She put on Annie's best frock and bonnet--adorning the victim for sacrifice--at least, so Annie's face would have suggested--and led her down to the door.

There stood a horse and cart.

In the cart was some straw, and a sack stuffed with hay.

As auntie was getting into the cart, Betty rushed out from somewhere upon Annie, caught her up, kissed her in a vehement and disorderly manner, and before her mistress could turn round in the cart, gave her into James Dow's arms, and vanished with strange sounds of choking.

Dowie thought to put her in with a kiss, for he dared not speak; but Annie's arms went round his neck, and she clung to him sobbing--clung till she roused the indignation of auntie, at the first sound of whose voice, Dowie was free, and Annie lying in the cart, with her face buried in the straw.