w you showed me all over
the place, and tuk me to eat at a hotel and to that air stylish place
where I wuz treated like a king by yer friends. I've never found you
wantin', Dave, and I never expect to!"

"Uncle Barnabas," began David, "I--"

His voice suddenly failed him.

"See here, Dave! I didn't know nuthin' about that," pointing to the
newspaper, "until a few minutes ago. I sed tew hum that I wuz a-comin'
to see how Dave run things, and ef them disreptible associates of
Jud's air a-gittin' up some fool paper, I don't know it! Ef they do
send it in, don't you dare sign it! Why, I wouldn't hev that boy outen
prison fer nuthin'. He's different from what he used to be, Dave. He
got so low he would hev to reach up ter touch bottom. He's ez low ez
they git, and he's dangerous. I didn't know an easy minute fer the
last two years afore he wuz sent up, so keep him behind them bars fer
fear he'll dew somethin' wuss when he gits out. Don't you dare sign no
petition, Dave!"

Tears of relief sprang into the strong eyes of the governor.

"Why, Dave," said the old man in shocked tones, "you didn't go fer to
think fer a minute I'd ask you to let him out cause he wuz my son?
Even ef I hed a wanted him out, and Lord knows I don't, I'd not ask
you to do somethin' wrong, no more'n I'd bring dishoner to that old
flag I held this mornin'!"

David grasped his hand.

"Uncle Barnabas!"

His voice broke with emotion. Then he murmured: "We'll go to see
_her_, now."

As they passed out into the corridor a reporter hastened up to them.

"Governor," he asked, with impudent directness, "are you going to
pardon Jud Bramble?"

Before David could reply, Barnabas stepped forward:

"Young feller, thar hain't no pardon ben asked fer Jud Brumble, and
what's more, thar hain't a-goin' to be none asked--not by me. I come
down here to pay my respecks to the guvner, and to bring him a few
apples, and you kin say so ef you wanter!"

When Carey came into the library where her two callers awaited her,
one glance into the divine light of David's deepening, glowing eyes
told her what she wanted to know.

With a soft little cry she went to Barnabas, who was holding out his
hand in welcome. Impulsively her lips were pressed against his
withered cheek, and he took her in his arms as he might have taken
Janey.

"Why, Carey!" he said delightedly, "Dave's little gal!"

* * * * *

AN ANNOUNCEMENT