and wistful at her window looking out on the lawn, now being parched and ruined since Nelse was disabled and could no longer tend it.
Charlie was trying to kiss the tears away from her eyes.
"Mama dear, you mustn't cry any more!"
"I can't help it, darling."
"They can't take our home away from us. I tore the sign down they nailed on the door, and Dick burned it up!"
"But they will do it, Charlie. The Sheriff will sell it at auction next week, and we will never have a home of our own again."
Charlie bounded to the door and showed the Preacher in.
"I have good news for you, Mrs. Gaston! I start to Boston to-night to preach two Sundays. I am going to try to borrow the money there to save your home. We will not be too sure till it's done, but you must cheer up!"
"Oh! doctor, you're giving me a new lease on life!" she cried, looking up at him through tears of gratitude.
That night the Preacher hurried on his way to Boston.
The days dragged slowly one after another, and still no word came to the anxious waiting woman. It was only two days now until the day fixed for the sale.
She asked the Sheriff to come to see her. He was a brutal illiterate henchman of Legree, who had been appointed to the office to do his bidding. He was a brother of the immortal "Hog" Scoggins, who had represented an adjoining county in the Legislature.
"Mr. Scoggins, I've sent for you to ask you to postpone the sale until Dr. Durham returns from Boston. I expect to get the money from him to pay the tax bill."
