ourageous woman.

"We are losing time," said Warrington. "When John reads these two
documents he will understand. He knows McQuade is base enough to seek
revenge this way. He will recognize it for its worth. But if John
finds out that we have left him out of our confidence, he will have
some good reason to doubt. Come."

So she followed him, her heart like lead, no thought coherent, her
will without energy. This was to be the end of all her dreams. They
crossed the street without speaking. He helped her down this curb and
up that. All this excitement lessened his own pain temporarily. But
who had written to Patty, if not McQuade? He could block any future
move of McQuade's but this other anonymous writer, whom Patty declared
she knew? He went on doggedly. One battle at a time. Together they
entered the house, together they passed from room to room in search of
John. They came upon him reading in the library. He rose to greet
them. There was no beating about the bush for Warrington. He went
straight into the heart of things.

"John, read this."

John glanced at the sheet, and his face darkened. The look he shot his
wife was indescribable. She watched him, twisting and knotting and
untwisting her gloves.

"When did this thing come?" asked John, a slight tremor in his tone.

"This morning," Mrs. Jack answered, her voice choking.

"Why did you not bring it to me?" he asked. "Why did you take it to
Dick? You and he should not come to me; on the contrary, you and I
should have gone to him. But never mind now. I have carried in my
pocket a letter similar to this for several weeks," simply.

"Catch her, John!" cried Warrington.

"No, no! I am not fainting. I am just dizzy."

The poor woman groped her way to the lounge and lay down. Her
shoulders were shaking with noiseless sobs.

John crossed the room and put his hand on her head. The touch was
tender.

"Well, Dick?"

"It is easy to distort truth into a lie, John."

"But it is very hard to reverse the order again."

"Do you believe the lie?" Warrington looked his friend squarely in the
eyes.

A minute passed. The ticking of the clock was audible.

"Believe it? I have had to struggle, I have had to fight hard and all
alone. I do not say that I don't believe it. I say that I WILL not!"

A truly noble soul always overawes us. This generosity struck
Warrington dumb. But the woman found life in the words. She flung
herself before her husband and clasped his k