The Virgin in Judgment

anner little to be guessed. Battleships, swinging far off to adjust their compasses in Plymouth Sound, use the remote, ragged crown of the tor as a fixed point for determining the accuracy of thei

d iron-shod over the rocks under which he lay safe hidden. To-day this cleft, called the Pixies' House, can still be entered. It is of a size sufficient to contain two adults in close

eft, above which a mass of granite has been split perpendicularly. Chaos of stone spilled here lies all about, and numberless small crannies and chambers abound; but the rift alone marks any

cker was walking with a gun. His goal lay up the valley and he hoped

accidents of vapour that concealed and of light that illumined. But at mid-day a mighty shadow ascended against the wind and thunde

astening sure-footed over the wild concourse of stones that

reaking storm now promised to be terrific, he

n her way home, and she accept

Pixies' House large enough for the both of us? I'

--quick--down through the

lter. Then Bartley, taking two caps off the nipples of his gun, thrust

r. He could hardly have been closer. She moved uneasily. It occurred to her that he ought to have surrend

e more room?" she asked

ssible. I forgot you were such

ed in a rattle overhead; they heard the hiss and hurtle of the ice and water; while at interv

n to doubt it. It seemed to her that he came nearer and

said, "I'm being choked. I'd soo

want to go

, I

m, like something caught in a trap. The storm shouted to the hills and cried savagely against the granite precipices; it leapt over the o

flict had passed and it

r people would never forgive

ally pressed his face with her cheek. But Bartley was not built to sta

r it!" he said. Then he put hi

utside was mild to the woman-storm within when Crocker thrust his caress upon th

he rocky bounds of earth and leapt into the storm. Thence frantically sh

ords came deep and fierce and shuddering. "You coward! I'

ing and smoking his pipe while the weather cleared; but she sobbed and panted homeward under the sob and pant of the storm. She felt unclean; every instinct of her nature rebelled against this touch of male lips. She magnified the caress into a mount

his reverse with David's sister altered his intentions and turned him towards another woman. He suddenly longed for a sight of Margaret, and, abandoning the thought of snipe, decided to go to Coombeshead and see her instantly. A still larger resolve lurked behind. Now bright weather-gleams of blue and

which had taken refuge near at hand and gone to sleep in a hole.

much from what she expected. The girl doubted not that her friend had heard the news and h

neasiness begot of Rhoda, and a general vague desire for something feminine as different as possible f

t she cared for him. And in answer to his abrupt but impassioned plea, she assur

ose when it wanted it," she said, looking at him with shining eyes and in a mood emotional. "But with my David--yes, my David he is--well, 'twas love,

ot by any means crushed to the earth. It only occurred to him that no

said; but not as though there

better far,"

family--all so stern and proper. Th

r along with them yesterday and, if it hadn't been for Dorcas and me, they'd

s cheerfu

said Madge, a little nervously

the storm and his compa

ecause her cheek happened t

rtl

or my fun, and so like as not your David will have a bit more to say later o

e clouded, but

plendid woma

e I shall have a dash at her. But 'twill be a

im as he returned home. At 'The Corner House' he stopped and drank a while; then he

le when he returned, and his Aunt Susan bro

the food an

. "I've had a full m

under-planets falling and a noise in the elements like the trump of Doom.--If the cat h

me," said Bartley, showing no interest in the kittens.

r! God bless you both, I'm sure. She's a lucky girl and we must set to work now to

onic smile under his skin. His mot

k twice, I lay

nswered, "

" declared Nanny. "Not a word against her after to-day, of course. But I'

sked his aunt. "You're not the

on so, and can't imagine any woman turning up her nose at me

d his parent. "A Stanbu

take this Crocker--whi

it!" sa

mmer!" cried

somebody better--a man as stands to work and will

" answered his mother. "Have a greater respect for yourself, a

u got that much out of h

nd they've been tokened two days, so,

nging her mind yet now you've o

lways have since she used to blow my nose for me in infant scho

et--mark me," fo

ying day she'll rue it--as she well deserves. To put that rough rabbit-catcher afore--however, I thank God she did--I thank God she did; and I shall thank

" said Bartley; and then he departed and left the indig