Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-02-12

the idea Of protecting him by keeping
him within the range Of her own
watchful eyes. To do this she had
feigned illness when she was on the
highroad to recovery.
1t was she who had been the watch
er and he who had been the watched
during those nights when they had all
been puzzled by the inconsistency be-
tween her favorable symptoms and
her vehement complaints of pain and
weakness.
What could he do in gratitude to
the girl for her splendid conduct, her
unselfsh care? His heart beat quick
ly, and his eyes grew moist as he
thought Of 1t.
And then he heard heavy tread In
the room over his head and knew that
the farmer and his son were getting
up.
1t was s o'clock and still dark. But
before many minutes were over the
door opened, and the old woman came
in with sticks and paper to light the
fire.
She stopped short and blinked for
the first time In his recollection when
she saw the lighted candle and the
doctor sitting by the table. But she
made no comment as she went down
on her knees to ber work and then pro-
eeeded to prepare the table for break
fast.
In the meantime Mason had heard
the voices Of Gwyn and Of her father
in earnest conversation on the stairs,
and little later he heard the farmer
and Tom 60 out by the back way to
their early work.
Presently the old woman disappear
ed. And he was left alone until it was
nearly 7 o'clock.
Then Gwyn came in. She looked pale
and fragile, and she walked rather un-
steadily, but it was plain that she was
much farther advanced on the road to
complete health than she had pretend
ed.
They stood silent, both deeply NOV
ed, for some seconds until Gwyn, re-
covering herself and reddening slight
ly, said in whisper:
"I want to tell you now-what you
said you'd hear-the reason-the reason
of-of what was done to you. 1t was
very wrong, wicked, unjustifable, Of
course, but they would not have done
you any real harm. 1t was only q
trick, trick to frighten you, because
of-of jealousy"
As she uttered the last word she
turned away and spoke slyly and
quickly. Whatever he thought he con.
sidered it best to accept the suggestion
without open skepticism. SO he merely
inclined his head
"Of course it was absurd, most abb
surd. But they do not understand. So
| said-what did. You heard me, did
you not" Mason bowed his head In
assent. II said it to keep them quiet
toto get rid Of them, in fact. won't
apologize, doctor, for you know why
did it. You are going to marry me.
That is to be taken for granted as long
as you are here, but when you 60 away
and | will find means Of getting you
away-then will tell them the truth,
and there will be an end Of 1t all, Of
everything"
He came a little nearer to her and
tried to look into her face. And as he
did 80 the door into the washhouse
was burst open by gust Of wind
from the outer door, which was opened
at that moment by the men coming In
to breakfast.
Both Gwyn and the doctor started,
and as the farmer and Tom and Coch
Tai filed In and after the mornings
greetings took their places at the Ia.
bles It was plain enough by the ex-
preston Of the three faces that the
little scene they had witnessed had
conveyed a very distinct impression to
their several minds.
COch Tai looked ferocious, gloomy
and savage. He kept his eyes away
from the doctor, and when Gwyn wish
ed him good morning he answered her
only by curt word without looking at
her or offering any congratulation on
her temperance down stairs.
Tom, who looked more sheepish than
ever and who betrayed, to Masson's