“I will go, then. Pat, you talk like a good sort of a fellow, after all, and I’ll go peacefully with you.” “Thank you, sir. This is a wise man.” “Miss Gertie, we have visiting rules. I will give you this card, and you can see the days we have for company.” “Oh, Mr. Officer! could I not come any time? You know I have to watch for my chance to get away. I could not see papa often enough.” “Now, you may step in and talk with your daughter. I have some very important business to take care of.” “Pat, come around soon again. I may need you to take some mail to the train, as I am anxious to have the letters go at once.” “Well, I may as well sit meself down and get some more knowledge. I hope I will not hear anny crying. Poor girl, how she did rush to her papa and kiss him! If I had a daughter to kiss me, I would fall dead,” mused Pat. “Oh, papa, I am so glad I could come and bring you something to eat! Mother and sister were out shopping and I found the opportunity to bring this to you. And I so wanted to bring you some news. Papa, you know Amelia is going to marry Clyde McHenry? Oh, papa, you are so pale! Are you ill?” “Daughter, I fear the marriage will never take place.” “Why, papa? The engagement was announced last night, and the date set six weeks from then. Would you object, papa?” “No, daughter; I would not interfere with the marriage, but—but—” “Well, papa, what do you want to say?” “It will all be known soon enough, and the dear girl will suffer, I know.” “Oh, dear papa, don’t cry so hard! I am trying to be brave for you, and I want you to for me—and Amelia will be happy.” “Well, if the man isn’t crying! It’s not enough to hear the ladies, and when the men begin I’ll have to move on, I think. I have enough knowledge for to last the rest of me life,” muttered Pat. “Pat, you may take this letter to the train. Pat, you are wanted. I wonder if he has forgot his orders.” “Oh, the devil take you! I’m coming, as soon as I get these tears all out of me eyes,” mumbled Pat. Then aloud: “Yes, I’m coming. What can I do for you?” “Mail this letter on the morning train. Do not delay getting it off. “Miss Gertie, I shall have to ask you if you have visited long enough with your father?” said the superintendent. CHAPTER XVIII. PAT’S TEMPTATION. “I am very thankful to you, sir. I shall visit papa soon again. I hope that I may be allowed to see him any time when I can get away. You see, sister is making arrangements for her marriage, to take place in six weeks, and she and mother will be away from home at different times. I could then hurry and come to see papa, and please, officer, could I be admitted at any time?” “Miss Gertie, I should like to grant you the privilege, but I fear I can not do so. I am sworn to follow prison rules.” “Oh, how cruel! To know that I could not be allowed the pleasure—the only pleasure I have—of seeing my father!”