“It does seem dangerous when you look at it from down here,” he answered, critically glancing up at the cliff. “But that is because we can see the full height of the bluff. Up there, you know, I couldn't look over the edge. If I had, perhaps I might have grown dizzy.” “Paul,” Ethel said, after they had remained silent for several minutes, “I am very grateful to you. When I am with you I don't suffer so much over poor Jennie's death. Somehow you inspire me with your faith. I am going to ask you a favor--one favor, and then I'm done with it. Will you please tell me positively, in so many words, that you really are convinced that she is still in existence. I know you've already said so, in a way, but I want to remember your exact words, so if I become despondent again I can repeat them over and over to myself.” Paul laughed and glanced at her tenderly and wistfully. “I believe it as positively as I believe that I am here with you at this moment,” he said, quite gravely. “Thank you,” she returned, simply. “I am going to believe it because you do. I know that you know the truth. I know it--I know it!” She held the violets to her lips, and it was as if she kissed the purple petals. A glow as of reviving health seemed to suffuse her wan cheeks. CHAPTER XII |THAT evening after supper, as Paul sat writing in his room, his employer came to the door and looked in. “Hello!” was his half-tentative greeting, as he slouched in and took a chair near the table. “I've just been talkin' to my sister. She's powerful tickled over the effect on Eth' of your trip over the mountain. She says she's actually astonished. It seems like the gal's goin' to quit 'er foolishness. I was gettin' powerful sick of it myself. It's hard enough to know your own end's got to come some time ahead without dyin' every time anybody else kicks the bucket.” “I'm glad to know that Miss Ethel feels better.” Paul dipped his pen and continued to write. Hoag crossed his fat legs and, reaching down to his right shoe, he began to fumble the string. “I want to see you about a certain matter,” he began, clearing his throat. “I don't know as you will consider it any o' my business exactly, but it is something that I thought you ought to be prepared for.” “What is it?” Paul put his pen into the rack and leaned toward the speaker. “Why, I was talkin' to Bob Mayburn this mornin'. You know his land joins mine on the west. He had a few acres to rent an' was afraid he wouldn't find a tenant; but he has hooked one at last, and who under the shinin' sun do you reckon he got?” “I haven't the slightest idea,” Paul answered. “Jeff Warren,” Hoag said, his eyes bluntly fixed on the young man's face in a groping stare of pleased curiosity. “Oh!” Paul exclaimed. “I didn't know he was anywhere near Grayson.”