trip like this would be hard enough on Tobe, anyway. I promised I'd keep Tobe quiet, but how can I? Every minute somebody drops in to find out if the tale going about is so, and we go over it again." "I am afraid that I am exciting him now," said Mary, as she rose. "I must be going. I came in this morning, Tobe, to--to find out how you are," she said, haltingly, "and I am delighted to hear the good news." "I know you are--I know that," Tobe answered, extending his pale hand. "I'm glad you come, Miss Mary. Coming like you have has wiped out all hard feeling between me and your brothers. If I get well I'll do my level best to keep the thing out of court, and if I die I'll leave word that I was as much to blame as the boys." CHAPTER XXII The sensation which came over the gentle girl as she went out into the cool morning air was indescribable. She felt almost as if the balmy sunlight were some joy-giving fluid to be drunk like wine. Her step was buoyant. She told herself that a veritable miracle had happened. She could not explain it, but it had happened. Her unspoken prayer constantly framed in heart-sinking desire had been answered. She didn't want aid to come from Albert Frazier, and it had not. This thought reminded her that she must try to see him before he had put himself to the trouble of getting the money at the bank. So she hastened toward the square. She was soon entering the bank, and in the little vestibule she saw Frazier in earnest conversation with an employee of the bank. Frazier's heavy brow was clouded over as with displeasure. He failed to note her presence at first, and she heard him say, angrily: "I don't see any necessity of waiting for him. It is a mere matter of form, anyway. I'm in a hurry right now." The embarrassed clerk was about to reply when Frazier noticed Mary and turned to meet her, his hat in hand. "I've been delayed by these idiots," he said, fuming. "I've always had my check honored without delay, but simply because I overchecked a little yesterday they want me to wait and see the president. Bosh! I'll show them a thing or two! We need another bank here, anyway, and I'll get one started. These fellows have a monopoly and are getting entirely too particular. I suppose you got tired waiting for me, and--" "No, it wasn't that," Mary corrected him. "The Keiths have already got the money." "Got the money!" he repeated. He took her arm, and in almost benumbed astonishment led her out to his buggy in front. She explained as well as she could, and noted the slow look of sullen chagrin steal over his face. "And you say they don't know who sent it? That sounds fishy to me. Who ever heard of such a thing?" Mary was unable to make an adequate reply. His face was clouded over and growing darker every minute. "Well," he asked, "what are you going to do this morning?"