CHAPTER XXVII.

Clutha Leader, Volume XVIII, Issue 917, 12 February 1892, Page 7

CHAPTER XXVII.

POACHER GRANT'S THREAT. The next few days were to Martin like a peaceful awaking after some terrible dream. The very atmosphere of Rose Cottage soothed his spirit and lulled his fears. Maggie shared his walks and drives, and showed an evident pleasure in his society. Mrs Gross was confined to the house with a bad cold, so that once out of it they were always alone, and Martin took care to have it understood that he required a good deal of exercise to keep him in health. He pursued his inquiries respecting the lost dressing-case cautiously, meanwhile, but could gain no clue, and, finally, lapsed into something that resembled indifference regarding its fate. ' I should have heard of it ere this,' he thought, 'if it had fallen into bad hands, and one may as well be happy whilst one can.' Maggie had settled her future gradually during these few days. She would marry Martin, and make a home for her mother. His explanation about the duel had not been quite satisfactory, yet she was aware men thought so differently about these things to women ; and Martin's assertion that he had meant no harm to Lord Myddieton had been so generously endorsed by Dr Wcstley, that it sounded true. And then she loved him, as she believed. Perhaps she would find out her mistake later ; but at present she had no doubt on this point, although a suspicion that he was not all he seemed sometimes obtruded itself. But even this mistrust wore out for want of encouragement. He had the gift of appearing caudid, whilst withholding all that it behoved her to know. Sidney Bennet had written, saying that the expense of recovering the money lost would be so great and the difficulty so formidable, he should advise Mrs I Gross to let the matter rest as it stood. He concluded with a fervent hope that she would allow him to be her banker for the present, until some arrangement could be made. This offer touched Mrs Gross exceedingly, although she

gently declined it. If she must needs lie a pensioner on anyone's bounty, it must bo on Martin's, who, at feast, was of her kin. But, somehow, she fancied all was not going well between the two cousins. Martin looked radiant— -Maggie almost sac), but resolute withal. Her woman's instinct was always at war with her love, and sometimes she would wake out of a happy dream, sobbing, and with a sense as of some great weight at her heart. Nevertheless, she hurried on to her fate. It was Martin's last evening at Newton, and, although the weather looked threatening, he: persuaded Maggie to go with him for a walk. Maggie was protected by a waterproof, and Martin carried an umbrella; but after they had strolled some distance from Rose Cottage, and while discussing the probabilities of the weather, the rain came pattering down, and the thunder rolled angrily overhead. 'We must take shelter,' he said, quickly. And looking before him, suddenly perceived the shed, which the irony of Fate had caused him to miss once when so much depended upon his finding it, ere Grant took refuge there from his pursuer. He shrank from the painful associations connected with the spot, but there was no other place where they could take refuge, and Maggie looked startled and frightened. 1 1 wish we had not ventured out,' she said j 'I do not like being caught in a storm.' ' You are not alone, Maggie, dear.' And as he spoke, an evil thought came to him that it would be well both their lives should end together at this moment. A sudden flash, and the tale would never be told, and his struggles ovor. JIo could nob leave Maggie behind him to h'ud happiness in sotue new love. The same stroke that killed him must kill her. | This miserable thought was followed by a still more wretched impulse, and Martin felt in his pocket for the pistol he usually carried about with him. But providence interposed to save her. He had changed his coat before startI ing, and being excited, had forgotten to take his usual precautions. The consequence was that he drew his hand forth empty, und Maggie was saved. 1 Come to the shed,' was all he said, in a voice hoarse with suppressed emotion ; and Maggie went, wondering at the sudden darkness that had come over his face. ' What is the matter, Martin V she asked, timidly. ' You look so strange !' ' Strange ! Nonsense, dear ; why should I look strange 1 lam not afraid of lightning, you know.' ' But it makes you ill,' she persisted. ' No ; only anxious on your account, dear love !' And opening the door of the shed, he drew her in.

Someone has figured that a watch ticks 160,144,000 times a year.