ity, it
was his intention to remain in his hiding place until after nightfall.

Jane had merely to skirt the bushy hillside higher up, in order to keep
Ferguson in view and discover the spot in which he was lurking.
Instead of returning to the house she kept right on, maintaining a
sharp eye on the road beneath to make sure that Holcroft did not pass
unobserved. By an extended detour, she reached the highway and
continued toward town in the hope of meeting the farmer. At last she
saw him driving rapidly homeward. He was consumed with anxiety to be
at least near to Alida, even if, as he believed, he was no longer
welcome in her presence. When Jane stepped out into the road he pulled
up his horses and stared at her. She, almost bursting with her great
secrets, put her finger on her lips and nodded portentously.

"Well, what is it?" he asked, his heart beating quickly.

"I've got a lot to tell yer, but don't want no one to see us."

"About my wife?"

The girl nodded.

"Good God! Speak then. Is she sick?" and he sprung out and caught her
arm with a grip that hurt her.

"Please, sir, I'm doin' all I kin for yer and--and you hurt me."

Holcroft saw the tears coming to her eyes and he released his hold as
he said, "Forgive me, Jane, I didn't mean to; but for mercy's sake,
tell your story."

"It's a long 'un."

"Well, well, give me the gist of it in a word."

"I guess she's goin' to run away."

Holcroft groaned and almost staggered to his horses' heads, then led
them to the roadside and tied them to a tree. Sitting down, as if too
weak to stand, he buried his face in his hands. He could not bear to
have Jane see his distress. "Tell your story," he said hoarsely,
"quick, for I may have to act quickly."

"Guess yer will. Did yer know she was married?"

"Certainly--to me."

"No, to another man--married by a minister. He's been there with her."
She little foresaw the effect of her words, for the farmer bounded to
his feet with an oath and sprang to his horses.

"Stop!" cried Jane, tugging at his arm. "If you go rushin' home now,
you'll show you've got no more sense than mother. You'll spoil
everything. She aint goin' to run away with HIM--she said she
wouldn't, though he coaxed and threatened to kill yer if she didn't.
'Fi's a man I wouldn't act like a mad bull. I'd find out how to get
ahead of t'other man."

"Well," said Holcroft, in a voice that frightened the child, "she said
she wouldn't run