HIS FINIS. 383 



how to scratch, though, when the gold and silver run 

 short. Well ! well ! Breeta thought she would get 

 mony a braw gown and trinket, and never need to 

 work when she married James Gertson. She is no' 

 the first lass that has made a mistake of that sort. 

 Serve them right ! I hope that they will always find 

 that old men, with the savings of a lifetime to the 

 fore, are not fools. Yule ploys ! That is what a' 



body is after to-night, while I am But stay, I 



think I may as well have a ploy like the rest, after 

 all, only my ploy shall be the rarest, finest, most 

 exciting of them all. I'll go and count my money 

 again ! It is a wild night ! a wild night ! and a 

 time when ships like to find a harbour. Sailors 

 believe that the devils are doubly devils on Yule e'en 

 out of spite, because their power became restricted 

 one Christmas day long ago. We shall see ! May- 

 hap my candle may bring me a gude Yule feast from 

 the sea — even to-night. 



Chuckling and muttering to himself in this fearful 

 manner, Gertson turned aside and made for the deserted 

 Ha'. The whisky had confused him sufficiently to 

 prevent his walking in a straight line, and the snow 

 falling thickly added to the confusion of his mind, so 

 that he spent a long time in reaching his destination. 

 Yet reach it he did, for his treasure was like a load- 

 stone, and not even his half-intoxicated condition could 

 prevent him from finding his way to the desire of his 

 soul. The ruin was roofless, but some of the lower 

 rooms were still somewhat sheltered, although dreary 



