Just then the gate clicked and a heavy step came rapidly up the walk. Mrs. Cavers, starting to her feet, found herself face to face with Sandy Braden as he came up the steps. For a few seconds neither of them spoke. Then Mrs. Cavers held out her hand. "Mr. Braden," she said. Words failed her. "I want to speak to you for a few minutes," he said. She opened the door and led him into the little parlour. "Mrs. Cavers, I know that my presence is full of bitter memories for you," he began. "You have no reason to think kindly of me, I well know; but no one else could do this for me, or I would not force myself on you this way----" She interrupted him. "You were kind to me and my little girl once; you did for us what few would have done. I have never thanked you, but I have always been and always will be grateful; and when I think of you--that is what I remember." There was a silence between them for a few seconds. Then he spoke. "I don't know how to begin to say what I want to say. I did you a great wrong--you, and others, too; not willfully, but I did it just the same. I can never make amends. Oh, forgive me for talking about making amends--but you're not the only one who has suffered; it's with me night and day. I can see Bill's face that day--on the river-bank! I liked Bill, too. As you know, I closed the bar that day forever, but it was too late--to help Bill." Mrs. Cavers was holding the back of a chair, her face colourless and drawn. "I heard a few days ago that you were coming back to Manitoba to work, to earn your living and the little girl's. I can't stand that--I had to come--Oh, don't scorn me like that--let me help you. If it had not been for my bar you would have had plenty. I want you to take this; it's the deed of a half-section of land near Brandon--it will keep you in plenty. I'm a blundering fellow--I've put it roughly, but God knows I mean it all right." He stopped and wiped the perspiration from his face. "I can't take it," Mrs. Cavers said, without moving. "You must!" he cried, moving nearer to her. "Don't refuse! Oh, Mrs. Cavers, you were merciful to me once--do you mind how you held out your hand to me that day? God bless you, it was like a drop of water to a man in hell. Have mercy now; take a little of the burden from a guilty man's heart." "I do forgive you freely, and I wish you well, but--I--I--can't take your money," she whispered hoarsely. He walked up and down the room for a few moments, then turned to her again.