ll my misfortunes and the father of?--he quenched the thought and
driving back a host of memories said:

"Major, Doctor Coffin has just pronounced me well. I am at your
disposal, sir, for anything that ought to be done."

Garnet shaded his eyes again. "Thank you, John," was his subdued reply.
"It's such a clear case of self-defence--I hear there will be no arrest.
Still, I shall remain here to-night. Johanna's gone home, I believe.
There's only one thing, the deepest yearning of my heart, John; but
before I ask that boon, I want you to know, John, that I acknowledge my
sin! my awful, awful sin of years! O my God! my God! why did I do it?"

Parson Tombs wept again. "He's confessed everything, John," he said with
eager tenderness.

"God knows," responded Garnet, "God knows I never concealed it but to
save others from misery! and while I concealed it I could not master it!
Now I have purged my sin-blackened soul of all its hideous secret and
evil purpose! The thorn in my flesh is plucked out and I cast myself on
the mercy of God and the charity of his people!"

"Pra-aise Gawd!" murmured Parson Tombs, "no sinneh eveh done that in
va-ain!"

"O John," moaned Garnet, "God only knows what I've suffered and must
suffer! But it's all right! all right! I pray He may lop off every
unfruitful branch of my life--honors, possessions--till nothing is left
but Rosemont, the lowly work He called me to, Himself! Let Him make me
as one of his hired servants! But, John," he continued while March stood
dumb with wonder at his swift loss of subtlety, "I want you to know also
that I feel no resentment--I cannot--O I cannot--against her who shares
my guilt and shame!"

"Great Heaven!" murmured March, with a start as if to turn away.

"No, thank God! her vanity and jealousy can drive me to no more
misdeeds! She made me send Mademoiselle Eglantine to Europe, when she
knew I had to sell her husband's stock in both companies to bribe the
woman to go! John, the cause of her betraying me to him at last was my
faithful refusal to break off my engagement with your mother!"

"Major Garnet, I prefer----"

"Will you tell your mother that, John? It's the one thing you can do for
me! Tell her I beseech her in the name of a love----"

"Stop!" murmured March in a voice that quivered with repulsion.

"--A love that has dared all, and lost all, for hers----"

"Stop!" said John again, and Garnet turned a beseeching eye upon the
pastor.

"John,"