I'm Pete here, an' Pete is me. It's always that way
with him." Aloud, he said, "Yes, Father, it's Pete. Pete, an' Dad,
an' the other man." As he spoke he drew aside the curtain.

For an instant the two men paused on the threshold. The room was
small, and nearly bare of furniture. In the full glare of the
lamp, so shaded as to throw the rest of the room in deep shadow,
hung a painting that seemed to fill the rude chamber with its
beauty. It was the picture of a young woman, standing by a spring
of water, a cup brimming full in her outstretched hand.

On a bed in the shadow, facing the picture, lay a man. A voice
faltered, "Father. Dr. Coughlan."

CHAPTER XXXIX.

A MATTER OF HOURS.

"Father--Father; can--you--can--you--forgive me?"

The man on his knees raised his head.

"Forgive you, my son? Forgive you? My dear boy, there has never
been in my heart a thought but of love and sympathy. Pain there
has been, I can't deny, but it has helped me to know what you have
suffered. I understand it now, my boy. I understand it all, for I,
too, have felt it. But when I first knew, even beneath all the
hurt, I was glad--glad to know, I mean. It is a father's right to
suffer with his child, my son. It hurt most, when the secret stood
between us, and I could not enter into your life, but I understand
that, too. I understand why you could not tell me. I, too, came
away because I was not strong enough."

"I--I thought it would be easier for you never to know," said the
son as he lay on the bed. "I am--sorry, now. And I am glad that
you know. But I must tell you all about it just the same. I must
tell you myself, you see, so that it will be all clear and
straight when I--when I go." He turned his eyes to the picture on
the wall.

"When you go?"

Howard laid a hand upon the gray head. "Poor father; yes, I am
going. It was an accident, but it was a kindness. It will be much
better that way--only--only I am sorry for you, father. I thought
I could save you all this. I intended to slip quietly away without
your ever knowing, but when Pete said that Dr. Coughlan was here,
I could not go without--without--"

The little doctor came forward. "I am a fool, Howard, an old fool.
Blast it all; no business to go poking into this; no business at
all! Daniel would have sent if he had wanted me. Ought to have
known. Old native can give me lessons on being a gentleman every
time. Blast it all! What's wrong, Howard? Get hurt? Now I