“In her little game with destiny, she lost out, and was apprehended for a theft of which she was entirely innocent, but her past record barred acquittal. A man was instrumental in gaining a reprieve for her, however, and she was sent away to new environment where she found friends, health and, best of all, a job.
“So the desire was born in her to turn the proverbial new leaf, not for the sake of winning her ‘man,’ but from the simple wish to be ‘good.’ I interested Mrs. Kingdon in her and told her where she was, but did not dream of such good luck for—Bobbie as to be sent up here. I know she will find happiness up here in these hills. You’ll be kind to the little girl, won’t you?” she pleaded. “You know you haven’t much mercy for sinners, but you will see she is serious about reforming; not flippant like me. She will never yield to temptation again.”
“How do you know?” he asked, looking at her keenly.
“Because,” she answered softly. “She loves, and—the man she loves is worthy of her.”
“And you think love is powerful enough to cure?”
“I think so.”
“Would it cure—you?”
“I don’t know,” she said ingenuously. “You see I have never loved.”
A fervid light smouldered in his eyes.
“Aunty Pen!”