“And overlooked a little insignificant place like Chicago, of course.” “I myself conducted a personal search there, and visited the home of every Jameson in the directory or who had mail at the office or of whom I could get a clue of any sort.” “I don't suppose two women in a little garret room would be in the directory, and there never was any mail.” “Did your mother ever appeal to her parents?” “She did,” said the Girl. “She admitted that she had been wrong, asked their forgiveness, and begged to go home. That was in the second year of her marriage, and she was in Cleveland. Afterward she went to Chicago, from there she wrote again.” “Her father and mother were in Italy fighting for the mother's life, two years after that. It is very easy to become lost in a large city. Criminals do it every day and are never found, even with the best detectives on their trail. I am very sorry about this. My friends will be broken-hearted. At any time they would have been more than delighted to have had their daughter return. A letter on the day following the message from the agency brought news that she was dead, and now their only hope for any small happiness at the close of years of suffering lies with you. I was sent to plead with you to return with me at once and make them a visit. Of course, their home is yours. You are their only heir, and they would be very happy if you were free, and would remain permanently with them.” “How do they know I will not be like the father they so detested?” “They had sufficient cause to dislike him. They have every reason to love and welcome you. They are consumed with anxiety. Will you come?” “No. This is for me to decide. I do not care for them or their property. Always they have failed me when my distress was unspeakable. Now there is only one thing I ask of life, more than my husband has given me, and if that lay in his power I would have it. You may go back and tell them that I am perfectly happy. I have everything I need. They can give me nothing I want, not even their love. Perhaps, sometime, I will go to see them for a few days, if David will go with me.” “Young woman, do you realize that you are issuing a death sentence?” asked the lawyer gently. “It is a just one.” “I do not believe your husband agrees with you. I know I do not. Mrs. Herron is a tiny old lady, with a feeble spark of vitality left; and with all her strength she is clinging to life, and pleading with it to give her word of her only child before she goes out unsatisfied. She knows that her daughter is gone, and now her hopes are fastened on you. If for only a few days, you certainly must go with me.” “I will not!” The lawyer turned to the Harvester. “She will be ready to start with you to-morrow morning, on the first train north,” said the Harvester. “We will meet you at the station at eight.” “I----I am afraid I forgot to tell my driver to wait.”