s, but I meant it for the best. I _had_ to
show you--don't you see? Can you forgive me? Won't you try to forgive
the old feller that loves you more'n all the world? Won't you try?"

She looked at him, wide-eyed, clasping and unclasping her hands.

"_I_ forgive _you_?" she repeated, incredulously.

"Yes. Try to, dearie. Oh, if you would only believe I meant it for your
good, and nothin' else! If you could only just trust me and come to me
and let me help you. I want you, my girl, I want you!"

She leaned forward. "Do you really mean it?" she cried. "How can you?
after all I've done? after the way I've treated you? and the things I've
said? You must _hate_ me! Everyone does. I hate myself! You can't
forgive me! You can't!"

His answer was to hold out his arms. Another moment and she was in them,
clinging to his wet coat, sobbing, holding him fast, and begging him not
to leave her, to take her away, that she would work, that she would not
be a burden to him--only take her with him and try to forgive her, for
he was real and honest and the only friend she had.

And Captain Elisha, soothing her, stroking her hair, and murmuring words
of love and tenderness, realized that his labor and sacrifice had
not been in vain, that here was his recompense; she would never
misunderstand him again; she was his at last.

And yet, in the midst of his joy, his conscience troubled him more than
ever.

CHAPTER XX

It was April; and May was close at hand. The weather was all that late
April weather should be, and so often is not. Trees, bushes, and vines
were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the
dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of
the old apple tree, with an eye toward spring housekeeping; the sun was
warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the distance.
Caroline, sitting by the living-room window, was waiting for her uncle
to return from the city.

In the kitchen Annie Moriarty was preparing dinner. Annie was now cook
as well as chamber-maid, for, of all the Warren servants, she was the
only one remaining. Edwards, the "Commodore," had been dismissed, had
departed, not without reluctance but philosophically, to seek other
employment. "Yes, miss," observed Edwards, when notified that his
services were no longer required; "I understand. I've been expecting
it. I was in a family before that met with financial difficulties, and
I know the signs