“What is that you must do, Hector?” It was Miss Rainey's voice, and came from just behind me. She was standing in the doorway that led from the hall, and her eyes were glowing with a brilliant, warm light. We all started as she spoke, and I sprang up and turned toward her. “He's going to get well,” she said, understanding me. “They say it is surely so!” At that Mary ran and threw her arms about her and kissed her--and I came near it! Hector gave a sort of shout of relief and sank into a chair. “What is that you must do, Hector?” Miss Rainey said again in her steady voice. “Stick to Trimmer!” he explained. “Don't you see that I must? He needs me now more than ever, and it's my only chance.” Miss Rainey looked at him over Mary's shoulder. She looked at him a long while before she spoke. “You know why Mr. Lane struck that blow?” “Oh, I suppose so,” he answered uneasily. “At least Siffles--” “Yes,” she said. “You know. What are you going to do?” “The right thing!” Hector rose and walked toward her. “I put right before all. I shall be loyal and I shall be just. It might have been a terribly hard thing to carry through, but, since dear old Joe will recover, I know I can do it.” The girl's eyes widened suddenly, while the warm glow in them flashed into a fiery and profound scrutiny. “You are going to make the nominating speech,” she said. It was not a question but a declaration, in the tone of one to whom he stood wholly revealed. “Yes,” he answered eagerly. “I knew you would see: it's my chance, my whole career--” But his mother, turning swiftly, put her hand over his mouth, though it was to Miss Rainey that she cried: “Oh, don't let him say it--he can't; you mustn't let him!” The girl drew her gently away and put an arm about her, saying: “Do you think _I_ could stop him?” “But do you wish to stop me?” asked Hector sadly, as he stepped toward her. “Do you set yourself not only in the way of my great chance, but against justice and truth? Don't you see that I must do it?” “It is your chance--yes. I see the truth, Hector.” Her eyes had fallen and she looked at him no more, but, with a little movement away from him, offered her hand to him at arm's length. It was done in a curious way, and he looked perplexed for a second, and then frightened. He dropped her hand, and his lips twitched. “Laura,” he said, and could not go on. “You must go now,” she said to all three of us. “The house should be very quiet. I shall be his nurse, and the doctor will stay all night. Isn't it beautiful that Joe is going to get well!” She went out quickly, before Hector could detain her, back to the room where Lane was. * * * * *