ere goes to Jim the barman who, if you
don't know it, tells Soden, and Soden tells the town. You understand?"

He limped across the room and sat down.

"I've come in to tell you something," he went on. "When I got here I
heard the news. But that makes no difference to what I had to tell you.
I can still tell you. But I must say something else first. You wouldn't
stay on at Taloona when I asked you, but that was your business. Now
this has come to you. I'm no hand at talking sympathy, but if you want
anything that I can get for you it's yours--you understand?"

He leaned forward, with his hands on his knees, looking her steadily in
the face.

"Thank you, Mr. Dudgeon, I--I understand," she said haltingly.

"That's what I thought you'd say," he remarked as he sat back. "I know
it's a sad business for you, as it stands, and I'd rather you never had
it. You're the first woman I've felt that way about for more years than
you've lived. But I'm sorry for you, hang me if I'm not."

"It is--good of you to say so," she murmured.

"Still, you're young, and there are many years before you which won't be
all sad, you may be sure. But now you're a widow will you come to
Taloona?"

She looked up quickly without replying.

"I don't care how it is. You can make it your home as a guest, or you
can come as Mrs. Dudgeon."

"Oh, please, Mr. Dudgeon," she exclaimed as she stood up. "You--I know
you don't mean to hurt me, but----"

She broke off and turned away.

"It wasn't said to hurt you," he said. "It was only to show you what I'd
do for you. Seemed to me it was the best way to put it. I only want you
to understand I'm with you whatever comes along. Will you take it that
way?"

"I know," she exclaimed impulsively, as she crossed over to him and laid
her hand on his shoulder. "I know how you mean it, Mr. Dudgeon, and I
appreciate it more than I can say. It was the----"

"The clumsy way I put it," he said, as she hesitated. "That's all right.
Don't mind speaking out your mind to me--you used to pretty well when I
shied at that physic you poured into me a few weeks back."

"I should have asked how the leg is," she said leaping at the opening to
change the subject. "Is it still very painful?"

"Oh, it comes and goes," he replied. "Mostly goes."

"Don't you think it would be a good thing if you took the doctor's
advice now and went away for a change and a rest? It would make you all
right again in a few months. The hard, ro