"Who do you think drove me over?" she asked Mrs. Jones, answering herself. "Judge Townsend." "My, but that was romantic!" exclaimed Mrs. Jones. "Why, what do you know about it?" Margaret simpered, putting Mrs. Jones from her and looking into her eyes. The dining-room door opened and Townsend burst in, going to his wife and exercising his new proprietorship by putting his arm about her. She drew away, blushing, and hastened to introduce the Harpers. Townsend acknowledged the introduction; then he turned to Mrs. Jones. "I'm very glad to see you under more pleasant circumstances, mother," he said. "Thank you, Lem!" she answered, tears gathering in her eyes. "Oh, what a mean fool I was! But, Lem, I 'ain't heard a word yet about how that fine young man made out--I'm just dyin' to know if John Marvin won his case!" "Oh, you really haven't heard?" exclaimed Margaret. "I should say he certainly did win his case, my dear!" "Thomas and Hammond were lucky to keep out of jail," said Townsend. "They gave up this place without a murmur." "What?" Mrs. Jones gasped. "Surely you know that the place is yours again?" Harper asked, while they all nodded eager confirmation. "Ours again?" Mrs. Jones repeated, excitedly. "Absolutely, my dear!" Margaret hastened to explain. "And the judge and I were married this afternoon!" Irrespective of Mrs. Jones's bewildered gasp, Margaret rushed on: "And, mother, you are to get all the money the railroad pays for the waterfall, and it's an awful lot! The Golden Gate Land Company is a fake concern! To keep out of jail, where they belong, those two sharpers are making restitution at once to Mr. Marvin and to everybody else they can! And now you're going to have supper with us, mother! Mr. and Mrs. Harper are going to join us--and you, too, Millie dear," she added, turning to the girl, who had joined the group and stood there listening, her cheeks flushed with a conflict of emotions. "Oh!" Millie gasped. "Oh--then what--" What Millie was going to say was lost in a general chorus of delighted exclamations. "Oh, Lem," cried Mrs. Jones, "won't you let me do the cooking? I'm just dyin' to get back into that kitchen again!" "Well, I know what your cooking is like, mother," replied Townsend, smiling; "and if you really want to go out there and cook that supper, I say it would be a crime to stop you!" "Let's all help!" exclaimed little Mrs. Harper, who looked as if she would not have the faintest idea what to do in a kitchen. "Fine!" echoed her amused husband. "Come on, folks!" Mrs. Jones led the way, and they all went out through the dining-room and into the kitchen, bent on making a home of the place for the first time since the new regime went into effect. CHAPTER XX The dapper Peters was left alone at his desk, but not for long. In a few minutes the street door opened and Bill Jones, with a certain air about him--one might even say with a certain flourish in his manner--sauntered in. He ambled up to the desk.