rton wanted, and an amused twinkle danced in his
eyes. He hesitated, however, for a few seconds as if lost in deep
thought.

"Very well, then, Mr. Hawkins," he at length replied, "if you are
willing to make a public acknowledgment of your wrong decision, I will
take no notice this time. As you know from my record, I am not easily
turned aside when I once make up my mind. However, I will make an
exception this time, if you obey me at once."

"I will, sir, I certainly will. What shall I do?"

"Write out a plain confession of your wrong decision at the trial and
post it on the door of your store, or in some other public place, where
all can see it. That is what I demand."

"I shall do it at once, sir," came the low response. It was quite
evident that the Squire was feeling keenly his humiliation, but there
was nothing else for him to do, as he had a great fear and respect for
the lawyer standing before him.

"I am glad you are acting like a sensible man," Garton told him. "It
will save you a great deal of trouble. I must hurry away now, as it is
getting late."

"Wait a minute, sir," Stubbles ordered, as he lifted his haggard face.
"I have heard your instructions to the Squire, now what do you want me
to do?"

"Why, I thought you didn't want anything more to do with me," the
lawyer exclaimed in surprise.

"Oh, that was before I heard what Ben did at Long Wharf. I have
changed my mind in the last few minutes, and see things in a different
light. He can look out for himself and fight his own battles after
this. It's no use for me to cut off my nose to spite my face. My wife
and I will be worse than beggars, and my daughters will be thrown upon
the world helpless, if I fail in business. Extravagance has brought me
to this, and I have been taught a scorching lesson. I need that money,
sir, so go ahead and tell me what I must do. It will mean humiliation
in either case, so I might as well make the best of a nasty job."

Had Douglas been animated merely by the spirit of revenge, he would
have been more than satisfied at the outcome of this interview. But it
was only justice he wanted, and the assurance that Simon Stubbles and
Squire Hawkins would behave themselves in the future. He felt sure
that they would after this severe lesson.

"Suppose we let the matter end," he suggested to the lawyer, when
Stubbles had acknowledged his defeat. "If these men are willing to
conduct themselves properly in the