or, The Silver Skates 331

“‘ Had he done any wrong, think ye?” she asked, lowering
her voice.

Raff nodded.

“ Murder?” whispered the wife, not daring to look up.

“ He said it was like to that, indeed.”

“*O Raff! you frighten me. Tell me more — you speak
so strange; and you tremble. I must know all.”

“Tf I tremble, mine vrouw, it must be from the fever.
There is no guilt on my soul, thank God!”

“Take a sip of this wine, Raff. There, now you are better.
It was like to a crime, you were saying ? ”

“ Ay, Meitje,— like to murder: that he told me himself.
But I’ll never believe it. A likely lad, fresh and honest-
looking as our own youngster, but with something not so bold
and straight about him.”

“‘ Ay, I know,” said the dame, gently, fearing to interrupt
the story.

‘“‘ He came upon me quite sudden,” continued Raff. ‘I had
never seen his face before, — the palest, frightenedest face that
ever was. He caught me by the arm. ‘ You look like an
honest man,’ says he.”

“ Ay, he was right in that,” interrupted the dame, emphat-
ically.

Raff looked somewhat bewildered.

“ Where was I, mine vrouw ?”

“The lad took hold of your arm, Raff,” she said, gazing at
him anxiously.

“Ay, so. The words come awkward to me; and every-
thing is half like a dream, ye see.”

“ §-stut! What wonder, poor man!” sighed the dame,
stroking his hand. “If ye had not head enough for a dozen,