Page:History of Duncan Campbell, and his dog Oscar (4).pdf/23

 23 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 powi-e 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 entrenties 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 still they rap, if you plear," 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, hut my father ran and got hold of one band, and I of the other-my mother too, soon had him in her arms, but our embrace was short ; for his eyes fixed on Mary, who stood tremb- ling with joy and wonder in a corner of the room, charging her colour every moment-he snatched her up in her arms and kissed her lips, and ere ever she was aware, her arms had encircled his neck. "O my dear Mary," sail le, 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 ab! you little elusive rogue, you owe me another for the one you cheated me out of then;" so saying, he pressed lips again to her cheek, and then led her to & seat. ..nan on recounted all his adventures to us, with se circumstance of his good fortune-our hearts lifted almost past bearing-all our cares and w were now forgotten, and we were once more