e
was courage of purpose and conviction that ennobled his frail body. It
was no easy thing, Gaston felt sure, for him to place himself and his
youth in this attitude toward a man older than he. It was undeniable
Drew lost sight of himself every time he accepted the demands of his
profession,--and the renunciation won respect.

"See here Drew, I do not often give my confidence. It does not often
appear necessary, and I think nine times out of ten it complicates
matters instead of solving mysteries, but I'm going to speak quite
openly to you--for Joyce's sake. It would not make any difference to
others--they think she deserves punishment for appearing to deserve it,
but I believe you will be able to comprehend the difference and perhaps
help me to help her.

"Up to the night when she told me that she had seen you, and that your
conversation had emphasized some doubts of her own--she had been to me,
first a poor hounded creature, then, a striving, high-minded girl
endeavouring to free herself from the bondage of evil that had been her
inheritance. I'm not going to speak of myself in the matter, only so far
as to say that my own life, under different environment, has been
such--that I understood; I undertook the--task of helping her! Whatever
of temptation cropped up now and then, was strangled for her sake
always,--sometimes for my own, too--it died at last, and I was enabled
to serve her with single purpose.

"What that task has meant to me--I cannot expect any living soul to
understand. I was very lonely. I never looked for reward nor recompense.
It was--I thought it was--enough in itself. But something had been going
on that was no part of my plan. Like a revelation it came to me, that
last evening I spent at home--that she was a splendid woman; and I knew
that I loved her!

"That was why I went away. I went to find Jude Lauzoon. I meant to free
her, and marry her. Her love has always been mine. This may make no
difference--perhaps you cannot believe it--but it's God's truth, and now
you see why I must have her."

Drew had never shifted his gaze from the speaker's face. Conflicting
emotions tore him--but there was no doubt in his heart, now, of Gaston.

"In your profession, Drew," Gaston saw that he had gained his point,
"you do not want to condone sin, but you want to understand the sinner
as well as possible; and, Drew, you may take my word for it--I'm not in
an overwhelming minority."

For a moment Drew trie