"I am not at liberty to tell you. And as she is going abroad soon it

makes no difference who she is at all."

"She wants it to go abroad wi'?"

Percombe assented by a nod. The girl regarded him reflectively.

"Barber Percombe," she said, "I know who 'tis. 'Tis she at the

House--Mrs. Charmond!"

"That's my secret. However, if you agree to let me have it, I'll tell

you in confidence."

"I'll certainly not let you have it unless you tell me the truth. It is

Mrs. Charmond."

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The barber dropped his voice. "Well--it is. You sat in front of her

in church the other day, and she noticed how exactly your hair matched

her own. Ever since then she's been hankering for it, and at last

decided to get it. As she won't wear it till she goes off abroad, she

knows nobody will recognize the change. I'm commissioned to get it for

her, and then it is to be made up. I shouldn't have vamped all these

miles for any less important employer. Now, mind--'tis as much as my

business with her is worth if it should be known that I've let out her

name; but honor between us two, Marty, and you'll say nothing that

would injure me?"

"I don't wish to tell upon her," said Marty, coolly. "But my hair is

my own, and I'm going to keep it."

"Now, that's not fair, after what I've told you," said the nettled

barber. "You see, Marty, as you are in the same parish, and in one of

her cottages, and your father is ill, and wouldn't like to turn out, it

would be as well to oblige her. I say that as a friend. But I won't

press you to make up your mind to-night. You'll be coming to market

to-morrow, I dare say, and you can call then. If you think it over

you'll be inclined to bring what I want, I know."

"I've nothing more to say," she answered.

Her companion saw from her manner that it was useless to urge her

further by speech. "As you are a trusty young woman," he said, "I'll

put these sovereigns up here for ornament, that you may see how

handsome they are. Bring the hair to-morrow, or return the

sovereigns." He stuck them edgewise into the frame of a small mantle

looking-glass. "I hope you'll bring it, for your sake and mine. I

should have thought she could have suited herself elsewhere; but as

it's her fancy it must be indulged if possible. If you cut it off

yourself, mind how you do it so as to keep all the locks one way." He

showed her how this was to be done.




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