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 "Ye would have, had it been Nancy!" Unwittingly, Captain Freeman placed resentful stress upon his cousin's name, who was John's betrothed.

There was a little silence as the four horses went clop-clopping down the curving, hilly road, for, besides Mehitable's, Captain Freeman was leading Sturgins's mount as well. Then the girl felt her brother shake with mirth. When she demanded the reason, he shook his head at first.

"Nay, tell me why ye laugh!" persisted the girl.

"I—I—was but wondering why it was Tony, here, who thought o' your riding wi' someone!" said John meekly. And burst into renewed laughter when Mehitable's back stiffened into a haughty ramrod.

But it was not the night for mirth. Presently John fell silent, brooding upon the humble, faithful friend he had left behind him in the glen, beneath the stark, naked trees.

"To-morrow," he's aid to Captain Freeman, "to-morrow must we return wi' pick and shovels, Tony!"

"Aye—an the wolves don't go earlier!" Anthony's voice was dispirited, and they finished their journey in gloomy speechlessness, Mehitable lying spent against her brother's shoulder in a daze of misery.

Doctor Condit prescribed a day in bed for his sister when, to Charity's fright, and Mistress Lind-