you don't see things as they are, and I'm sure that you
were only being very, very kind to me when you ... you bought those
baskets. I love you for it, really I do, and if ... if you want me to
keep the money, and it would hurt your feelings if I...."

"Of course I want you to keep it, dear. Yesterday you took me for a
foster-brother, and I hope that you will always let me do for you as I
would for a real flesh-and-blood sister."

"I promise, and I will always do the same for you if I can, dear Don,"
she whispered softly, adding, "but somehow to-night--oh please don't
laugh at me now--somehow to-night I feel more like ... like a mother,
than a sister to you."

"And I truly think you are--a spiritual mother, little woman. I need you
much more than you need me, I guess."

"Do you know," he went on, after a moment, "I am beginning to believe
that I was wrong this afternoon when I said that ... that Judd lied
about adding to the money he received for your baskets. Of course I
have no way of making sure, unless you have kept accounts, but I
actually begin to think that he did."

"I _know_ it," she replied promptly; but with a troubled voice. "Judd
has been very wicked, but he doesn't lie. I think that he meant it the
way ... the way you did, too; but he's different and I mean to give it
all back to him." There was another pause, and then Smiles said gently,
"Donald, it makes my heart ache like, to tell you this, but I've got to
now. I want that you should go away early to-morrow morning."

"What?" he burst out angrily, springing to his feet. "And have him
believe that I ran away from him again? No, how can you ask it, Rose?"

"It isn't that. We know, and _he_ knows now, that you're not afraid of
him. But this mountain is his home, and, if you stay here, there is sure
to be more trouble, and I couldn't bear that, Don. Even if one of you
wasn't ... wasn't hurt in the body, wicked thoughts would hurt your
souls. I know it is so, and you _must_ go ... but, oh, how I am going to
miss you."

For a moment Donald stood tense; then his body relaxed weakly and he
answered, "Yes, you are right, Smiles. It _is_ up to me to go; but I
know that some day these clouds are going to be lifted somehow, and we
shall see each other again and be happy together."

"I know it, too," she answered, with a sob catching her breath. As she
spoke, the clouds, which had been covering the moon for some time,
broke, letting the cool, white light f