ed she knew
the reason of his seasoning his food in such a remarkable manner, was
because she had not been by his side, he declared her to be a perfect
mind-reader.

"All tak hands for de last time!" The sonorous tones brought them down
to earth once more. She started to her feet and caught his hand.
"Quick! quick!" she said; "we must get into the house before the dance
stops, or they will miss us and we shall be teased."

Hand in hand, like two happy children, they began to run. As
laughingly they turned the corner of the house they ran straight into
the arms of a tall young man. They both uttered an exclamation, and
looked up. It was Zotique!

Over Zotique's shoulder the shameless moon shone full into their
startled faces. A child could have read their story. In the surprise
of the moment they forgot to unclasp hands.

As he looked down at them an angry flush mounted to his brow, and then
with a constrained nod Zotique stepped aside as though to continue his
walk. But a closer look into Vital's face aroused a more generous
spirit, and turning, he caught their clasped hands in his great ones,
sympathetically pressed them, and without a word passed on. He would
have liked to wish them happiness, but his heart ached so!

They entered the house just as Magloire took the fiddle from his
shoulder, and the dancers, with flushed faces, sat down to rest. Katie
was soon surrounded by a circle of admirers, and then, unnoticed,
Vital slipped away, and hurried into the garden.

Zotique was nowhere in sight, but Vital knew just where he would find
him. When he came to the great birch he stopped and peered in at the
bench, where the shadows were deep: Zotique was there. Vital sat down
by his side, and laying his hand on his brother's shoulder, said in a
low voice, "You--cared--a great deal, Zotique?"

"A great deal, Vital." There was no reproach in the tone.

"Zotique--I don't know what to say--I never was, as you know, a very
good hand at saying things. It was hard to think of you being here all
alone. I--I--want you to know, Zotique, that I have not tried to act
underhanded. It all happened between us so suddenly, and so--so--"

"Yes, I understand; don't worry about it, Vital," he interrupted,--in
a tone which eased Vital's heart more than any words could have done.

They sat ever so long without speaking. Finally Zotique said quietly,
"My coming back was all a mistake, Vital; I never thought you cared
for her in that