ve in such things. Leegart thought to
herself: "Martina is very stupid, but I am thankful if I alone have the
gift of knowing what is to come to pass in the world." She shrunk from
every evil thought, that had ever hitherto passed through her mind with
regard to others, or was yet to pass. It was a dreadful responsibility
to possess such a gift, and to be able to influence the fate of others
just as she chose. Whenever the women came to pay her a visit Leegart
never failed to repeat: "I mean well to the whole world; no one can
have better intentions than I have. I wish every one, without a single
exception, all that is good."

No one understood what Leegart meant, but all agreed in saying--

"Yes, indeed, you were always kind to everybody."

"And do you know what I am going to say?" exclaimed Leegart, with
sparkling eyes, "I say nothing but this: the Parsonage, and Tony of the
Forest Mill. Remember that I said it--I say no more."

Soon after the news came of the miller's death, the Pastor and his
wife, escorted by Edward, drove to the Forest Mill; and it was
fortunate they did so, for they found Tony in a perfect agony of grief
and remorse, for she had gone through so much that was dreadful since
yesterday, and she continually blamed herself, that in studying the
welfare of others she had forgotten her father.

Tony welcomed the Pastorin as a guardian angel, and she became more
composed when she promised to stay with her. Edward begged she would
give him something to do for her; Tony looked at him intently, and drew
close to the Pastorin.

The newly made widow at the mill howled and lamented horribly, and when
the Pastor addressed her she scarcely listened to him, but stared
incessantly at Tony, as if she would have poisoned her by her glances.
The martyr was now free, and her tormentor was forced to quit the house
a beggar.

Let people contend against it as they will: Leegart must positively
have known something!

Tony went to the Parsonage at the new year, and continued to reside
their during her year of mourning. By degrees she revived from her deep
sorrow, and looked quite as pretty as she did before, only her beauty
had become far more refined.

At midsummer large additions were made to the Forest Mill, and Edward
often came to visit his sister, and he never was at the Parsonage
without going to the Forest Mill, and seeing that all the arrangements,
and instructions were properly carried out.

Leegart