The morning was very fine and calm, though in the west heavy clouds
were gathering and seemed to promise rain soon. But overhead the
sun shone brightly, the air was calm and warm, and the little dell
on whose verge he stood a very pretty and pleasant place.
A small stream wandered through it, the grass that carpeted it was
green and soft, near by a great oak stood alone and spread its
majestic branches far out on every side to give cool shelter from
the summer heat.
The thought occurred to Dunn that this was just such a pretty and
secluded spot as two lovers might choose to exchange their vows in,
and the thought stung him intolerably as he wondered whether it was
for such a reason that Ella had come here.
But if so, why had she fled away again in such strange haste?
He walked on slowly for a yard or two, not now attempting to follow
Ella's trail, for he had the impression that this was her
destination, and that she had gone no further than here.
All at once he caught sight of the form of a man lying hidden in
the long grass that nearly covered him from view just where the
far-spreading branches of the great oak ceased to give their shade.
At first Dunn thought he was sleeping, and he was just about to
call out to him when something in the rigidity of the man's position
and his utter stillness struck him unpleasantly.
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