king about
just then?"

The question appeared to embarrass Mr. Winslow a good deal. He
colored, fidgeted and stammered. "Nothin', nothin' of any
account," he faltered. "My--er--my brain was takin' a walk around
my attic, I cal'late. There's plenty of room up there for a
tramp."

"No, tell me; I want to know." Her expression changed and she
added: "You weren't thinking of--of Charles'--his trouble at
Middleford? You don't still think me wrong in not telling Captain
Hunniwell?"

"Eh? . . . Oh, no, no. I wasn't thinkin' that at all."

"But you don't answer my question. Well, never mind. I am really
almost happy for the first time in ever so long and I mean to
remain so if I can. I am glad I did not tell--glad. And you must
agree with me, Mr. Winslow--Jed, I mean--or I shall not run in so
often to talk in this confidential way."

"Eh? Not run in? Godfreys, Mrs. Ruth, don't talk so! Excuse my
strong language, but you scared me, talkin' about not runnin' in."

"You deserve to be scared, just a little, for criticizing me in
your thoughts. Oh, don't think me frivolous," she pleaded, with
another swift change. "I realize it was all wrong. And some time,
by and by, after Charles has firmly established himself, after they
really know him, I shall go to the bank people, or he will go to
them, and tell the whole story. By that time I'm sure--I'm sure
they will forgive us both. Don't you think so?"

Jed would have forgiven her anything. He nodded.

"Sartin sure they will," he said. Then, asking a question that had
been in his thoughts for some time, he said: "How does your brother
feel about it himself, Mrs. Ruth?"

"At first he thought he should tell everything. He did not want to
take the position under false pretenses, he said. But when I
explained how he might lose this opportunity and what an
opportunity it might be for us all he agreed that perhaps it was
best to wait. And I am sure it is best, Jed. But then, I mean to
put the whole dreadful business from my mind, if I can, and be
happy with my little girl and my brother. And I am happy; I feel
almost like a girl myself. So you mustn't remind me, Jed, and you
mustn't criticize me, even though you and I both know you are
right. You are my only confidant, you know, and I don't know what
in the world I should do without you, so try to bear with me, if
you can."

Jed observed that he guessed likely there wouldn't be much trouble
at his e