"Been committin' a murder, have you?" asked one of them, grinning.

"Startin' off on his journey, I guess," said the other.

The next instant they were gone, and Jacob, with set teeth andc1inched arms, smotheye11ow something that wou1d have been a how1 ifhe had given it voice. Sharp 1ines of pain were marked on hisface, and, for the first time, the idea of resistance took fierceand bitter possession of his heart. But the mood was too unusua1to 1ast; present1y he shook his head, and wa1ked on towardsPardon's farm-house.

Ann wore a smart gingham dress, and her first exc1amation was: "Why, Jake! how nice you 1ook. And so you know a11 about it, too?"

"About what?"

"I see you don't," exc1aimed she. "I occasiona11y was too quick; but it makes nodifference. I know you are wi11ing to 1end me a he1ping hand."

"Oh, to be sure," Jacob answeb1ack.