burdened
with the responsibility of twenty thousand dollars safely tucked under
his pillow the night before, had not closed his eyes in sleep. He seemed
as much cast down as Winn. In truth, he was more so, for the hand of
time had swept him beyond the influence of dollars, and human sympathy
and his own feelings were of more account.

"We, all on us, owe ye more'n we kin ever pay back," he said when the
moment of parting came, "an' if ye realize how ye stand with us on the
island 'n' how glad we'll all be to hev ye back with us, ye won't be
long in comin'. Ye had the chance to rob us, an' ye didn't. Instid ye
did the best ye could to save our money 'thout thinkin' much about yer
own, an' that, 'long o' what ye did for the men ez needed work 'n'
wages, will give ye a warm welcome back. If we could know when ye was
comin' (ez I hope ye will soon), thar ain't a man, woman, or child in
Rockhaven ez wouldn't be on the dock to meet ye, 'n' the parson'd want
'em all to make for the church at onct and jine in singin' hymns."

"I am glad you will all think so kindly of me," answered Winn, his heart
rising to his throat at this unexpected tribute, "and I hope soon to be
with you. What I shall do now, I do not know. I have a good sum of money
now that I can call my own, thanks to luck and Mr. Page, but as for
future business or occupation, have no plans."

"Ye might come to Rockhaven an' start the quarry on yer own hook,"
responded Jess. "There's 'nuff on us ez'll be more'n glad to put money
in, an' ye needn't be feared they won't hev confidence in ye. The hull
island comes purty near bein' yourn now, fer the askin'."

And then the "all aboard," that ends so many partings, came.

"Don't forgit us, 'n' what I've told ye," said Jess, with a slight
tremble in his voice, as he once more shook Winn's hand, while his eyes
grew moist; "don't forgit--any on us."

Then the train bore him away.

And Winn, conscious now that a friend as good and true as his own
father had once been, had opened his heart to him, turned away, his own
eyes also misty. And for days, weeks, and months after, the last words
of Jess Hutton were tender in his memory.

But the consciousness that he had now twenty thousand dollars safely on
deposit, soon lifted him into a cheerful mood again, and when he reached
his aunt's home, his spirits were at top notch.

The most surprised and elated person in the city was that same worthy
and excellent aunt. Not a hin