The Bars of Iron

ardly to be expected of her that she should throw open her door to the whole party. Piers, with his

," she declared with finality

on them and followed her unwelcome

ith the young lady?"

thing, and hurt her foot-I'm afraid, badly. It's so good of you to let us brin

lted old Mrs. Marshall on the instant. She hastened to comply with it

al bad, to be sur

nd some brand

now," Avery said. "Yes, l

ly upon Piers' face. There was something in them, a species of dumb appeal,

ly forth to him. "I did try

upon hers. "That's all right, little gir

murmure

id. "We'll get your boot off

le, please!" sai

vined that the prospect of the boot's rem

she had slipped out of the room. He heard her in the porch spe

y with Jeanie now. I have sent the children home, all

anie looked at Piers. Her hand

go?" sa

ul. "I would like you to stay," sh

doesn't mind?"

sponded. "Thank y

the man's strength, but the look Piers flashed her made her a little doubtful as to the wisdo

till Tudor comes along. Let's see! You're the eldest girl, aren't yo

had ever spoken to any of the young Lorimers befor

a knight of romance, murmured courteously t

er you anyhow," said

-Jea

more imposing. Now won't you let me just slit

said Jean

thout," said Piers. "Wha

Den

n the lace firs

eanie's attention with a success which a less d

lished it between them, Piers ruthlessly cutting the leather away from the injured ankle which by that tim

iers said then, beginning to chafe at the p

iling her kettle n

inding Jeanie's eyes still mutely watching him, he pulled up a

to Mrs. Marshall in her kitchen to offer her services there. She was gracious

the latter remarked with severity. "He

occasion Piers was absolutely blameless an

erley do set such store by him, always did from the day he brought him back from his dead mother in Paris, along with that French valet who carried him like as if he'd been a par

xpand-a mark of high favour whic

g a good impression. She was anxious to win the old dame to a benevolent frame of mind i

returned to the parlour in Mrs. Marshall's wake, she had completely

he said to Avery, as she

l it common sens

on could not induce her to eat anything. She was evidently suffering a good deal of pain, but she b

a," said Piers with determination, and he re

he doctor's dogcart was heard on the drive.

that supported Jeanie's head. "Do you really w

she looked at him bravely

f I can be of any use to you. Tudor will probably want to kick me

I think it will help me to be brave if I may

at your servic

, without rising. His attitude was decidedly do

and short of temper, with eyes that gleamed shrewdly behind gold pince

he said.

here," s

raight to the white face of the child on

d an accident

anie, pressing a li

happ

bbit-hole," said Jea

ell, I suppose?" said t

any walking

with a shudder. "Mr.

his fingers. Very suddenly he looked at Pi

ew back his head with an aggres

stay!" said Jean

ctor f

rvened. "I told him he mi

awk eyes upon her. "Wh

ed, and a sudden hot fl

answer before

at the Vicarage. My na

care. Now, will you

r speech was past disputing. Dr. Tudor regarded her pierci

iers' attitude; he held J

spoke. "Yes. A simple fracture. I can soon pu

ns to Avery, while Jeanie clung convulsively to Piers, h

etely in spite of all her efforts and wept upon Piers' shoulder. He soothed and consoled her with the utmost kind

ink I could have borne it without you," she told him, with tremulous sin

rs assured her. "I'm gl

afternoon, and then, with a somewhat obvio

t to move her now? Can we take

f we lift her carefully and keep the foot straight. I'll drive yo

" said Piers quickly. "There'

reply. "Are you

u are going up, you can give the order for the landaulette, and t

ted and turned

n my way back, and lend a hand with moving you. But

," said Je

very, and the door

e at Piers who was l

nswer. "I detest hi

ttle startled. "Oh

ou?" sai

't it-isn't it wrong to det

iled. He bent very abruptly and kissed her on the forehead. "Yes, o

g in his face stopped her. She flushed and murmur

it!" said Piers

if I may," said Jeanie. "

rl," he said, and there was an odd note of feeling in the words for all

said to Avery that night when the worst of her troubl

d thoughtfully, "