Page 252 - The snake's pass

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240 THE SNAKE'S PASS.
pipe and lighted it for him, she said to me with a
sweet blush, as she called me by my name for the
first time before a stranger:
"I suppose, Arthur, you and Mr. Sutherland would
like your own cigars best; but if you care for a pipe
there are some new ones here," and she pointed them
out. We lit our cigars, and sat round the fire; for
in this damp weather the nights were getting a little
chilly. Joyce sat on one side of the fire and Dick on
the other. I sat next to Dick, and Norah took her
place between her father and me, sitting on a little
stool beside her father and leaning, her head against
his knees, whilst she took the hand that was fondly
laid over her shoulder and held it in her own. Pre-
sently, as the grey autumn twilight died away, and as
the light from the turf fire rose and fell, throwing
protecting shadows, her other hand stole towards my
own—which was waiting to receive it ; and we sat
silent for a spell, Norah and I in an ecstasy of quiet
happiness.
By-and-by we heard a click at the latch of the gate,
and firm, heavy footsteps coming up the path. Norah
jumped up, and peeped out of the window.
" Who is it, daughter ? " said Joyce.
" Oh father it is Murdock "
! ! What can he want ?
There was a knock at the door. Joyce rose up,
motioning to us to sit still, laid aside his pipe, and
went to the door and opened it. Every word that
was spoken was perfectly plain to us all.