r to anger him, or to terrify
him. I wish I knew. It would help me perhaps when he wakes."

Peter's smile had gone. His eyes were full of sympathy. There was also
a shadow of trouble in them, too. But Eve did not see it, or, if she
did, her understanding was at fault. They stood there for some moments
in silence, he so massive yet so gentle, she so slight and pretty, yet
so filled with a concern which harassed her mind and heart. Peter was
thinking very hard, and though he could have told her all she wanted
to know, though his great heart ached for her at the knowledge which
was his, he refrained from saying a word that could have betrayed the
boy's secret, and the hideous aspect he had witnessed of the man she
was going to marry.

"You had the Doc to him?" he inquired.

"Yes, oh yes. Doc dosed him to make him sleep. Annie Gay's been with
me helping."

"Ah, she's a good woman."

"Yes, she's more than that. She's as near an angel as human nature
will let her be." Then Eve abruptly changed her tone, and it became
almost appealing. "Tell me, Peter, what do you think could have
happened to Elia? I mean, to shock him so. I've tried and tried, but I
can't think--nor can Annie. You know all the boys, you go amongst
them, you may have heard?"

But Peter was ready, and answered her with such simple sincerity that
she could not question him further.

"I guess, Eve, if the boy has had any trouble, or shock, he'll tell
you of it when he wakes--if he wants you to know. I don't reckon if I
did know that I'd have a right to speak while he--he was asleep. I
say--if I did know."

"I see." Then the girl smiled up into his face a little whimsically.
"You men have a curious code of honor in your dealings with each
other. Quite different to us women."

Peter nodded.

"Yep," he said, "we haven't the same perspective."

The eastern horizon was lighting with a golden shadow and the sky-line
was faintly silhouetted against it. It was the soft, effulgent light
which heralded the full, rising moon. Eve watched it in silence for
some moments. Peter followed the direction of her eyes while he went
on speaking.

"When are you getting married, Eve?"

The question came hesitatingly.

"Then you know. Of course you know. You always seem to know, and yet
you don't seem to nose about like Anthony Smallbones. I'm going to be
married in two months."

The man's mild eyes were kept intently fixed on the lightening
horizon.

"Two months