Evening star., 1903-09-01

first seemed to seize her by the throat and
chill her blood. Was he guilty after all I?
was 1t possible that the hand which could
not touch her without a caress. the ewes
which could not meet hers except in melt
ing tenderness, were those of a murderer? /?
Her head seemed to swim. She began to
turn faint and dizzy again: and involun-
tarily, unconsciously, her head fell until it
rested on his shoulder.
The sight moved the spectators in spite
of themselves, checked for a moment their
expressions of suspicion and menace Nigel
profited by the moments silence. With a
sudden CLEAN of his old passion. a burst
into angry defiance, he said, raising his
head high, while his free hand moved in
stnctively up to the fair head on his
breast:
Liars. towards. every man jack of yer!
Just you walt ten minutes and I'll be back
with yer. and ready to stand up to the first
man as says l done ft!''
Again there was a murmur, but not Ill
antagonistic this time. The mans spirit,
the girls trust had had at least a momen-
tary effect: the group fell back a little, and
and went on toward st. Martins
But the character Of their progress had
changed; 1t had almost become q flight.
For lowering in the distance, following in
the shadow Of the hedge, or keeping pace
with them in the fields. dim figures shadow
ed them, watching, waiting for the moment
when the suspected man would be alone.
Nigel knew this and 1t made him defiant
knowledge rendered her almost frantic with
misery, doubt and despair.
When they turned into the lane at the
back of her fathers farm Nigel stopped
tly and told her in a hoarse whisper to go on
to the house without him.
mo. no; no, no." painted the girl looking
up at him in the darkness with straining
come Income in with me. You can't go
back to that house tonight. and-and
don't want you to meet those people again.
Come; you must connep
But Nigel shook his head with a little
bitter laugh. Even as he did so he saw Mr.
Rede, who had evidently been apprised Of
their approach. comingzhurriedly down the
lane to meet them. q
Nigel sang out. without waiting for any
greeting, I've brought her back, Mr. Rede
safe and sound. barring she's hurt her foot
by fall from her bike.n
The farmer, for 5aH answer seized his
daughter by the arm ana drew her toward
him so roughly that her injured foot caused
her to utter sharp cry of pain.
"Father" she cried sfnploringly, don't
be so hard! He has done nothing wrong
But the father answered with a snort Of
incredulity-
Wen see about .that'' said he, "all in
good time. He'd no business for to drag
you into this affair. anyhow. and it'li be the
last time he speaks to you or any Of us with
my good will. whether he's done 1t or
whether he hasn't So mind that young
man, it's goodbye, once and for all; good
bye"
The farmer was holding Piety tightly by
the arm. although she struggled to free her
self. With the other hand he made a per-
emptory sign of dismissal to Nigel, who,
however stood firm, with his hands in his
pockets and with lowering expression Of
face.
Aye" said he in a sullen tone, '.it's good
bye, know. You'll let her say goodbye to
me, sir, won't you? And IL Won do TIL
promise-promise--to respect your wishes,
for know it's best-and never-never to
speak to her again."
20. Nigel!" broke from Pietys lips. as
again she turned toward him. struggling in
the strong grasp of her fathers hand
But the farmer answered impatiently:
mo. there's been good-byes enough said.
III warrant and III have no more."