The young man sprung around, and stood before the woman, a few
paces distant.

"Mother! oh, mother! what HAS brought you here?" he exclaimed, in
an under tone, as he caught her arm, and moved away. He spoke--not
roughly, nor angrily--but with respect--half reproachfulness--and
an unmistakable tenderness.

"Oh, Willy! Willy!" I heard her answer. "Somebody said you came
here at night, and I couldn't rest. Oh, dear. They'll murder you!
I know they will. Don't, oh!--"

My ears took in the sense no further, though her pleading voice
still reached my ears. A few moments, and they were out of sight.

Nearly two hours afterward, as I was ascending to my chamber, a
man brushed quickly by me. I glanced after him, and recognized the
person of young Hammond. He was going to the room of Harvey Green!





NIGHT THE SEVENTH

SOWING THE WIND.


The state of affairs in Cedarville, it was plain, from the partial
glimpses I had received, was rather desperate. Desperate, I mean,