"I want to tell you," he said, "that
Dr. Briggs has spoken with me about
you and made clear some things that
I did not understand last year. If I
had realized your circumstances I
might have been less harsh in exact'
ing justice. None of us can afford to
exact that to the uttermost. They
tell me you have refused compensa'
tion for your brave, sacrifice. Hart'
ridge, we are starting a branch bank
at Clifton. I want you to go there as
assistant cashier. Nobody will know
of your past. That is all atoned for.
You will go with our complete confi
dence-and at a salary adequate to
support yourself and your wife com
fortably "
"My wife?" said Hartridge bitterly.
"Perhaps you don't know that-"
"Here's somebody come to see you
and thank you for your-for her life,"
said the nurse, coming up softly. Hart
ridge glanced up. A woman came
swiftly toward his bed and sank down
beside him. She flung her arms round
his neck and drew down his head to
her breast and her tears, falling on
him, washed his soul clean at last
from all its bitter memories.
(Copyright, 1913, by WV. G. Chapman.)
Return of the Sea Serpent.
