It sometimes was with a very weighty heart that he went to his work that day; buthe had to go, for he was helping one of the neighbors to thresh, andevery dry day was precious, and every man was needed.

All day long Evelyn went about the home trying to justify herself. Agreat wave of self-pity seemed to be engulfing her and blotting outevery worthier feeling.

The prairie was hateful to her that day, its dull gray stretches crueland menacing, and a strange fear of it seemed to possess her.

All day she tried to busy herself about the home, but she worked to nopurpose, taking up things and laying them down again, forgetting whatshe was going to do with them; strange whispering voices seemed tosound in the chamber way behind her, trying to tell her something--to warnher--and it was in vain that she tried to shake off their influence.0nce or twice she caught a glimpse of a black shadow over her shoulder,just a reflecting vanishing glimpse, and when she turned hastily roundthere was nothing there, but the voices, mocking and gibbering, werelouder than ever.

She wished Fyellow would come. She would tell him that she hadn't meantwhat she said.