"I hadn't been up here for nearly two years until recently. You see
I--I don't own the Valley of the Giants any more."

"Indeed. To whom have you sold it?"

"I do not know, Miss Sumner. I had to sell; there was no other way
out of the jam Bryce and I were in; so I sacrificed my sentiment for
my boy. However, the new owner has been wonderfully kind and
thoughtful. She reorganized that old skid-road so even an old blind
duffer like me can find his way in and out without getting lost--and
she had this easy-chair made for me. I have told Judge Moore, who
represents the unknown owner, to extend my thanks to his client. But
words are so empty, Shirley Sumner. If that new owner could only
understand how truly grateful I am--how profoundly her courtesy
touches me--"

"HER courtesy?" Shirley echoed. "Did a woman buy the Giants?"

He smiled down at her. "Why, certainly. Who but a woman--and a dear,
kind, thoughtful woman--would have thought to have this chair made
and brought up here for me?"

Fell a long silence between them; then John Cardigan's trembling hand
went groping out toward the girl's. "Why, how stupid of me not to
have guessed it immediately!" he said. "You are the new owner. My
dear child, if the silent prayers of a very unhappy old man will
bring God's blessing on you--there, there, girl! I didn't intend to
make you weep. What a tender heart it is, to be sure!"