"Don't judge her harshly, sir; you do not know our hills. Molly was a mighty weak little girl, and when temptation came to her, she hadn't strength to resist, and they who should have defended her--sold her! I was not there, so I cannot be hard upon her, though she thought I meant to be at first. You see I was so shocked and surprised, and amid all the happenings I had almost forgotten. She threatened me, sir. It was right pitiful. She said every one was dead--her mother; our father----" Sandy's voice faltered--"she was alone. She hadn't forgotten her old ways either. You remember that I told you how as a little girl she had threatened the--the treasure under the rock beyond the Branch?" Markham nodded. "Well--she threatened the treasure of to-day. She was for finding you out and begging--so--well, I bought her off! for I would not have you haggled and be made to repent your helping of me. I have kept her, sir, in a little room in a corner of Boston all summer. It was a neat and comfortable place, with a tree at the window. After a time she trusted me! At first it was hard for her to keep--well!--I reckon when one let's go as poor Molly did--it is right difficult to hold on long to a new and safer course. But--she died four days ago! She was alone, sir, with her head on the window sill; her poor little face set toward the tree. I had had a doctor for her--she had been feeling ill--it was heart trouble--she went without pain. I saw her buried to-day--some time in the future I am going to take her body to Lost Mountain. She'll really rest there, I reckon." The moonlight passed from the white, tired face and Levi's aching eyes closed, taking the vision of Sandy with them. He recalled the boy's manner through the closing scenes of his college life; the outward calmness and grateful appreciation while the hideous trouble was eating the joy from the hours of triumph he had so bravely won. He reflected upon the following weeks of toil and lonely labour with that poor, dying girl in the background taking his life blood as once she had taken his hard-earned money. Then when he could bear no more Levi Markham got up and walked over to Sandy. He laid a trembling hand on his shoulder and by stern effort controlled his voice. "My boy!" he murmured; "my--boy! words come hard; I'm not an easy talker--but--you and I are both tuckered out. I have never had a vacation in my life--a real vacation. I've always packed business and worry in my satchel. Will you come across the water with me, lad? Let us try to see if there is any play in us. Let's have a look at some regular mountains and some second-rate cities--and when we get back I want you to travel up to that tumble down Hollow you hailed from, and take my money along; we'll begin repairs at once--you bossing, I paying the bills. We'll set it going some--you and I! As to this trip abroad we'll take 'Tilda along to keep us straight and--and make us comfortable, Sandy!"