Miriam's eyes kindled for an instant, but its fire soon died out.
"Poor boy," she answered, "he's under such a strain. It's a wonder he doesn't break down. He's so good and kind through it all, too. He's a fine fellow, now," she went on with great enthusiasm.
"Let me see," said Shirley, reminiscently, "his conviction was reversed on appeal, wasn't it?"
"Why, no; don't you remember that it was affirmed—affirmed ..."
"I do remember now. And it was that day or the next one that you ran away from me, you bad girl, and I've never seen you since. Affirmed—affirmed," she mused; and then suddenly leaned forward and inquired eagerly:—
"Then how did he get off?"
Miriam shrugged her shoulders.
"I don't know," she said, "nobody knows; not even Laurie knows that. One day after the affirmance, the jail doors were opened, and he was free—that's all—and he came back to me."
"Surely Murgatroyd knows," said Shirley.
"Oh, yes, of course he knows; but we have never asked any questions. Why should we? I shall never forget Murgatroyd though—I remember him in my prayers. He was honest; he kept his word——"