"Bressed Jesus, guv dis dear chile a new heart, 'cause she wants it, and you wants her to hab it. Make it pure and full of lub. You can do it, dear Jesus. You knows you can. Now, jes please do it. _Amen_." Zell's responsive "Amen" was like a note from an AEolian harp. "Hannibal," said she, looking wistfully at him, "I think I feel better. I think I feel it growing white." "Now jes look here, Miss Zell," said he, giving her a bit of pastoral counsel before going back to his work, "don't you keep lookin' at your heart, and seein' how it feels, or you'll get discouraged. See dis rose agin? It don't look at itself. It jes looks up at de sun. So you look straight at Jesus, and your heart grow whiter ebery day." And Hannibal and the flower did gradually lead poor Zell to Him who "taketh away the sins of the world," and He said to her as to one of old, "Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace." On the evening of the 14th of June, Edith had more than enough to pay the interest due on the 15th, and she was most anxious to have it settled. She was standing at the gate waiting for Hannibal to join her as escort, when she saw Arden Lacey coming toward her. He had not looked at her since that dreadful afternoon, and was now about to pass her without notice, though from his manner she saw he was conscious of her presence. He looked so worn and changed that her heart yearned toward him. A sudden thought occurred to her, and she said: "Mr. Lacey." He kept right on, and paid no heed to her. There was a mingling of indignation and pathos in her voice when she spoke again. "I appeal to you as a woman, and no matter what I am, if you are a true man, you will listen." There was that in her tone and manner that reminded him of the dark rainy night when they first met. He turned instantly, but he approached her with a cold, silent bow. "I must go to the village to-night. I wish your protection," she said, in a voice she tried vainly to render steady. He again bowed silently, and they walked to the village together without a word. Hannibal came out in time to see them disappear down the road, one on one side of it, and one on the other. "Well now, dey's both quar," he said, scratching his white head with perplexity, "but one ting is mighty sartin, I'se glad my ole jints is saved dat tramp." Edith stopped at the door of Mr. Crowl's office, and Arden, for the first time, spoke hastily: "I can't go in there." "I hope you are not afraid," said Edith, in a tone that made him step forward quick enough. Mr. Crowl looked as if he could not believe his eyes, but Edith gave him no time to collect his wits, but by the following little speech quite overwhelmed both him and Arden, though with different emotions.