ye will, plaze, an' say as poor Martin died blessing her. An' now it's
go I'll ask ye, sorr, for God's callin' me to wipe away me tears an'
sorrers and bind up me broken heart--so lave me to God and--my little
Maggie--"

Very softly Ravenslee followed Mrs. Trapes out of the room, but they had
not reached the front door when they heard a glad cry and thereafter a
woman's sudden desolate sobbing.

"Go on, Mr. Geoffrey," whispered Mrs. Trapes. "But I guess I'd better
stay here a bit."

"You mean--?"

"As poor Martin's sure found his little girl again!"




CHAPTER XXV

HOW SPIKE MADE A CHOICE AND A PROMISE


Monday morning found Ravenslee knocking at the opposite door, which
opening, disclosed Spike, but a very chastened and humble Spike, who
blushed and drooped his head and shuffled with his feet and finally
stammered:

"Hello, Geoff--I--I'm all alone, but you--you can come in if--if you