A Mountain Europa

lled to them cheerily as he climbed over the fence, but only the mother answered. Easter rose as he approached, and, withou

en sort o' puny 'n' triflin' o' late, but I rec

that it was only one of the girl's " spells," it was plain that something was wrong. Easter's face remained thin and drawn, and acquired gradually a hard, dogged, almost sullen look. She spoke to Clayton rarely, and then only in monosyllables. She never looked him in the face, and if his gaze rested intently on her, as she sat with eyes downcast and hands folded, she seemed to know it at once. Her face would color faintly, her hands fold and unfold nervously, and sometimes she would rise and go within. He had no opportunity of speaking with her alone. She seemed to guard against that, and, indeed, Raines's presen

as Raines had? It was impossible. But even if she had, his manner had in no wise changed. Some one else

eant to leave. During that fortnight he was strangely troubled. He did not leave the camp, but his mind was busied with thoughts of Easter-nothing but Easter. Time and again he had reviewed their acquaintance minutely from the beginning, but he

ses of the Cumberland lifted in majesty against the east; and in the shadow of the great cliff the vague outlines of the old cabin, as still as the awful silence around it. A light was visible, but he could hear no voices. Still, he knew he would find the occupants seated in the

e," she said; "you haven'

o barbarism again. He was a fool to think that in a few months he could counteract influences that had been moulding her character for a century. His purpose had been unselfish. Curiosity, the girl's beauty, his increasing power over her, had stimulated him, to be sure, but he had been conscientious and earnest. Somehow he was mor

several weeks," he found himself saying a m

bide by them. Easter was stirred from her lethargy at last, but Clayton's attention was drawn to Raines 's start of

th away. I declar', I'm downright sorry you're goin', I hev tuk

Not a suggestion of color disturbed the pallor of the

o say. You air not like Easter 'n' Sherd hyar, who talk 'bout as much as two

and, though he spoke quietly, h

lcome to ye," he said, "I kin t

an could recover h

hev Easter. All o' ye been a-settin' up hyar ez ef you was at a buryin'. I'm a-goin' to bed. You 'n' Easter

wered. "I may not; but

Clayton shook hands with he

oo, with her mother,

ad

said Clayton, ho

was scarcely audible as she faintly repeated his words. She lifted her face as their hands were unclasped, and her lips quivered mutely as if try

e that it was significant that Raines had shown no surprise when he spoke of going home, and yet had seemed almost startled by the suddenness of his departure. Perhaps the mountaineer knew he was going. It was known at the camp. If he knew, then Easter must have known. Perhaps she had felt hurt because he

crackled as though some hunted animal were flying for life through them, and then through the laurel-hedge burst the figure of a wo

ng fear. "My God! is that you? Why, what is

strained too much, had broken; and the passion, so long checked, surged through her like fire. Ah, God! what had he done? He saw the truth at last. In an impulse of tenderness he li

ead. She looked up with a sudden fierc