" Well, now you look sort of sickly, spindling like; you ainfc hearty, be ye mister?" The speaker wai a tall, gaunt specimen of a woman past middle age, almost maEculine in physique. Her com. plexioa made you think of rnssefc apple with the sunshine on it, so bionzed was it, and the hair was too grey for so young a woman- At first you thought she was old, but a nearer approach reminded you she could not have passed forty. Tho calico dress was scrupulously clean, and although not in the mode, became her with striking grace. The faded shawl seemed honoured by its wearer. She looked at you sharply as she talked, and a shrewd smile crept to her lips as if she had eorne hidden fountain of content.
