nty wits, she must
clear his path from embarrassment and be gone. She had a pittance of her
own that would support her until she could find employment that would
render her independent of charity. Her future would unquestionably be
lonely, since she must leave behind her not only the man she loved but the
home about which her fondest dreams centered. Nevertheless, she had never
lacked courage to do what must be done; and in the present emergency the
pride of the Websters came surging to re-enforce her in her purpose.

Nobody must know she was going away--nobody. There must be no
leave-takings and no tears. The regrets she had at parting with all she
held dear she would keep to herself, nor should any of her kindly
acquaintances have the opportunity to offer to her a sheltering roof as
they had to old Libby Davis, the town pauper.

Laughing hysterically, she dashed aside the tears that gathered in her
eyes. Would it not be ironic if the Webster mansion became a poor farm and
she its first inmate?

As for Martin--a quick sob choked her. Well, he should be left free to
follow whatever course he ordained. Perhaps he would scornfully turn
Ellen's bequest back to the town; perhaps, on the other hand, he would
conquer his scruples, rebuild the wall, and become rich and prosperous as
a result. With an augmented bank account and plenty of fertile land, what
might he not accomplish? Why, it would make him one of the largest
land-owners in the State!

A glow of pleasure thrilled her. She hoped he would accept the legacy; she
prayed he would.

Then, even though she were lonely and penniless, she would have the
satisfaction of knowing that what she had forfeited had been for his
betterment. There would be some joy in that. To give over her ancestral
homestead for a pauper institution that was neither needed nor necessary,
and was only a spiteful device of Ellen's to outwit her was an empty
charity.

Having thus formulated her future action, Lucy hastened to carry out her
plans with all speed. Before Mr. Benton imparted to Martin the terms of
the will, before any hint of them reached his ears, she must be far from
Sefton Falls; otherwise he might anticipate her determination and thwart
her in it.

How fortunate it was that there was so little to impede her flight! All
she owned in the world she could quickly pack into the small trunk she had
brought with her from the West. Not to one article in the house had she
any claim; M