-the signal of trouble
to give to his classmates--then sat down and waited disgustedly, nursing
his bruised nose.

Frederick landed in the street, stunned for a single instant, but the
snow was soft and the moment critical. He gathered himself up, rubbed
off the blood that trickled from his fingers, and broke through the
street on a run. He found himself in the lower portion of the town not
far from the Leigh Valley tracks. To go eastward toward home would
attract attention for he was without hat, coat, or vest, and it would
probably lead to his recapture. He crossed the inlet bridge, passing a
man here and there who stared after him as if he were a shade, which had
risen from its grave seeking some kindred soul to haunt.

As Frederick passed the lighted squatter mission, the thought of the
warmth within made his teeth chatter. He would have given much to have
been able to place his cold hands over the fire which burned brightly in
the room. Suddenly he stopped in his rapid flight for liberty for
stepping to the tracks directly in front of him was the squatter girl.
She had not noticed him and the student knew that she was homeward
bound.

"Tessibel Skinner!"

The girl stopped, electrified, and tossed up her head.

"Tessibel Skinner!" called Frederick again.

When the girl recognized him, she came toward him with the awkward,
conscious gait of a maid walking before the man she loved. Her eyes took
in the half-clothed form of the student with one hasty glance.

"What air the matter?" she asked in an undertone.

Had the student been brought face to face with a dilemma like that of
Daddy Skinner? With the instincts of a squatter Tess could think of
nothing that would intimidate but the law.

"I have just escaped," replied Frederick, shivering.

Then he was in danger. He needed her as she had needed him, and Tess had
no doubt but that he was on his way to her shanty to ask her aid.

"Ye air runnin' from some bloke?" she demanded slyly.

"Yes."

"But ye air cold," said she, "ye can't walk four miles without a coat."

"Where are you going to take me?" Frederick scented a place of safety.

"To my hut," replied the squatter stoically. "Wait! Ye stop here a
minute."

She bounded into the road from the railway tracks, leaving Frederick
staring helplessly after her. At the door of the mission she halted with
the slyness that had been taught her from the cradle, bending her head
forward to ascertain if any perso