CHAPTER VIII.

THE haymakers in the great upper meadow at Churleigh had gathered under the broad oak at the gate, to regale on what cider might be left in their casks now that the day's work was nearly over, and to discourse in sentences few and short and very much to the point (where a point was obtainable), as is the manner of haymakers when the broiling summer days are drawing to their close.

High up in the field, in the shadow of the tall hedge, sat Hessie in her crumpled, spotless, white morning dress with its black trimmings, her hands clasped round her knees, as she looked wistfully over the sunny

valley to the misty hills beyond; a swimming, tearful look gathering in the great, dark

eyes.

At a sudden shout behind her, a little involuntary smile broke on her tremulous lips; and when a small face peered over her shoulder, she raised hers-all glad and bright-to meet it.

"Isn't it jolly for them all to go to Rebbington like to-day," said Wattie, as his brother came running up. "I mean, unless you want to be at Rebbington too, Hessie."

"I would much rather be just where I am," said the girl, softly stroking the little head that lay against her, "just between you two, with the sunshine dancing round us, and the distant hills in shadow, and the busy haymakers down there working away while we are idle. Would you rather be here by me, or sitting very upright by a person you never saw before in the world, and eating hot soup ?"

"Here, of course," answered Wattie, push

ing a little closer into her encircling arm, "but you are grown up, Hessie; you ought to like it."

"Ought I, dear. Then I must try to learn. Now, come home to tea."

"And afterwards the story, Hessie ?" "Yes; now for a race."

The men and women rested from their occupation, to watch the race down the slope. Hessie had intended to hold back and let one of the children win it, but in the enjoyment of the run she forgot, and came gaily first among the labourers, her white dress flying behind her, her hat sharing the fate of John Gilpin's, and left upon the road, and her face radiant under her dishevelled locks. She looked back laughing at her defeated companions, as she seated herself on a haycock, while one of the men brought her her hat with great delight.

"Thank you, Ezra," she said, with a pleasant smile.

She knew most of the labourers and cot

tagers round Churleigh now, and knew them really, knew them to help and comfort, and always cheer. The little fires in the cottage grates burned all the more cheerily when she sat beside them, a little brown shabby child caressed gently by her soft little hands, or an ailing baby held in her tender pitiful embrace.

"God bless her sweet little face," whispered the humble, loving hearts, in their grateful thoughts of her.

And the blessing ran from door to door, and was a surer, purer light upon her way than the dazzling glare of lamplight which eradiated Bella Lane and her fellow guests at Rebbington just then, and in which lightbrilliant as it was-poor Bella looked in vain for the face which was the one source and spring of the greatest light her shallow nature had accepted.

"Shall I rake up more hay and make your seat a bit comfortabler, miss ?"

"Yes, please," said Hester, rising readily

because she knew it would be more pleasant to Ezra to have his kindly-meant offer accepted. "That is comfortable, indeed. Now, boys, go away, or you will spoil my seat. Are you not ashamed of having been conquered ?"

They laughed, throwing up their caps as a cooling process.

"Ezra," asked Hester, presently, "how is it that you are working here? Is not Mr. Cameron cutting his hay at the Rectory?"

"The harvest's over there, miss; it ain't much of a one; and I'm allus allowed to come for the Squire's, half a day at a time; 'tis a bit of extra for me, and an old custom."

"Your harvest was soon over, then, though Mr. Cameron told us he should not be well enough to see to it himself."

แ True, miss, he wasn't; but his lordship sent us over two or three men of his'n-three

of them; capital hands they wur, too, and we got parson's harvest over in no time. Then his lordship said—”