394 THE HOME OF A NATURALIST. 



quently Yaspard stole in during the day, and cast a 

 sympathetic glance at her. More than once Breeta 

 caught herself thinking that her affliction was not 

 altogether so bad as such things are usually considered, 

 and that there was a certain comfort in feeling that 

 James Gertson would frown on her no more. In spite 

 of womanly regret, she could not help dwelling upon his 

 harshness and want of love, and feeling that he claimed 

 little grief from her. She said to herself that she had 

 learnt a lesson she would not soon forget. She would 

 go home to her father's house, and never leave it 

 again. No, not though the best man that ever her 

 eyes beheld should wish it. Gertson's money would 

 be Liza's, and.it should make a lady of the little lass, 

 and they would live happily together, they twain, 



mother and child, and with a guilty start, Breeta 



checked her thoughts, and looked up almost expecting, 

 with terror, to see James Gertson darken the doorway, 

 which was filled at the moment by some one. But it 

 was not her husband who stood there, only Yaspard, 

 and he said solemnly, " The lads and I have been out 

 searching again. We felt sure we must discover 

 something before long. We have found it in a snow 

 wreath close by the old Ha'." He paused and looked 

 away from Breeta, whose face had paled as he spoke. 

 Then her father said softly — " They ha'e laid it in the 

 Ha' till they brought word what you wished done. 

 Breeta, my bairn, shall they bring it here ? " 



Breeta sighed and wept and said — " It is welcome, 

 of course. But, maybe, faither. It should stay there 



