a shrewd little maid, with a head thirty years old on shoulders of twelve. Lalia was her name. The Reverend Orme had chosen her from among hi

four played together with a greater harmony than the three had ever attained. Day after day the Reverend O

dozing in his chair a sharp rap on the

er!" called L

cried Leight

r Lalia entered. She was

Shenton did quarrel w

to his

trode hatless out into the glaring sun, a

to side, fists clenched. Where could he he going? Suddenly he knew. The Reverend Orme was going to Manoel's house. Shenton was there. Lalia came running to them. "Hold Natalie!" Lewis cried to

indow of Manoel's house. As he stared, the tall figure crouched and stole out of sight, around the corner toward the door. Lewis rush

and jabbering. Between them was a bottle. Lewis's lips were opening for a cry of warning when the door was flung wide, and

eyes on Manoel. Cold sweat came out over him as he saw the terror in Manoel's face. The leer was still there, frozen. Over it and through it, li

ght for the man's throat went his hands. They closed, the long, white fingers around a swarthy neck, thumbs doubled in, their knuckle

talk by, bearing Shenton in his arms. For the first time in his life Lewis heard the sobs of a grown

ia's stubborn silence, Mrs. Leighton waited in suspense. Leighton ente

started toward him, groping a

poke Leighton, with a

k of Cain is