378 THE HOME OF A NATURALIST. 



doubt that. I've been shipwrecked close by. But 

 what has happened here ? Where is James Gertson ? " 



At the mention of her husband Breeta shuddered 

 and closed her eyes as if to hide from some fearful 

 vision, and Yaspard was quick to observe the action. 



" How came you to be alone on Yule e'en ? " he 

 asked hastily. " Breeta, darling, try to calm yourself. 

 You look very ill. And, oh, do tell me what is wrong. 

 If any one has ever dared to speak a hard word to you 



I'll . Speak, dear, and tell me what has 



happened." 



But Breeta could only wring her hands and wail — 

 " The Finis ! the Finis ! " and Yaspard, perplexed how 

 to act, could only stare at her silently — as the Finis 

 had done. 



How long they might have continued to act and not 

 act in such a manner cannot be conjectured, for in a 

 few moments the survivors from the wreck rushed in, 

 and at the same moment a tiny, white robed creature 

 appeared from the inner room. Liza had tired of 

 waiting for her mother to answer to her call, and now 

 sprang into Breeta's arms, rousing her at once to keen 

 participation in the present. 



" Where is the goodman of the house ? " the sailors 

 asked, but before Breeta could collect herself suffi- 

 ciently to reply, Yaspard answered for her — 



"The goodman is out — most like over the moor 

 buying Yule dainties. There is no accommodation for 

 us here ; but I know that this girl's father will receive 

 us right heartily, and his house is not very far away 



