When Maggie's mind dwelt on these matters and on the remorseless monotony of her life, she felt distracted. She recalled how young Joe Macdonald used to come up the moor, by way of looking for a stray sheep, and how he had appeared at their chapel two Sundays running, and met her once in Perth; and then, all of a sudden, he cooled off, and took up with Allie McCrone, a yellow-haired girl, with a fortune of three hundred pounds! Her mother had said, "Never you mind, my lass, you shall have a fortune, too, as well as Allie. I was up for forty when I got married, but I brought your father four hundred pounds. It went to stock this place, and where we had one sheep then we have a score the noo. You have plenty of time yet--you _wait_." * * * * * It was late on an April evening in the glen, the snow had melted, and swelled the river far above its banks, the waterfalls were pouring down the hillsides, the small burns were noisy and boisterous, and Andy Gowdy, who had been to the town with the cart for coal and a bag of flour, was not sorry when he came to the last gate of all. As soon as he had "loused" the pony, he carried into the kitchen a sack of flour, a small parcel of tea and sugar, and a letter. This he brought to his mother, who was frying something over the fire. "There's a letter for you," he drawled. "Leave it there--it can bide. It's about the sheep wash and tar." "I'm no so sure of that, it looks out of the ordinary, and the postmark is London." "Land sakes--it's for the keeper above." "Nay, it's for Mrs. Andy Gowdy, Ardnashiel." "Then give it here. No, my hands is black--you read it, Andy." Andy at once opened the letter and began: "LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS." "Aye, didn't I tell ye it was aboot the farm!" interrupted his mother. "No--no--listen here--to what it says," rejoined Andy, with heightened colour. "MADAM,--I have to acquaint you with the sudden death of Mrs. James Gowdy, which took place yesterday at the 'Beaufort Hotel' in Dover Street, Piccadilly. I am her solicitor, and aware that her will, though drawn up, is unsigned. Therefore, I believe, the fortune of her late husband devolves upon his next-of-kin, who I assume to be your children. I am making all arrangements for the funeral, which I propose should take place at Kensal Green on April 30. I fixed this date presuming that you and members of your family will be present. Kindly write instructions at once, or telegraph. Miss Chandos, Mrs. James Gowdy's adopted daughter, is at present at the Hotel. I beg to add that my firm, having conducted the business of Mrs. Gowdy for twenty years, are conversant with all its details, and we shall be happy to place our experience at your service. "I remain, Madam, "Yours faithfully, "GEORGE MIDDLEMASS. "To Mrs. Andrew Gowdy."