y?"

"I made application to the manager of the Company this afternoon; I saw
they were all strangers to me, and they took me on in the sheds--Shed
Number Two. I went to work this afternoon. You see I know my trade; I
learned it during the last six years. I can support her now--Oh--"

He stopped short just as they were leaving the bridge; raised his head
to the black skies above him, reached upwards with both hands palm
outwards--

"--I thank my Maker for these hands; I thank Him that I can labor with
these hands; I thank Him for the strength of manhood that will enable me
to toil with these hands; I thank Him for my knowledge of good and evil;
I thank Him that I have 'won sight out of blindness--'" his eyes
strained to the skies above The Gore.

The moon, struggling with the heavy drifting cloud-masses, broke through
a confined ragged circle and, for a moment, its splendor shone upon the
heights of The Gore; its effulgence paled the arc-lights in the
quarries; a silver shaft glanced on the Rothel in its downward course,
and afar touched the ruffled waters of Lake Mesantic....

* * * * *

"I'll stay here on the lawn," he said five minutes afterwards upon
reaching the house. A light was burning in his mother's bedroom; another
shone from her sitting-room on the first floor.

The priest entered without knocking; this house was open the year round
to the frequent comers and goers among the workmen. He rapped at the
sitting-room door. Mrs. Googe opened it.

"Why, Father Honore, I didn't expect you to-night--didn't you have
the--What is it?--oh, what is it!" she cried, for the priest's face
betrayed him.

"Joyful news, Mrs. Googe,"--he let her read his face--"your son is a
free man to-night."

There was no outcry on the mother's part; but her hands clasped each
other till the nails showed white.

"Where is he now?"

"Here, in Flamsted--"

"Let me go--let me go to him--"

"He has come to you--he is just outside--"

She was past him with a rush--at the door--on the porch--

"Champney!--My son!--where are you?" she cried out into the night.

Her answer came on swift feet. He sprang up the steps two at a time,
they were in each other's arms--then he had to be strong for both.

He led her in, half carrying her; placed her in a chair; knelt before
her, chafing her hands....

Father Honore made his escape; they were unconscious of his presence or
his departure. He closed the fr