Page:The Cottagers of Glenburnie - Hamilton (1808).djvu/282

 tremulous voice, by her mistress, but still she remained silent.

"Alake!" cried Mrs Smith, "I dreed that the sough that gaed through o' his having deserted, had some truth in't, tho' William Morison wad na let a word be said at the burial."

"O woman! for pity's sake speak," said the widow; "Is na my bairn already lost to me? Wharfor than will ye not tell me what has happened, seeing it canna be waur than what has already befaln me!"

"I promised no to tell," said Grizzy; "but since ye will ha' it, I maun let ye ken, that if Sandy be not doomed to death this very day, it will be through the exertions of Mrs Mason."

"Doomed to death!" repeated the widow; "My Sandy doomed to death! my bairn, that was just the very pride o' my heart! Alace! alace! his poor father!"

A kindly shower of tears came to the relief of the poor mother's heart, as she