anything in the world that I
can do for you, or that you even hope I can do, I _beg_ you to let me
hear it. I should be glad beyond all words to help you."

"Oh, I don't know as anything can be done," she began, after the fresh
gush of tears which were her thanks, "but Suzette and I have been
talking it over a good deal, and we thought we would like to see your
father about it. You see, Suzette can't feel right about our keeping the
place here, if father's really done what he says he's done. We don't
believe he has; but if he has, he has got to be found somewhere, and
made to give up the money he says he has got. Suzette thinks we ought to
give up the money we have got in the bank--fifteen hundred or two
thousand dollars--and she wanted I should let her give up her half of
the place, here; and at first I _did_ say she might. But come to find
out from Mr. Putney, the whole place would have to be sold before it
could be divided, and I couldn't seem to let it. That was what
we--disputed about. Yes! We had a dispute; but it's all right now, or it
will be, when we get the company to say they will stop the lawsuit
against father, if he will give up the money he's got, and we will give
up the place. Mr. Putney seemed to think the company couldn't stop it;
but I don't see why a rich corporation like that couldn't do almost
anything it wanted to with its money."

Her innocent corruption did not shock Matt, nor her scheme for defeating
justice; but he smiled forlornly at the hopelessness of it. "I'm afraid
Mr. Putney is right." He was silent, and then at the despair that came
into her face, he hurried on to say, "but I will see my father, Miss
Northwick; I will go down to see him at once; and if anything can be
honorably and fairly done to save your father, I am sure he will try to
do it for your sake. But don't expect anything," he said, getting to his
feet and putting out his hand to her.

"No, no; I won't," she said, with gratitude that wrung his heart.
"And--won't you wait and see Suzette?"

Matt reddened. "No; I think not now. But, perhaps, I will come back;
and--and--I will come soon again. Good-by!"

"Mr. Hilary!" she called after him. He ran back to her. "If--if your
father don't think anything can be done, I don't want he should say
anything about it."

"Oh, no; certainly not."

"And, Mr. Hilary! Don't _you_ let Suzette know I spoke to you. _I'll_
tell her."

"Why, of course."

On his way to Boston the affai