through me."

"Right well I know that, Richard. God bless you. I will pray for you
every hour."

At evening George Taylor brought her a note from Dick.

"Oh, George," she wailed, "they have sentenced him?"

"Two years in prison."

"But he was innocent!"

"Yes, and some day it will be proven." He looked at her strangely, "I
must tell you - Dick has broken jail and fled north to Shasta county,
where he will begin life anew. Then, if you still wish it, he will come
to you."

* * * * *

After four years the Singer-Lady returned for a concert at the little
Opera House in Rattlesnake. She went to her old quarters at the Widow
Miller's, on the edge of town.

"Eh, Dearie," cried the good woman, "what have they been doing to ye, so
to dim your bright youth, and to bring the sad lines to your mouth?"

"Mrs. Miller, where is he?"

"Ah - so that's the answer." The girl's eyes filled with tears.