n the most debased,
thought the judge, which abnegation and sacrifice often kindle into a
beautiful flame.

And there was Alice Price, with her fine intuition and sublime faith.
What a white soul that strong young woman had, said he; what a beautiful
and spotless heart. In that kiss which she had stooped to press on the
young widow's forehead she had wiped away the difference which Ollie's
sin had set between her and other women. It was an act of generosity
without ostentation, which he doubted whether Alice Price herself was
aware of in its farthest significance. It was the spontaneous act of
womanly sympathy and unconscious charity.

What Ollie Chase had said to them as they stood before her, Judge
Maxwell did not know, but what was written in their young faces as they
turned from watching her go, the whole world might have read--if it had
been as watchful and wise as he. What a fitting mate she was for that
young lion, Joe Newbolt, thought the judge; such a mate, indeed, as he
would have chosen for his own son if God had seen fit to give him that
transcendent joy.

Judge Maxwell found himself greatly concerned about Joe Newbolt's
future. He wondered what he would make of it if left to go about it in
his own way; what he would make of it if properly armed and encouraged.
He followed that speculation a long way down the future, building dimly,
but pleasantly, in his dream.

A ring sounded at the front door.

Judge Maxwell did not even withdraw his eyes from the fire. Some lawyer
over in one of the other two counties embraced in that circuit
telegraphing to ask some favor of delay, or favor of something else. To
ask a favor, certainly; lawyers never telegraphed to confer favors. Old
Hiram, dozing by the kitchen stove, would hear.

Presently old Hiram's shuffling feet sounded along the hall outside
Judge Maxwell's study door. The outer door opened and closed. Old Hiram
came into the judge's room, a candle in his hand.

"There's a man wishin' to see you, judge, sah," he announced.

Judge Maxwell started from his reverie. In the minute that had passed
between the ring at the door and the entry of Hiram, he had put the
visitor out of his head.

"A gentleman to see me, Hiram? Who is it?"

"No, sah; I don't think he's 'zactly a gentleman, sah. I don't know who
he is; he nevah give me no card, sah, but he's moughty sploshed and
blustery lookin'."

"Well--" the judge rose, halting his speech as if thinking of one