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Suddenly the powerful lungs of the fisherman gathered in one long, last breath, and when it came forth to meet Tessibel's song, the broad shoulders dropped back, the chest receded, the smile faded from the gray eyes and Daddy Skinner was dead.

He longed to delay the happiness of reading it, and while he waited, he lifted it to his lips and passionately kissed the crude writing. It ran up hill a little, but that only made him smile and love it the more. It brought memories of past joys, memories of Tessibel's endeavor to learn. Poor little child!

Young nodded, and Tess rose and started toward the stairs. Passing Sandy and Waldstricker, she had to draw aside her skirts to avoid touching them. The dwarf, seated on the floor beside Boy, was mending a train of cars when Tessibel's white face appeared at the door. "Andy," she said, trying to speak calmly. "Remember about the hands stronger'n Waldstricker's? Nobody can hurt you. But but "

She grew limp, sick at heart, ... dizzy, but she made no outcry, only, unconscious of its pain, bit her lip until it bled. The hope she had nursed, that he would not do this awful thing was lost. Pete stirred uneasily. Restrained by Tessibel's hand on his head, he laid down again making whining noises in his throat, inarticulate expressions of his love for the suffering girl.

"I feel I must, I'm the hostess, you know." Frederick reluctantly fell into step with her, and together they crossed the room, a striking picture of entrancing youth. Tessibel's heart ached at the unusual sight. For one burning moment she wanted to scream, to spring up and do some terrible thing to the small girl walking so familiarly at her husband's side. Then she looked away miserably.

But it didn't sound like Tessibel's voice answering. "Will you hear me out, dearest?" he pleaded. "Oh, won't you listen to me?" Surely she was listening intently. He had never spoken when she had not given loving heed, if she were within the sound of his voice.

I'm very proud of you, dear!" A shadow crept into Tessibel's eyes. "I'll be a missin' ye awful after after " "But you may come as often as you like to our home after we're married," said Helen, affectionately. "Mr. Waldstricker will soon grow fond of you, too, and the distance is only a little over a mile, short cut." "But you'll be so rich," sighed Tess, "an' mebbe'll be awful busy."

The fisherman drew a shaking hand across his shaggy chin whiskers. "I s'pose I do believe it, brat," he groaned, "but it air all so kind a mysterious like, an' Young, ye know Young fought like the devil to git me back home." "I know he did, Daddy," affirmed the girl, "but can't ye see ye'd a gone to the rope if " A shrill cry broke from the dwarf, interrupting Tessibel's explanation.

"Ye air a durn good Daddy, ye air, and I loves ye, if my face be dirty." She rose quickly and came to his side. "Daddy," she began, twisting his big head so her eyes met his, "Can't I go nettin' to-night? I air a good helper, ain't I, Daddy?" Orn Skinner dreaded the wheedling tone in Tessibel's voice and the pleading in the eyes so like her mother's.

"Yep," replied Myra, the dull eyes filled with a momentary sparkle. "He hes somethin' to say to ye, and I did say as how ye would come." "Air he alone?" questioned Tess. "Nope, his mammy air with him we'll go now eh?" Slipping on Daddy's boots was Tessibel's assent, and they started through the underbrush in silence. "The brat ain't goin' to die, air he?" asked Tess presently.