Most of this chapter belongs to the original writing credit of L.M. Montgomery, in order to tell Barney's side of the story all the way through, it had to be derived from the actual novel. I have only respectfully added his possible perspective and thoughts during the scene. No profit is gained from this version of the original story, it is only intended to be a shared writing exercise.

He fired up Lady Grey. The classic old engine roared its way through the upback woods leaving a trail of dust. Barney only saw straight ahead as he passed curious onlookers in autos and those walking by the road on the way to Deerwood. He did not know exactly which way to go, Roaring Abel's house, her mother's home, the town's only hotel? He followed his instincts that were now centered on their bond to know where to find Valancy. His car rattled up to the steps in front of Mrs. Stirling's home. He covered two steps at a time until he was at the door. With his heart racing to get to her, he hit the doorbell demanding entrance.

Valancy's Uncle Benjamin answered the door. Barney did not know and he did care how he was going to be received by the man.

"Is my wife here?" Barney found his voice to make a command.

Uncle Benjamin grinned with smug amusement.

"Mr. Redfern, I believe? Very glad to meet you, sir. Yes, that naughty little girl of yours is here. We have been-"

"I must see her," Barney cut Uncle Benjamin ruthlessly short.

"Certainly, Mr. Redfern. Just step in here. Valancy will be down in a minute."

Barney followed into the cramped parlor that was full of worn furniture. He summoned a calm nature from within as Uncle Benjamin went into the next room. Barney felt pure energy rushing through his body as he waited for the only one in the world that he wanted to see right now. He needed to gather his thoughts, his emotions, anxiety and passion before she was here.

He knew the sound of her footsteps, the way that she walked. Soon, nothing would separate the space between them. At the sight of her, Barney lost all composure and took her up in his arms before he realized that he had crossed the room.

"Valancy, darling-oh, you darling little idiot! Whatever possessed you to run away like that? When I came home last night and found your letter I went quite mad. It was twelve o'clock-I knew it was too late to come here then. I walked the floor all night. Then this morning Dad came-I couldn't get away till now. Valancy, whatever got into you? Divorce, forsooth! Don't you know-" He held her face in his hands, his fingers caressed the shape of her cheek and searched back to her ear lobe.

"I know you only married me out of pity," She pushed against him. "I know you don't love me-I know-" The light was missing from her eyes now.

"You've been lying awake at three o'clock too long," Barney took hold of her shoulders. "That's all that's the matter with you. Love you! Oh, don't I love you! My girl, when I saw that train coming down on you I knew whether I loved you or not!"

"Oh, I was afraid you would try to make me think you cared," She was crying. "Don't-don't! I know all about Ethel Traverse-your father told me everything. Oh, Barney, don't torture me! I can never go back to you!"

Barney released her and looked at her for a moment. Something in her pallid, resolute face spoke more convincingly than words of her determination.

"Valancy," he said quietly, "Father couldn't have told you everything because he didn't know it. Will you let me tell you-everything?" He had to make her understand.

"Yes."

She was tired. So neither of them had slept while they were apart. He gently moved her to sit in a chair. She was strong considering all the surprises that her dear heart had endured since yesterday. If only she would raise her head to look into his eyes.

"You've seen Dad and you know I'm Bernard Redfern. And I suppose you've guessed that I'm John Foster-since you went into Bluebeard's Chamber."

"Yes. But I didn't go in out of curiosity. I forgot you had told me not to go in-I forgot-"

Barney smiled in amusement.

"Never mind. I'm not going to kill you and hang you up on the wall, so there's no need to call for Sister Anne. I'm only going to tell you my story from the beginning. I came back last night intending to do it." He took a deep breath. "Yes, I'm 'old Doc. Redfern's son'-of Purple Pills and Bitters fame. Oh, don't I know it? Wasn't it rubbed into me for years?"

Barney laughed bitterly. He paced the little parlor while deep in memories of the past.

"Yes. As long as I can remember I've been a millionaire's son. But when I was born Dad wasn't a millionaire. He wasn't even a doctor-isn't yet. He was a veterinary and a failure at it. He and Mother lived in a little village up in Quebec and were abominably poor. I don't remember Mother. Haven't even a picture of her. She died when I was two years old. She was fifteen years younger than Father-a little school teacher. When she died Dad moved into Montreal and formed a company to sell his hair tonic. He'd dreamed the prescription one night, it seems. Well, it caught on. Money began to flow in. Dad invented-or dreamed-the other things, too-Pills, Bitters, Liniment and so on. He was a millionaire by the time I was ten, with a house so big a small chap like myself always felt lost in it. I had every toy a boy could wish for-and I was the loneliest little devil in the world. I remember only one happy day in my childhood, Valancy. Only one. Even you were better off than that. Dad had gone out to see an old friend in the country and took me along. I was turned loose in the barnyard and I spent the whole day hammering nails in a block of wood. I had a glorious day. When I had to go back to my roomful of playthings in the big house in Montreal I cried. But I didn't tell Dad why. I never told him anything. It's always been a hard thing for me to tell things..."

