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rassment, and Ann had no grounds—beyond the hint let fall by Rodney Marsh during the shearing—for believing that all was not well with him and with the station.

During these days of driving rain Ann and the little girls had to run up to the school-room sheltered under mackintoshes and umbrellas; and they sat there all the morning with a blazing fire of logs roaring in the open fireplace. Had it not been for the thought of the poor dying stock, and the worry and monetary loss for Mr. Holmes, Ann would have thoroughly enjoyed this tempestuous week. They were so cozy up there in the school-room during the mornings—she and the little girls quite happy together—and in the afternoons, clad in oilskins and old hats, they rode out in the drenching rain either across the soaked paddocks to the beach, where huge breakers came thundering in upon the sand, or along the muddy roads to Omoana for the mail.

Gerald Waring rode over, and spent one afternoon and evening at Tirau. But there wasn’t much chance of bridge, for Holmes was too exhausted to remain up late, and Ann escaped early with a book to her room. Mrs. Holmes was no longer suffering from nerves, and no one could have been sweeter or more charming than she was now to all the household. Ann had succeeded in eluding Waring during his visit; but the knowledge that he was incensed thereby did not depress her. On the contrary, reprehensible though she knew the feeling to be, she found the situation exciting, and not unpleasant. At least he should learn that every woman he condescended to notice didn’t respond with alacrity to his advances. But at the same