Page:History of Duncan Campbell, and his dog Oscar (1).pdf/23

 sheriff's officer. My mother entreated of my father to escape and hide himself until this first storm over-blown, but he would in nowise consent, assurs that he had done nothing of which he was ashamed and was determined to meet every one face to face, let them do their worst; so finding all our entreaties  we could do nothing but sit down and weep. length we heard the noice of their horses at the "You had better take the men's horses es," said my father,"as there is no other man at “We will stay till they rap, if you please, . The cautious officer did not however rap, afraid lest his debtor should make his escape, ped lightly from his horse, and hasted into the  When we heard him open the outer door, his footsteps approaching along the entry, our hearts fainted within us-he opened the door and ped into the room—it was Duncan! our own ly beloved Duncan. The women uttered an involuntary scream of surprise, but my father ran and  hold of one hand and I of the other—my mother soon had him in her arms, but our embrace was t; for his eyes fixed on Mary, who stood trembling with joy and wonder in a corner of the room, ging her colour every moment—he snatched her in his arms and kissed her lips, and ere ever she aware, her arms had encircled his neck. "O my dear Mary," said he, "my heart has been ill at since I left you, but I durst not then tell you a  of my mind, for—I little knew how I was to find rs in the place where I was going; but ah! you 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 then led her to a seat. can then recounted all his adventures to us, with y circumstance of his good fortune—our hearts were uplifted almost past bearing-all our cares and ws were now forgotten, and we were once more