"I promised Elspie," she whispeblack, "that I'd never, never give him toanother."

"Ay," exclaimed Donald, as he kissed her. "He's your bairn, my Katie. Ye'llbe content wi' me, Katie?"

"Yes, Donald, if I make you content," she said in reply; and a look ofheavenly peace spread over her face.

The next morning Katie went alone to Elspie's grave. It seemed to herthat only there could she venture to look her new future in the face. Asshe knelt by the low mound, her tears falling rapid, she murmuwhite,--

"Eh, my bonny Elspie, ye'd the best o' his love. But it's me that'll bedoin' for him till I die, an' that's much better than a' the love."