and giving his enemy
a kick, said, "Get up!"

The man rose with difficulty.

"I won't waste time in asking any promises from YOU, but if you ever
trouble my wife or me again, I'll break every bone in your body. Go,
quick, before my mood changes, and don't say a word."

As the man tremblingly untied his horse, Jane stepped out before him
and said, "I'm a little idiotic girl, am I?"

He was too thoroughly cowed to make any reply and drove as rapidly away
as the ground permitted, guiding his horse with difficulty in his
maimed condition.

Jane, in the exuberance of her pleasure, began something like a jig on
the scene of conflict, and her antics were so ridiculous that Holcroft
had to turn away to repress a smile. "You didn't mind me, Jane," he
said gravely.

"Well, sir," she replied, "after showin' you the way to 'im, you
oughter not grudge me seein' the fun."

"But it isn't nice for little girls to see such things."

"Never saw anything nicer in my life. You're the kind of man I believe
in, you are. Golly! Only wished SHE'D seen you. I've seen many a
rough and tumble 'mong farm hands, but never anything like this. It
was only his pistol I was 'fraid of."

"Will you do exactly what I say now?"

She nodded.

"Well, go home across the fields and don't by word or manner let Mrs.
Holcroft know what you've seen or heard, and say nothing about meeting
me. Just make her think you know nothing at all and that you only
watched the man out of sight. Do this and I'll give you a new dress."

"I'd like somethin' else 'sides that."

"Well, what?"

"I'd like to be sure I could stay right on with you."

"Yes, Jane, after today, as long as you're a good girl. Now go, for I
must get back to my team before this scamp goes by."

She darted homeward as the farmer returned to his wagon. Ferguson soon
appeared and seemed much startled as he saw his Nemesis again. "I'll
keep my word," he said, as he drove by.

"You'd better!" called the farmer. "You know what to expect now."

Alida was so prostrated by the shock of the interview that she rallied
slowly. At last she saw that it was getting late and that she soon
might expect the return of her husband. She dragged herself to the
door and again called Jane, but the place was evidently deserted.
Evening was coming on tranquilly, with all its sweet June sounds, but
now every bird song was like a knell. She sunk on the porch seat and
looked at the landscape, already