ou to show Christian forbearance. He's been
thoughtless, but heer lately he is a changed man, an' I believe he's
tryin' his level best to do right in God's sight. He's had a peck o'
trouble in one way or another over heer, but, in addition to that, I'm
mistaken ef he don't suffer in secret day and night."

"You don't say," cried Mrs. Dawson, eagerly. "I 'lowed he wus cuttin'
a wide swath over heer."

"Never was a bigger mistake. He don't visit a single gal in the place.
He neglects his business, an' spends most o' his time in the woods
pretendin' to hunt, but he seldom fetches back a thing, and you know he
used to be the best shot at the beef matches. Luke thinks his mind is
turned a little bit. Luke happened to go 'long the Shader Rock road
t'other day an' seed John lyin' flat o' his back in the woods. He
passed 'im twice inside of a hour, an' he hadn't moved a peg. No
healthy minded man don't carry on that way, Mis' Dawson."

"Hain't he a-settin' up to that hotel gal?" Mrs. Bradley turned towards
the house with her guest. "No, he hain't," she answered. "She nussed
him when he wus down, an'--well, maybe she does kinder fancy _him_ a
little--any natcherl girl would--I don't say she _does_ nor _doesn't_,
but he hain't been to see 'er, to my knowledge, a single time, nur has
never tuk her out to any o' the parties. No, thar's nothin' twixt 'em;
she tried to git 'im to come stay at the hotel when he wus sick atter
the Whitecap outrage, an' I thought she acted a little for'ard then,
but he refused an' come to us instead."

"You don't say so; why, I heerd--"

"A body kin always heer more about a thing fur off than right whar it
happens," concluded Mrs. Bradley. They were now in the sitting-room,
and Mrs. Dawson took off her bonnet and shawl. Mrs. Bradley put some
pieces of pine under the smouldering logs in the fireplace and swept
the hearth.

That night when Westerfelt came home supper was on the table. He was
surprised to see the visitor, but she did not notice him and he said
nothing to her. The meal passed awkwardly. Luke made an effort to
keep up the conversation with her by asking about his friends in her
neighborhood, but her replies were in a low tone and short, and he
finally gave up the attempt.

Westerfelt rose from the table before any of the others and left the
house. As he turned from the gate to go to the stable, he looked
through the window and saw Mrs. Dawson move her chair to the fi