amanuensis--I who would die
for her, yet who shrink from this task, well knowing, though she
does not, how hard it is to write to one to whom I have given
perhaps such infinite pain. Indeed, I should not have had courage to
write had she not required it of me, had not your most generous
offer and action demanded response. But for your aid my heartbroken
sister and I would by this time have had no roof to cover our heads.
These people had refused to house us longer. As soon as she is well
enough to move and I can obtain the means from Eastern friends we
shall sail for New Orleans, where she expects to find friends and
employment, and she bids me say that within the year you shall be
repaid. Meantime the thought that you, too, have been made a
sufferer, all on account of that unprincipled scoundrel who has
deceived and deserted her, weighs upon her spirits as it does on
mine. It is not the loss of the jewels (though we would have been
beyond the possibility of want had they reached her) that we mourn;
it is that one whom I fear I have sorely angered, perhaps past all
forgiveness, should have to suffer so much more on our account, and
yet if you only knew--if I could only explain! But this is futile.
Despise me if you will, yet believe that my gratitude is beyond
words.

"GERALDINE ALLYN.

"P. S.--Should you care to see--sister on your arrival we shall
probably still be here."

Then there had come, not to him but to the post surgeon at Yuma, another
letter just before Loring started down the Colorado. The doctor was with
his patient at the moment, and the superscription caught the latter's
eye. The doctor changed color and looked embarrassed as he read.
Evidently he did not desire to be questioned, nor was he, at the time,
for Loring had a way of thinking before he spoke, but as the doctor
completed certain injunctions at parting, the engineer turned full upon
him:

"Any news of Nevins in the letter you got this morning?"

The doctor flushed, looked bothered and confused, then finally fished
the letter from an inner pocket.

"Read it yourself," said he, and turned away. It was from Miss Allyn. It
apologized for intruding on a stranger, on his time and patience, but
she knew he had been Mr. Loring's medical adviser, and she felt
compelled to make certain inquiries, her sister being s