"LON CRONK."

Fledra folded up the letter and opened the other one dazedly. It was
written with a masterly pen-stroke, and the girl, without reading it,
looked at the signature. It was signed, "Everett Brimbecomb." Her eyes
flashed back to the beginning, and she read it through swiftly:

"_Little Miss Cronk_.--

"I am delivering this letter in a peculiar way, because I know that
you had rather not have anyone see it. It is necessary that you
should think calmly and seriously over the question I am going to
ask you. I am very fond of you. Whether or not you will return my
affection is a thing for you to decide in the future. Now, then,
the question is, Do you want to protect your brother and your
friends from the anger of your father? If so, you must go with him.
I will answer for it that your brother stays where he is; but you
must go away. Think well before you decide not to go; for I know
the men who are determined to have you, and would save you if I
could. I shall try to see you very soon. Destroy this letter
immediately. Your friend,

"EVERETT BRIMBECOMB."

Fledra sat as if in a trance, her eyelids drooping over almost sightless
eyes. The last blow had fallen upon her, and she knew that she must go.
That she could ever be forced away thus without her brother, that Horace
could be given no chance to help her, had never crossed her mind.
Through her imagination drifted Lon's dark, cruel face, followed by a
vision of Lem Crabbe. Feature after feature of the scowman came vividly
to her,--the wind-reddened skin, the foul, tobacco-browned lips, the
twitching goiter,--all added to the nervous chill that had suddenly come
upon the girl. Lem and Lon represented all the world's evil to her, and
Everett Brimbecomb all the world's influence. The three had thrust their
triple strength between her and happiness. Her dear ones should not fall
before the wrath of Lem and Lon, or before the unsurmountable power of
Everett Brimbecomb! In her hands alone lay their salvation. Like one
stunned, she rose from the bed and carefully destroyed the two letters.
This was the one command she would obey promptly.

When Ann knocked softly at the door, and no answer came, she gently
pushed it open. Fledra lay with her face to the wall as if asleep. Miss
Shellington bent over her, and then crept quietly out to