Edward, "how came the little
creature here?"

Edward silently held the little creature in his arms as if he would
keep back the dear life that appeared leaving her, and when Jacob's
eye fell upon the white, upturned face, he drew back with a look of
alarm.

When this and that restorative had been resorted to with happy effect,
and Little Wolf no longer required undivided attention, at her
suggestion Antoinette La Clare briefly related the story of their
escape from Bloody Jim. Mutual explanations followed, discovering to
Antoinette the fact, that she had taken refuge in the house of her
cousin, for such John Hanford proved to be, his mother's sister having
married Antoinette's father.

Amid the general rejoicings and congratulations, Edward naturally
alluded to the death of Bloody Jim, and the means by which it was
accomplished. "We are fairly rid of him now," he said, turning to
Little Wolf, who had quietly slipped from his embrace and perched
herself upon the big chest, "the ball made sure work."

The color had come to her cheek, and there was great joy in her eye,
but Edward's unlucky words made her pale again, and she looked quickly
and apprehensively towards Antoinette.

The poor girl shiveringly hid her face in her hands and sobbed
audibly.

CHAPTER XV.

BUSY PREPARATIONS AND THE CLIMAX--THE LOVERS--TOM TINKNOR'S
DISCOVERY--GENERAL REJOICINGS--THE IDOL DEFACED.

The next morning the cottage on the knoll presented a scene of busy
preparation, the climax of which brought forth Little Wolf rosy, and
roguish, wrapped in blankets and shawls, sufficient, we doubt not, to
have covered over more land than the nether garments of the famous Ten
Breeches.

She was now in readiness for her homeward journey. The long-wished-for
time had come, and with it, ten thousand joyous emotions, which, amid
all the changes of after life, she never forgot. Her heart had put
forth its life flower, and who ever forgot a like season of bloom.

Edward was here, there, and everywhere, arranging for her comfort, and
he looked very proud indeed when he handed, or rather lifted the lady
in blankets into the big wagon, and took his seat beside her.

They were to go alone, Antoinette having accepted a pressing
invitation to remain with her newly-found cousins. The driver of the
day before did not, as on a previous occasion, wait for orders. Before
the adieus were fairly spoken he cracked his whip and drove off at a