nking now, as he stood looking out
long into the darkness. Then he came and sat down again, shading his
eyes with his hand.

"I am glad to be going away," said Allison, after a little; "and I thank
you for--all your kindness."

"Kindness!" repeated John. "I would like to be kind to you, Allison, if
you would let me. Allison I think I could make you a happy woman."

He rose and stood before her. Allison shook her head sadly.

"I cannot think of myself as being a happy woman any more;" and then she
added: "But when I am fairly away, and not afraid, I can be content. I
have my Marjorie now, and when she does not need me any more, I can go
to Willie. Oh! if I were only safe away."

John went to the window again. When he came back his face was very
pale, but his eyes were gleaming. He sat down on the sofa beside her.

"I am glad--yes, I am glad you are going away. That will be best for a
time. And I am glad you have Marjorie. But, Allison, what is to come
after? You have your brother? Yes, but he may have some one else then,
and may not need you. Oh! Allison, will you let me speak?"

Allison looked up. She grew red, and then pale, but she did not
withdraw her eyes from his.

"Speak wisely, John," said she.

"Allison! You cannot think that you owe duty to that man--that brute, I
should rather say? Is there anything in the laws of man or of God to
bind you to him? Would it be right to let him claim you as his wife?
Would it be right for you to go to him?"

"Even if it were right, I could not go to him," said she.

"And will you let him spoil your life? Will you let him make you a
servant in another woman's house--a wanderer on the face of the earth?"

"He cannot spoil my life if I can only get safe away."

"And do you not hate and loathe him for his sin against you?"

"I do not hate him. I would loathe to live with him. I think--that I
pity him. He has spoiled his own life, though he cannot spoil mine--if
I only _get_ safe away. It was my fault as well as his. I should have
trusted in God to help Willie and me. Then I would have been strong to
resist him."

John bent toward her and took her hand.

"Will you use your strength against me, Allison?"

"No, John. If I have any strength, I will use it in your behalf."

"Allison, I love you dearly. Let me speak, dear," he entreated, as she
put up her hand to stop him, "Yes, let me tell you all. From the first
moment that my eyes light