Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-02-01
sEMI-WEEKLY BANKER FRIDAY, FEB. 1, 1885.

him, remarking these things with glis-
tening eyes. Then the peasant stole out
again. "It is 8 crowns" he muttered,
blinking in the sunlight "Ha, hal Five
crownsp"
He looked round cautiously, but could
see no sign Of his wife, and after hest
Eating and bordering minute or two
he took the path for Carbaix, his ma
tive astuteness leading him to saunter
slowly along in his ordinary fashion.
After that the moorland about the cot
tage lay seemingly deserted. Thrice, at
intervals, the girl dragged home her
load of straw, but each time she seemed
to linger in the barn no longer than was
necessary. MiChel's absence, though it
was unlocked for, raised no suspicion III
her breast for he would frequently &C
down to the village to spend tho after
noon. The sun sank lower, and the shad-
ow of the great monolith, which, stand
ing on the highest point of the moor
about mile away, rose gaunt and black
against roseate sky, grew longer and
longer, and then, as twilight fell, the
two coming home met few PAGES from
the cottage. He asked some questions
about the work she had been doing, and
she answered briefly Then, silent ana
communicative they went in togcth-
er. The girl set the bread and cider on
the table, and, going to the great black
pot which had been simmering all day
upon the fire, poured some broth into
two pitchers. 1t did not escape Michcl's
frugal eye that there was still little
broth left in the bottom Of the pot, and
this induced a new feeling i'll him
anger When his wife hailed him by
door and fastened it. Thence he went
to the corner and picked up the wood
chopper, and, armed with this, came
back to his seat.
The girl watched his movements, first
with surprise and then with secret ter
ror. The twilight was come, and the
cottage was almost dark and she was
alone with him, or, if not alone, yet
with no one near who could help her
Yet she met his grin of triumph brave.
ly. "What is this?" she said "Why dc
you want that?"
For the rat" he answered grimly,
his eyes on hers.
"Why not use your stool?" she strove
to murmur, her heart sinking.
mot for this rat, he answered. "It
might not do my girl Oh, know all
about ii" he continued II have been
down to the village and seen the mayor,
and he is coming up to fetch him. "
He nodded toward the partition, and
she knew that her secret was known
1T is Pierre" she said, trembling
violently and turning first crimson and
then white.
81 know it, Jeanne. 1t was excellent
of you! Excellent! 1t is long since you
have done such days work.
"You will not give him up?''
my faith, l shallm he answered, af.
fecting and perhaps really feeling Won
der at her simplicity. "He is crowns,
grill You do not understand He is
worth crowns and the risk nothing at
all. "
If he had been angry or shown any
thing Of the fury of the suspicious hus-
band, if he had been about to do this
out of jealousy or revenge, she would
have quailcd before him, though she
had done him no wrong save the wrong
of mercy and pity. But his spirit was
too mean for the great passions. He felt
only the sordid ones, which to a woman
are the most hateful. And instead of
quailing she looked at him with flash
ing eyes. "Ishall warn him, J." she said.
"It will not help him." he answered,
sitting still and feeling the edge Of the
Ratchet with his fingers.
ut will help him, H. she retorted.
"He shall go. He shall escape before
they come"
II have locked the doorsP'
"Give me the key!' she painted.
"Give me the key, say!' She had ris-
en- and was standing before him, her
figure drawn to its full height. He rose
hastily and retreatCd behind the table,
still retaining tho Ratchet in his grasp
"Stand backp' he said sullenly. "You
may awaken him, if you please, my
girl. 1t will not avail him. Do you not