He decided to nip Claudia's acquaintance with Craig in the bud on the spot.

When Maggie at length reappeared, she was grinning with more than usual cunning.

"Miss Claudia say she be down in a minute," she said with a giggle.

"You've been gone a half hour," Wilkes answered frowning.

"I spec' I is," observed Maggie, continuing to giggle and glance furtively at Wilkes.

"What's the matter with you?" he asked suspiciously. “Nuttin.” ”

He held up a quarter and beckoned. She hastened to his side.

"I want us to be good friends."

She took the money, grinned again and said: "Yassah!"

“Now, what have you been giggling about?"

"Mr. John Craig wuz here last night!"

"So I hear. Did he see Miss Claudia ?"

"Deed he did. Dat's what dey all come fur. She so

purty dey can't he'p it."

"How long did he stay?"

"Till atter midnight."

"Indeed!"

"Yassah!" Maggie went on, walling her eyes with tragic earnestness. "She play de pianer fur 'im long time in de parlor, an' he sing fur her an' den she sing for him."

Wilkes cleared his throat angrily.

"Yassah! an' atter dey git froo singin' she take him out fur er stroll on de lawn an' dey go way down in de fur corner an' set in one er dem rustics fur 'bout er hour. Den dey come in an' bof un 'em set in de moonlight in de hammock right close side an' side, an' he talk low an’

sof, an' she laugh, an' laugh, an' hit 'im wid her fanjesso! Yassah. Sh! She comin' now!"

The girl darted out of sight as Claudia's dress rustled in the hall above.

Wilkes pulled himself together with an effort, and met her at the foot of the stairs, an entrancing picture as she slowly descended the steps. The flowing train of her cream-colored morning gown made her look taller than she

was.

With a smile she welcomed Wilkes and he attempted to kiss her. She allowed him to kiss her hand.

"Claudia, dear," he began with an accent of offended dignity, "you must quit this foolishness. We have been engaged three weeks and I've never touched your lips." She laughed and tossed her head.

"Not yet married," she observed, lifting her brows. "I have honored you with my fortune and my life!" "Thanks," she interrupted, smiling.

Wilkes flushed and went on rapidly:

"Really, my dear, the time has come for a serious talk between us." 99

She seated herself at the piano and ran her fingers lightly over the keys. He followed, a frown clouding his smooth forehead.

"Will you hear me?" he asked.

"Certainly!" she answered, turning on him her brown

eyes.

In their depths he might have seen a dangerous light had he been less absorbed in himself. He only saw a smile lurking about the corners of her lips which irritated him the more.

"I understand that John Craig called on you last night?"

"I hadn't heard it," she answered lightly.

"And stayed until after midnight."

Claudia sprang to her feet, looked steadily at Wilkes, frowned, walked to the door and called:

"Maggie!"

The black face appeared instantly.

"Yassum!" she answered with eager innocence.

"Have you said anything about Mr. Craig's visit last night?"

Maggie walled her eyes in amazement at such an outrageous suspicion.

"No, m'am! I ain't open my mouf. Has I, Mister Wilkes ?"

"Certainly not," he answered curtly.

"I thought I heard your voice in the hall," Claudia continued, looking sternly at Maggie.

"Nobum! "Twant me. I nebber stop er second. I pass right straight on froo de hall-nebber even look t'ward Mr. Wilkes."

"You can go," was the stern command.

"Yassum," Maggie half whispered, backing out the door, her eyes traveling quickly from Wilkes to her

mistress.

"As my affianced bride," he went on firmly, "I cannot afford to have you receive the man who is my bitterest enemy."

With a smile, she quietly removed the ring from her hand and gave it to Wilkes.

"Claudia!" he gasped.

"The burden of being your affianced bride, I'm afraid, is too heavy for my young shoulders."

"Forgive me, dear!" he pleaded.

"I prefer to receive my friends without consulting you. When I need a master to order my daily life, I'll let know.

you

"But, Claudia, dear-"

"Please!"

“I—I only meant to tell you that I love you desperately that I'm jealous and ask you not to torture me-you cannot mean this, dear?"

"Don't address me in that way again!" she cried with

anger.

Wilkes tried clumsily to take her hand, but the steady light in her eyes stopped him without words.

"You may go now- " she said.

With a muttered oath he turned and left. As his figure disappeared through the front door, a little black face peeped from the alcove and giggled.

CHAPTER VIII

HIDDEN RICHES

RAIG awoke on the morning after the eventful

CR

encounter with a strange feeling of elation. His

fortunes were never at quite so low an ebb. His living had been snatched from him without warning. Yet his spirit was singing a new song of life. Somewhere, in the labyrinth of things, his hand had touched a spring that opened new windows to views of a world he had never seen before.

It was a joy to be alive and strong. He had never before felt so alive-nor so strong. But the things that called for the use of his strength seemed different as he lay in his bed and stared wide-eyed at the dingy ceiling. Yesterday his soul had given a mad cry for revenge as he read the anonymous letter that put Hawkins in his power. Yesterday, the one supreme purpose of life had been to kick this scoundrel out of his house and take his place as its rightful master. Yesterday, when this unscrupulous rascal abused his powers as a judge, and struck him a blow below the belt, he had shouted for joy that the secret order of hooded men whom he commanded could wreak on Hawkins the judgment of God. thought of this revenge had given him the satisfaction which a cannibal feels who prepares to eat his foe.

The

And now none of these things seemed worth while. They were foolish and futile. A waste of the strength which he felt throbbing in every nerve and muscle of his body. Life was too short for hate. It was too short for revenge.