Saunders pulled down his mouth to express extra grief when a five-foot grave had been ordered. His seven-foot manifestations of respect for the deceased were a sight to see. He held the opinion that anybody that had

's pony, who had become a trifle short tempered in his old age. Now it was upon that very leg and at that very place that, earlier in the day, a large buzzing horse-fly had temporarily settled. Birsie was in no condition, therefore, for argument upon the subject.

usly in the cut, and expostulated with Birsie with a hand

psettin' blastie, ye donna

mere Erastian and uncertain in yer kirk membership, ye are at least an occasional hearer, whilk is better than naething, at the kirk o' the Marrow

a dinnle i' the elbuck that garred ye loup like a troot i' Luckie Mowatt's pool, or gin ye had cuttit yersel' wi' y

would have said or done is no excuse for y

he way consequential-that's Gilbert Prettiman o' the Kirkland's way. Did ever ye notice the body? He hauds the Bibles afore him as if he war

Mr. Welsh sententiously. Saunders looked at

s). I hae been ower lang connectit wi' them, for I hae carriet the buiks for fifteen year, ever since my faither racket

the minister, smilingly, "'the neare

t an' Jess will be no that ill in a year or twa, but o' a' the Kissocks c

sion and laughed a little. He was accustomed to the sud

estion for you, Saunders. It is n

in the minister gaed speerin', what

o Meg herself yet?

oot wi' her this verra nicht-if sae it micht be that ye warna needin' me,

rs? Has Margaret expressed a

ference. It was only the last Tuesday afore Whussanday [Whitsunday] that she g

your wooing; but see that you fall no more out with Birsie, lest you be more bruis

vours to obleege ye. Meg's clours are to be borne wi' a' co