to tell and a confession to make to you."

She looked a little startled. "That sounds ominous, Richard--like the
villain in the play, only he makes his confession after marriage."

He was very sober indeed now. "That's the reason I make mine now. I
want you to know just what I am before you marry me."

She leaned her chin on her clasped hands and looked at him. "Tell me
all about it."

He did. He began at the beginning, and while it would not be true to
say he did not spare himself, he told the story as it actually
happened. He concealed no essential.

"I rode there and back last night simply because I couldn't kiss you
again until I had made myself an honest man."

She reached out and clutched the hand which lay on the table near
her--a sudden convulsive embrace.

"Last night?"

"Yes, I've been to the camp since I left you last night. I couldn't
stand with you--there--before all our friends, till I could say I had
no other man's money in my pockets."

She took his hand in both of her own and bent her head and touched her
cheek to his fingers. She was very deeply moved.

And he--though his voice choked--faltered through:

"I gave it all back, dear--I mean I gave over to Biddy and Dan their
full share--they are equal owners with you and me in 'The Witch.' I
tried to withhold some of it; it was hard to give it all back; but I
did it because I believed you would approve of it. And now, if you
will let me, I can call you my wife with a clear conscience."

For answer she rose and came to his side, and put her arms about his
neck and laid a kiss on his upturned face. Words were of no avail. In
his heart the man was still afraid of one so good and loving.

THE END

End of Project Gutenberg's The Spirit of Sweetwater, by Hamlin Garland

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