brought news that she was dead, and now their
only hope for any small happiness at the close of years of suffering
lies with you. I was sent to plead with you to return with me at once
and make them a visit. Of course, their home is yours. You are their
only heir, and they would be very happy if you were free, and would
remain permanently with them."

"How do they know I will not be like the father they so detested?"

"They had sufficient cause to dislike him. They have every reason to
love and welcome you. They are consumed with anxiety. Will you come?"

"No. This is for me to decide. I do not care for them or their property.
Always they have failed me when my distress was unspeakable. Now there
is only one thing I ask of life, more than my husband has given me, and
if that lay in his power I would have it. You may go back and tell them
that I am perfectly happy. I have everything I need. They can give me
nothing I want, not even their love. Perhaps, sometime, I will go to see
them for a few days, if David will go with me."

"Young woman, do you realize that you are issuing a death sentence?"
asked the lawyer gently.

"It is a just one."

"I do not believe your husband agrees with you. I know I do not. Mrs.
Herron is a tiny old lady, with a feeble spark of vitality left; and
with all her strength she is clinging to life, and pleading with it to
give her word of her only child before she goes out unsatisfied. She
knows that her daughter is gone, and now her hopes are fastened on you.
If for only a few days, you certainly must go with me."

"I will not!"

The lawyer turned to the Harvester.

"She will be ready to start with you to-morrow morning, on the first
train north," said the Harvester. "We will meet you at the station at
eight."

"I----I am afraid I forgot to tell my driver to wait."

"You mean your instructions were not to let the Girl out of your sight,"
said the Harvester. "Very well! We have comfortable rooms. I will show
you to one. Please come this way."

The Harvester led the guest to the lake room and arranged for the night.
Then he went to the telephone and sent a message to an address he had
been furnished, asking for an immediate reply. It went to Philadelphia
and contained a description of the lawyer, and asked if he had been
sent by Mr. Herron to escort his grand-daughter to his home. When the
Harvester returned to the living-room the Girl, white and defiant,
waited before the fire. He