"Then you are doing this for no motive other than that which you
tell me?"

"Certainly. That's motive enough--ain't it?"

"Yes." The Mayor took his feet off his companion's chair and sat
upright. Colonel Pendleton did the same, also removing his cigar
from his lips. "I suppose you'll think this thing over?" he added.

"No--I want it done NOW--right here--in this office."

"But you know it will be irrevocable."

"That's what I want it--something might happen afterwards."

"But you are leaving nothing for yourself, and if you are going to
devote everything to this daughter and lead a different life,
you'll"--

"Who said I was?"

The two men paused, and looked at her. "Look here, boys, you don't
understand. From the day that paper is signed, I've nothing to do
with the child. She passes out of my hands into yours, to be
schooled, educated, and made a rich girl out of--and never to know
who or what or where I am. She doesn't know now. I haven't given
her and myself away in that style--you bet! She thinks I'm only a
friend. She hasn't seen me more than once or twice, and not to
know me again. Why, I was down there the other day, and passed her