e, entered the heart of Cora Waters. Blessed
is the being free from this curse. The green-eyed monster, unbidden,
enters the heart and enthrones himself as ruler of the happiness of the
individual over whom it assumes sway. She heard all that mother and son
said, and then watched him as he went out. Then she closed the door of
her apartment and retired to her bedroom.

It was almost evening, and when Mrs. Stevens informed her that tea was
ready, she feigned headache and asked to be excused. It was the heart
rather than the head that ached.

Charles Stevens was gathering in the herds as was the custom for the
night, when he came rather suddenly upon John Louder, returning from the
forest.

"Ho, Charles Stevens, where were you last Lord's Day?" asked Louder.

"Was I missed?"

"You were, and I trow the patrol could not find you."

"I was in Boston."

"Do you know that Mr. Parris hath begun to cry out against some of the
people?"

"I have heard as much, and I think the pastor should be more careful,
lest he will do an injustice."

Louder shook his head and, seating himself on the green bank of a
brooklet, answered:

"Goody Nurse is a witch. She hath grievously tormented me on divers
occasions and in divers ways. Fain would I believe her other but I
cannot."

"John Louder, you are a deceived and deluded man."

"Nay, nay, Charles, you mock me. I have had her come and sit upon my
chest and oppress me greatly with her torments. Have I not been turned
into a beast and ridden through thorns and briars at night and awoke to
find myself in bed?"

Charles, laughing, answered:

"It was the troubled dream from which you awoke."

"Nay; I found the thorns and briars pricking my hands and legs."

"Perchance you walked in your sleep."

"Charles, why seek to deceive me in that way, when I know full well that
what I tell you is surely truth? I see with my eyes, I hear with my
ears, and I feel with my senses. Only night before last, I was ridden
into a field where they partook of a witches' sacrament."

"And what was it, pray?" asked Charles with a smile of incredulity.

"The flesh and blood of a murdered victim."

Charles laughed outright.

"Nay, nay, Charles, you need not laugh," cried Louder, angrily. "She was
there, too."

"Who?"

"The maid who hath lived at your house. The offspring of a vile player.
Behold, I saw her partake of the sacrament."

Charles Stevens' face alternately paled and flushed as he a