Miss M'Loughlin." Now, Mary was by no means ignorant of the enmity which this woman entertained against her father and family, in consequence of having prosecuted and transported her profligate son.

Without the slightest apprehension on that account, she felt, however, a good deal puzzled as to the meaning which could be attached to Poll's words.

"How, on my account, Poll?
I don't understand you." "Neither you nor yours desarve it at my hands; but for all that, I am here to do you a good tarn." "I hope I never deserved any evil at your! hands, Poll." "No, but you're your father's daughter for all that, an' it's not usual to hate the tree and spare the branches." "I suppose you allude to the transportation of your son; but remember, Poll, that I was only a child then; and don't forget that had your son been honest, he might I still be a comfort and a credit to you, instead of a shame and a sorrow.

I don't I mean, nor do I wish to hurt your feelings, Poll; but I am anxious that you should not indulge in such bitterness of heart against my father, who only did what he could not avoid." "Well," said Poll, "never mind that--although it isn't aisy for a mother to forget her child wid all his faults; I am here, as I said, on your 'account--I am here to tell you, that there is danger about you and before you, and to put you on your guard against it.

I am here, Miss Mary M'Loughlin, and if I'm not your friend--I'm not sayin' that I am not--still I'm the friend of one that is your friend, and that will protect you if he can." "That is very strange, Poll, for I know not how I can have an enemy.
What danger could a simple inoffensive girl like me feel?
I who have never knowingly offended anybody." "I have said the truth," replied Poll, "and did my duty--you're now warned, so be on your guard and take care of yourself." "But how, Poll?
You mention danger, yet have not told me what it is, where it's to come from, nor how I am to guard myself against it." "I'm not at liberty," said Poll, "but this I can tell you, it's threatening you, and it comes from a quarther where you'd never look for it." Mary, who was neither timid nor surprised, smiled with the confidence of innocence, and replied, after a short pause of thought-- "Well, Poll, I have been thinking over my friends, and cannot find one that is likely to be my enemy; at all events I am deeply obliged to you, still if you could mention what the danger is, I would certainly feel the obligation to be greater.