ain't she sweet?"

John stared straight and warmly, but said nothing. He was conscious of
the intensest interest and that he was trying not to show it.

Cavanaugh stood slowly shaking his head in the negative way that implies
affirmation. "Yes, yes, she is a wonderful, wonderful little trick.
While she was reading there to-night I seemed to be listening to the
voice of an angel that had just come from behind the clouds. I was
shedding tears of joy from every pore of my old body. I could have taken
her in my arms and cried my heart out. That is why I wish I could have
done better in my prayer. What she read was from her soul. '_The Lord is
my shepherd; I shall not want!_' I'll never to my dying day forget them
words, and the sweet twist she gave to them. I never had a child, John,
and if I could have had one like her, I--I-- And just think of it! They
make her work like a slave, even with her little hand blistered like it
was to-night! Old Whaley thinks he walks side by side with God in all
his rules and regulations, but his child is one of God's own glories,
and don't you forget it."

Turning suddenly, as if overcome with emotion, Cavanaugh stalked out
through the door and crossed the passage into his own room. As John
undressed he heard the old man's heavy tread on the floor. A window was
raised. There was sudden silence. Cavanaugh was looking out into the
starlight.

John was tired, but he remained awake till near midnight. Fancies filled
his mind which he had never had before. Why did he think so often of the
bride and bridegroom he had seen on the train that morning?

"It is ahead of you, too, my boy," Cavanaugh's words rang in his ears.
Could such a thing be for him, really for him? How could it be? He had
given no thought to women. He had never dreamed of marriage, but
to-night the sheer idea of it was fairly tearing his being to shreds,
and the flame of the impulse had risen in the face of a girl--a poor,
abused, misunderstood girl. The world lay before him. He would rise in
his trade, and earn money which he would lavish on the little filial
slave he already adored.

He slept and dreamed that he heard Cavanaugh saying: "It is the cottage
of delight, my boy, and it is for you and her--for you and her. Don't
forget, for you and her!"

CHAPTER VII

The foundation for the court-house was soon laid. The county officials
had announced to Cavanaugh that a day had been appointed for a
ceremonious layi