Transcriber's note: Unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed. [Illustration: "I DON'T WANT TO BE MARRIED YET, JEM DEAR. I WANT TO BE FREE, YOU SEE."] MEG OF THE HEATHER BY EVELYN R. GARRATT Author of "Peggy's Wolf," "Irene's Lame Dogs," "Against the World," "Free to Serve," etc., etc. R.T.S., 4, Bouverie Street, London, E.C.4. Contents CHAP. I. THE STORM II. THE SINGER III. ANGEL IV. A DREAM OF LIONS V. A CREATURE OF IMPULSE VI. FAILURE VII. ONE OF SHEILA'S SURPRISES VIII. THE DRESSING UP OF MEG IX. PETER'S OPINION X. GOLDEN CHAINS XI. SHEILA IS NOT PLEASED XII. MISS GREGSON'S HEART SINKS XIII. THE STARS AND THE DARKNESS XIV. "THE LAST ROSE OF SUMMER" XV. REPULSED XVI. BROUGHT TO BAY XVII. FLIGHT XVIII. SHEILA'S CONFESSION XIX. A CONTRAST XX. IN THE DARKNESS XXI. THE ROSE THROWN FROM THE TRAIN XXII. REMORSE XXIII. JEM MEG OF THE HEATHER CHAPTER I THE STORM MEG lay face downwards on the heath. Her auburn hair gleamed gold among the bracken, and her faded green dress mingled well with the pink and green of her resting place. She had chosen a comfortable couch on which to rest her tired limbs, and of this she was fully conscious. She had been walking for hours without food and her strength was nearly played out; but though tired and hungry she was exulting in the fact that she was alone. As she had stood panting for breath after her quick walk, which had often turned into a run, she had looked all around to make quite sure that no one was in sight, and on coming to the conclusion that she was alone on the wide heath she had thrown herself down with a sigh of relief. It was good to be alone, her tired limbs resting on the soft grass and her head buried in her folded arms. The quiet was as balm to her spirit, and the sweet scent of the heather was better just then than food. As a tired child creeps into his mother's bosom, so Meg felt almost a human companionship in mother earth. And the sun in all its glory poured down its beams on her auburn head and lithe young figure. How long she lay there, half sleeping, half waking, she did not know; but suddenly she was aroused to consciousness by a cold shiver which made her start and sit up. She saw then that the heath was no longer steeped in sunshine; but that its pink had turned into a deep coppery colour, and that facing her were masses of dark cloud, edged with a sulphurous yellow. A low peal of thunder greeted her ears.