CHAPTER XI. A Cloud No Bigger Than a Man.

Otago Witness, Issue 1854, 3 June 1887, Page 33

CHAPTER XI. A Cloud No Bigger Than a Man.

It was the last day" of their holiday, evening was closing in, and Laura started bffatja quick pace on a farewell visit along the winding path by the sea. There was still a. good hour of daylight, out that dull -colourless grey wag already spreading its mantle 1 over earth and water. She walked with; quick, firm step, partly to keep warm; for it was rather chilly this evening, and partly to get rid of an inexplicable feeling *p'f "s'aclness' that came over her. -The waves, fell upon the sands with' a dull, cold sound, and every now and then the cry of a sea bird broke the silence. - • Break, break, break ! - On thy cold -grey sands, O sea : , And I would that my tongue qould utter ' ' The thoughts that arise in me. "

Murmured Laura, "Good-bye, old" tree, where we all have sat ; good-bye, little jetty, ' from which we' have fished ; good-bye, dear rocks and hills, till' I see you again.' I love 1 you all ," , ' "You might pass the time of day to a fellow creature!"

Laura turned in startled surprise to where the voice 'came from, and saw to her consternation the tall, lumbering figure of a man rise from the long grass by her side. With a proud, disdainful glance, she tamed to retrace her steps ; but, stepping in front of her, he barred her passage. On one side _pf hex we're ' the rocks, on -the other the sea,' there was no way of escape. ' ',' How dare you ! " exclaimed Laura, with ■ flashing eyes and cheeks flushed with* anger. ?' Stand on one , side and ,let me, ; pass coward 1" v \*'-

" Gently, gently, my pretty maid 1; ; Don't he alarmed. I won't hurt you. , I'm not the wolf in the story, of 'Red Riding. Hood,' given to gobbling up folks wholesale." A figure suddenly turned the bend of the road. " Jaok ! " cried Laura, joyfully, etrsteh< ,

ing oufe" her^arms,*. And* before!- the burly ? fellow^Mto *had X f rightenfed^tfeFcould turn-i round "lie, found, .himself at ful^ lehgElfupoH~ the ground, 5 a^d Jack standing over him with: clenched fists and'dilated nostrils. •-

" Fellow ! "-he" said '; " curse your impudence ; take that." Then, turning to Laura, he led her away..' "Don't tremble^ Lola, darling ; you are safe now» The fellow is" half "drunk, or he wouldn't get' off sof free. I'll have a settling with him 'some day! we shall meet again." ' ■ • - ". • j -- He little guessed when arid? how., ; .1 ■. S/'Opetl". continued Jack,, half pleadingly.and.half petulantly ; " I wishj ; you< wouldn't wander. about .by) yourself like you do, and in "Christe'hurch just the'same ;;' it 1 really' i'sn v t safe.' A girl can scarcely * walk a hundred 'yards after daylight-" without some, com-.-.founded.cad speaking >touher. Every puppy -Who .can sport a decent suit, of tweed .thinkshimself a lady killer^ By'Jo'y'e" ! \ let me catch, the villain who would molest 'y°u;' J I'ynil ' wring his neck.' " I shall. ' see 'that fellow again.". - ' - .