Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-29

while Both Piety ard Nigel were weeping
and were too much moved to speak again
1t was not until faint cry came to their
ears from across the fields that Piety col
lected herself and said hurriedly:
rs it safe, Nigel--is it safe for you to
stay here?"
Then, before he answered, he raised his
head and looked up into her face with such
look of divine gratitude that the dark
skin seemed to be TRANSPORTED and the soul
to shine out through his black eyes.
It's quite safe-quite safe said he,
husklly. Let me be with you, lassie while
l may. 1t may be the last time as they il
let me-"
20. Nigelr'
The words were sob. With a sudden
impulse of affection. of despair, she drew
his head to her shoulder and pressed her
lips to his forehead, where the black curly
hair clustered about his temples
Now. my little girl, l don't care what
happens. l don't care what they say to me
or do to me. 1t was always too much for
to hope 1 could have you for my own, but
I've mad a kindness from you. a word from
you, kiss from you. such as you won t
never give to any other man, be it john
Mercer any other. You've made me
happy lass. as happy as a king. God bless
you, Piety!''
He had got her head between his hands.
and was feeding on the tender beauty of
n6r lace, tear-St31neu as III was, with low
ing, longing. hungry eyes; for his love was
too strong to he disturbed by accidents of
blurred cheeks and Redeemed eyes. He saw
through to the sweet soul within. and he
worshiped with the fervor that can see no
fault no blemish.
And to think twas me hurt you. made
you hurt your poor little ankle; to think |
should have given you all that pain to
bear!' he went on as she tried to change
her position, and gave a little involuntary
sigh of pair. And l can't take you
home, carry you home. and see you safe, 1
daren't leave the house." he went on with
sudden change to a different and harder
tone. Il daren't do itr'
Piety trembled at the recollection, thus
abruptly brought to her mind. OF the awful
secret the walls were hiding.
Il can co. she said, she tried to rise.
Il can walk. 1t $ not as bad you think
and it was not your fault at all. | fell OFF
my bicycle when I called to you al the top
of the hill and you wouldn't answer
For reply to this he took her nearest
hand and hung over it, kissing and caress-
ing it tenderly
1T was on account of my feelings against
that Mercer" he explained, ruefully. II
wouldn't speak to you as much as look
at you. For 1 couldn't guess, my dear,
how good and true your heart was all the
time!"
And once more the tears stood in his eyes.
While thus he hung over her. and she, all
trembling on his account she was, knew
not what to do or to say to help him, there
came a sound from the front of the house
that made them exchange looks that made
Nigel grow fierce and Piety anxious.
Faint at first in the distance but getting
louder and more distinct every moment
the noise of crowd of people. talking,
shouting. grumbling. threatening, in one
dull roar of confused sound came nearer
and nearer. until at last 1t became all at
once subdued to a weak murmur above
which could. be discerned the sounds of
tramping feet.
They were streaming" o.. ,his time into