A Broken Fetter

in an instant. She knew that by the time she could run across the orchard to warn Eric by a touch it would be too late. Yet she must warn him—she must—she MUST! A mighty surge of desire seemed to rise up within her and over- whelm her like a wave of the sea,—a surge that swept everything before it in an irresistible flood. As Neil Gordon swiftly and vindictively, with the face of a demon, lifted the axe he held in his hand, Kilmeny sprang forward through the gap.

“ Eric, Eric, look behind you—look be- hind you! ”

Eric started up, confused, bewildered, as the voice came shrieking across the or- chard. He did not in the least realize that it was Kilmeny who had called to him, but he instinctively obeyed the command.

He wheeled around and saw Neil Gor- don, who was looking, not at him, but past him at Kilmeny. The Italian boy’s face was ashen and his eyes were filled with

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