e, and it shall remove." Ah! if she
could have such faith, only such a little faith, she could bring the boy
back--bring back, through God's goodness, the student she loved.

"I air a-lovin' ye, Jesus," she trembled. "I takes care of the brat till
he croaks. Give me back--"

Emotion left the prayer unuttered in her breast.

* * * * *

At eight o'clock that evening, Tess, hugging the fence, sneaked up
through the rain. She turned into Graves' orchard, scurrying barefooted
toward the house, casting glances at intervals behind her. Through the
small garret window she could see Rebecca moving in her room, preparing
to go out. The library, facing the lane, was dark. But the streak of
light flung long upon the porch told the squatter that the Dominie's
family was in the drawing-room. Tess ventured to the back of the house,
drawing near the dark kitchen. Here was where Teola had placed the milk
for several days. She scraped about in the inky darkness, but her
fingers touched nothing. The babe's mother had forgotten to put out the
pail! Until the coming of the Dominie and his wife, Tess had had but
little fear, but now her breath came spasmodically. There was danger of
detection if she crept into the kitchen to obtain the milk. If she could
only get into Kennedy's barn! If the cows were only out to pasture! Tess
turned the handle of the kitchen door softly, and stepped in. A light
streak came from the drawing-room, and she located the ice-safe through
the dim shadows. Teola had told her to take the milk from there if she
failed to find it outside. She advanced slowly into the kitchen, holding
her breath, but her heart thumped so loudly that she feared the family
would hear it.

Kneeling down at the refrigerator, she fumbled for the lock. The door
slid open silently. A small pail of milk stood behind the butter-plate,
and Tessibel, clutching it in her fingers, rose up. As she did so, a
light flashed into her face, and she looked up to find Dominie Graves
towering over her, his brows caught together with anger.

"So Miss Skinner is the thief who takes our milk! The hymn-singing
girl!... Ah, it is you!"

Tessibel dropped her eyes, still holding the can of milk.

"I air a-stealin' yer milk," she said presently, lifting her gaze. "Air
ye goin' to--let me have it?"

"No, my lady, I am not going to let you have it," he mimicked. "But
something else you are going to get."

The Dominie stepped