"'Now, Bess, old girl, do your bonniest,' he said. 'There's more
than you know hangs on your speed. If the Campbell wakes too
soon Black Dan could show you a pair of clean heels for all your
good start. On, my girl.'

"Brown Bess went over the ice like a deer, and Donald kept
thinking of what he should say to Nancy--and more still of what
she would say to him. SUPPOSE he was mistaken. SUPPOSE she said
'no!'

"'Neil would have the laugh on me then. Sure he's sleeping well.
And the snow is coming soon. There'll be a bonny swirl on the
bay ere long. I hope no harm will come to the lad if he starts
to cross. When he wakes he'll be in such a fine Highland temper
that he'll never stop to think of danger. Well, Bess, old girl,
here we are. Now, Donald Fraser, pluck up heart and play the
man. Never flinch because a slip of a lass looks scornful at you
out of the bonniest dark-blue eyes on earth.'

"But in spite of his bold words Donald's heart was thumping as he
drove into the Sherman yard. Nancy was there milking a cow by
the stable door, but she stood up when she saw Donald coming.
Oh, she was very beautiful! Her hair was like a skein of golden
silk, and her eyes were as blue as the gulf water when the sun
breaks out after a storm. Donald felt more nervous than ever.
But he knew he must make the most of his chance. He might not
see Nancy alone again before Neil came. He caught her hand and
stammered out,