saw the
threatening cloud and hastened her steps. Sharp lightnings flickered
along its lower edge, lacing it with pale blue and saffron. The mutter
of the thunder in the distance was like a heavy cannonade.

"Maybe it sounded so years and years ago when the British and French
fought over there," Janice thought. "How these hills must have echoed
to the roll of the guns! And when Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain
Boys discharged the guns in a salvo of thanksgiving over Old Ti's
capture--Oh! is that you, Nelson? How you startled me."

For the young schoolmaster had come up the hill behind her at a
breathless gait. "We've got to hurry," he said. "That's going to be
what Marty would call a 'humdinger' of a storm, Janice."

"Dear me! I didn't know you were in town," she said happily.

"We got the last of the hay in this morning," said the bronzed young
fellow, smiling. "I helped mow away and the elder was kind enough to
say that I had done well and could have the rest of the day to myself.
I fancy the shrewd old fellow knew it was about to rain," and he
laughed.

"And how came you down this way?" Janice asked.

"Followed your trail," laughed Nelson. I went in to Mrs. Beaseley's of
course. "And then at Drugg's I learned you had gone down to see Jim
Narnay's folks. But I didn't catch you there. Goodness, Janice, but
they are a miserable lot! I shouldn't think you could bear to go
there."

"Oh, Nelson, the poor little baby--it is so sick and it cheers Mrs.
Narnay up a little if I call on her. Besides, Sophie and the little
boys are just as cunning as they can be. I can't help sympathizing
with them."

"Do save some of your sympathy for other folks, Janice," said Nelson,
rather ruefully. "You ought to have seen the blisters I had on my
hands the first week or two I was a farmer."

"Oh, Nelson! That's too bad," she cried, with solicitude.

"Too late!" he returned, laughing. "They are callouses now--marks of
honest toil. Whew! see that dust-cloud!"

The wind had ruffled the lake in a wide strip, right across to the
eastern shore. Whitecaps were dancing upon the surface and the waves
ran a long way up the beach. The wind, rushing ahead of the
rain-cloud, caught up the dust in the streets and advanced across the
town.

Janice hid her face against the sleeve of her light frock. Nelson led
her by the hand as the choking cloud passed over. Then the rain, in
fitful gusts at first, pelted them so