(10 [ STRANLD

“Take awav vour load of stones, vou callows-bird ! then pack, and be off. 1 ever

I catch vou prowling about here agan, T owill break every bone i vour body !

He o kicked the poor fellow as he raised himself panfully then followimg him to his cart, he drove him to the voad with blows.

Then he came back and glared at Tert schka a fuouous“lmu‘ { hatred. - As

for vou,” he said, “ we settle our account by ~and- l)\ Muttering and growling to himsell, he

strode awayv.

stunned and blinded by the shock, George had rejoined his comrades. He emptied his cart mechanically, and sitting down upon a stone,

away. Smee the morning the day had becoime dull and the sky covered with

wind whistled Suddenly the

clouds. .\ biting autumn the tops of the pine trees. rain came down. But George never felt the ey drops which beat upon his face. Sparks danced before his eves, and o shiver ran through his franic. Shame at the treatment he had undergone, mixed with the bhurning Injustice w hl(h Tertse hka, as well as himscelf, wis - enduring, brought the angry blood to his face. And now he was dismissed separated from Tertschka from that which was to him the most precious thing i all the world. "The more he reflected, the more his shame and rage mercased. His timid and patient nature was stung to revolt, and he felt within him a new-born strength to strugyle, to resist, to conquer any obstacles which should rise to separate him from his e trothed. Gradually his dejected counte- nance assumed a termble expression, and his cves shone with a strange lustre,

He rose and took his way towards the hule hill where Tertschka worked. His com- ]mm()ns cved him curtously. He o found lutS( hka sitting on the ground in tears,

Do not weep, Rest,” he sads THis voier was calm and gentle, but singularly grave,

She made no reply.,

He came to her side, and raised her head, Her sobs grew more violent.

“ Do not weep,” he repeated, for the best: we now know what we do.” |

She looked straight before her

“ You will come with me when I go away?

She shook her head slowly.

“T1 shall try to obtain the post of crossing- keeper, which is given, T helieve, to sol liers who have served during the war. You shall

I was all have to

gazed before him with thoughts far

he vy wife, and we will Tive in one of the little cottages beside the ine. And i T fail e that,” he added quickly, seeing that she made no sign of consent, and that her sobs redoubled =il T cannot obtain this post —-we will work for vears with all our strength, and ceonomize as much as possible. Dut, Rest, P2 tell me that vou consent ! Answer me ! .

AL T she moaned. all that yvou say Paradise. but vou are not lhmkmu of th e will never let me go.

e cannot prevent vou. \ ol are no longer a child. e has no hold upon you, none. You are a worker ke ourselves. You are free to come and go at vour pleasure.”

“Beheve me, he will not et me go, ;md above all with vou. T have never told vou,

she replied, alter o pause, whilst a erimson flush of anger dved her face, * but he killed my mother with his cruclty. T told hime at the time what T thought of him. Fver sinee that dav he has hated me Tike poison, and never revenge himsclf upon me.

Creorge grew pale to - the Tips, as 11 he were choking.

The scoundrel D7 he ereds AU any cost vou must come with me, and we shall see 1l he will prevent vou from going.”

Be carctul,” she erted, i alarm. @ He s quite capable of killing any being too fechle: to defend itself.”

“1 do not fear him,” sud George, his small stature dilating. * He took me at disadvantage but now let him come !

“ Madonna ! shc moaned, wringing her hands moagony. * You must not hight! 1 cannot bear it.”

“No, no. 1t will not come to that,” he rephied, striving to appear calm. 1rst of all we will tell him our deci 1sion, and vou will

OVCTSeer.

loses an oceasion to

[Te secned

L XY

SeC thlt he will sav nothing. Coward that heis, he will be foreed to acknowledge that he no hold upon vou, and that vou arc l‘n'c Take courage, Resi.” he added, gravely.

“Would vou let me go away alone?

IFor answer she sprang towards him, and clung tightly vound his neck.

“Now we will go and find him,” stroking her hair gently.

They went

he and, slowly towards the cabin, Tert- sehka i o tumulte of alarm. Cieorge di”mmd and perfeetly calm. When they reac hed the cabin, they found the overseer, knife in hand, seated before the table, peeling potatoes. THe started on pereeiving the two vouny people but his surprise soon changed into a sort of frenzy. '