"When the hackman sent a friend of his to inquire about him, Tom Thornton had come to his senses and left."
"I'm afraid you'll hear from him again. If you do, let me know. Now, where is Kate?"
I conducted him up stairs to Mrs. Macombe's parlor. Mr. Loraine proved to be all I had wished him to be—sympathizing, noble, and decided. He asked Kate a great many questions, in order to assure himself that she was not a naughty, wilful, and disobedient girl; and, in answer to them, she told her whole story, as she had told it to Bob Hale and me in the standing-room of the Splash. I made a voluntary statement of my impressions in regard to the step-mother, and the interview I had had with her.
"I never liked the woman," added Mr. Loraine; "and, till the day of my brother's death, I did not cease to regret his marriage. Why didn't you write to me, Kate?"
"She would not let me."
"Why didn't you tell Mr. Windleton about the treatment you received?"
"It wasn't so bad till after Mr. Windleton went to Europe."
"We will have it made right at once. I have done some business for Windleton during his absence; for he was a friend of mine, as well as of my brother. He will be shocked when he hears of this business. I expect him back the next steamer, due to-day or to-morrow. I shall go and see this woman as soon as he returns."
"But I don't want to go back to her, uncle Freeman," said Kate, with a suppressed shudder.
"You shall not; you shall live with me, if you are so disposed."