"I cannot do it. I do not see why I should," declared the storekeeper. "Indeed, there are many reasons why I should not. Yes--I know. I employed John Jarley at one time. But that was years ago. He would not stay with me. He was always trying something new. And he never stuck to a thing long enough for either he--or anybody else--to find out whether he was fitted for it or not. "Hold on! I take that back. I guess there's _one_ man in town," said Mr. Erad, with almost a snarl, "who thinks John Jarley stuck long enough on one job." Wyn, frankly listening, but watching the girl and Mr. Erad covertly, saw the former's face flame hotly at the shot. But her murmured reply was too low for Wyn to hear. "Ha! I know nothing was ever proved against him. But decent people know the other party, and know that he is square. John Jarley got out of town and stayed out of town. That was enough to show everybody that he felt guilty." "You are wrong, sir," said the dark girl, her voice trembling, but audible now in her strong emotion. "You are wrong. It was my mother's ill health that took us into the woods. And the ill-natured gossip of the neighbors--just such things as you have now repeated--troubled my mother, too. So father took us away from it all." "If he was honest, he made a great mistake in running away at that time," asserted Mr. Erad. "No, he made no mistake," returned the girl, her fine eyes flashing. "He did the right thing. He saved my mother agony, and made her last years beautiful. My father did no wrong in either case, sir." "Well, well, well!" snapped Mr. Erad. "I cannot discuss the matter with you. We should not agree, I am sure. And I can do nothing for you." "Wait, please! give me a chance! Let me work for you to pay for these things we need. I will work faithfully----" "I have no place for you." "Oh, sir----" "My goodness, girl! _No_, I tell you. Isn't that enough? Beside, you are not well dressed enough to wait upon my customers. And you could not earn enough here to pay your board, dress decently, and pay for any bill of goods that you--or your father--may want." The girl turned away. There was a bit of dingy veiling attached to the front of her old-fashioned hat, and Wyn saw her pull this down quickly over her face. The listener knew _why_, and she had to wink her own eyes hard to keep back the tears. She deliberately turned her back upon old Mr. Erad, whom she was usually so glad to see, and went hastily down the aisle. From her distant station by the notion counter she saw the drooping figure of the strange girl leave the store. Wyn Mallory was worried. She could not see a forlorn cat on the street, or a homeless dog shivering beside a garbage can, that she was not tempted to "do something for it."