218 A SINGULAR ADDRESS. 



men gazed upon each other across the grave of her 

 whom they both had loved, and to whom their attach- 

 ment had been so fatal. M'Leod broke the silence. 



" Well may you come to grieve by her side," said he, 

 " for you, too, are her murderer. It was my hand did 

 the deed ; but you will share my guilt before Heaven. 

 Henceforth we are neither friends nor enemies. As for 

 me, I shall need nothing more." 



Appalled by this singular address, Pierre stood with- 

 out reply. M'Leod seemed by a supreme effort to calm 

 himself, and then, bending forward, he kissed the sod 

 upon the little mound, and walked slowly towards the 

 woods which fringed the Athabasca. Pierre, much 

 moved, retraced his steps to the fort ; but M'Leod did 

 not return. From that day forward nothing was heard 

 of him. Whether he committed suicide, or otherwise 

 fell a victim to his grief, was never known. 



