rights of privacy that even I must respect--to whom
you owe a great deal, you must admit. And now I think I've gone as far
toward making amends as even you could ask."

Astonishment and incredulity yielded to penitence. Sally sat up with a
little gesture of contrition and appeal--an outflung hand instantly
withdrawn; this was not a woman whose susceptibilities were to be
touched by such means; even now, beneath her ostensible generosity,
one divined a nature cold and little placable.

Then, with a remorseful cry, "Oh, I'm sorry!" the girl yielded to the
tension of overwrought nerves and broke down completely, crushed,
confounded, shaken by spasms of silent sobbing.

In the course of this she was conscious of the touch of a hand on her
shoulder; no more than that. And when she had spent herself in tears
and grew more calm, it was to find Mrs. Standish seated opposite her
and waiting patiently; at all events with a fair imitation of that
virtue.

"Please," Sally begged between gulps, "please forgive me. I'm so
excited and unstrung--"

"I quite understand. There--compose yourself."

"If you still wish me to--if you insist--of course I'll tell you--"

"No." It cost the other woman an effort of renunciation, but she was
steadfast to her secret purpose. "Forget that. It doesn't matter. I
had no right to ask, and really do not care to know. But if you're
quite able to pay attention, I'd like to consult with you--about what
got me out of bed and brought me here this morning."

"I don't understand."

"Of course you don't. But it has been on my nerves all evening, until
I felt as if I must talk to somebody--and you are the only one I can
trust."

Sally stared in a state of dumb bewilderment that eclipsed all she had
experienced before. Truly the world was topsyturvy this madcap night!
What under the moon now?

"You know how worried I've been about that affair in town. Men are so
inconsiderate; simply because he knew how things were going--and I
presumed they must have been going well--Walter left me without a word
till this evening. Then he telegraphed he'd be here to-morrow
afternoon and that everything was all right; but that he is bringing
with him one of the adjusters for the burglar-insurance people--a
detective, I presume, the man is, really--and I'll have to answer some
questions before we can collect the money to cover my loss."

"A detective!"

"Adjuster is a much more pleasant name. And I know it's mere