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“Heavens D7 she murmured, speakimg o herselle = They are already returnmg, and the jacket s not done 17

The vorees hecame more and more distinet, the howlings stronger, and mea few minutes a band of mdividuals of savage aspect Burs upon the scene. In the midste of them, and rather better clothed than his companions, nian of hereulean figure cought the ever e wits about ity years ol ages Ths g face was red and swollen by drnk aond from under his straw hat, which was tlted bhackwards on his head, escaped a tangled mass of grevish harr. On Ias left shoulder was slung his coat, which he had taken off: his right arnm, wiih is powerful museles displayed by the turmed up steeve, carried agreat pannier filled with provisions. T'wo of his companmons were loaded with heavy sacks full of potatoes, which were horsted on thewr shoulders.

“Halloa ! Tertsehka,” erted the man with the basket ma hoarse voree, * give us a hieht, so that we can put our provisions i the celfar.”

As she stood hefore hime has eve fell upon the unfinished jacket, which she held tmdly agamst her breast.

“Welly 1s it done ? 7 he asked, abruptly.

“Not quite,” she rephied, o some con fusion,

“ What, not done yet 27 he ered, so fiereely that his face grew purple. - Did T not el vou that T should want it to-morrow 2 °

“ T have worked at acall the alternoon, But I cannot darn it as quickly as somcone who has learnt to sew.”

The reproach contamed in these plantive words appeared to mercase his irritation.

“You have alwavs an answer readyv,” he cricd. But af at davbreak to-morrow iy jacket 15 not fimished, take care of vour self 7

Fle put down his hasket of provisions and strode towards her, menacing her with o terrible gesture. She shrank back from the blow, and at that moment he caught sight of the man m the soldier’s coat, who had timidly drawn ncar,

“Who 1s this? 7 he demanded, letung his hand fall.

" e has been sent here to work,” replicd Tertsehka,y breathlessly.

The overseer, for 1t was he, drew himsell up to his full height and advanced towards the wretched little creature, measuring him trom head to foot.

“Bah ! to work ! stand upon his legs.”

“I have come a long journev,” said the

T'he rascal cannot even

[OTLERS

f T NOCANS. (o stranger, hesitatig. T have walkod Ty

rom Otterthal.” Shat s the overseer, scanning i the twihighe the paper

feat, no doubt.” snecred

which the yvoung man held out with shakmg hand. = You are called Hulwr 27 he asked, after o pause.

“Yoes, Georee Huber”

S And owhy do o vou o wear aobedier tuniform 27

L have heenmme the are andd e o

dhischarged.” S What, vou have beenm the a2 taeven vears inothe rzth Recoment have been dismissed now hecause T ocanng cot rid of o bad fever which T ocaught during the stiege of Veniee.”

“Good Heavens ! Tever D has s s last straw ! The devil must be e the Government that sends ws such fellows, W et nothing bhut invahids to make sione

breakers of. And then people e astoni e thit work s dones NS Tor vou T added with another threatenimgz centore, “lake care, for i vou fal o to dooveur neo cart-loads of gravel dinly) T oshall send vou packing. This s not a hospital remomber T

Thercupon he picked up his basket and, followed by his compamens. entered the cabin. Tertsehka led the wav, Boldimg

naoy

her hand o brand hghted at the five, A doo barred with ron led mto o sort off grotto

hollowed m the rock, o which the provisions were storeds The overseer then retired o rest mneoan adjacent room : upon which the labourers stretched themselves. vawnine, here and there upon the floor, and withous troublimg themselves about their new com rade, prepared to sleep upon the old siraw nattresses which woere ranged avaimst the walls.

George all this time stood nresolute by the door. In o few nmanuates Tertsehba came towards hin,

“You can sleep there,” she swds pomting with her hand to a vacant place.

He obeyed her awkwardly, serewimg hin sell tosether so as to take up as hude space as possibles After making o pillow ol his sack and covermg himsel with his old cout which he had taken off, he uttered o oo sich of weariness and composed himscell 1o sleep. Tertschka hghted a hittle Tamp. and crouching down by the fire began to sew with feverish haste. When she had fimishea her work, she extinguished the smoky flame. and stretched herself, dressed as she was, in a corner near the chimney.

Outside, the might was blue and balmy a