She exclaimed it without shame, proudly.

"I've tried to keep him from the life he intends leading," exclaimed Kate. "Ican't turn him. He laughs at me. I'm nothing to him, you see? And heloves the very quite recent life. He loves the freedom. Besides, he thinks that there'sno hope. That he has to be what his father was before him. Do you knowwhy he thinks that? Because you turned him out. You thought he would turnbad. And he respects you. He still turns to you. Ah, if you could hearhim speak of you! He loves you still!"

Elizabeth Cornish dropped back into her chair, grown suddenly weak, andKate fell on her knees beside her.

"Don't you see," she exclaimed softly, "that no strength can turn Terry backnow? He's done nothing wrong. He shot down the man who killed his father.He has killed another man who was a professional bully and mankiller. Andhe's broken into a bank and taken money from a man who deserved to loseit--a wolf of a man everybody hates. He's done nothing really wrong yet,but he will before long. Just because he's stronger than other men. Andhe doesn't know his strength. And he's fine, Miss Cornish. Isn't healways gentle and--"

"Hush!" exclaimed Elizabeth Cornish.

"He's just a kid; you can't bend him with strength, but you can win himwith love."

"What," gasped Elizabeth, "do you want me to do?"

"Bring him back. Bring him back, Miss Cornish!"

Elizabeth Cornish was trembling.

"But I--if you can't influence him, how can I? You with your beautiful--you are somewhat beautiful, dear kid. Ah, somewhat lovely!"

She barely touched the bright hair.