he dusk deepened; the air was loud with
birds; there were shouts of children in the distance; gradually these
died away, and the stars came out. The wind was damp and sweet; over
in the field pale shapes of mist wavered and changed like phantoms. A
woman came running noiselessly into the yard, and pressed against the
door panting, and knocked. Barney saw the swirl of light skirts
around the corner; then the knock came.

[Illustration: "Barney sat staring at vacancy"]

He got up, trembling, and opened the door, and stood there looking at
the woman, who held her hooded head down.

"It's me, Barney," said Charlotte's voice.

"Come in," said Barney, and he moved aside.

But Charlotte stood still. "I can say what I want to here," she
whispered, panting. "Barney."

"Well, what is it, Charlotte?"

"Barney."

Barney waited.

"I've come over here to-night, Barney, to see you," said Charlotte,
with solemn pauses between her words. "I don't know as I ought to; I
don't know but I ought to have more pride. I thought at first I
never--could--but afterwards I thought it was my duty. Barney, are
you going to let--anything like this--come between us--forever?"

"There's no use talking, Charlotte."

Charlotte's hooded figure stood before him stiff and straight. There
was resolution in her carriage, and her pleading tone was grave and
solemn.

"Barney," she said again; and Barney waited, his pale face standing
aloof in the dark.

"Barney, do you think it is right to let anything like this come
between you and me, when we were almost husband and wife?"

"It's no use talking, Charlotte."

"Do you think this is right, Barney?"

Barney was silent.

"If you can't answer me I will go home," said Charlotte, and she
turned, but Barney caught her in his arms. He held her close,
breathing in great pants. He pulled her hood back with trembling
strength, and kissed her over and over, roughly.

"Charlotte," he half sobbed.

Charlotte's voice, full of a great womanly indignation, sounded in
his ear. "Barney, you let me go," she said, and Barney obeyed.

"When I came here alone this way I trusted you to treat me like a
gentleman," said she. She pulled her hood over her face again and
turned to go. "I shall never speak to you about this again," said
she. "You have chosen your own way, and you know best whether it's
right, or you're happy in it."

"I hope you'll be happy, Charlotte," Barney said, with a great sigh.

"That do