sty isn't always moral
honesty. I've found that out even in my limited practice."

Captain Obed tried to put in a word. "Don't you see, Thankful?" he said.
"John knew you thought you owned the land and so--"

"Hush! Please don't. I--I don't see. Mr. Kendrick, you--you have prided
yourself on bein' honest with your clients, and Mr. Holliday Kendrick
WAS your client."

John smiled. "I compromised there," he answered. "I returned his money
and resigned as his attorney before I sent you the deed. It was a
compromise, I admit, but I had to choose between him and--well, my
honor, if you like; although that sounds theatrical. I chose to be
honest with myself--that's all. The land is yours, Mrs. Barnes."

He handed her the envelope containing the deed. She took it and sat
there turning it over and over in her fingers, not looking at it, but
thinking, or trying to think.

"You give it to me," she said. "It was yours and you give it to me. Why
should you? Do--do you think I can TAKE it from you?"

"Certainly, you must take it."

"But I can't! I can't!"

"Certainly you can. Why not?"

"Why NOT? After the things I've thought about you? And after the way
I've treated you? And--and after Emily--"

"She didn't know either," broke in Captain Obed. "She didn't understand.
She--"

"That's enough, Captain," interrupted John. "Mrs. Barnes, you
mustn't misunderstand me again. Neither you nor--nor Miss Howes must
misunderstand my motives. I give this to you because I honestly believe
it belongs to you, not because I expect anything in return. I--I confess
I did hesitate a little. I feared--I feared she--"

"He means Emily," broke in the irrepressible captain. "You mean Emily,
don't you, John?"

"Yes," with some embarrassment. "Yes, I do mean Miss Howes. She and I
had been--friends, and I feared she might misinterpret my reasons.
It was not until yesterday afternoon, when I learned of the--of the
engagement, that I felt certain neither you nor she could misunderstand.
Then I felt perfectly free to send you the deed."

Captain Obed, who had grasped his meaning, would have spoken, but
Thankful spoke first. She, evidently, was quite at sea.

"The engagement?" she repeated. "What engagement?"

"Miss Howes' engagement to Mr. Daniels. They were congratulating him
on his engagement yesterday at the station. I overheard the
congratulations. I had not known of it before."

At last Thankful understood. She looked at the speaker, t