h!" The word came on a shuddering sigh and the fixed eyes faltered
in their rapt look. A flood of rosy colour spread from brow to chin,
and shame--not joy--claimed Cynthia Walden. Understanding rushed upon
her, a blind, hideous, wrong understanding, but none the less terrible.
Cynthia had forgotten the shadow of her parentage--for many years it
had sunk into insignificance. The years had ignored it, no call had
come for its recognition, but now--she understood. She had always been
more the daughter of her bad father than of her sad mother! That was
why she, a little girl, had spoken so to Sandy and brought that strange
look to his face! She had not comprehended it then, but she remembered
it now! It confronted her like a tangible thing. Because she was her
father's daughter Smith Crothers had--kissed her! Men wanted to kiss
her! On that fearsome night of the fire Crothers had only shocked and
wounded the outer fold of Cynthia's soul; the innermost shrine had been
guarded by the woman Cynthia was by and by to become; but now Cynthia
felt she _was_ that woman and all subterfuge was denied.

Sandy understood. He had not forgotten. Out in his big, free world he
had learned what Madam Bubbles were and still he had come back and been
kind to her! Sandy never forgot. Big, brave, and tender, he had set
himself to the task of keeping his word and fulfilling his vision. He
had shielded poor Molly--he had told her the pitiful story without its
gruesome details! He had come back to Lost Mountain to help the men
and women and save the baby-things! He had come home to--keep his word
with her, with Madam Bubble! That was why he was so gentle, so
thoughtful.

"Oh! oh!" The moan was almost a wail, but no tear dimmed the large
eyes.

"The Biggest of Them All!" Then the strained face relaxed and a glory
touched it.

"But I--I can be next biggest," she faltered. "You are right
noble--but I can help you, Sandy!"

Then very reverently the book was replaced upon the desk and a pencil
taken from the gargoyle's mouth. Clearly, distinctly, another passage
was traced by a wavering mark:

The man in the cage, the man and his dream, the man that cut his way
through his enemies--the biggest of them all!

Sandy was to read those words by and by with varied emotions!

Then, having marked and turned to the page originally left open,
Cynthia drew herself up and looked about the dear room as if taking a
last look befo