"Go on, Mr. Geoffrey," whispered Mrs. Trapes. "But I guess I'd better
stay here a bit."

"You mean--?"

"As poor Martin's sure found his little girl again!"

CHAPTER XXV

HOW SPIKE MADE A CHOICE AND A PROMISE

Monday morning found Ravenslee knocking at the opposite door, which
opening, disclosed Spike, but a very chastened and humble Spike, who
blushed and drooped his head and shuffled with his feet and finally
stammered:

"Hello, Geoff--I--I'm all alone, but you--you can come in if--if you
care to?"

"I dropped in on my way down just to have a word with you, Spike."

With dragging feet Spike led the way into the sitting room, where lay
his breakfast, scarcely tasted.

"Sit down, Geoff, I--I want to apologise," said the lad, toying
nervously with his teaspoon. "I guess you think I'm a mean, low-down
sort o' guy, an' you're right, only I--I feel worse 'n you think. An'
say, Geoff, if I--if I said anything th' other night, I want you
to--forget it, will you?"

"Why, of course, Spike."

"Hermy's forgiven me. I--I've promised to work hard an' do what she
wants."

"I'm glad of that, Spike!"

"She came creepin' into my room this mornin' before she went, but--me
thinkin' she meant to give me a last call down--I pretended t' be
asleep, so she just sighed an' went creepin' out again an' wrote me
this," and Spike drew a sheet of crumpled note paper from his pocket and
handed it to Ravenslee, who read these words:

Boy dear, I love you so much that if you destroyed my love, I
think you would destroy me too. Now I must leave you to go to my work,
but you will go to yours, won't you--for my sake and for your sake and
because I love you so. Be good and strong and clean, and if you want some
one to help you, go to your friend, Mr. Geoffrey. Good-by, dear--and
remember your promise.

Ravenslee passed back the pencilled scrawl and Spike, bending his head
low, read it through again.

"I guess I've just got t' be good," he murmured, "for her sake. Oh,
Geoff," he cried suddenly, "I'd die for her!"

"Better live for her, Spike, and be the honourable, clean man she
wishes."

"She sure thinks you're some man, Geoff! I guess she's--kind o'--fond of
you."

"That's what I've come to talk about, Spike."

"Are you--fond of her, Geoff?"

"Fond!" exclaimed Ravenslee, forgetting to drawl, "I'm so fond--I love
her so much--I honour her so deeply that I want her for my wife."

"Wife?" exclaimed Spike, starting t