He had taken all charge of the funeral, and had since hung round the house, ready at any moment to do her service.

But Ragon would testify against John Sabay, and she had besides an unaccountable antipathy to his having any nearer relation with her.

"I'll ask Geordie Sweyn," she said, after a long consultation with her own slow but sure reasoning powers; "he'll keep the skippers an' farmers i' awe o' him; an' he's just as honest as any ither man." So Geordie was sent for and the proposal made and accepted.

"Thou wilt surely be true to me, Geordie ?" "As sure as death, Miss Margaret;" and when he gave her his great brawny hand on it, she knew her affairs in that direction were safe.
Next morning the shop was opened as usual, and Geordie Sweyn stood in Peter Fae's place.

The arrangement had been finally made so rapidly that it had taken all Stromness by surprise.