Page:Between Two Loves.djvu/207

202 there was a dreadful suspicion in them, but Jonathan promptly answered the question her lips durst not ask.

"Nay, nay, my lass. God saved thy father from that fate. I found Aske bleeding to death on t' common, and I took him home. Now what is ta going to do?"

"I am going to him."

She spoke very quietly, and when the words were uttered, left the room to put on her bonnet and cloak. Jonathan was amazed at her composure, for when she came down stairs, though she was pallid as a corpse, she made no outcry, and her manner was singularly still and calm. The gig was waiting, and he kissed her and sent her away without another word. For a moment he stood listening to the departing wheels, then the burden of his care felt a little lighter. He had done what he could, and he began to feel sensible that he was very weary, and almost feinting for lack of food.

When Martha brought in his tea he thought it best to tell her the whole circumstance, and indeed he could not dismiss it from his mind.

"Such a Christmas-eve! Such a Christmas-eve!" he kept saying over and over, as he sat