I help desiring it? Though marrying him lost
me home and almost everything I once loved, yet I could have followed
him all the world over if he had really loved me. But he hates me; he
takes a spiteful pleasure in ill-treating me. He would never come near
me at all, if he did not think that he could manage to squeeze some
money out of me. How _can_ I have any love left for such a wretch?"

"But will he be willing to leave you in our hands? Remember you are
still his wife, and he has therefore a claim upon you."

"I know it, Amos, too well. Oh! what can I do?"

"Well, I can hardly tell; but I am remaining in the town to-night, and
as it is now getting late, I will go to my room at the inn, and will
come and see you again to-morrow morning, by which time I shall have got
more light on the subject, I have no doubt." So they parted.

As Amos walked into the inn-yard to have a last look at his pony, he saw
a young man advancing towards him; but as it was now getting dark, he
could not at first make out his features. A moment more, and he
recognised his brother.

"What, Walter!" he exclaimed in astonishment; "how did _you_ come here?"

"Oh, very comfortably indeed!" was the reply. "I have ridden over on a
little private business of my own--in fact, I may tell you in confidence
that I am at present a member of the mounted police force, and am on
duty to-night in the noble town of Dufferly, keeping my eye on a certain
person who is running his head into danger, and wants carefully looking
after, lest he get himself into mischief." Amos looked puzzled. "In
other words," continued his brother, "I could not bear the thought of
your getting again into the clutches of that horrid man; so I have come
over, not to be a spy upon you, or any fetter on your movements, but
just to be at hand, to give you a help if you want it."

"How generous of you, dear Walter!" cried his brother, shaking him
warmly by the hand; "but does my father know?"

"Of course he does, and my aunt too. It's all right. You are captain,
and I'm only lieutenant; and now, what's the next move?"

"Well, to have some tea together in my room, Walter. But really your
coming was quite unnecessary. I shall be taken care of without your
needing to put yourself to all this trouble. However, as you _are_
here, I begin to see that good may come of it. So let us have tea, and
then you must tell me how you found me out, after which I will tell you
what