oticed she seemed sort of sot all aback," he said, "but I don't
know's that's so strange when you consider that she and Crawford used to
be such friends. More'n probable she's heard him talk a good deal about
his father."

"Well, perhaps so. No doubt that is it. I'm afraid she is working too
hard and worrying too much over her various enterprises here. She is
succeeding wonderfully, of course, but I don't like to see her losing
those roses in her cheeks. They're much too precious to lose. Keep your
eye on her, Captain, and don't let her wear herself out."

He soon said good-by. Captain Shadrach accompanied him to the door.
Zoeth remained where he was, not rising even when he shook hands with
his departing friend. But when the Captain turned back he saw his
partner standing by the end of the counter and clutching it with one
hand while he beckoned with the other. Shadrach gave him one look and
then crossed the space between them in two strides.

"For the land sakes, Zoeth," he begged, "what's the matter?"

Zoeth waved him to silence. "Sshh! sshh!" he pleaded in a whisper.
"Don't holler so; she'll hear you. Shadrach, I--I--"

"What IS it?" broke in his friend. "What's the matter, Zoeth? Shall I
fetch the doctor?"

"No, no. I'm--I'm all right, Shadrach. I've just had--had a kind of
shock--a surprise, that's all. I ain't very strong yet and it--it kind
of upset me. But, Shadrach, I want to talk to you. I want to tell you
somethin' right away. I can't keep it to myself any longer. Can't we go
home--to my room or somewheres--where we can talk? Please, Shadrach!"

"There, there, shipmate; take it easy. Go home? Course we can! Hey,
Sim!" shouting to Mr. Crocker, who was in the back room. "You and Mary
can take care of the store, can't you? Zoeth and me are goin' home for
dinner."

Simeon replied that Mary was not there; she had gone out the back way,
down to the house, he thought. "But you go ahead, Cap'n Shad," he added.
"I can take care of the store all right."

At home, and in Mr. Hamilton's room, the Captain pulled forward the most
comfortable chair, forced his partner to sit in it, closed and locked
the door, sat down on the edge of the bed, and said:

"There! Now we're all taut and shipshape and nobody can get aboard to
interrupt. Fire away, Zoeth. What is it you've got to tell?"

Zoeth, his hand trembling, reached into the inside pocket of his coat,
took out an old-fashioned wallet and from it produced a much