rted. He had been out alone most of the night on
the water, and the relief of seeing his girl alive and unharmed turned
his earlier emotions to bitterness.

"Yes, come in," he said sternly. "Where have you been?"

Had Priscilla been given more time, had she been less physically spent,
she would have protected herself from her father's thought; as it was she
could only summon enough strength to parry his questions with truthful
answers, and until it was too late she did not realize how they damned
her.

"Up at--at--Far Hill Place."

"All night?"

"Yes."

"With----"

"With--with Jerry-Jo McAlpin."

"Oh!" This came like a snake's warning.

"The--the storm was--oh! Father----"

"The storm!" roared Nathaniel; "the storm! Are you sugar or salt? Have
you so little morality that you choose to stay overnight with a man in a
lonely house instead of coming wet but clean-charactered to your safe
home?"

And then Priscilla understood! She had come into the room and was sitting
near the door she had closed behind her. She, on the sudden, seemed to
grow old and strong; the ancient distrust and dislike of her father
overcame her; she looked at her mother, bent and sobbing over the sink,
and only for _her_ sake did she continue the useless conversation.

"You--you judge me unheard!" she went on, addressing Nathaniel with an
anger, glowing in her eyes, that equalled his own.

"Have you not just incriminated yourself--you!"

"Stop! Do you think that is all? Do you think I would have stayed
there--if--if----" Here the memory of what she had endured choked her.

"A woman who puts herself in a man's power as you have can expect no
mercy." Nathaniel stormed.

"Why?"

"Because it is God's law. All decent women know it. That is what I've
feared for you always, but I'll still stand by you if you show reason.
I'll do it for your mother's sake and my good name. He shall marry you,
by God! Say the word and I'll bring him here."

Priscilla's upper lip twitched. This was a trick her nerves had of
warning her, but she heeded not.

"You--you would _force_ me to marry Jerry-Jo even against his will?
You would make that little hell for me without even knowing what has
happened? You'd fling me in it to--to save your name?"

"You've made your own hell! No matter what has happened, there is only
one way out for you. If you refuse that----" And here Nathaniel flung his
big arms wide, as if pushing his child out--out!

With white