"We have not been good friends--Kit," he said with some emotion. "Old prejudices are hard to conquer, but mine have broken down at last--you have beaten me. Well, I suppose I would not admit that the code I clung to had gone for good, but now I"m dropping out, I don"t know that I could find a better man to step into my place." He paused and gave Kit his hand. "After all, Tarnside is not lost to us. Grace will follow me--she belongs to the new school, but I think your children will rule the old house well."
Then Mrs. Osborn advanced and kissed Kit, who went out with her and found Grace waiting in the hall.
"Hayes has gone," Mrs. Osborn remarked. "Kit has forced him to agree, and your father is reconciled. We have had much trouble, but I think we shall all be happy yet."
Grace looked up and her eyes shone. "Ah," she said, "I knew long since that Kit was wonderful! In one way, it wouldn"t have mattered if he had saved Tarnside or not; but now you and father know what a dear he is!"
THE END