es and stockings, and some hat or other. Don't
bother about a valise. I have two, and we'll stop on the road somewhere
and I'll buy you some clothes. We are to be brother and sister, you
know. From this on you are Dora Trott."

The child was still undecided, though her face was lighted with growing
expectation. "Oh, it would be nice--scrumptious!" she half laughed, "but
your ma and Aunt Jane--"

"Forget them!" he ordered, sharply. "They are not thinking of you
to-night, are they? Huh! I guess not! Hurry! Get your things and come
back. I'll be ready. We'll have to walk to the station, and I don't want
to meet anybody on the way, either. We may have to take the back and
side streets, and cut through an alley or two."

"May I bring my doll?" she asked. "I don't want to leave her."

"I'll get you a new one--never mind it," he answered, impatiently,
stifling one of his old oaths.

"But I want her. I love her and she'd miss me. They would kick her about
over there."

"Then bring her. I'll pack her away somewhere. Get a move on you. See
how quick you can be."

"I'll hurry," Dora said, now completely resigned to his will. "I'll be
ready in time."

When she had passed out at the gate he went into the bedroom, lighted
the gas, and began to pack his clothes into two valises, leaving room
for Dora's use.

"It is the thing to do," he argued. "I can't leave the poor little rat
over there with those women. She needs attention. She is not strong and
they are working her to death. Great God! she might grow up and be like
them! Who knows? How could she keep from it? Who would be there to warn
her? I was ignorant till it was too late. So would she be. No, this is
the right thing to do. I'll adopt a sister. Huh! what a joke when they
say I'm just a boy! But I'll do it. As for Tilly, she will now be doubly
free. The old man can claim desertion. He can add that charge to his
complaints in court. If I had some way to make everybody think I was
dead, that would be even better. The main thing is for her to
forget--wipe out and start in fresh, and she would do it quicker if she
thought I was under the sod. Any woman would. Then she would marry
again. I know who she will marry--" He winced, shuddered, and pressed
down on the things he was packing. "She will end up by marrying Joel
Eperson. I'd lay heavy stakes on that. My God! I can't find fault with
him--not now, anyway! He is white to the bottom, that fellow. I have to
admit it. He