and rendered myself
indirectly an object of gratitude. It was natural that such kindness
should be reciprocated.

My own intent in "confessing" the girl was twofold. First, on
Wingrove's account: for, notwithstanding all that had been said and
done, her love for him _might have passed_. If so, instead of that
happy reunion of two loving hearts, which I had anticipated bringing
about, I should be the witness of a most painful interview.

Without further delay, I entered upon the theme. My interrogatories
were answered with candid freedom. The answers proved that what the
Mexican had told me was true to the letter.

"And did your father force you to this marriage?"

The reply was given hesitatingly. It was in the affirmative. "He did."

"For what reason did he so?"

"I could never tell. The man had some power over him; but how or in
what way, I knew not then, nor do I now. My father told me it was a
debt--a large sum which he owed him, and could not pay. I know not
whether it was that. _I hope it was_."

"You think, then, that Stebbins used some such means to force your
father's consent?"

"I am sure of it. My father told me as much. He said that by marrying
Stebbins I could save him from disgrace, and entreated, rather than
forced me to it. You know, sir, I could not ask why: he was my father.
I do think that it was _not_ his wish that I should have that man; but
something threatened him."

"Did your father know it was a false marriage?"

"No, no; I can never think so. I am sure the villain deceived him in
that, as he did me. Oh! father could never have done so! People, I
believe, thought him wicked, because he was short with them, and used
rough language. But he was not wicked. Something had crossed him; and
he drank. He was at times unhappy, and perhaps ill-tempered with the
world; but never with us. He was always kind to sister and myself--
never scolded us. Ah! no, sir; I can never think he knew that."

"He was aware that Stebbins was a Mormon--was he not?"

"I have tried to believe that he was not--though Stebbins afterwards
told me so." I well knew that he was aware of it, but said nothing.

"His saying so," continued she, "proves nothing. If father did know of
his being a Mormon, I am sure he was ignorant of the wickedness of these
people. There were stories about them; but there were others who
contradicted these stories, and said they were all scandal--so little
does the