at the figure plunging
into the depths below.

CHAPTER XXXIV

KATE GETS A SHOCK

Late that afternoon a stable boy from Kitchen's barn appeared at
Belle's, making inquiries for Doctor Carpy. Kate heard Belle at the
door answering and asking questions, but the messenger was not able to
answer any questions; his business was to ask only. When Kitchen
himself came over a little later there was more talk at the door, this
time in low tones that left Kate in ignorance of its purport. But the
moment Kitchen went away, Belle, never equal to hiding an emotion,
passed with compressed lips and set face through the room in which Kate
sat sewing. Kate looked up as Belle walked toward the kitchen and
noticed the tense expression--fortunately she asked no questions.
After some vigorous moments in the kitchen, evidenced by the sound of a
creaking bread-board, sharp blows at the stove lids and an unabashed
slamming of the stewpans, Belle passed again through the room carrying
a plate covered with a napkin, and evidently going somewhere.

Kate felt compelled to take notice: "Where you bound for, Belle?" she
asked.

"Not far. But if I don't get back, don't wait supper," was the only
answer. The manner rather than the matter of it puzzled Kate as she
bent over her work. But the next moment she was alone and thinking
about her own troubles.

Half an hour passed rapidly on her sewing--for Kate's fingers were
quick--and Belle returned more perturbed than when she left. She gave
Kate hardly a chance to question her.

"Why didn't you eat your supper?" she demanded.

Kate answered unconcernedly: "I wasn't hungry--it isn't late, is it?"

Without answering the question Belle asked another. "Kate," she said,
unpinning her hat as she spoke, "how long you going to stay here?"

A less sensitive person than Kate could hardly have mistaken the import
of the question. She flushed as she looked up. "Why, surely no longer
than you want me, Belle," she answered, as evenly as she could; but her
voice showed her surprise. Belle stood before her, a statue of
implacability and Kate, in growing astonishment, rose to her feet:
"What is it? What has happened?" she asked, then as her wits worked
fast: "Doesn't my father wish you to keep me?"

"I'm not thinking about what your father wants. Things are getting too
thick here for me." Kate made no effort to interrupt. "I don't say I
don't like you, Kate--I've always treated you righ