As he came near, the girl could hold herself in leash no longer.
She threw herself on his breast. Her arms wreathed about his
neck. Great sobs racked her.
"Oh, Joe, Joe!" The gasping cry was of utter despair.
Garson's trembling hand patted the girl's shoulder very softly, a
caress of infinite tenderness.
"That's all right!" he murmured, huskily. "That's all right,
Mary!" There was a short silence; and then he went on speaking,
more firmly. "You know, he'll look after you."
He would have said more, but he could not. It seemed to him that
the sobs of the girl caught in his own throat. Yet, presently, he
strove once again, with every reserve of his strength; and,
finally, he so far mastered himself that he could speak calmly.
The words were uttered with a subtle renunciation that was this
man's religion.
"Yes, he'll take care of you. Why, I'd like to see the two of
you with about three kiddies playing round the house."
He looked up over the girl's shoulder, and beckoned with his head
to Dick, who came forward at the summons.
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