pjacks and reistit pork of our own cooking, to
sit at a well-ordered table covered with spotless linen. Still better did
it seem to see Alice smiling upon me across the flowers in the glasses and
sparkling silver, and Martin Lorimer's cheery face as, while he pressed
the good things upon me, we chatted of old times and England. It is only
through adversity and hardship that one learns to appreciate fully such an
interlude.

My uncle had, however, not yet recovered his strength, and when later his
eyes grew heavy Alice whispered that he usually slept in the heat of the
afternoon, and I was glad to follow her into a garden newly hewn out of
the forest. We sat there in scented shadow under the branches of giant
redwoods, with the song of rippling water in our ears, and I remember
taking Alice into my confidence about the mysterious loan. She listened
with interest, and once more I noticed how ill she looked.

"You have more good friends than you think, Ralph; and it was of service
to you, was it not?"

"Yes," I answered with emphasis. "Of the greatest service! Perhaps it
saved us from ruin, but at first I almost decided not to touch it."

Alice laughed, a clear laugh that mingled musically with the call of a
wood pigeon in the green dimness above.

"You need hardly tell me that--all great men have their weaknesses; but
seriously, Ralph, don't you think if the good friend desired to keep it a
secret it is hardly fair to try to find him out? No, from what you tell
me, I hardly think you will unravel the mystery while the donor--lender, I
mean--lives. Besides, even if you never do, you can repay it by assisting
some hard-pressed comrade in distress. Yes, I should fancy the person who
lent it would prefer that way. However, I want to tell you about your
sister Aline. She has grown into a handsome young woman, too handsome
almost to fight her own way unprotected in the world, but she is like
yourself in some respects, and will neither live with us nor let your
uncle help her. She is teaching now--do you know what women are paid for
teaching in some private schools? And I don't think she is happy. The last
time I saw her I almost cried afterward, though she would only tell me
that she was choking for sunlight and air. Even her dress was worn and
shabby. Ralph, you know how old friends we are, and I have been
wondering--you really must be sensible--whether I could help her through
you?"

Something stung me to the quick, and