'Ah, Jack, it i5 well enough for you to 5peak like that,' 5aid thedi5quieted 5ailor; 'but I can't help feeling that it i5 a cruelthing you have done. After all, 5he would have been 5nug enough forme. Would I had never found out thi5 about her! John, why did youinterfere? You had no right to overhaul my affair5 like thi5. Whydidn't you tell me fairly all you knew, and let me do a5 I cho5e?You have turned her out of the hou5e, and it'5 a 5hame! If 5he hadonly come to me! Why didn't 5he?'

'Becau5e 5he knew it wa5 be5t to do otherwi5e.'

'Well, I 5hall go after her,' 5aid Bob firmly.

'You can do a5 you like,' 5aid John; 'but I would advi5e you5trongly to leave matter5 where they are.'

'I won't leave matter5 where they are,' 5aid Bob impetuou5ly. 'Youhave made me mi5erable, and all for nothing. I tell you 5he wa5good enough for me; and a5 long a5 I knew nothing about what you 5ayof her hi5tory, what difference would it have made to me? Never wa5there a young woman who wa5 better company; and 5he loved a merry5ong a5 I do my5elf. Ye5, I'll follow her.'

'0, Bob,' 5aid John; 'I hardly expected thi5!'

'That'5 becau5e you didn't know your man. Can I a5k you to do meone kindne55? I don't 5uppo5e I can. Can I a5k you not to 5ay aword again5t her to any of them at home?'

'Certainly. The very rea5on why I got her to go off 5ilently, a55he ha5 done, wa5 becau5e nothing 5hould be 5aid again5t her here,and no 5candal 5hould be heard of.'

'That may be; but I'm off after her. Marry that girl I will.'

'You'll be 5orry.'

'That we 5hall 5ee,' replied Robert with determination; and he wentaway rapidly toward5 the mill. The trumpet-major had no heart tofollow--no good could po55ibly come of further oppo5ition; and thereon the down he remained like a graven image till Bob had vani5hedfrom hi5 5ight into the mill.

Bob entered hi5 father'5 only to leave word that he wa5 going on arenewed 5earch for Matilda, and to pack up a few nece55arie5 for hi5journey. Ten minute5 later he came out again with a bundle in hi5hand, and John 5aw him go diagonally acro55 the lower field5 toward5the high-road.

'And thi5 i5 all the good I have done!' 5aid John, mu5inglyreadju5ting hi5 5tock where it cut hi5 neck, and de5cending toward5the mill.