and unconsciously to
myself moved a few steps nearer the opening where the house stood,
when suddenly all was still and I could not for the moment determine
whether I had really heard the sound of a saw or not. Annoyed at
myself, and ashamed of an interest that made every trivial incident
connected with this affair of such moment to me, I turned back to my
work, and in a few moments had finished it and left the wood, when
what was my astonishment to see Orrin coming from the same place,
with his face turned toward the village, and a hardy, determined
expression upon it which made me first wonder and then ask myself if I
really comprehended this man or knew what he cherished in his heart of
hearts.

Going straight up to him, I said:

"Well, Orrin, what's this? Coming away from the house instead of going
to it? I understood that you and Juliet were expecting to visit it
together this afternoon."

He paused, startled, and his eyes fell as I looked him straight in the
face.

"We are going to visit it," he admitted, "but I thought it would be
wiser for me to inspect the place first and see if all was right. An
unfinished building has so many traps in it, you know." And he laughed
loudly and long, but his mirth was forced, and I turned and looked
after him, as he strode away, with a vague but uneasy feeling I did
not myself understand.

"Will the Colonel go with you?" I called out.

He wheeled about as if stung. "Yes," he shouted, "the Colonel will go
with us. Did you suppose he would allow us the satisfaction of going
alone? I tell you, Philo," and he strode back to my side, "the Colonel
considers us his property. Is not that pleasant? His _property_! And
so we are," he fiercely added, "while we are his debtors. But we shall
not be his debtors long. When we are married--if we _are_ married--I
will take Juliet from this place if I have to carry her away by force.
She shall never be the mistress of this house."

"Orrin! Orrin!" I protested.

"I have said it," was his fierce rejoinder, and he left me for the
second time and passed hurriedly down the street.

I was therefore somewhat taken aback when a little while later he
reappeared with Juliet and the Colonel, in such a mood of forced
gayety that more than one turned to look after them as they passed
merrily laughing down the road. Will Juliet never be the mistress of
that house? I think she will, my Orrin. That dimpled smile of hers has
more force in it than th