gone off to the village in his wagon, an’ I can’t help a-thinkin’ that now he’s out of the way them sisters of his will start doin’ somethin’ more with that bag.”

“What bag?” yawned Lucy sleepily.

“Why, the bag they were buryin’ last night.”

“Oh, yes.”

Slowly the girl’s latent faculties aroused themselves.

“You hurry up and dress while I go and watch,” panted Ellen. “Be quick’s you can, or we may miss somethin’.”

She went out, closing the door; but in a few moments her niece heard her shrill call:

“They’re comin’ out with it! What’d I tell you? Two of ’em have got it, carryin’ it across the lawn. Ain’t you ’most dressed?”

“Yes, I’m coming.”

Fastening her belt as she went, Lucy hurried to her aunt’s side. 93

93

Amid the sparkling, dew-kissed glory of early morning, she could plainly see the three Howes making their way through the wet grass in the direction of their pasture.

“Bless me! if they don’t mean to sink it in the brook!” whispered Ellen. “Oh, I never can stand this. I’ve got to foller ’em an’ find out what they’re doin’.”

“You wouldn’t!” exclaimed Lucy in dismay.

“Indeed I would,” her aunt retorted. “I’d go to any length to see what’s in that bag. If they were younger——” she broke off abruptly. “Anyhow, it’s somethin’ they’re ashamed of, I’m certain of that. They couldn’t ’a’ murdered anybody, I s’pose. Bad’s I hate ’em, I’d hardly think they’re that wicked. Still what can it be?”

“I can’t imagine.”

“Well, I’m goin’ to track ’em down, anyhow,” Ellen announced. “Ain’t you comin’?”

“No.”

To spy on the actions of others did not appeal to the younger woman’s honest mind.

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