Page:History of Duncan Campbell, and his dog, Oscar (2).pdf/23



23 accompanied 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, assuring us that he had done nothing of which he was ashamed, and was deter- mined 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. Yon 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 cautions officer did not however rap, but afraid lest his debtor should make this escape, he jumped lightly from his horses 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 involumtary scream of surprise, but my father ran and got hold of one hand, and I of the othe--- my mother too, soon had him in her arms, but our embrace was short; for his eyes fixed on Mary, who stood trembling 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 been ill at ease since I left you, but I durst not then tell you a word of my mind, for I 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 then; so saying, he pressed his lips again to her cheek, and