"When Marg laid my trouble to Burke he just took it! First I couldn't understand. But he took my trouble--and me! He took lil' Ann and me out of Miss Lois Ann's cabin into--peace and safety. He tied every one's tongue--it seemed like he drove all the--the wrong away by his big, strong love--and set me free, like he was God! He didn't ask nothing for a right long time, not 'til I grew to--believe him and trust him. Then we went--when no one knew--and was married. Now he's my man and he's always been lil' Ann's father till--till--" A log fell upon the hearth and both women started guiltily and affrightedly. "Go on! go on!" breathed Lynda. "Go on!" "Till the twins came--Burke's and mine! Then he knew the difference--even his love for me couldn't help him--it hindered; and while I--I feared, I understood!" "Oh! oh! oh!" Lynda covered her aching eyes with her cold hands. She dared not look at Nella-Rose. That childish yet old face was crowding everything but pity from the world. Truedale, herself--what did they matter? "He--he couldn't bear to have lil' Ann touch--the babies. I could see him--shiver! And lil' Ann--she's like a flower--she fades if you don't love her. She grew afraid and--and hid, and it seemed like the soul of me would die; for, don't you see, Burke thinks that Marg's man is--is the father, and Marg and Jed lays the trouble to Burke and they think her--his! And--and it has grown more since the big road brought us-all closer. The big road brought trouble as well as good. Once"--and here the haggard face whitened--"once Burke and Jed fought--and a fight in the hills means more fights! Just then Bill Trim was hurt and told me before he died; it was like opening a grave! I 'most died 'long with Bill Trim--'til I studied about lil' Ann! And then--I saw wide, and right far, like I hadn't since--since before I hated. I saw how I must come and--tell you-all, and how maybe you'd take lil' Ann, and then I could go back to--to my man and--there'll be peace when he knows--at last! Will you--oh! will you be with me, kind lady, when I--tell your--your--man?" Nella-Rose dropped at Lynda's feet and was pleading like a distraught child. "I've been so afraid. I did not know his world was so full of noise and--and right many things. And he will be--different--and I may not be able to make him understand. But you will--_you_ will! I must get back to the hills. I done told Burke I--I was going to prove myself to his goodness--by putting lil' Ann with them as would be mighty kind to her. I seemed to know how it would turn out--and I dared to say it; but now--now I am mighty--'fraid!" The tears were falling from the pain-racked eyes--falling upon Lynda's cold, rigid hands--and they seemed to warm her heart and clear her vision. "Nella-Rose," she said, "where is little Ann?"