y her. I have given her every chance to see him, to be
with him, to admire him. He is near her own age, and he is a handsome
fellow, full of life and spirit. But you see as well as I do that she
has come out unscathed. Take her, then, Stephen; you can do it safely,
young as she is, for the man she first loves she will love always."

As she spoke, an almost imperceptible tremor showed itself around the
mouth of the small, plain, young-old man who was lying on the grass
beside her; he seemed to be conscious of it himself, and covered his
mouth with his hand.

_Adelaide._ "But there is something which you must tell _me_ now,
Stephen. _You_ can not be in league with these outlaws; is it Honor,
then? You had better tell. Her uncle and aunt evidently know nothing of
it, and the child should have a woman-friend by her side. You know I
would cut myself up into small pieces for you, Stephen; let me be your
ally in this, too. Is it not best for Honor that I should know
everything? Shall I not be her true friend when she is your wife--your
sweet young wife, Stephen, in that old house of yours which we will fit
up for her together, and where you will let me come and see you, will
you not, your faithful, loving cousin?" Her voice broke; she turned her
head away. Her emotion was real. The man by her side, urged at last out
of his gray reticence by his own deep longing, which welled up
irresistibly to meet her sympathy, turned over on his arm and told her
all--in a few words as regarded himself, with careful explanation as
regarded Honor.

"I have the money with me now," he said, "and Head, who was so anxious
to guide me, the supposed detective, _away_ from Eliot, now guides me to
him, relies upon me to save him."

"And Honor knows--knows, too, that he shot Allison," said Adelaide
musingly. "That was the reason why she was so pale, and why she brought
all her roses, and kissed the poor boy's forehead."

"She does not _know_, but fears."

"Ah! we must help the child, Stephen; the burden of this is too heavy
for such young shoulders. Go; I will not keep you a moment longer; I
will go back to Honor. But, first--God bless you! Do not put yourself
into any danger, for _my_ sake. I have loved you long, and years hence,
when we are old, I shall love you just the same."

They were both standing now; she came close to him, and laid her head
upon his shoulder for an instant, tears shining on her cheeks. He put
one arm around her, touche