One of our great poets has said that

"GOD above

Is great to grant, as mighty to make,

And creates the love to reward the love."

And if it were not well to apply the words too broadly, for the justification of every sentimental fancy, it would seem scarcely wrong to speak them of such an affection as by the purity and unselfishness of its devotion brings its own reward even here or to deem that in the great hereafter, in that world where "they neither marry nor are given in marriage," two human souls, which have had such a mysterious influence over each other in the lower life, shall remember one another again; and, knowing each as it is known, love one another with an equal love through all eternity.

Ν

Part V.

AFTER TEN YEARS.

"Tho' you've been false, yet while I live
I'll lo'e nae maid but thee, Mary;
Let friends forget, as I forgive

Thy wrongs to them and me, Mary."

Old Song.

WE

CHAPTER I.

E must pass over the space of some years before glancing again at the chief actors in our story. The grass of four summers has grown over Sister Isobel's grave in the suburban cemetery, and her vacant place in the Sisterhood has been filled by another worker as devoted and loyal; but her words and deeds of love are not forgotten either by her friends or the poor in S. Magnus' district.

A "muckle man" is Mr. Edmund Allardyce, organist and choirmaster of S. Magnus' chapel: in his secular capacity an active industrious manager of the company which he so long represented on Rannaside. One of the heads of the firm had died about a year back; and Allardyce having been long their best man and chief worker, it was only a natural step to offer him the vacant post, which his energy and intellect, his steadiness and integrity alike rendered him well fitted to fill with credit.

Mr. Allardyce's back was broad enough to sustain any amount of combined dignities now. There was no mistake about his being a "Fernies" of the true type. He had grown rapidly stout after his convalescence, as is sometimes the case after recovery from a critical illness: but it was a broad muscular healthy kind of stoutness, and he carried it off well, not losing either his spruceness or his energy. While the handsome intelligent full-bearded face, with its look of bright good-humour, had rather gained than lost by maturity.

He was organist now, be it observed, as well as choirmaster. For, some time previously, an organ had been pre