place his character in a still grosser and meaner light; while, if
withheld, the unexplained motive might be presented as a partial
justification of his course. He had been surprised into damaging
admissions; but here he would take a firm stand.

"You're right so far, Betsy," he said, "that I had a reason--a good
reason, it seemed to me, but I may be mistaken--for what I did. It
concerns no one under Heaven but my own self; and though I don't doubt
your willingness to do me a good turn, it would make no difference--you
couldn't help one bit. I've given the thing up, and so let it be!"

There was nothing more to be said, and the two cross-examiners took
their departure. As they descended to the creek, Miss Lavender remarked,
as if to herself,--

"No use--it can't be screwed out of him! So there's one cur'osity the
less; not that I'm glad of it, for not knowin' worries more than
knowin', whatsoever and whosoever. And I dunno as I think any the wuss
of him for shuttin' his teeth so tight onto it."

Alfred Barton waited until the two had disappeared behind the timber in
the bottom. Then he slowly followed, stealing across the fields and
around the stables, to the back-door of the Unicorn bar-room. It was
noticed that, although he drank a good deal that afternoon, his
ill-humor was not, as usual, diminished thereby.




CHAPTER XXIV.