. He must do his duty, however hard he
found it."

Conscience remembered Stuart's warning that Tollman thought he loved
her, and smiled to herself. This voluntary championing of another man's
cause hardly seemed to comport with such a conception.

"I don't know what to do," she admitted wearily. "Obviously I can't make
the promise he asks and no more can I let him fly into a rage that may
kill him. I'm between the upper and nether mill-stones."

The man nodded with a grave and courteous comprehension.

"I hesitate to volunteer advice--and yet--" He came to a questioning
halt.

"Yes," she prompted eagerly. "Please go on."

"I had thought," he continued, with the diffident manner of a man
unaccustomed to proffering counsel before it was asked, "that, if you
cared to use me, I might be of some help--as an intermediary of sorts."

"An intermediary?" she repeated. Then more impulsively, because she felt
that her attitude had been wanting in graciousness, she added, "I know
you're offering to do something very kind, but I'm afraid I don't quite
understand."

"I think I am entirely in your father's confidence," he explained, "and
because, on many subjects, we hold common opinions, I can discuss--even
argue--matters with him without fear of antagonism or excitement to him.
Still I hope I am not too old to be in sympathy with your more youthful
and more modern outlook on life. If at any time I can help, please call
on me."

They had been walking toward his buggy at the hitching post--it was not
a new or particularly well-kept vehicle--and there they halted.

"This is good of you," she said, extending her hand cordially, and as he
took it he suggested, "Meanwhile an old man is not speedily weaned from
an idea which has taken deep root, and that brings me to another
suggestion." Once more he paused deferentially as if awaiting
permission, "if I may make it."

"I wish you would."

"It is the idea of Mr. Farquaharson's constant proximity and influence
which keeps your father's animosity stirred to combat. With a temporary
absence it would relax. I think it might even come to an automatic
end.... When Farquaharson returned Mr. Williams's mind might have lost
its inflammation."

He smiled and shook the reins over the back of the old horse and when he
drove away he left Conscience standing with her lips parted and her gaze
set.

Send Stuart away for a time! She had told that she could not stand it
without him, and no