"Jabez! I would as soon marry a snake! You don't know what he is."
"Yes I do—a meddlesome old devil, who goes poking his nose into other people's affairs——"
"Hush," cried Miriam, grasping his arm, "someone is coming."
"They can't hurt——"
But he got no further, for the sound of footsteps crunching the snow came rapidly nearer.
"Good-bye, Miriam," he whispered. "You've been a brick to me. Take care of yourself," and hastily kissing her, he made for the low wall of the churchyard, scaled it, and disappeared into the pine woods beyond.
Miriam looked after him until he was lost in the darkness, then hastily made her way home.