“As well, perhaps,” Mrs. Rodney, muttered to herself: “she could tell me nothing. I dare say it was all guess-work. It is so easy to prate of dark clouds and secrets and dark men--it is the stock in trade of fortune-tellers.” But she was very uneasy in her mind. There was a great pain in her heart as she watched Aline. The girl had forgotten her trouble for a little while in the exhilarating excitement and exercise. Her eyes sparkled, her cheeks glowed with pleasure. She and Max were the best skaters on the river, and the girl thoroughly enjoyed her triumph. She looked like some bright winged bird in her scarlet costume, and many eyes followed her course in unwilling admiration. “Aline, I will tell you something,” said Max, as they skated sociably along, side by side. “I believe that old woman was a man dressed in woman’s clothes!” Aline’s heart gave a quick throb. “Why do you think so, Max?” she said. “Well, because she had boots on, and her feet were large, and her hands, too, and her voice was coarse and squeaky, as if she tried to alter it to a woman’s. Didn’t you notice it yourself, Aline?” “She was rather masculine-looking, certainly; but, then, many women are so. I have no doubt she was what she appeared to be,” said Aline, after giving the matter a moment’s grave consideration. Max was silenced but not convinced, and presently he looked round at her again. “I will tell you something else,” he said. “There is a man watching you. Perhaps it is the dark man the fortune-teller talked about.” “Where?” asked Aline, with a start. “Do you see that great tree down the bank at some distance from the crowd? There is a man round one side of it. He is looking at you. He is tall and dark, and has on a great fur overcoat. I believe--that is, he looks like him--that it is Mr. De--Ah! ah! help! help!” The revelation of what Max believed was never finished, for, all unknowingly, and in her interest in his words, Aline had gone upon a dangerous place, where the ice was cracked and thin. A little in advance of her brother, although clinging to his hand, she felt the treacherous ice giving way beneath her, and, like a flash, tore her hand from his and threw it far from her. All in an instant there was a loud crash, the treacherous element gave way, and Aline sunk down into the cold waves. Max was left alone upon the ragged edge, screaming aloud for help in the frenzy of his despair. * * * * *