r in potter's field if she
gets out of this scrape, for she can't fight long--she hasn't got the
strength.

"She could hardly get up-stairs the night I put her to bed--she was that
tremblin', and she's no better to-day. Don't let yer pride shut up yer
heart, Mr. O'Day. You are a gentleman and ye've lived like one, and
ye've got your own and yer father's name to keep clean, and that poor
child has dragged it in the mud, and the papers will be full of it, and
the disgrace of it all dries ye up, and ye can go no further, and so ye
cut loose and let her sink. No, don't ye get angry with me--if ye were
my own John I'd tell ye the same. Listen--do ye hear them horns blowin'
and the children shoutin'? It's New Year's Eve--to-morrow all the slates
will be wiped clean--the past rubbed out and everybody'll have a new
start. Make a clean slate of yer own heart--wipe out everything ye've
got against that poor child. Take her in yer arms once more--help her
come back! If God didn't clean His own slate once in a while and forgive
us, none of us would ever get to heaven. Hush! Quiet now! Somebody's
just come into the office. I'll not let any one in to disturb ye. Stay
where ye are till I see. I hear a voice. WHAT! Well, as I'm alive, it's
Father Cruse--what's he come for at this hour? Shall I let him in?"

Felix lifted himself slowly to his feet, as would a man in a hospital
ward who sees the doctor approaching.

"Yes, let him in; I was going to look him up." He was relieved at the
interruption. Kitty's appeal had deeply stirred him, but had not swerved
him from his purpose. He had done his duty--all of it, to the very last.
The day's developments had ended everything. He had no right to bring a
criminal into his family.

Kitty swung wide the door and Father Cruse stepped in. He wore his heavy
cassock, which was flecked with snow, and his wide hat.

"My messenger told me you were here, Mr. O'Day," he cried out, in a
cheery voice, "and I came at once. And, Mrs. Cleary, I am more than glad
to find you here as well."

Felix stepped forward. "It was very good of you, Father. I was coming
down to see you in a few minutes." They had shaken hands and the three
stood together.

The priest glanced in question at Kitty, then back again at Felix. "Does
Mrs. Cleary--"

"Yes, Mrs. Cleary knows," returned Felix calmly. "I have told her
everything. Lady Barbara--" he paused, the words were strangling him,
"has been arrested--for stealing--