enough soldier to be promoted to a sergeantcy. I reckon I had better
have remained in the service, for when I was sent back to Frisco,
because of wounds, and then discharged, I went to hell."

"And your father does n't know?"

"Not from me. I had money at first, and transportation to Chicago
where I enlisted. I blew in the cash, and lost the other. Then I
started in to beat my passage east, working only when I had to. I was
thrown off a train about twenty miles west of here, and came into this
burg on foot. It was tough luck for a day or two until I caught on to
a lumber yard job. I 've been working now for a couple of weeks. Nice
record, is n't it?"

Her parted lips trembled, but those questioning brown eyes never
deserted my face.

"It is not as bad as I feared, if--if you have told me all."

"I have confessed the worst anyhow. I 'm a rough, I suppose, and a
bum, but I 'm not a criminal."

"Why were you at that house? and so afraid of the police?"

"Well, that is a long story," I replied hesitatingly. "I had been
talking with some men inside, who had offered me work, and good pay.
There was a reason why I did not wish to be seen coming out at that
hour."

"Not--not anything criminal?"