just breathing his last. It's
probable that his fear of death helped your son out, so that he got the
evidence he wanted easier than he hoped to in the beginning. I don't
mean that he is dead now; but he is passing slowly, and loathsomely.
Robert thinks word that he has gone will come any hour. Think how
pleasant it will be to have your son! Think how happy your home will
be now! Think how you will love to see Sandy, and all your old
friends! Think how glad you'll be to go home, and take charge of your
estate!"

"Think!" cried Mr. Pryor, pushing Laddie away and sitting up: "Think
how I shall enjoy wringing the last drop of blood from that craven's
body with these old hands!"

What a sight he did look to be sure! Sick, half-crazy, on the very
verge of the grave himself, and wanting to kill a poor man already
dying. Aren't some people too curious?

Laddie carefully laid him down, straightened him out and held him
again. Mother always said he was "patient as Job," and that day it
proved to be a good thing.

"You're determined to keep yourself well supplied with trouble,"
laughed Laddie. I don't believe any one else would have dared. "Now
to an unbiased observer, it would seem that you'd be ready to let well
enough alone. You have your son back, you have him fully exonerated,
you have much of your property, you are now ready for freedom, life,
and love, with the best of us; you have also two weddings on your hands
in the near future. Why in the name of sense are you anxious for more?"

"I should have thought that Sandy McSheel, if he's a real friend of
mine----"

"Sandy tells you all about it in the letter he has sent. He went with
Robert fully intending to do that very thing for you, but the poor
creature was too loathsome. The sight of him made Sandy sick. He
writes you that when he saw the horrible spectacle, all he could think
of was to secure the evidence needed and get away."

Suddenly the Princess arose and knelt beside the davenport. She put
her arms around her father's neck and drew his wrinkled, white old face
up against her lovely one.

"Daddy! Dear old Daddy!" she cried. "I've had such a hard spot in my
heart against you for so long. Oh do let's forget everything, and
begin all over again; begin away back where we were before Emmet ever
came. Oh Daddy, do let's forget, and begin all over new, like other
people!"

He held her tight a minute, then his lips began whispering against