The shaft of light was eclipsed suddenly as Nance came out and tripped
across the yard on some household duty.

He remembered how he used to terrify her by springing out of the
darkness at her. She had helped to bring all this trouble about.

Why should he not--? Why should he not--?

And while his gun still shook in his hands to the wild throbbing of his
pulses, Nance passed out of his sight into the barn.

The deed a man may do on the spur of the moment, when his brain is on
fire, is not so readily done when it has to be thought about.

Then Mrs. Hamon came to the door, and called to Nance to bring with her
a piece or two of wood for the fire.

Here was his chance! Here was the head and front of the offence, past,
present, and future! If she had never come into the family there would
have been no Nance, no Bernel, no selling of the farm, maybe. A movement
of the arms, the crooking of a finger, and things would be even between
them.

But--it would still be he who would have to pay--as always!

All through he had been the sufferer, and if he did this thing he must
suffer still more--always he who must pay.

The man who hesitates is lost, or saved. When the contemplator of evil