Part 52 (2/2)

”My dear!” he said, and took her in his arms

A few minutes afterwards, Jake and Mrs Winter came in and Jim reed you to stay”

”When the dykes are finished we o,” Mrs Winter replied ”You are kind, but we knohere we belong----”

She stopped and looked sharply at Carrie, who stood by Jireen dress cut against the background of soraceful but proud Ji in the house; she had looked like that then Soo, youand Jiave Ji to lose you, partner Still I felt you would coone forward,” Jiether”

For half an hour they engaged in happy talk and when, after dinner, Carrie and Ji Oughtn't we to tell Bernard?”

”Of course,” Jireed ”Somehow I think he'd like it if you wrote the note”

Carrie sent hiave hiht to feel nervous, but I don't,” she said ”I was never afraid of Bernard”

Next evening Bernard came to dinner Jined the others back when Carrie gave hiht,” he said and kissed her ”Some day Jim will take my place and I think he will fill it well”

Carrie blushed, but Jim noted with a thrill of pride that she carried herself finely He thought she understood that Bernard had forirl who had made his bread and mended his clothes in the woods, but after all, the difference was only in her surroundings Carrie had not changed

”I don'tI plotted for this,” Bernard resumed with a twinkle, and took a leather box froreen jewels set in rough gold sparkled in the light

”My wife last wore therandmother's, and date farther back,” he said ”Now they are yours, and I would like you to put them on”

Carrie stood quiet for a moment, with the jewels in her hand, while her color came and went For all that, she looked calm and rather proud

She reiven the necklace to Evelyn

”I have not worn such things, and I am the first of my kind to put on these stones,” she said

Bernard bowed ”Brave and good woive the to marry Jim”

Carrie drew the stones round her neck and fastened the clasp The blood caely vivid, but in a lance became soft

”You are kind and your trust ood Jied well We will try to rule at Langrigg as his people ruled”

THE END