clear and incisive gaze met and held irresistibly the boy's
wavering one. The sullen obstinacy of his face relaxed.

"Well," he muttered finally, "I was just desperate, that's why. I've
never done anything real bad in my life before, but people have always
been down on me. I'm blamed for everything, and nobody wants anything
to do with me. I'm willing to work, but I can't get a thing to do. I'm
in rags and I haven't a cent, and winter's coming on. I heard you
telling Mrs. Galloway yesterday about the money. I was behind the fir
hedge and you didn't see me. I went away and planned it all out. I'd
get in some way--and I meant to use the money to get away out west as
far from here as I could, and begin life there, where nobody knew me,
and where I'd have some sort of a chance. I've never had any here.
You can put me in jail now, if you like--they'll feed and clothe me
there, anyhow, and I'll be on a level with the rest."

The boy had blurted it all out sullenly and half-chokingly. A world of
rebellion and protest against the fate that had always dragged him
down was couched in his voice.

Miss Calista drew Dapple to a standstill before her gate.

"I'm not going to send you to jail, Chester. I believe you've told me
the truth. Yesterday you wanted me to give you Caleb's place and I
refused. Well, I offer it to you now. If you'll come, I'll hire you,
and give you as good wages as I gave him."

Ches Maybin looked incredulous.

"Miss Calista, you can't mean it."

"I do mean it, every word. You say you have never had a chance. Well,
I am going to give you one--a chance to get on the right road and make
a man of yourself. Nobody shall ever know about last night's doings
from me, and I'll make it my business to forget them if you deserve
it. What do you say?"

Ches lifted his head and looked her squarely in the face.

"I'll come," he said huskily. "It ain't no use to try and thank you,
Miss Calista. But I'll live my thanks."

And he did. The good people of Cooperstown held up their hands in
horror when they heard that Miss Calista had hired Ches Maybin, and
prophesied that the deluded woman would live to repent her rash step.
But not all prophecies come true. Miss Calista smiled serenely and
kept on her own misguided way. And Ches Maybin proved so efficient
and steady that the arrangement was continued, and in due time people
outlived their old suspicions and came to regard him as a thoroughly
smart and trustworthy yo