“If I do, it's in absolute confidence,” he said, with professional firmness. “No one must know--not a soul--that they were depositors, for much depends on it. If Wilson knew they were hard up he might drive them to the wall. They were not only depositors, but they lose every cent they have--twenty-five thousand dollars in a lump.” He saw her catch her breath, and her lips moved mutely, as if repeating the words he had just spoken. “Poor Alan!” he heard her say. “This is too, _too_ much, after all he has gone through.” Miller touched his hat and started on, but she joined him, keeping by his side like a patient, pleading child. He marvelled over her strength and wonderful poise. “I am taking you out of your way, Miss Dolly,” he said, gently, more gently than he had ever spoken to her before. “I only want to know if Alan has heard. Do--do tell me that.” “No, he's at home. I shall ride out as soon as I get the matter in the hands of the police.” She put out her slender, shapely hand and touched his arm. “Tell him,” she said, in a low, uncertain voice, “that it has broken my heart. Tell him I love him more than I ever did, and that I shall stick to him always.” Miller turned and took off his hat, giving her his hand. “And I believe you will do it,” he said. “He's a lucky dog, even if he _has_ just struck the ceiling. I know him, and your message will soften the blow. But it's awful, simply awful! I can't now see how they can possibly get from under it.” “Well, tell him,” said Dolly, with a little, soundless sob in her throat--“tell him what I told you.” XXII [Illustration: 9196] HAT afternoon the breeze swerved round from the south, bringing vague threats About three o' clock Alan, his his mother and father were in the front yard, looking at the house, with a view to making some alterations that had been talked of for several years past. “I never had my way in anything before,” Mrs. Bishop was running on, in the pleased voice of a happy child, “and I'm glad you are goin' to let me this once. I want the new room to jut out on this side from the parlor, and have a bay-window, and we must cut a wide foldin'-door between the two rooms. Then the old veranda comes down and the new one must have a double floor, like Colonel Sprague's on the river, except ours will have round, white columns instead o' square, if they do cost a trifle more.” “She knows what she wants,” said Bishop, with one of his infrequent smiles, “and I reckon we'd save a little to let her boss the job, ef she don't hender the carpenters by too much talk. I don't want 'em to put in a stick o' lumber that ain't the best.” “I'm glad she's going to have her way,” said Alan. “She's wanted a better house for twenty years, and she deserves it.”