L

* * * * *

It was another fortnight before the fugitive was able to return to
Sagamore Hall. Huntington telephoned, as he had promised, but he also
found it necessary to run down there himself, to explain in detail the
miracle which had happened. Mrs. Thatcher appreciated his thoughtfulness
of her, Merry expressed her full approval, and incidentally he found the
experience agreeable, so the necessity of his appearance in person was
unanimously conceded. Still, the satisfaction of this visit was
completely overshadowed by his feeling of triumph when Hamlen actually
accompanied him.

The drone of the motor-car brought Mr. and Mrs. Thatcher and Merry to
the door to greet them, for Marian wished their welcome to express to
the fullest the fact that whatever had occurred was forgotten. Hamlen
read it so, and it helped him.

"I have to move a bit slowly yet," he explained as he rose cautiously in
the tonneau. "Another month and I'll be as good as new."

They assisted him up the steps and through the hallway to a great easy
chair on the piazza beyond. Then, after a few moments of general
conversation, they left him alone with Marian.

"Isn't it wonderful?" he exclaimed with frank delight. "I'm as pleased
with myself as a kitten with two tails."

"You well may be!" she laughed at his expression, which in its nature
was eloquent of the changed mental attitude. "And our rejoicing is not
far behind yours."

"I know it; that is the most wonderful part of the whole thing. No
matter how idiotic my actions, you and Huntington have stuck right by
me, and have proved me wrong by the bigness of your hearts."

"Forget the past," Marian urged, "and start things from to-day."

"No; I wouldn't want to do that, even if I could."

He paused for a moment, and played with a tassel which fell across his
lap from the cushion she had placed in the chair.

"Of course," he said without looking up, "much of it will always seem
like a delirious dream, but after all it is the past which has given me
the present. And except for the past I should not have Huntington."

There was a wealth of feeling in his words which showed Mrs. Thatcher
how strong a hold his friend had gained upon him.

"Does he know how much he means to you, I wonder?"

Hamlen looked up quickly. "He hasn't the slightest conception," he
answered. "I have never seen a man so oblivious to the power he
exercises over others, or to the re