Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-02-05

never once changed her position during
this scene, but stood on the same spot,
like a malevolent witch. watching them
with her beadlike eyes. In the circum-
stances it was difficult to speak as
cheerily to the patient as be would
have liked to do.
"Oh, no, no. you are not going to
diew said he promptly. II never saw
any one who looked less like dying
than you do. You have been wor-
ried perhaps. or you have had a
fright"
BY the spasm which contracted her
features as he made this suggestion he
saw that he had probably hit upon the
truth. He glanced at the old woman
with frown.
"Is It your grandmother or your
brother Who has been frightening
you" asked he abruptly.
But the girl did not answer.
II shall have to speak to your IA
ther," he said. with decision.
At these words Gwyn suddenly open
ed her eyes again.
EYES," said she. "We will speak to
my father. l will speak to him."
She addressed few words quer-
ulously in Welsh to her grandmother,
who, without making any reply, went
out of the room. Then she lay with
closed eyes until few minutes later
her father came into the room. looking
anxious and distressed.
whats this, Gwyn, my girl? What's
this hear? That you're i'll again"
He came dose up to the bedside, TAX
Ing one Of the girls hands in his and
looking into her face with eyes full Of
tender. yearning affection.
aYes, father, I'm not so well today"
said Gwyn, drawing q breath which
seemed to be labored.
The farmer glanced suspiciously at
Mason.
doctor, what's this?" he asked
sharply. "She doesn't look so Ill nor yet
talk as weak as she did. What's this
that's come to her? Can't you ex-
plain It? What does 1t mean. sir?'
"She has been worried, alarmed. by
some one" said Mason.
The farmer frowned, and Gwyn
glanced from him to the doctor.
81 want" said she in a voice which
now began to tremble a little, Ito
speak to my father"
Mason proceeded to withdraw, but
reluctantly. The girl was evidently
exciting herself much more than was
prudent He gave warning glance
at Trsgaron.
"Don't let her talk much" said he.
"And don't let her excite herself"
It was only too evident, however.
that the interview between father and
daughter would be Of harassing ma
tare, for the farmer had begun 10
shake and culver as he looked with
curiosity and suspicion first at Gwyn
and then at the doctor.
Mason left them together.
About 20 minutes later Tregaron
came down stairs into the kitchen.
looking sullen and gloomy. Mason
met his eyes with questioning glance.
"She's full Of fancies." said the farm
er shortly; mad fancies as ever came
into a lass head. You'll have to give
her a quieting dose, sir, or we shall
have her Ill again, sure enough. And
Tom mustn't 80 near her, he must un-
derstand that. He bounces into the
room, like the great gawk he Is, and
makes her jump like so she thinks all
sorts Of wild things, all sorts Of wild
things"
And as he repeated these words Trc-
garon fixed upon his guest eyes which
were full Of conjecture and doubt and
eager scrutiny.
Mason wondered what the commu.
nication was which his daughter had
made to him. Was it some hint Of an
ugly plot which Tom in panic had
communicated to his sister? Was It
something about the well in the out
house? He was about to put q ques-
ton to the farmer concerning that ad-
venture Of his, when Tregaron said
simply:
"She wants to see you again, sir, l
think"
And then he took up his hat and dis.
appeared into the washhouse.
But Mason ran after him.
"You are hard at work, aren't you.
clearing away the snow between this
and the cowhouse"
II believe you. Merrick and me and
Tom have got our work cut out. We've
got to get to the sheep II we can and
save 'em II we can. AS hard work as
ever we've had in our lives"
All the more singular, surely, that
Tom should have been spared for that
mysterious work In the clubhouse!
"Tomw repeated Mason quickly.
"He was at work indoors just now by
the side Of an old well or something OF
the kind. l stepped upon the boards
which cover 1t and nearly fell
through"
The farmer shook his head warn
ingly.
"Dear, DEAR" he said, with much
concern, you shouldn't go walking
about this crazy old place by yourself.
sir! There's pitfalls and traps for care
less feet all over the place. That was
not q we'll, sir, but way by which
they used to haul up provisions and
such like in the old monks days. I'll
show It to you some time. sir. It's a
bit of curiosity, ia that"
"Indeed. should like to see 1t. And
In the meantime hope you will accept
me as a volunteer to help you with
your digging"
mo, no. sir! That's no work for you.
II you'll take care Of my daughter and
save her from fretting herself Into a
fever, that's what l want Of YOU"
"But could do both. could take O
hand with q spade and go and see her
from time to time as we'll"
"Al right, sir. You may do that II
you like"
With this arrangement concluded