n the shelter of his arms, nothing remained
for him in life.

Tony saw him square his shoulders and turn away.

"Good night, Mr. Howe," he called.

"Good night, Tony."

"Any orders for to-morrow?"

"No. Go on with your work as usual. Just be sure to water Miss Lucy's
flowers."

"I will, sir."

"An' by the way. You needn't drive into town with that key. I'm goin' to
Mr. Benton's myself, an' I'll take it."

"All right."

The boy watched Martin go down the driveway; but at the gate the man
wheeled about and shouted back:

"You'll be sure not to forget Miss Lucy's flowers, Tony."

"I'll remember 'em."

"An' if I should have to be away for a while--a week, or a month, or even
longer--you'll do the best you can while I'm gone."

"I will, sir."

"That's all. Good night."

With a farewell gesture of his hand Martin passed out of the gate. To have
witnessed the buoyancy of his stride, one would have thought him
victorious rather than defeated. The truth was, the scent of battle was in
his nostrils. For a lifetime he had been the champion of Hate. Now, all
the energies of his manhood suddenly awakened, he was going forth to fight
in the cause of Love.

CHAPTER XVIII

LOVE TRIUMPHANT

Serene in spirit, Martin turned into the road, his future plain before
him. He would search Lucy out, marry her, and bring her back to her own
home. How blind he had been that he should not have seen his path from the
beginning! Why, it was the only thing to do, the only possible thing!

There might be, there undoubtedly would be difficulties in tracing his
sweetheart's whereabouts, but he did not anticipate encountering any
insurmountable obstacle to the undertaking: and should he be balked by
circumstance it was always possible to seek assistance from those whose
business it was to untangle just such puzzles. Therefore, with head held
high, he hastened toward home, formulating his plans as he went along.

With the dawning of to-morrow's sun he must set forth for the western town
which, if Tony's testimony was to be trusted, was Lucy's ultimate
destination. It was a pity his fugitive lady had twelve hours' start of
him. However, he must overtake her as best he might.

It was unquestionably unfortunate too, that it was such a bad season of
the year for him to be absent from home. Harvest time was fast
approaching, and he could ill be spared. But of what consequence were
crops and the garnering of them when weighed