heart."

And with that he, too, fainted, into the Parson's arms.

"Better carry the both up to Sheba," said Farmer Tresidder.


Ruby lay still abed when Mary Jane, who had been moving about the
kitchen, sleepy-eyed, getting ready the breakfast, dashed up-stairs with
the news that two dead men had been taken off the wreck and were even
now being brought into the yard.

"You coarse girl," she exclaimed, "to frighten me with such horrors!"

"Oh, very well," answered Mary Jane, who was in a rebellious mood,
"then I'm goin' down to peep; for there's a kind o'
what-I-can't-tell-'ee about dead men that's very enticin', tho' it do
make you feel all-overish."

By and by she came back panting, to find Ruby already dressed.

"Aw, Miss Ruby, dreadful news I ha' to tell, tho' joyous in a way.
Would 'ee mind catchin' hold o' the bed-post to give yoursel' fortitude?
Now let me cast about how to break it softly. First, then, you must
know he's not dead at all--"

"Who is not?"

"Your allotted husband, miss--Mister Zeb."