tored to Helen her self-possession.

"I did all I could for her. I was glad to do it, because I loved her.
But she did more for me than ever I could have done for her. Her last
illness was very brief, and her death was full of peace."

"Tell me," said Shock, placing a chair for her. "I want to know all."

With gentle, sweet sympathy the story was told in all its beautiful
details, till the very end. Instinctively Helen seemed to know the
points that Shock would desire to hear, and he listened to her with his
heart shining through his eyes.

"Thank you, thank you," he said. "Never can thank you enough for all
that you have done. And you, too, have had your great sorrow. Brown
told me about it all."

At this Brown rose hastily, and looking out of the window, exclaimed,
"I say, there's Boyle. Wait for me."

"Yes," said Helen, when Brown had gone, "it was a terrible grief, and
mother has never recovered from it, nor will she. Betty was the life of
our house. She was so bright."

"Oh, bright, indeed. How well I remember her brightness that night in
your home."

"I remember," said Helen. "And Mr. Balfour," she continued, "The Don.
He has been with you?"

"Yes, indeed, poor chap. And nobly he has done," and Shock told of The
Don and of his work in the Pass.

"How good you have been," exclaimed Helen, "and how much you have done.
I am so thankful, and so proud. We are all so proud of you."

"No," said Shock gravely, "that is not the word, Miss Fairbanks. There
is no room for pride."

"Well, we think so," replied Helen. "You will come to see us? Mother
will be so glad."

Helen was wondering at her own calmness. She could hardly make herself
believe that she was talking to Shock, and so quietly, in this room
where so short a time ago he had held her in his arms.

"I do not know," replied Shock. "It may be as well not to--not to see
much--to see you."

Shock became unexpectedly conscious of their previous relations. The
memory of that scene in which they had been the chief actors came
vividly, before him. For weeks he had dreaded this interview, and now
it was almost over. He felt like a man who, in the hour of victory, is
unexpectedly threatened with defeat. Well, sooner or later he must
speak his mind plainly; there would never be a better chance than now,
and though he wished he could get back that perfect self-mastery of the
past few minutes, he resolved to go through with it now. He took hold
of himself wi