you've done it. A nice brother you are! Ruining us by a conspiracy
with Bob Walker, and then sitting here and trying to make my own
daughter think you did right, and bringing that hateful fellow here to
hear it!" Her finger was leveled at August.

"I am glad to see you are better, Abigail. I wanted to be sure you were
strong enough to bear all I have to say."

"Say your worst and do your worst, you cruel, cruel man! I have borne
enough from you in these years, and now you can say and do what you
please; you can't do me any more harm. I suppose I must leave my old
home that I've lived in so long."

"You need not worry yourself about leaving; that's what I came over to
say."

"As if I'd stay in _your_ house an hour! I'll not take any favors at
_your_ hand."

"Don't be rash, Abigail. I have deeded this hill farm to Samuel, and
here is the deed. I have given you back the best half of the property,
just what my father meant you to have. I have only kept the river land,
that should have been mine twenty years ago. I hope you will not stick
to your resolution not to receive anything at my hand."

And Julia said: "Oh! I'm so--"

But Mrs. Anderson had a convenient fit of hysterics, crying piteously.
Meantime Samuel gladly accepted the deed.

"The deed is already recorded. I sent it down yesterday as soon as I saw
Samuel come back, and I got it back this morning. The farm is yours
without condition."

This relieved Abigail, and she soon ceased her sobbing. Andrew could not
take it back then, whatever she might say.

"Now," said Andrew, "I have only divided the farms without claiming any
damages. I want to ask a favor. Let Julia marry the man of her choice
in peace."

"You have taken one farm, and therefore I must let my daughter marry a
man with nothing but his two hands," sobbed Mrs. Anderson.

"Two hands and a good head and a noble heart," said Andrew.

"Well, I won't consent," said she. "If Julia marries _him_," pointing to
August, "she will marry without my consent, and he will not get a cent
of the money he's after. Not a red cent!"

"I don't want your money. I did not know you'd get your farm back, for I
did not know but that Walker owned it, and I--wanted--Julia all the
same." August had almost told that he had married Julia.

"Wanted her and married her," said Andrew. "And I have not kept a
corn-stalk of the property I got from you. I have given Bob Walker a
ten-acre patch for his services, and all the