The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

WiUie Gillies. i'^
The mother was what I had fancied her, a careworn, faded
woman, with much amiabiHty and little inherent strength
of mind. She leant on her son with a trustfulness really
wonderful ; and he took it upon him to cater for her, cheer
her, and whisper the comfort and the hope to which she
was herself a stranger. How strange that mother and son
should be so similar in features and complexion and so
dissimilar in qualities of mind ! I guessed that with his
mother's fair complexion and soft demeanour, the boy
inherited the firm will and lofty purpose of a strong-willed
and strict-principled father. For some time the two were
so engrossed with each other, that they were oblivious of
all around them. Willie's attention was drawn to me at
last by a noise, which I made with my cane to notify my
presence. A vivid blush covered his fac& as he led me up
to his mother, and stated that I was the kind gentleman
about whom he wrote, who aided him so greatly in his
studies. The widow warmly shook my hand and said, ia
a quivering, low voice,
" God bless you, sir, for your kindness to Willie."
At that moment I felt indeed blessed.
TO BE CONTINUED