an afford to lose anybody. Where'd ye hail from, anyway?"

The hired man had grasped the situation promptly. Recognizing Nathan, he
also recognized, as he supposed, the solution of the mysteries which had
surrounded him of late. Eunice and Susanna had found the vagrant out,
and had kept his identity secret, fearing the Squire. Now to Moses'
intense satisfaction in his nomination--irregular though it was--was
added the reflection that no harm could result, since at present there
was no constable in Marsden, nor would be one until he himself was
elected. He would be elected, of course. There was now no doubt of that.
Kitty Keehoty, bless her! had put her small hand to the wheel of fortune
and given it a whirl which was fast sending all good things his way.
Then, if he was so favored, should his first official act be the
punishment of a fellow townsman? A fishing townsman, at that? Not if he,
Moses Jones, knew himself; and though he was still a "bedrid block o'
wood," the block was fast repairing and would soon be as good as a
freshly growing tree.

"From--from him. From Planck. I--I come to bring the box. But--I lost
it. Oh, Madam! he sent it to you--he was dyin' then--and I've lost
it--I've lost it! Planck'll be mad. He'll scowl and talk--Has anybody
seen Planck's box?"

The forlorn fellow had left Moses' side and crossed to where Madam
Sturtevant sat rigidly upon her elevated throne. The memories this
returned wanderer had roused in her were so painful that they seemed to
strangle her. Her throat grew dry, her lips parched, and her gaze was
glued to the face of the vagrant who had been her lost son's chosen
companion, vassal, possible friend. Why, why had he come?

Eunice laid her hand on the gentlewoman's arm. She felt that this
tension must be loosed, even at the cost of fresh pain. "Elinor," said
she, "you have borne much. Can you endure a further shock? it may be of
fresh sorrow, but it may be of joy. Your brass bound box is found.
Nathan brought it, Katharine found it, I have it."

Squire Pettijohn coughed, and strode majestically forward. He was once
more the man of position who must see to it that his townsmen's
interests were protected. This woman had maligned him. He had heard that
she complained of his usuries, that he had taken advantage of her
misfortunes, that he was a hard and cruel man. Worst of all to him--had
said that he was not a gentleman! Conquering his disappointment at
Nathan's return, he imp