He was interrupted by an audible sob, and turning, saw Annie with her face buried in her hands, weeping as if her heart would break. He was puzzled for a moment, and then, in the despairing condition of his mind interpreted her wrongly. Standing near her with clenched hands, he said, in the same hard tones which seemed to have passed beyond the expression of feeling, "I'm a brute and worse. I have been wounding you as with blows by my vile story. I have been dragging your pure thoughts through the mire of my wretched life." Annie tried to speak, but apparently could not for excess of emotion. "Why could I not have gone away and died by myself, like some unclean beast?" he muttered. Then, in a tone which she never forgot, and with the manner of one who was indeed leaving hope and life behind him, he said, "Farewell, Miss Walton; you will be better after I am gone." She sprung up, and laying restraining hands upon his arm, sobbed, "No--no. Why don't you--you--understand me? My heart's--breaking for you--wait till I can speak." He placed her gently on the seat again. A great light was coming into his eyes, and he stood bending toward her as if existence depended on her next words. Could it be that her swelling throat and sobs meant sympathy for him? She soon controlled herself, and looking up at him, with a light in her eyes that shone through her tears as sun-rays through the rain, said, "Forgive me. I never realized before that so much sin and suffering could exist in one unhappy life. I do pity you, as God does far more. I will help you as He will." Gregory knelt at her feet, and kissed her hand with the fervor of a captive who had just received life and liberty. "See, I do not shrink from you," she continued. "My Master would not. Why should I? He came to save just such, and just such we all would be but for His grace and shielding. I'm so--sorry for you." He turned hastily away for a moment to hide his feelings, and said, slowly, "I cannot trust myself--I cannot trust God yet; but I trust you, and I believe you have saved a soul from death." He stood looking toward the glowing west, and, for the first time in years, hoped that his life might close in brightness.