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XX.

Conclusion.

P

XX.

ONE day Donald was returning from school, six months after the reception of the letters introduced in the last chapter. He was mounting the steps of his own house, swinging to and fro his schoolbooks by the strap with which they were bound together, when he heard a voice behind him, saying,—

"Cast anchor, stranger. Do you know if there is a widow woman named Fraser living in these parts?"

As Donald turned, he saw that these words were intended for him. So he promptly re

plied,

"Yes, sir, she is my mother; and she lives here. If you will come this way, I will take you to her."

"Then your name is Donald, I suppose,” was the man's rejoinder, as he came up the steps.

Donald could not understand how the stranger

should know his name; though he said nothing, but led the way to his mother's door. As he opened it he said,

"Mother, this gentleman wishes to see you."

"Well, mistress," said the stranger, straightening himself up, and looking her full in the face, "don't you know me?"

"Why, brother Niel, can it be you!" she said, as she threw her arms round his neck, and kissed him over and over again.

"Yes, it is; there is no doubt about that," was the laconic reply.

“When did you reach New York?”

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'Only an hour ago; and, as soon as I ascertained your direction, I came straight here just as fast as my legs could carry me."

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'Oh, I am very glad to see you! I have so yearned to see some known and loved face in this land of strangers, and especially yours, my dear brother. I was so long without news from you, that I was afraid I was never to hear from you again. But the Lord has been better to us both than our fears would allow us to believe He would be."

"That's so," was the emphatic answer.

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But," he continued after a pause,

not get my three letters?"

"did you

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