e a round of
applause upon Billy.

"Yep, and he kept on hugging and kissing her like this--" Billy went
into an ecstasy of portrayal. Suddenly, however, he reeled into sanity,
for Jude had struck him across the cheek with the back of a hand
trembling with new-born emotion.

"Take that, you impish brat," he had said, "and more like it if you
stand there another minute with your lying capers."

"They ain't lies," wailed Billy, edging away and nursing his smarting
face; "he did! he did! It was in his shack--I saw 'em!"

"Get out," yelled Jude, glowering darkly; "and you tell that to any one
else and," he came nearer to the shrinking child, "I swear I'll choke
yer till yer can't speak." So changed was Jude that Billy trembled
before him.

"I won't," he whispered, "I swear I won't, Jude; don't--don't hit me
again; I won't tell."

He was gone, but the old Jude was gone also. The new man finished the
gun cleaning, his breath coming hard and fast meanwhile, and then,
taking the gun with him, he went into the deep woods on the northern
edge of the village.

All the rest of the day he watched Gaston's shack from a distance; as
the darkness drew on he crept closer.

Joyce did not come near the place, and Gaston himself only returned when
the night was well advanced.

Jude watched him light his lamp, and prepare his supper. Watched him,
later, go into the inner room, and then he crept close to the broad
window to see what Gaston was doing in there where no foot but Gaston's
own, so it was said, ever entered. As he had raised his eyes to the
level of the casement, Gaston's calm gaze met his with a laugh in it.

"Hello, Jude," the voice was unshaken; "playing Indian Brave? Got your
gun, too? What you after, big game or--what?" Jude rose to his feet. He
was trembling violently. Gaston watched him closely. "Come in?" he asked
presently.

"No. I was only passing--thought I would look in. I'm going now."

"Hold on there, Jude, what's up?" Gaston leaned from the window. "Are
you alone?"

"Yes. There ain't anything the matter."

"All right." Gaston looked puzzled. "Good night." He watched Jude until
he was lost in the shadows, then he drew the heavy wooden shutters
close, bolted the door and placed his pistol near at hand.

All the next day Jude haunted the vicinity of Joyce Birkdale's home, but
he kept hidden, for Joyce was safe within doors and a drizzly rain was
falling. Night again found him on guard; and now he lay