Yet, if you, who owe her nothing--who have wasted your life in vain sacrifice--if you can ask her to be your wife, I can ask her to come back home." That was a splendid, all-satisfying moment for Lane.

By his own grief he measured his reward.

What had counted with Joshua Iden had been his faith in Mel's innate goodness.

Then Lane turned to the mother.

In the dusk he could see the working of her sad face.
"God bless you, my boy!" she said.