o the
other chair, took up her book, opened it, and settled herself to read.
Calumet watched her covertly for a moment, and then gave his attention
to the contents of the envelope.

There were a number of sheets of paper on which Calumet recognized his
father's handwriting.

"MY SON:--Feeling that I am about to die, it is my desire to do what I
can toward setting things right between us. Betty Clayton will tell
you that I have repented of my treatment of you, but she cannot tell
you how deep is the realization of the injury I have done you through
my inhuman attitude toward you. I fear that I have ruined your
character and that it may be too late to save you from those passions
which, if not checked, will spoil your life.

"I know that children sometimes inherit the evil that has abided with
their parents, and I am certain that you have inherited mine, because
while you stayed at home I saw many evidences of it, aye, I used to
delight in its manifestation. Toward the end of your stay at home I
grew to hate you. But it was because of that woman. If ever there was
an evil spirit in the guise of a human being, it was she. She--well,
you will learn more of her later.

"I am going to try at this late day to repair the damage I did you. I
have come to the conclusion that the surest way to do this is to force
you to give me in death that respect and veneration which you refused
me while I lived. You see that, in spite of my boasted repentance, I
still have left a spark of satanic irony, and I do not expect you to
believe me when I tell you that I have planned this for your own good.
But it seems to me that if you can exhibit respect for the one who is
directly responsible for your cursed passions you will be able to
govern them on all occasions. That is my conviction, and if you do not
agree with me there is no hope for you.

"Betty Clayton will tell you the conditions, and she will be your
judge. I believe in Betty, and if you do not see that she is a
true-blue girl you are more of a fool than I think you are."

At this point Calumet glanced sidelong at Betty, but she seemed
engrossed in her book, and he resumed reading.

"That is all I have to say on that subject. You will have to look to
Betty for additions. By this time, if she has carried out my wishes,
she has told you what you may expect. I have told her the story which
I am going to tell you, and I am certain that when you have finished it
y