elf, some one else is speaking through you. Did my father tell you
that?"

Anton trembled, and Thoma continued: "Anton, for my sake you are
speaking falsely. You lie! There he stands, and has such true eyes, so
honest, and yet will lie. How can I now believe your Yes before the
altar? Anton, you're telling a lie."

With tremulous voice, Anton replied:

"Thoma, I'm--I'm a soldier." His hand touched the medal of honor upon
his breast.

"Take that off," cried Thoma. "Go! go away! Even you can tell a lie.
Go! go!"

"Thoma! I forgive you. In affliction one turns against his dearest
friend----"

"You're no more my dearest friend. I'll not have your forgiveness. Go
away forever and ever. I have no part in you, and you shall have no
part in me."

She rushed away and locked herself in her bedroom. Anton stood for a
time benumbed, then knocked at her door, and spoke lovingly to her. She
made no answer. He threatened to break open the door unless she gave
some sign. Then the bolt was drawn; the door opened a little way; and
at his feet fell the engagement ring. The door was again closed and
bolted; Anton picked up the ring and went away.

CHAPTER XVII.

Landolin turned away from the spring and went into the yard. He stopped
a moment at the dog's kennel, and said to himself: "Chained! Chained!"

Did he feel, and did he wish to say that henceforth he himself was in
chains?

He unfastened the dog, and it followed him into the living-room. No one
was there. Landolin sat down in the easy chair, nervously grasped its
arms, and moved his hands over them as if to convince himself that they
were still there. Then he pulled up the loose tops of his boots, as
though making ready for a walk. He arose, but went only as far as the
table, which he repeatedly rubbed with his hands, as though trying to
wipe something off. With a peremptory voice he called to have the
supper brought. It was soon ready. His wife sat down beside him. She
said nothing; she seemed comforted, even delighted, that her husband
was willing to eat; and she forced herself to eat with him.

Landolin told the maid to call Thoma and Anton to supper. The maid
returned with the answer that Anton had gone away, and that Thoma sent
word that she was not coming. At this, Landolin seized his fork, and
struck it through the cloth, deep into the hard table. His wife arose,
her lips tightly compressed, and looked with dismay at the