RAB AND HIS FRIENDS.

name on the blankets for her ain James’s
bed. He motioned Rab down, and taking
his wife in his arms, laid her in the blan-
kets, and wrapped her carefully and firmly
up, leaving the face uncovered ; and then
lifting her, he nodded again sharply to me,
and with a resolved but utterly miserable
face, strode along the passage and down-
stairs, followed by Rab. I followed with
a light, but he didn’t need it. I went out,
holding stupidly the candle in my hand in
the calm frosty air ; we were soon at the
gate. I could have helped him, but I saw
he was not to be meddled with, and he
was strong and did not need it. He laid
her down as tenderly, as safely, as he had
lifted her out ten days before—as tenderly
as when he had her first in his arms when
she was only “ A. G.,”—sorted her, leav-
ing that beautiful sealed face open to the
heavens, and then taking Jess by the head
he moved away. He did not notice me,.

38