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by a sheriff's officer. My mother entreated of my father to escape and hide himself until this first storm was overblown, but he would in nowise consent, aſsur- ing us that he had done nothing of which he was asham- ed, and was determined to meet every one face to face, and let them do their worſt : so finding all our entreaties vain, we could do nothing but sit down and weep. At length we heard the noiſe of their horses at the door. “You had better take the men's horses James," said my father, as there is no other man at hand." “ We will ſtay till they rap, if you please,” said I. The cautious officer did not however rap, but afraid lest his debtor ſhould make his escape, he 'jumped lightly from his horſe, and hasted into the house When we heard him open the outer door, and his footſteps approaching along the entry, our hearts fainted within us-he opened the door and stepped into the room-it was Duncan ! our own dearly beloved Duncan. The women uttered an in- voluntary ſcream of ſurprise, but my father rap and got hold of one hand, and I of the other--my mother too, soon had him in her arms, tut our embrace was ſhort ; for his eyes fixed on Mary, who ſtood trem- bling with joy and wonder in a corner of the room, changing her colour every moment-he snatched her up in his arms and kissed her lips, and ere ever she was aware, her arms had encircled his neck, "O my dear Mary,” said he, my heart has seen ill at eaſe since I left you, but I durst not then tell you a word of my mind, for little knew how I was to find affairs in the place where I was going ; but ah! you little elusive rogue, you owe me another for the one you cheated me out of them:" 'ſo ſaying, he preſſed his lips again to her cheek, and then led her to a feat. Duncan then reouned all his adventures to us, with every circumstance of his good fortune-our hearts were uplifted almoſt paſt bearing-all our cares and ſorrows were now forgotten, and we were once more