You didn't dare come flat out to Miss Tabor with the statement that her fortune had gone; it had been in your charge all the time and things might look ugly.So you put it off, perhaps from day to day.You didn't dare tell her until you were forced to, and to avoid the confession you sent her the income which was rightfully hers.That was your great weakness."Joe had spoken with great rapidity, though keeping his voice low, and he lowered it again, as he continued: "Judge Pike, what chance have you to be believed in court when you swear that you sent her twenty thousand dollars out of the goodness of your heart? Do you think SHE believed you? It was the very proof to her that you had robbed her.For she knew you! Do you want to hear more now? Do you think this is a good place for it? Do you wish me to go over the details of each step I have taken against you, to land you at the bar where this poor fellow your paper is hounding stands to-day?"The Judge essayed to answer, and could not.
He lifted his hand uncertainly and dropped it, while a thick dew gathered on his temples.
Inarticulate sounds came from between his teeth.
"You will come?" said Joe.
Martin Pike bent his head dazedly; and at that the other turned quickly from him and went away without looking back.
Ariel was in the studio, half an hour later, when Joe was announced by the smiling Mr.Warden.
Ladew was with her, though upon the point of taking his leave, and Joe marked (with a sinking heart) that the young minister's cheeks were flushed and his eyes very bright.
"It was a magnificent thing you did, Mr.Louden,"he said, offering his hand heartily; "I saw it, and it was even finer in one way than it was plucky.It somehow straightened things out with such perfect good nature; it made those people feel that what they were doing was ridiculous.""So it was," said Joe.