ay."

"Certainly!" supplemented Mrs. Harnden. "I understand a woman's feelings
in such a matter."

"Furthermore, I have discharged Vaniman for good and sufficient
reasons," said President Britt. "He stands there busted and without a
job."

"That is quite true," Vaniman admitted. "I cannot remain with the Egypt
Trust Company, but that's a matter quite of my own choice."

"Oh, it is, is it?" scoffed the president.

"Yes, sir! I've had quite enough of your society."

"Therefore, it seems to me that there isn't much more to be said--not
here--in a home that we try to make peaceful and happy at all times,"
said Mr. Harnden, pompously.

"But there's something more I'm going to say!" Britt was proceeding with
malice in tones and mien. He had been waving the canceled checks. He
pulled another paper from the wallet. "You think the directors would
keep you on in that job, do you, Vaniman, if you forced the issue?"

"I do! Jealousy and petty spite would not show up very strong in a board
meeting, Mr. Britt."

Britt shook the paper. "How would this show up?"

Vaniman did not lose his composure. "Why don't you read it aloud? You
have stirred curiosity in Mr. and Mrs. Harnden, I see."

"And I'll stir something else in a girl you're trying to fool! But I'm
gong to save this letter for that board meeting; I'll have you fired by
a regular vote--and I'll send the record of that vote to every bank in
this part of the country. Then see how far you'll get with your lies
about my jealousy!" Britt was plainly determined to allow guesswork to
deal in the blackest construction regarding the letter.

Vaniman turned his back on the others. He talked directly to Vona. The
agonized query in her eyes demanded a reply from him. "Mr. Britt has in
his hand a letter from some banking friend of his. The letter says that
my father was sentenced to the penitentiary, charged with embezzlement.
That is so. My father died there. But it was wicked injustice. You and
your father and mother are entitled to know that an honest man was made
a scapegoat."

"Excuse me!" broke in Harnden. "We are outsiders and will probably
remain so, and have no hankering to pry into family matters."

"I did not intend to tell the story now, Mr. Harnden. It's too sacred
a matter to be discussed in the presence of that man who stands there
trying to make a club of the thing to ruin my hopes and my life. This is
a hateful situation. I apologize. But he has forced me t