d he wanted it bad. He knew
that ordinarily he would have gone to Mrs. Dean--a woman would help so
much at a time like this. But Dean met him in the hall.

"Hello, Pop--what's the trouble?" asked Dean.

"Hello, Jack. I can't say whether it's trouble or not. What I want is
advice. Maybe you can give it to me, although I figured Mrs. Dean
would be better."

"Tell me, I may be able to help." Dean was surprised at the agitation
of the older man.

Pop told his story. He did not keep any of the details from Dean. The
latter listened, his astonishment growing all the time.

"You see, Jack, it's this way. If they come here, my wife will see me.
She probably hates me. I cannot hope that she will understand. On the
other hand, I want so much to be with her, I am going to be foreman
and that means I can support her comfortably. But I probably would
make her miserable if I entered into her life again. What do you
say?"

"Let us ask Mrs. Dean. She will give you the right answer."

Mrs. Dean listened. There was no hesitation in her answer.

"Go to Chicago at once. You need not worry about how your wife will
take it, nor as to how she feels. I know. She understands better than
you can ever suppose. Jack, dear, whoever said that God did not weave
our lives? How closely our friends here have been interwoven with our
lives, how much we have been of service to each other.

"Go to Chicago on the first train," she finished.

"Yes, and we shall tell Ted. Bring them back with you," added Dean.

Pop left the house, much relieved. He was happy that his duty was
what his inclination was--what he craved to do. He joined the other
men.

Without giving any explanation he told Smiles he would have to be away
for about ten days and that he had already arranged for the same with
John Dean.

Early the next morning he was off. He asked Red to take him down. To
Red he explained the whole thing, that he was coming back with his
folks.

"I understand a whole lot of things now. How queerly you acted at
times. I guess I'll call you Marsh, now."

"Yes, and it's up to you to explain. I shall wire you before you do
so. If my wife should decide that she does not want me, I am not
coming back. If she decides she will forgive me, I will telegraph you
and you can let it out casually."

"I will be glad to do so," answered Red. "Is Jack going to tell Ted?"

"Yes, that's the plan."

"The boy will be glad. He likes you a lot. But, mostly glad, b