always
stopped at the inn on market days, before starting for home, 'but one
fine morning they both went to the little church on top of the hill, and
were married. My cousin is servant to the priest, and she found out
about it and told me. But good-day to you, sir; here is your horse, and
I must hurry off to the kitchen.'

It was lucky that the horse was sure-footed and knew the road, for his
bridle hung loose on his neck, and his master took no heed of the way he
was going. When the farm-house was reached, the man led the animal to
his stable, and then went to look for his son.

'I know everything--you have deceived me. Get out of my sight at once--I
have done with you,' he stammered, choking with passion as he came up to
the young man, who was cutting a stick in front of the door, whistling
gaily the while.

'But, father----'

'You are no son of mine; I have only one now. Begone, or it will be the
worse for you,' and as he spoke he lifted up his whip.

The young man shrank back. He feared lest his father should fall down in
a fit, his face was so red and his eyes seemed bursting from his head.
But it was no use staying: perhaps next morning the old man might listen
to reason, though in his heart the son felt that he would never take
back his words. So he turned slowly away, and walked heavily along a
path which ended in a cave on the side of the hill, and there he sat
through the night, thinking of what had happened.

Yes, he had been wrong, there was no doubt of that, and he did not
quite know how it had come about. He had _meant_ to have told his father
all about it, and he was sure, _quite_ sure, that if once the old man
had seen his wife, he would have forgiven her poverty on account of her
great beauty and goodness. But he had put it off from day to day, hoping
always for a better opportunity, and now this was the end!

* * * * *

If the son had no sleep that night, no more had the father, and as soon
as the sun rose, he sent a messenger into the great city with orders to
bring back the younger brother. When he arrived the farmer did not waste
words, but informed him that he was now his only heir, and would inherit
all his lands and money, and that he was to come and live at home, and
to help manage the property.

Though very pleased at the thought of becoming such a rich man--for the
brothers had never cared much for each other--the younger would rather
have stayed where