"Mr.—that is to say, her husband—was very good and kind," said the little woman, thinking of the lonely grave out on the hillside rather penitently, "and they lived very pleasantly together. There never was a harsh word between them."
"Still—might she not have been happier with Sam? Be honest, now, and say just what you think."
"Yes."
"Bravo! that is what I wanted to come at. And now I have a secret to tell you, and you must break it to her."
Mrs. Townsend looked rather scared.
"What is it?"
"I want you to go and see her, wherever she may be, and say to her, 'Maria,'—what makes you start so?"
"Nothing; only you speak so like some one I used to know, once in a while."
"Do I? Well, take the rest of the message. Tell her that Sam loved her through the whole; that, when he heard she was free, he began to work hard at making a fortune. He has got it; and he is coming to share it with her, if she will let him. Will you tell her this?"