down, and her
color increased guiltily.

"I have come to ask you a favor," she said.

"Step in," said Donnegan, recovering his poise at length.

At this, she looked past him, and her eyes widened a little. There was
an imperceptible shrug of her shoulders, as though the very thought of
entering this cabin horrified her. And Donnegan had to bear that look as
well.

"I'll stay here; I haven't much to say. It's a small thing."

"Large or small," said Donnegan eagerly. "Tell me!"

"My father has asked me to take a letter for him down to the town and
mail it. I--I understand that it would be dangerous for me to go alone.
Will you walk with me?"

And Donnegan turned cold. Go down into The Corner? Where by five chances
out of ten he must meet his brother in the street?

"I can do better still," he said, smiling. "I'll have George take the
letter down for you."

"Thank you. But you see, father would not trust it to anyone save me. I
asked him; he was very firm about it."

"Tush! I would trust George with my life."

"Yes, yes It is not what I wish--but my father rarely changes his
mind."

Perspiration beaded the forehead of Donnegan. Was there no way to evade
this easy request?

"You see," he faltered, "I should be glad to go--"

She raised her eyes slowly.

"But I am terribly busy this morning."

She did not answer, but half of her color left her face.

"Upon my word of honor there is no danger to a woman in the town."

"But some of the ruffians of Lord Nick--"

"If they dared to even raise their voices at you, they would hear from
him in a manner that they would never forget."

"Then you don't wish to go?"

She was very pale now; and to Donnegan it was more terrible than the gun
in the hand of Lord Nick. Even if she thought he was slighting her why
should she take it so mortally to heart? For Donnegan, who saw all
things, was blind to read the face of this girl.

"It doesn't really matter," she murmured and turned away.

A gentle motion, but it wrenched the heart of Donnegan. He was instantly
before her.

"Wait here a moment. I'll be ready to go down immediately."

"No. I can't take you from your--work."

What work did she assign to him in her imagination? Endless planning of
deviltry no doubt.

"I shall go with you," said Donnegan. "At first--I didn't dream it could
be so important. Let me get my hat."

He left her and leaped back into the cabin.

"I am going down into The Corner for a