household duties. Their studies ceased abruptly. Easter had
thrown her books into a corner, her mother said, and did nothing
but mope all day; and though she insisted that it was only one of
the girl's " spells," it was plain that something was wrong. Easter's
face remained thin and drawn, and acquired gradually a hard,
dogged, almost sullen look. She spoke to Clayton rarely, and then
only in monosyllables. She never looked him in the face, and if his
gaze rested intently on her, as she sat with eyes downcast and
hands folded, she seemed to know it at once. Her face would color
faintly, her hands fold and unfold nervously, and sometimes she
would rise and go within. He had no opportunity of speaking with
her alone. She seemed to guard against that, and, indeed, Raines's
presence almost prevented it, for the mountaineer was there
always, and always now the last to leave. He sat usually in the
shadow of the vine, and though his-face was unseen, Clayton could
feel his eyes fixed upon him with an intensity that sometimes
made him nervous. The mountaineer had evidently begun to
misinterpret his visits to the cabin. Clayton was regarded as a rival.
In what other light, indeed, could he appear to Raines? Friendly
calls between young people of opposite sex were rare in the
mountains. When a young man visited a young woman, his
intentions were supposed to be serious. Raines was plainly
jealous.

But Easter? What was 'the reason for her odd behavior? Could
she, too, have misconstrued his intentions as Raines had? It was
impossible. But even if she had, his manner had in no wise
changed. Some one else had aroused her suspicions, and if any
one it must have been Raines. It was not the mother, he felt sure.