must that interest be paid?"

"Before midday, Saturday. The other loan does not come due for more than
two weeks, but the time was so near that I did not think of Josiah
questioning it."

"Who has been paying the interest on the other loan?"

"I do not know, but it has doubtless been coming from some estate of the
father-in-law of Josiah's brother."

"Why was it dropped?"

"That I cannot tell you. I should have done nothing even now had I not
learned that this half-brother has come into that estate through the
death of the wife's father. I have every reason to believe that he could
pay not alone the interest, but the principal as well, if he so
desired."

"Perhaps this half-brother does not know about the inheritance."

"That is absurd. He does know, or should. The fact is, he is an outlaw
and is hiding from justice."

"But why should you make Uncle Josiah suffer for what his half-brother
did?"

"That is the very thing I am trying not to do. Can't you see where it
would place him if I told him the truth?"

"Yes. But I see no reason why you can't let things go on as they have,
and forget the unpaid interest."

"I have no power to do that. I put the matter in the hands of my lawyers
in order to force the hidden rascal to take action."

"I think it would be best to tell Uncle Josiah all about it, and let him
help you find the one who should pay."

"Such action would be senseless for two reasons: it would give Josiah
grief and pain, and he would be unable to meet the obligation. It was
larger than what the place would cover when first made, and with the
deterioration in the value of the property it now far exceeds its worth.
Then, there is the interest for two years."

"Why don't you offer to buy the place, even paying more than the
mortgage calls for? It would be a kindness."

"I made such an offer through my lawyer, but Josiah refused."

"Then, why not cancel it altogether?"

"That would be very unbusiness-like," he declared curtly. "But even if I
so desired, it would be impossible now. I have permitted my lawyers to
use the foreclosure as a threat, and I'm duty bound to see it through."

"If it is absolutely necessary to go through with this, I don't see that
it would make it any more terrible if we should tell Uncle Josiah the
whole story. It would, at least, save his thinking ill of us. Then,
there is the chance that he might suggest something."

"Beth, I'm bound by my word to say nothing. That