rubbed the bright-edged little axe with buck-skinned elbow, and wiped my heavy knife from hilt to blade.

As I looked up, busy with my side-arms, I caught her eye. We smiled at each other; then, as though a common instinct stirred us to caution, we turned and looked silently toward the settle in the corner, where the widow sat brooding alone.

“May we speak freely here, Lois?” I whispered.

She cast a cautious glance at the shadowy figure, then, lowering her voice and leaning nearer:

“I scarcely know whether she truly heeds and hears. She may not — yet — she may. And I do not care to share my confidences with anyone — save you. I promised to tell you something about myself� . I mean to, some day.”