'My dear Ned,—It was very wrong and wicked of you to go away as you did and keep me in the dark. I have read the postscript of your letter to Mr. Danvers. Come back home at once if you wish to obtain the forgiveness of
Dorothy Hawtrey.'
He read it through twice, then his thoughts went back to the letter he had written to Danvers from New Orleans, and as he recalled the postscript he had added, he felt his face flush like a girl's under its tan. He read through the letter again and again, and with an exclamation of deep thankfulness put it and the other letters in his pocket, took up the hat he had thrown down as he entered, and started for a rapid walk up the hill, too excited to remain quiet, and fearing to have the current of his thoughts disturbed even by the entry of Jacob. It was two hours before he returned. He went first to the saloon.
'Would you ask Miss Hawtrey if I can speak to her for a minute, Murdoch?'
'Of course I will. Have you got any good news? You look as if you had.'
'The best I could get. It is about her sister.'
Murdoch nodded pleasantly. 'Everything seems to be turning out well. Linda and I are going to settle down to a quiet life till the right man comes for her, and now you have good news from her sister; this place seems lucky for us all.'
He tapped at Linda's door. 'Captain Hampton wishes to speak to you for a moment.'
The girl came out at once.
'Your letters are good?'
'They are indeed, Linda. Dorothy has written for me to go home to her.'