had so comfortably declared
"all right" was far from that. Solomon Cobb had not been near her since
their interview. He had not yet said that he would renew the mortgage
when it fell due. Mrs. Barnes began to fear that he did not intend to
renew it.

Heman Daniels, when he came in for supper, seemed disturbed to find that
Miss Howes had gone. Somehow or other he had gained the impression that
she was to leave the next morning.

"Did she--did Miss Howes leave no message for me?" he inquired, with a
carelessness which, to Thankful, seemed more assumed than real.

"No," answered the latter, "no, unless you call it a message about
takin' the responsibility of Holliday Kendrick and his schemes off
my hands. That is," remembering Emily's desire not to have her name
mentioned in the matter, "she didn't leave that. But I guess you can
take charge of that mess, if you want to."

Mr. Daniels smiled a superior smile. "I intended doing so," he said,
"as a matter of friendship, Mrs. Barnes. You may rest easy. I have taken
pains to let the town-folks know that your interests are mine and I
think our--er--late--er--friend is learning what our best citizens think
of his attitude."

There was truth in this statement. John Kendrick had foreseen the effect
upon his popularity which his espousal of his wealthy relative's cause
might have and his prophecy concerning "moral leprosy" was in process of
fulfillment. Opinion in the village was divided, of course. There were
some who, like Darius Holt, announced that they did not blame the young
yellow. E. Holliday had money and influence and, as a business man, his
attorney would be a fool not to stick by the cash-box. But there were
others, and these leading citizens and hitherto good friends, who openly
expressed disgust both with the rich man and his lawyer. Several of
these citizens called upon Thankful to tell her of their sympathy and of
their wish to help her in any way.

"Not that you're liable to need help," said one caller. "This property's
yours and even John D. himself couldn't get it from you unless you were
willin'. But it's a dirty trick just the same and young Kendrick, that
all hands thought was so straight and honest, takin' part in it is the
dirtiest thing in it. Well, he's hurt himself more'n he has anybody
else."

Captain Obed Bangs was a gloomy man that fall. He had always liked John
and the liking had grown to an ardent admiration and affection. He made
several at