"Mother! Oh, it is terrible! ... He is not my father. I never loved
him. I couldn't.... But, mother, you must have loved him!"

"Child, I was Durade's slave," she replied, sadly.

"Then why did you run away? He was kind--good to us."

"Allie, listen. Durade was a gambler--a man crazy to stake all on
the fall of a card. He did not love gold. But he loved games of
chance. It was a terrible passion with him. Once he meant to gamble
my honor away. But that other gambler was too much of a man. There
are gamblers who are men! ... I think I began to hate Durade from
that time.... He was a dishonest gambler. He made me share in his
guilt. My face lured miners to his dens.... My face--for I was
beautiful once! ... Oh, I sunk so low! But he forced me.... Thank God
I left him--before it was too late--too late for you."

"Mother, he will follow us!" cried Allie.

"But he shall never have you. I'll kill him before I let him get
you," replied the mother.

"He'd never harm me, mother, whatever he is," murmured Allie.

"Child, he would use you exactly as he used me. He wanted me to let
him have you--already. He wanted to train you--he said you'd be
beautiful some day."

"Mother!" gasped Allie, "is THAT what he meant?"