“Go on!” he said quietly, and resumed his seat by the fire.
“I think we have been careless rather than thoughtful, dear. Older people can be hurt by such kindness––if they are wonderful and proud like your mother. She cannot bear to––to be an obstacle.”
“An obstacle? Good Lord!” Northrup jammed a log to its place and so relieved his feelings.
“Well, my dearest, you must see the position I was placed in?”
“Yes, Kathryn, I do. You’re a brick, my dear, but––how did you know where I was, if you did not go to Manly?”
Kathryn looked up, and all the childlike confidence and sweetness she could summon lay in her lovely eyes.
“Dearest, I remembered the address on the letter you sent to your mother. Because I wanted to keep this secret about our fear from her––I came alone and I knew that people here could direct me if you had gone away. I was prepared to follow you––anywhere!”––Kathryn suddenly recalled her small hand-bag upstairs––“Brace, I was frightened, bearing it alone. I had to have you. Oh! Brace.”
Northrup found the girl in his arms. His face was against hers––her tears were falling and she was sobbing helplessly. The net, it was a purse net now, drew close.
“Brace, Brace, we must make her happy, together. I will share everything with you––I have been so heedless; so selfish––but my life is now yours and––hers!”
Guilt filled the aroused soul of Northrup. As far as in him lay he––surrendered! With characteristic swiftness and thoroughness he closed his eyes and made his dash!