he West your home would be with
us. Now, although there is no change in our love for you, or yours for
us, I know that the place is no longer a home to you, that you do not
care to stay; and about the hardest part of it all is, that, knowing the
circumstances as I do, I myself would not ask you to stay."

"You seem to understand the situation, Mrs. Dean; how did you learn the
circumstances?" Darrell asked, wonderingly.

She regarded him a moment with a motherly smile. "Did you think I was
blind? I could see for myself. Katherine has told me nothing," she
added, in answer to the unspoken inquiry which she read in his eyes;
"she has told me no more than you, but I saw what was coming long before
either you or she realized it."

"Oh, Mrs. Dean, why didn't you warn me in time?" Darrell exclaimed.

"The time for warning was when you two first met," Mrs. Dean replied;
"for two as congenial to be thrown together so constantly would
naturally result just as it has; it is no more than was to be expected,
and neither of you can be blamed. And," she added, slowly, "that is not
the phase of the affair which I most regret. I think such love as you
two bear each other would work little harm or sorrow to either of you in
the end, if matters could only be left to take their own course. I may
as well tell you that I think no good will come of this scheme of
David's. Mr. Walcott is not a suitable man for Katherine, even if she
were heart free, and loving you as she does--as she always will, for I
understand the child--it would have been much better to have waited a
year or two; I have no doubt that everything would come out all right.
Of course, as I'm not her mother, I have no say in the matter and no
right to interfere; but mark my words: David will regret this, and at no
very distant day, either."

"I know that nothing but unhappiness can come of it for Kate, and that
is what troubles me far more than any sorrow of my own," said Darrell,
in a low voice.

"It will bring unhappiness and evil all around, but to no one so much as
David Underwood himself," said Mrs. Dean, impressively, as she rose.

"Mrs. Dean," said Darrell, springing quickly to his feet, "you don't
know the good this little interview has done me! I thank you for it and
for your sympathy from the bottom of my heart."

"I wish I could give you something more practical than sympathy," said
Mrs. Dean, with a smile, "and I will if I ever have the opportunity. And
one