'I have come back to you, father,' I said, 'I and my little Steve.'-- 'Where is thy husband ?' he asked.

I said, 'He is in the grave.

I did wrong, and I am sorry, father." "'Then I forgive thee.' That was all he said.

His eyes were fixed upon Steve, for he never had a son of his own; and he held out his hands, and Steve went straight to him; and he lifted the boy, and kissed him again and again, and from that moment he loved him with all his soul.

He never cast up to me the wrong I had done; and by and by I told him all that had happened to me, and we never more had a secret between us, but worked together for one end; and what that end was, some day you may find out.