o the boys av this town. No wonder they love him.
Bud's affidavit's on file ready, when needed; and Bill is here to
testify; and Cris Mead's name's good on paper, or in coort, or prayer
meetin'. Lettie, you have sold yourself to two of the worst men ever set
foot in this town."

"Amos Judson is my best friend; I'll tell him you said he's one of the
two worst men in this town," Lettie cried.

"It's a waste av time; he knows it himself. Now, a girl who visits in
lonely cabins at dead hours av the night, with men she knows is
dangerous, oughtn't to ask why some folks are so precious. It's because
they keep their bodies and souls sacred before Almighty God, and don't
sell aither. You've accused me of tryin' to protect Phil, and of keepin'
Marjie's name out of everything, and that I've been spyin' on you. Good
God! Lettie, it's to keep you more 'n them. I was out after my own
business, after things other folks ought to a' looked after and didn't,
things strictly belongin' to me, whin I run across you everywhere, and
see your wicked plan to ruin good names and break hearts and get money
by blackmail. Lettie, it's not too late to turn back now. You've done
wrong; we all do. But, little girl, we've knowed each other since the
days I used to tie your apron strings when your short little fat arms
couldn't reach to tie 'em, and I know you now. What have you done with
Marjie's letter that you stole before it got to Phil?" His voice was
kind, even tender.

"I'll never tell you!" Lettie blazed up like a fire brand.

"Aren't you willing to right the wrongs you've done, and save yourself,
too?" His voice did not change.

"I'm going to leave here when I get ready. I'm going away, but not till
I am ready, and--" She had almost yielded, but evil desire is a strong
master. The spirit of her low-browed father gained control again, and
she raised a stormy face to him who would have befriended her. "I'm
going to do what I please, and go where I please; and I'll fix some
precious saints so they'll never want to come back to this town; and
some others'll wish they could leave it."

"All right, then," O'mie replied, as Lettie flung herself out of the
door, "if you find me among those prisent when you turn some corner
suddenly don't be surprised. I wonder," he went on, "who got that letter
the last night the miserable Melrose girl was here, or the night after.
I wonder how she could reach it when she couldn't get the other one.
Maybe the h