“Very well then—­Atkins,” he said contemptuously.  “I am not used to aliases—­not having dealt with persons finding it necessary to employ them—­and I forget.  But before this disagreeable interview is ended I wish you to understand thoroughly why I am here.  I am here to protect my sister and to remove her from your persecution.  I am here to assist her in procuring a divorce.”

“A divorce!  A divorce!  Good heavens above!”

“Yes, sir,” triumphantly, “a divorce from the man she was trapped into marrying and who deserted her.  You did desert her, you can’t deny that.  So long as she remains your wife, even in name, she is liable to persecution from you.  She understands this.  She and I are to see a lawyer at once.  That is why I am here.”

Seth was completely overwhelmed.  A divorce!  A case for the papers to print, and all of Ostable county to read!

“I—­I—­I—­” he stammered, and then added weakly, “I don’t believe it.  She wouldn’t . . .  There ain’t no lawyer here.”

“Then we shall seek the one nearest here.  Emeline understands.  I ’phoned her this morning.”

“Was it you that ’phoned?”

“It was.  Now—­er—­Atkins, I am disposed to be as considerate of your welfare as possible.  I know that any publicity in this matter might prejudice you in the eyes of your—­of the government officials.  I shall not seek publicity, solely on your account.  The divorce will be obtained privately, provided—­provided you remain out of sight and do not interfere.  I warn you, therefore, not to make trouble or to attempt to see my sister again.  If you do—­well, if you do, the consequences will be unpleasant for you.  Do you understand?”

Seth understood, or thought he did.  He groaned and leaned heavily against a tree trunk.

“You understand, do you?” repeated Bennie D.  “I see that you do.  Very good then.  I have nothing more to say.  I advise that you remain—­er—­in seclusion for the next few days.  Good-by.”

He gave a farewell glance at the crushed figure leaning against the tree.  Then he turned on his heel and walked off.

Seth remained where he was for perhaps ten minutes, not moving a muscle.  Then he seemed to awaken, looked anxiously in the direction of the depot to make sure that no one was watching, pulled his cap over his eyes, jammed his hands into his pockets, and started to walk across the fields.  He had no fixed destination in mind, had no idea where he was going except that he must go somewhere, that he could not keep still.

He stumbled along, through briers and bushes, paying no attention to obstacles such as fences or stone walls until he ran into them, when he climbed over and went blindly on.  A mile from Eastboro, and he was alone in a grove of scrub pines.  Here he stopped short, struck his hands together, and groaned aloud: 

“I don’t believe it!  I don’t believe it!”