imes a
little hasty in making friends, and I want to know the other reason
that brought Mr. Seaforth out from the old country."

"You fancy there is one?" Thorne said quietly.

"Yes. Lieutenant Atkinson made a little blunder one night when he
spoke of him."

"Atkinson never had very much sense," Thorne said dryly. "I, however,
fancied a man took his standing among you according to what he did in
this country."

"Yes," said Mrs. Forel. "The trouble is that the man who has crossed
the line once may do so again. Well, you see who these people are, and
if he meets them here it means that I vouch for him."

Thorne sighed. "If Atkinson has blundered, I am afraid that I must
speak. Now I don't think you need be afraid of Seaforth crossing that
line again. He was not worse than foolish and somebody victimized him,
but he has had his punishment and borne it very well--while if you knew
the whole story you would scarcely blame him."

"And that is all you can tell me?"

"Yes," said Thorne, very quietly. "Still, I can add that if Charley
ever comes back to the old country I--and my mother and sisters--would
be glad to welcome him."

"That I think should be sufficient," said Mrs. Forel, who was
acquainted with Commander Thorne's status in the old country.

It was a little later when Alton glanced towards Thorne, who was
talking to Alice Deringham. "I could get on with that man," he said.
"You knew him, Charley?"

"Oh, yes," said Seaforth with a curious expression. "He is a very good
fellow, and has distinguished himself several times. Somebody left him
a good deal of money lately."

Alton seemed to sigh. "Well," he said slowly, "he is to be envied.
They wouldn't have much use for him in your navy if he was a cripple."

The party was breaking up before Alton had speech with Alice Deringham
again, and as it happened the girl had just left Commander Thorne.
Alton spoke with an effort as one going through a task. "I never
thanked you yet for what you did for me," he said.

The girl smiled, though her pulses were throbbing painfully. "It was
very little."

"No," said Alton gravely. "I think I should not have been here now if
you had not taken care of me, and I'm very grateful. Still"--and he
glanced down with a wry smile at his knee, which was bent a trifle--"it
was unfortunate you and the doctor did not get me earlier. There are
disadvantages in being--all one's life--a cripple."

As fate would have