of
events. When she spoke again, her sweet voice had a clear ring in it
that startled the man before her.

"Judge Baronet, I do not know what you are talking about. I do not know
of any plans for the future. I do not know what mother said to you. If I
am concerned in the plans you speak of, I have a right to know what they
are. If you are asked to approve of my doing, I certainly ought to know
of what you mean to approve."

She had risen from her chair and was standing before him. Oh, she was
pretty, and with this grace of womanly self-control, her beauty and her
dignity combined into a new charm.

"Sit down, Marjie," my father said in kind command. "You know the
purpose of Amos Judson's visit with your mother yesterday?"

"Business, I suppose," Marjie answered carelessly, "I am not admitted to
these conferences." She smiled. "You know I wanted to talk with you
about some business affairs some time ago, but--"

"Yes, I know, I understand," my father assured her. They both remembered
only too well what had happened in that room on her last visit. For she
had not been inside of the courthouse since the day of Rachel's sudden
appearance there.

"Judge Baronet thinks I have nothing to bring Phil. I've heard
everywhere how Phil wants a rich wife, and yet the Baronets have more
property than anybody else here." So Marjie concluded mentally and then
she asked innocently:

"How can Amos Judson's visit make this call here necessary?"

At last the light broke in. "She doesn't know anything yet, that's
certain. But, by heavens, she must know. It's her right to know," my
father thought.

"Marjie, your mother, in the goodness of her heart, and because of some
sad and bitter circumstances, came here to-day to ask me to talk with
you. I do this for her sake. You must not misunderstand me." He laid his
hand a moment on her arm, lying on the table.

And then he told her all that her mother had told to him. Told it
without comment or coloring, sparing neither Phil, nor himself nor her
father in the recital. If ever a story was correctly reported in word
and spirit, this one was.

"She shall have Judson's side straight from me first, and we'll depend
on events for further statement," he declared to himself.

"Now, little girl, I'm asked to urge you for your own good name, for
your mother's maintenance, and your own, for the sake of that boy of
mine, and for my own good, as well, and most of all for the sake of your
father'