He had met the wrong and would right it as soon as Sherry was able to be told. It was well for Alex. that Craig Saltus was still there, for in him he found a tower of strength and a safe adviser. Craig had studied law a little and knew what was to be done and how to do it.
“It is hard on you,” he said to Alex., after he had heard the story, and Alex. replied: “Yes, but it would be harder if any one but Sherry were the usurper.”
Craig looked at him a moment, and then said: “I think I know what you mean. I have guessed it all along and am glad for both of you. Sherry is the finest specimen of sweet young girlhood I ever knew. Too impulsive, perhaps, and fond of adventure, as was proven by her coming here as she did. I may tell you now that I don’t know what I might have done but for my infirmity, which will keep me from ever marrying.”
Alex. began to protest, but Craig stopped him. “I know my value in one way, but hold myself too high ever to ask anyone to marry a cripple. If she said yes, it would be for my money. I wish you success.”
He walked away and sat down alone for a moment to think of the happiness which was probably in store for Alex. and could never be his.
Then he began to feel how much Sherry had been in his mind since he first met her in Buford,—a merry, sunny-faced girl, no more impressed with him because of his money than with the poorest men of her acquaintance. He had felt shocked to find her at Maplehurst as other than a guest, but her illness had followed so quickly that he had scarcely given anything else a thought, and now this affair of the deed was crowding it entirely from his mind. He had seen Alex.’s growing interest in Sherry, and had said to himself: “She is worthy of him, and I am glad for his sake that she is one of the heirs of Maplehurst.” Everything he could do to adjust matters Craig resolved to do, and at once set himself about it so quietly and thoroughly that Alex. left everything in his hands and devoted himself to Sherry, waiting anxiously for the day when it would be safe to tell her.
CHAPTER XIV
RIGHTING THE WRONG
Mrs. Pledger heard the story with ejaculations of surprise and incredulity. That Mr. Marsh could have been guilty of a fraud she would not believe until she read his letter.
“Well, if that don’t beat me! Who can we trust, I’d like to know,” she said; then, as her loyalty to the dead asserted itself, she continued: “Well, I don’t care. He was a good man, and repented and God forgave him, and he is in heaven with Eli, who did a mean trick putting the farm out of his hands. I’m glad for the girls. Have you told Katy?”
He had not, but he did the next day. Katy was of a very different temperament from Sherry and received the news almost as if she had expected it.