of the runaway. He went through a variety of
adventures before he came on his track, and then at length when he met
him in the depths of some backwoods, the young fellow turned upon him
in desperation, and before Philip could explain that it was on an
errand of mercy and not of justice that he had followed him, in the
heat of the moment Ronald drew his revolver and shot him.

'It was very nearly proving fatal for me,' said Philip as he told the
story, 'but God in His mercy prevented the sin of murder being laid to
the poor lad's charge. He was in such a state of mind when he found
what he had done, that if it had not been for my servant's restraining
hand, he would have made an attempt on his own life. I could just
manage to say, "I have come to save you," and then I remembered no
more; but when I recovered consciousness I found that he had become my
watchful, untiring nurse. I think it was due to his indefatigable care
that I recovered. Both he and my man Dawson never left me night or
day. Poor fellow! it was as I feared. He had been a mere tool in the
hands of others, who had decamped, leaving him to bear the consequences
of his sin.'

'But, Philip, how long were you ill? And were you hurt much? I have
no pity for your cousin--no, none; how could he, oh, how could he treat
you so?'

'Perhaps I had better tell you no more. Let us talk of other things.'

'No, no, I want to hear everything; please go on.'

'I tried to write to you when I got better, for I thought you would be
less alarmed than if a stranger wrote to you; but in illness one does
not take much count of time, and I had no idea that I had left you so
long without a line. At last I was able to manage, and then I did hope
I should get home. Ronald, poor boy, waited to come back and give
himself up to the hands of justice, and in telling your guardian about
it he thinks I was wrong in not letting the law take its course. But I
would be the only sufferer, it was my money he had made away with, and
I could bear the loss. He was so thoroughly and truly repentant that I
did not regret it. I made arrangements for him to go and start life
afresh out there on a farm. It is his determination to pay back
gradually as he can all he owes; but this would be the work of a
lifetime. It was through gambling that he was tempted first of all.'

'But why did you not come home at once?'

'I had a relapse, and found when I reached the nearest town I must go