Cruel Barbara Allen

rick. He heard me read it, prophesied a great run for it, has promised to come down again and see it, and if it fulfils his hopes of it, means to take it up to town. In fact, it's as good as settled.'

'I congratulate ye, me boy,' said Mr. Cameron. 'I knew ye'd hit 'em one of these fine days. I knew ut.'

Through all this, which she only half understood, Barbara was silent. She took advantage of the lull which followed the tragedian's expression of friendly triumph to recall Mrs. Cameron to the knowledge of her presence.

'I will speak to my uncle,' she said, 'and I will write to you.'

The stranger looked round when she spoke, and snatched his hat off. Barbara bent her head in general salutation and went her way. When she left the street, she could scarcely believe that it had not all been a dream. It was so unlike herself to do anything so bold-She felt more and more guilty as she waited for the coach, more and more afraid of confiding to her uncle such a scheme as that she had so ha