The Leopard's Spots by Fred M. White — Read

Stella had thrown herself heart and soul into the preparations for receiving the mysterious stranger into the family at the Bungalow. She had been greatly touched with what Stagg had told her, and, indeed, in any case, she would have gone out of her way to help any one, for kindheartedness was the atmosphere that always brooded over the house on Minchin Common, and with all his faults Stagg was eminently a good-natured and feeling man. It would be only fair to him to say that he would have done just as much for any unfortunate man or woman who had come within his orbit. He was a good bit of a rascal, it is true, but there was nothing of the wolf about him; and so long as he made enough to keep himself in comfort, he was quite prepared to share all that he had with any one in misfortune. He was, so to speak, a ten per cent rascal, and so long as this margin came his way, any one was welcome to the rest.

So that when Stagg came home after his interview with Josh, the young man found himself welcomed by an exceedingly pretty girl, who looked at him with a pair of frank, sympathising eyes, and a charming manner made him feel at home at once. He had not yet quite rid himself of the terror imposed upon him by the peril of the night before.