d in his son's accusation, Mart
turned to Bertha. "Do ye mind the old man's spendin' the rest of his
days with us, darlin'?"

"You're the doctor, Mart. It's your house, not mine."

He felt the change in her. "Oh no, it isn't; it's _our_ house. I never
would have had it only for you." He paused a moment. "The dad is a
well-meaning old rascal, and I'll go bail he don't do mischief."

Patrick took this up. "He is so, and he means to kape to his own way of
life. If I go West, me b'y, 'tis on wages as a gardener--and, bedad,
I'll draw 'em reg'ler, too. I'd like well to go West ('twould rejice me
to see Fan and McArdle), and I don't object to spendin' a year with you
in Coloraydo, but don't think Patrick Haney is to be pinsioner on anny
one, not even his son."

Bertha's heart vibrated in sympathy with this note of independence, and
she heartily said: "I hope you will come, Mr. Haney. The Captain is
alone a good deal, and you'd be a comfort to him."

"I'll consider," the old man said. "I must have time to rea-lize it," he
quaintly added. "I must smoke me pipe in me own garret once more, and
talk it all over with Kate and the Donahues." He refused to stay to
dinner with them (which was a relief to Lucius), and went away jaunty as
a bucko from County Clare.

He was no sooner gone from the room than Bertha turned to her husband,
and said: "Mart, I want to talk things over with you."

Something in her voice, as well as in the words, made him turn quickly
and regard her anxiously.

"What about? What is it, darlin'?"

"I have something on my mind, and I've got to spit it out before I can
rest to-night. I've just about decided to leave you. I don't feel right
livin' with you."

He looked at her steadily, but a gray pallor began to show on his face.
He asked, quietly: "Do ye mean to go fer good?"

Her heart was beating fast, but she bravely faced him. "Yes, Mart, I
don't feel right living with you, and spending your money the way I've
been doing."

"Why not? It isn't mine--it's yours. Ye airn every cent ye spend."

"No, I don't!" she cried, passionately. "Now that you're getting better
and Lucius has come, I'm not even a nurse."

"I'll send him away."

"No, no; he's worth more than I am."

"I'll not listen to such talk, Bertie. Ye well know you're the thing
most precious to me. I can't live without ye." His voice thickened. "For
God A'mighty's sake, don't say such things; they make me heart shake! Me
teeth are cha