s of his own age, he had trampled the few surviving
flowers and broken down the shrubs in the garden. The hatred of
Bolton, like some malignant growth, had waxed monstrous from what it
preyed upon, ruining and distorting the simple kindly life of the
village. She was waiting for his answer.

"It would seem so much more honest," she said in a tired voice. "Now
they can only think me eccentric, foolishly extravagant, lavishly
generous--when I am trying-- I didn't dare to ask Deacon Whittle or
Judge Fulsom for a list of the creditors, so I paid a large sum--far
more than they would have asked--for the house. And since then I have
bought the old bank building. I should like to make a library there."

"Yes, I know," he said huskily.

"Then the furniture--I shall pay a great deal for that. I want the
house to look just as it used to, when father comes home. You see he
had an additional sentence for trying to escape and for conspiracy;
and since then his mind--he doesn't seem to remember everything.
Sometimes he calls me Margaret. He thinks I am--mother."

Her voice faltered a little.

"You mustn't tell them," he said vehemently. "You mustn't!"

He saw with terrible clearness what it would be like: the home-coming
of the half-imbecile criminal, and the staring eyes, the pointing
fingers of all Brookville leveled at him. She would be overborne by
the shame of it all--trampled like a flower in the mire.

She seemed faintly disappointed.

"But I would far rather tell," she persisted. "I have had so much to
conceal--all my life!"

She flung out her hands in a gesture of utter weariness.

"I was never allowed to mention father to anyone," she went on. "My
aunt was always pointing out what a terrible thing it would be for
any one to find out--who I was. She didn't want me to know; but uncle
insisted. I think he was sorry for--father.... Oh, you don't know
what it is like to be in prison for years--to have all the manhood
squeezed out of one, drop by drop! I think if it hadn't been for me
he would have died long ago. I used to pretend I was very gay and
happy when I went to see him. He wanted me to be like that. It
pleased him to think my life had not been clouded by what he called
his _mistake_.... He didn't intend to wreck the bank, Mr. Dodge. He
thought he was going to make the village rich and prosperous."

She leaned forward. "I have learned to smile during all these years.
But now, I want to tell everybody--I long