She looked at the bag reproachfully, and he watched her keenly--then laughed. “I'd as well tell you and be done with it; you'll go in it anyhow.” She tossed her head with a touch of angry pride. He took her hand, led her across the room and placed it on the valise. “I've got five thousand dollars in gold in that bag.” She drew back, surprised beyond the power of speech. “And I'm going to give it to this old woman----” “To her--why?” she gasped. “She's my mother.” “Your MOTHER?” “Yes.” “I--I--thought--you told me she was dead.” “No. I said that I didn't know who she was.” He paused, and a queer brooding look crept into his face. “I haven't seen her since I was a little duffer three years old. This room and these wild crags and trees come back to me now--just a glimpse of them here and there. I've always remembered them. I thought I'd dreamed it----” “You remember--how wonderful!” she breathed reverently. She understood now, and the clouds lifted. “The skunk I called my daddy,” Jim went on thoughtfully, “took me to New York. He said that my mother deserted me when I was a kid. I believed him at first. But when he beat me and kicked me into the streets, I knew he was a liar. When I got grown I began to think and wonder about her. I hired a lawyer that knew my daddy, and he found her here----” With a cry of joy, she seized his arms: “Tell her quick! Oh, you're big and fine and generous, Jim--and I knew it! They said that you were a brute. I knew they lied. Tell her quick!” He lifted his hand in protest. “Nope--I'm going to put up a little job on the old girl--show her the money tonight, get her wild at the sight of it--and give it to her Christmas morning. We've only a few hours to wait----” “Oh, give it to her now--Jim! Give it to her now!” He shook his head and walked to the door. “I want to say something to her first and give her time to think it over. Look out for the bag, and I'll bring in the things.” He swung the rough board door wide, slammed it and disappeared in the darkness. The young wife watched the bag a moment with consuming curiosity. She had fiercely resented his insulting insinuations at her curiosity, and yet she was wild to look at that glowing pile of gold inside and picture the old woman's joyous surprise. Her hand touched the lock carelessly and drew back as if her finger had been burned. She put her hands behind her and crossed the room. “I won't be so weak and silly!” she cried fiercely. She heard Jim cranking the car. It would take him five minutes more to start it, get it under the shed and bring in the suit-case and robes. “Why shouldn't I see it!” she exclaimed. “He has told me about it.” She hesitated and struggled for a moment, quickly walked back to the bag and touched the spring. It yielded instantly. “Why, it's not even locked!” she cried in tones of surprise at her silly scruples. Her hand had just touched the gold when Nance entered.