t doubtin' you," said Cassi, who, noiseless as a shadow, had
followed to assist Levi if Gill should attempt to get away.

That was all that was said, the brothers not being talkers. One of them
constantly remained with Gill.

Two days later the Colossal Aggregation went into winter quarters, and
the members of it from Three-Sisters, accompanied by Gill, started
homewards.

CHAPTER XVIII.

LIZZI'S VENGEANCE.

On the last night of November a gypsy-like covered wagon stopped at the
farther end of the river bridge at Three-Sisters. From it Levi and Gill
alighted. Matthi and Cassi followed, and then paused to assist Parson
Lawrence to the ground. Levi and Gill entered the bridge immediately at
a rapid pace, the others following leisurely. Bill Kellar, Blind Benner,
and Hunch were left in the wagon to follow later, in time to be guests
at the wedding by the church's ceremony of Gill and Lizzi.

She sat near the stove, rocking the new cradle her father had brought
that day from the chopping. It was made of wild grape-vines ingeniously
plaited, and rocked smoothly on oak rockers. She was very proud of it,
and as she moved it with a light motion of her foot, she hummed a
lullaby which had soothed both grandfather and grandchild, for they
slept, he sitting in the arm-chair where his wife died. His clay pipe
was held lightly between his fingers.

Some one entered without knocking, and Lizzi slowly turned from the fire
at which she had been gazing vacantly. Her glad cry of welcome startled
her father, and the pipe slipped to the floor, breaking it in pieces;
but he did not heed it, so astounded was he at seeing Lizzi throw her
arms around a man's neck and lay her head against his chest. The man
apparently was a stranger, but Lizzi soon informed her father who she
greeted so affectionately.

"Oh, John!" she said, "you have come back at last, and I'll not see a
finger pointing at me from everybody's eyes any more."

Gill had no reply ready for such a welcome, and none suggested itself to
him. So he remained silent, while Lizzi, forgetful of the open door,
wept on his shoulder. Levi, gazing upon the scene, was fully repaid for
his long search for Gill.

Presently Peter arose, and walked with dignity to the door. Laying his
hand on the latch, he paused and said sternly:

"Ef yer come back, Mister Gillfillan, ter cure the hurt yer give Lizzi,
I'll shet this door with yer inside; but ef yer ain't, better let me
shet it as