he face of the
heavens?

The villagers assembled in alarm.

"Why, it's Duquette's place on fire!"

Yes, the homestead had been fired, and the conflagration made a red,
ragged hole in the blackness of the night!

CHAPTER XVII. SUSPICION FALLS UPON DONALD, AND A WARRANT IS ISSUED AGAINST HIM.

This was the second act in the drama.

The situations were strong and in bold relief. Would the interest deepen
in dramatic accrument?

Donald was generally suspected; but he had commenced to experience that
sympathy which was to withstand all attempts of the Government to shake
it--attempts which appealed alternately to fears and cupidity.

There was no proof against him, but even those who, if there had been
proof, would have condemned the act, would not put forth a hand to
injure him.

To understand the strength of the feeling of clannishness in this
district one must reside amongst the people.

Donald was suspected, as we have said, and a warrant was made out
against him on the charge of arson.

CHAPTER XVIII. HE THOUGHT OF HIS WIFE AND FAMILY, AND HE RETURNED TO SHERBROOKE.

"Good morning, Mr. A----."

"Good morning, Mr. L----. A lovely morning."

"Yes, indeed."

"Are you going far?"

"I am going to Marsden. By the way, have you seen Donald Morrison
lately?"

"I saw him yesterday. Why do you ask?"

"Well, I may tell you that I have a warrant to arrest him on a charge of
arson."

Mr. L---- looked very thoughtful. "Do you know the kind of man you have
to deal with?"

"I have heard a good deal about him, especially since he returned from
the West. But why do you ask?"

"I don't know," said Mr. L----, "whether Donald set fire to the
Duquette's place or not, but I know that his real or fancied wrongs have
made him morose and irritable--aye, I will add, dangerous. You are a
married man, Mr. A----?"

"Yes."

"You have a family?"

"Yes."

"Take my advice," said Mr. L---- impressively. "Don't try to execute
this warrant. Go straight back to Sherbrooke."

"But my duty," said Mr. A---- irresolutely.

"Where could you find Morrison, anyway? And if you did find him, and
attempted to execute the warrant, I tell you," said Mr. L--------,
with great earnestness, "there would be bloodshed."

Mr. A--------- thought a moment, held out his hand to Mr. L---------,
and turned his face towards Sherbrooke.

CHAPTER XIX. THE TRAGEDY.

MACBETH--"I have done the deed. This is a sorry sight