down at Ridgeville and came to me with it shortly after your husband
came to Cranston to work. I asked him to drop it, and he did so. I was
convinced that your husband was an honorable man and in himself worthy
of the love I saw that you were giving him. I am ready to be his friend
as well as yours."

"Oh, Joel, you are so--so sweet and kind and noble! You are my only
friend--you and Martha Jane. Your support and friendship make me
stronger and braver."

They were both silent for a moment. Then Eperson said: "But you sent for
me, Tilly. There must be something that--"

"Yes," she interrupted, "there is something I want you to do for me. In
fact, there is no one else to go to. Oh, Joel, I want to get word to
John in some way. I was compelled to run away without seeing him, and I
have been unable to get a letter to him. My father has stopped my
letters both here and at the post-office. John will not know what to
think, and it struck me that if _you_ would write him that I haven't
turned against him, and that I will be true to him always in spite of
anything my people may do, it would help him to understand the
situation, and encourage him to wait till I can go back to Ridgeville."

"Of course, of course I would gladly do that, but would not this be
better?" Joel looked at his watch. "You see, it is too late to get a
letter off on this morning's train, but I could go in person. I could,
by driving fast, leave my horse and buggy at the livery-stable and catch
the train myself. In that case I could see him to-night, you know, while
if I wrote a letter it would not reach him till late to-morrow, if even
then."

"Oh, but could you--_would you_--really go?" Tilly asked, eagerly. "It
would be so much better, for then you could explain everything
thoroughly."

"Yes, but I must hurry," Eperson said, glancing at his horse. "I have
only a few minutes."

"Then hurry," Tilly urged him. "You will know exactly what to say. Tell
him that, no matter what is done in court, I shall still be true to him,
and that I love him now more than ever."

Eperson bowed gravely. "I'll do my best," he promised. "And I'll hurry
back and bring you his message. Shall I come straight here?"

"Yes, straight here," Tilly cried. "I'll find some way to talk with you
in private. Oh, you are so good, so good; but hurry, Joel! Don't miss
the train. Find Mr. Cavanaugh and he will show you how to reach John."

"I'll do my best, you may be sure," Eperson