youth that, after all, the noise of the fallen candlestick

had not alarmed the household.

With knees that still trembled a bit he crossed the

room and passed out into the hallway, descended the

stairs, and stood again in the library. Here he paused

a moment listening to the voices which came from the

dining room. Mrs. Prim was speaking. "I feel quite re-

lieved about Abigail," she was saying. "I believe that at

last she sees the wisdom and the advantages of an

alliance with Mr. Benham, and it was almost with en-

thusiasm that she left this morning to visit his sister.

I am positive that a week or two of companionship

with him will impress upon her the fine qualities of his

nature. We are to be congratulated, Jonas, upon settling

our daughter so advantageously both in the matter of

family and wealth."

Jonas Prim grunted. "Sam Benham is old enough to

be the girl's father," he growled. "If she wants him, all

right; but I can't imagine Abbie wanting a bald-headed

husband with rheumatism. I wish you'd let her alone,

Pudgy, to find her own mate in her own way--someone

nearer her own age."

"The child is not old enough to judge wisely for her-

self," replied Mrs. Prim. "It was my duty to arrange a

proper alliance; and, Jonas, I will thank you not to call

me Pudgy--it is perfectly ridiculous for a woman of my

age--and position."

The burglar did not hear Mr. Prim's reply for he had

moved across the library and passed out onto the ve-

randah. Once again he crossed the lawn, taking advan-

tage of the several trees and shrubs which dotted it,

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