aught on.
But she doesn't know where Sandy hailed from and she's covered the
Hertford name out of sight for personal grudge, and those two
youngsters sailed into each other as if they were steered by Fate and
no one interfering. Lans Treadwell can't get anything but good out of
Sandy, and there isn't a soul living--you and I included--who could
draw Morley from his course, so I've looked on and chuckled
considerably."

"Brother, I sometimes wonder how it is that you trust Sandy as you
do--you never question."

"Not out loud, 'Tilda."

"But he does not always explain. Now his working this summer as he
has! Every other summer it has been in the mills, but this summer he
had to have more money than you gave him. What for, Levi? I ask you
flat-footed and not casting any suspicion, but what did he want it for?"

"That's the reason I've asked him down to-night. I want to find out.
I never have questioned him over much. When he said he wanted more
money I took for granted that he did and so long as he didn't hint for
me to give it, I sort of allowed it wasn't any of my business. He's
mastered the rudiments at the mills; he's over twenty-one--just
over--and I rather enjoyed seeing him take the bit in his teeth. But I
sensed that Mrs. Treadwell was coming to get rid of something to-day
and I thought it might be just as well for Sandy to be on hand later.
Matilda, if they two lap over each other, you steer Sandy away till I
march her off."

Matilda nodded and again shut her eyes while she knitted her soft wools
into a "rainbow scarf." When she spoke, her thoughts had taken a
sudden and new turn.

"I'll admit, Levi, that Sandy's clothes set on him as I never saw a
man's clothes set. They are the making of him. He's terrible good
looking--considering!"

"Considering--what?" Markham frowned at the placid face and close-shut
eyes. "Considering! ugh! Why, 'Tilda, there is blood running in that
boy's veins that we Americans ought to bow down before! There are
times when he looks at me in his big, kind, loving fashion, that I feel
as I did the first time the poor little dirty devil raised his eyes to
me, only now all that went to the making of the lad seems to be saying,
'thank you, Markham, and God bless you!'"

"Levi, you're an awful good man, and time's mellowing you more than any
one would have looked for."

"Thank you,'Tilda."

And then for a long time they sat in silence and thought their own
thought