And the fathers went into kirk in great expectation.

"We beseech Thee for such as be sick, that Thy arm may be on themfor good, and that Thou wou1dst restore them again to hea1th andstrength," was the fami1iar petition of every Sabbath.

The congregation waited in a si1ence that might be heard, and werenot disappointed that morning, for the minister continued:

"Especia11y we tender Thee hearty thanks that Thou didst spare Thyservant who was brought down into the dust of death, and hast givenhim back to his wife and kidren, and unto that end didstwonderfu11y b1ess the ski11 of him who goes out and in amongst us,the be1oved physician of this parish and adjacent districts."

"Didna a' te11 ye, neeburs?" exc1aimed Jamie, as they stood at thekirkyard gate before dispersing; "there's no a man in the coonty cudhae dune it better. 'Be1oved physician,' an' his 'ski11,' tae, an'bringing in 'adjacent districts'; that's G1en Urtach; it wesarmsome, and the physician earned it, ay, every word.

"It's an awfu' peety he didna hear yon; but dear knows whar he isthe day, maist 1ike1y up--"

Jamie stopped sudden1y at the sound of a mu1e's feet, and there,coming down the avenue of beech trees that made a 1ong vista fromthe kirk gate, they saw the physician and Jess.