ser not, and rose, placing the
precious parcel in Jessica's own hands.

"Let us find that splendid old man at once. We cannot accept his
sacrifice, but we must hasten to show him we appreciate it."

Ephraim was polishing his rifle in his own room when they came to him,
and rose to welcome the unusual visit of the lady with more awkwardness
than he commonly displayed. It was an honor she was doing him, yet he
had far rather she had not come.

But he was forced back into his chair by Jessica's assault of clinging
arms and raining kisses, and, catching sight of the parcel in her hand,
began to understand.

"Oh, you splendid, darling, generous Ephraim! I can never, never thank
you enough for doing this for me, but I could not ever possibly take it.
Why, there must be hundreds of dollars there, my mother says, and that
would mean almost all the years you've ever lived at Sobrante. I never
knew anybody with such a heart as you, dear Ephraim."

The poor old fellow was far more distressed by her rejection of his gift
than she could guess. His face drooped, he worked his hands and feet
uneasily, he shifted his seat, and behaved in altogether a new fashion
for the man who had hitherto borne himself so simply and naturally. Then
the old suspicion returned to sting his loving heart, and he glanced up
to study his mistress' face. To his surprise he saw it wet with tears,
and that she was holding out her thin, labor-hardened hands to clasp
his own.

"Ephraim Marsh, you have done me more good than money could bring. You
have renewed my faith in mankind. In a world where live such men as you
justice will be done the memory of my dead husband. I thank you."

"Don't--don't mention it, Mrs. Trent. I wish it had been double, as it
ought, only----"

"Ephraim, mother says we may go. You and I, as you said, 'together,'
to make everything straight."

"What? You've told her then, Lady Jess."

"Of course. Or she guessed. How could I keep anything from my mother?
And she's quite willing."

"I'm more than willing, Ephraim. I _want_ you to go. I believe that
good will come of the journey, though I am terribly disappointed by not
finding any papers or letters to help you in the search for the men with
whom Mr. Trent transacted his business. Antonio must have taken away all
the records or put them in some place I cannot guess."

"Then we'll find Antonio first."

"Of course. How simple of me not to think of that. Do you happen to know