Page 275 (1/1)

Here and thus Anne remained concealed The crunch of the steward's spade, as it cut into the soft vegetable mould, was plainly perceptible to her ears when the periodic cessations between the creaks of the engine concurred with a lull in the breeze, which otherwise brought the subdued roar of the cascade froe hole--some four or five feet deep--had been excavated by Manston in about twenty minutes

Into this he i in the earth, and treading it down Lastly he carefully raked the whole mass of dead and dry leaves into the round with the-place the spot was unequalled The thick accumulation of leaves, which had not been disturbed for centuries, ain for centuries to come, whilst their lower layers still decayed and added to the rown clearer, and Anne could now see distinctly the face of the other woetful of her position in her intense contemplation of the actions of the steward Her countenance hite and motionless

It was impossible that Manston should not soon notice her At the completion of his labour he turned, and did so

'Ho--you here!' he exclaimed

'Don't think I a whisper Anne recognized the voice as Miss Aldclyffe's

The tre lady added hastily another reine close at hand The first watcher, if he had coinal position, was too far off to hear any part of this dialogue, on account of the roar of the falling water, which could reach him unimpeded by the bank

The re the first watcher, for Manston, with his spade in his hand, instantly rushed to where the e hihs, the steward struck him on the head with the blade of the instruround

'Fly!' said Miss Aldclyffe to Manston Manston vanished amidst the trees Miss Aldclyffe went off in a contrary direction

Anne Seaas about to run away likewise, when she turned and looked at the fallen man He lay on his face, motionless

Many of these wonaniht siood action which is the result of no law of reflection shines ently turned hins of life By her assistance he was soon able to stand upright