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Dolly turned like an automaton suddenly animated She laid her hands on her sister's shoulders and bore down fiercely She shook her so violently fro like a rope in a storm

"Don't tell that to a soul!" Dolly panted "You must not--don't dare to! You promised you wouldn't So my mind Go away and leavethe truth," Ann moaned "Youme not to tell Oh, I can't stand it!"

For a breathlessat her du to the bed, she threw herself upon it, burying her face in a pillow Sob after sob escaped her, but Dolly paid no heed Her lifeless stare on the mountain view, she stood like a creature entranced

The sun went down Like a bleeding ball it hung over thered rays into the valley A slow step was heard on the stair, the sliding of a dry hand on the balustrade Mrs Drake opened the door and advanced to Dolly

"You an "I want you to be sensible and strong Thar is plenty of fish in the sea I sort o' thought Mr Mostyn was talking too ht, but you always had such a level head--ht you could take care of yourself"

"Mother, please leave me alone for to-day, anyway," Dolly pleaded "I --I'm not a fool Take Ann down-stairs I--I can't stand that noise It makes me desperate I hardly knohat to do or say"

"I just asked her to tellher pillow in her lap as for co "But she won't say a word, when all this ti down and see about supper," Dolly said, desperately "Father and George have stopped work and they will be hungry"

Her ht down the stairs Mrs Drake crept stealthily to the door, peered after her daughter, and then, heaving a sigh, she stood before the girl on the bed

"Now," she said, gri--every single thing!"