seen for a good many years."

"Upset you, Mr. Arp?" she cried. "I don't
quite see."

The old man shook his head deploringly. "After
what I'd written you about that boy--"

"Ah," she said, softly, touching his sleeve with
her fingers, "I haven't thanked you for that."

"You needn't," he returned, sharply. "It was
a pleasure. Do you remember how easy and
quick I promised you?"

"I remember that you were very kind."

"Kind!" He gave forth an acid and chilling
laugh. "It was about two months after Louden
ran away, and before you and Roger left Canaan,
and you asked me to promise to write to you whenever
word of that outcast came--"

"I didn't put it so, Mr. Arp."

"No, but you'd ought of! You asked me to
write you whatever news of him should come, and
if he came back to tell you how and when and all
about it. And I did it, and kept you sharp on his
record ever since he landed here again. Do you