f the time, that sneak thief, Sim Clark,
managed to steal my pocket-book out of my inner pocket. That was what
made me seem so blue, for I had something in it I meant to show you. But
when he tried to run away I held on and part of his coat ripped away. I
stuck it in my pocket, thinking Hank would like to see it as evidence,
and when I took it out here, don't you see I found what I had lost in
Sim's pocket! Did you ever hear of such luck in your born days."

Mrs. Peake herself laughed.

"You do seem to be a fortunate boy. And they would have robbed you of
what little you have. I'm glad you got it back, and I'm determined to
see Hank Squires to-morrow about this thing. It has gone far enough."

"But I've got something else to tell you. Come and sit down where we can
talk," he continued, feeling happier than ever before in all his life,
for he knew he was in a condition to chase away the clouds that had been
bringing anxiety to her mind for months.

So he told first of all about his visit to the hardware man, and how he
obtained fourteen dollars for his muskrat skins.

After that came the call upon the lawyer and what followed in connection
with his offer to pay the interest due, and how Mr. Quarles had
absolutely refused to accommodate him.

Nancy sighed as she heard what the cold, grasping man of law had said
about settling old scores.

Perhaps she was sorry now she had given him such cause for hatred; but
better the life she had led than one as the wife of a cruel money shark
of his breed.

From this Darry soon branched out and spoke of his trip to the shore,
and how on his return a kindly fate had allowed him to be of material
assistance to the very young man with whom he expected to spend the
winter on his launch.

Mrs. Peake began to listen more eagerly now, for she surmised that
something of a pleasant nature was coming.

When Darry finally placed the money in her hand, she looked at it in
bewilderment, never having touched so much at one time in all her life;
then she turned her tear-stained eyes upon him, and drawing him into her
motherly arms kissed him again and again.

And Darry never felt so well repaid for any action of his life as that.

There was sunshine in the Peake house the balance of that day, even
though the weather without was dark and overcast, for light hearts carry
an atmosphere of their own that does not depend upon outside
influences.

The woman would not hear of Darry's going t