nd that he knows it already. So be warned and let him alone."

"If anything could make me agree with Miss Waldron, Sabina, it would be
what you tell me," he answered. "And if I can live to show you that you
are terribly wrong I shall be glad."

"That you never will."

"At least you'll do nothing to come between us?"

"I never have. I was very careful not to do that. If he can look at you
as a friend presently, I shan't prevent it. I shan't warn him against
you--though I've warned you against him. The weak use poisonous weapons,
because they haven't got the strength to use weapons of might. That's
why he tried to burn down the Mill. He'll be stronger some day."

"He's clever, I'm told, and if we can only interest him in some
intelligent business and find what his bent is, we may fill his mind to
good purpose. At any rate, I thank you for leaving me free to act. Now I
can decide what course to take. It was impossible until I heard what you
felt."

She said no more and he left her to make up his mind. Doubt persisted
there, for he still suspected, that five years in a reformatory might be
better for Abel than anything else. Such an experience he felt would
develop his character, crush his malignant instincts and leave him only
too ready to accept his father as his friend; but against such a fate
for Abel, was his own relationship to the culprit, and the question
whether Raymond would not suffer very far-reaching censure if he made no
effort to come to the boy's rescue. Truest wisdom might hold a severe
course of correction very desirable; but sentiment and public opinion
would be likely to condemn him if he did nothing. People would say that
he had taken a harsh revenge on his own, erring child.

He fumed at a situation intolerable and was finally moved to accept
Estelle's advice. From no considerations for Bridport, or Bridetown, did
she urge his active intervention. For Abel's sake she begged it and was
more insistent than before, when she heard of Sabina's indifference.

"He's yours," she said. "You've been so splendidly patient. So do go on
being patient, and the result will be a fine character and a reward for
you. It isn't what people would say; but if he goes to a reformatory,
far from wanting you and your help when he comes out again, he'll know
in the future that you might have saved him from it and given him a
first-rate education among good, upright boys. But if he went to a
reformatory, he must meet all