Barney turned from the window to look at his love. She was watching him with rapt curiosity now. Those green eyes had yet to regain the sparkle that he adored.

"Valancy-anything that went deep. And most things went deep with me."

Valancy moved forward in her seat. He hoped that she understood what he meant.

"I was a sensitive child and I was even more sensitive as a boy. No one ever knew what I suffered. Dad never dreamed of it. When he sent me to a private school-I was only eleven-the boys ducked me in the swimming-tank until I stood on a table and read aloud all the advertisements of Father's patent abominations. I did it-then"-Barney clinched his fists-"I was frightened and half drowned and all my world was against me. But when I went to college and the sophs tried the same stunt I didn't do it." Barney smiled grimly. "They couldn't make me do it. But they could-and did-make my life miserable. I never heard the last of the Pills and the Bitters and the Hair Tonic. 'After using' was my nickname-you see I'd always such a thick thatch. My four college years were a nightmare. You know-or you don't know-what merciless beasts boys can be when they get a victim like me. I had few friends-there was always some barrier between me and the kind of people I cared for. And the other kind-who would have been very willing to be intimate with rich old Doc. Redfern's son-I didn't care for."

Barney took up a chair that was facing Valancy. They were sitting so close that their knees almost touched.

"But I had one friend-or thought I had. A clever, bookish chap-a bit of a writer. That was a bond between us-I had some secret aspirations along that line. He was older than I was-I looked up to him and worshipped him. For a year I was happier than I'd ever been. Then-a burlesque sketch came out in the college magazine-a mordant thing, ridiculing Dad's remedies. The names were changed, of course, but everybody knew what and who was meant. Oh, it was clever-damnably so-and witty. McGill rocked with laughter over it. I found out he had written it."

"Oh, were you sure?" Valancy's eyes showed a spark in them as she took his hands in her little ones. The touch was soothing for him as he continued his life's story.

"Yes. He admitted it when I asked him. Said a good idea was worth more to him than a friend, any time. And he added a gratuitous thrust. 'You know, Redfern, there are some things money won't buy. For instance-it won't buy you a grandfather.' Well, it was a nasty slam. I was young enough to feel cut up. And it destroyed a lot of my ideals and illusions, which was the worst thing about it. I was a young misanthrope after that. Didn't want to be friends with any one. And then-the year after I left college-I met Ethel Traverse."

Valancy let go of his hands. Barney, didn't realize it as he stood up and placed them in his pockets then stared at the floor.

"Dad told you about her, I suppose. She was very beautiful. And I loved her. Oh, yes, I loved her. I won't deny it or belittle it now. It was a lonely, romantic boy's first passionate love, and it was very real. And I thought she loved me. I was fool enough to think that. I was wildly happy when she promised to marry me. For a few months. Then-I found out she didn't. I was an involuntary eavesdropper on a certain occasion for a moment. That moment was enough. The proverbial fate of the eavesdropper overtook me. A girl friend of hers was asking her how she could stomach Doc. Redfern's son and the patent-medicine background.

"His money will gild the Pills and sweeten the Bitters,' said Ethel, with a laugh. 'Mother told me to catch him if I could. We're on the rocks. But pah! I smell turpentine whenever he comes near me.'"

"Well,"-Barney started pacing round the room-"that finished me. Completely. I left civilization and those accursed dopes behind me and went to the Yukon. For five years I knocked about the world-in all sorts of outlandish places. I earned enough to live on-I wouldn't touch a cent of Dad's money. Then one day I woke up to the fact that I no longer cared a hang about Ethel, one way or another. She was somebody I'd known in another world-that was all. But I had no hankering to go back to the old life. None of that for me. I was free and I meant to keep so."

Barney paused. He remembered the release of everything that he had known as he set out on his own in search of adventure, of freedom, knowledge and true love. That experience gave him hope now.

"I came to Mistawis-saw Tom MacMurray's island. My first book had been published the year before, and made a hit-I had a bit of money from my royalties. I bought my island. But I kept away from people. I had no faith in anybody. I didn't believe there was such a thing as real friendship or true love in the world-not for me, anyhow-the son of Purple Pills. I used to revel in all the wild yarns they told of me. In fact, I'm afraid I suggested a few of them myself. By mysterious remarks which people interpreted in the light of their own prepossessions. Then-"

Barney returned to his chair facing Valancy. This time, he took her hands in his.

"-you came. I had to believe you loved me-really loved me-not my father's millions. There was no other reason why you should want to marry a penniless devil with my supposed record. And I was sorry for you. Oh, yes, I don't deny I married you because I was sorry for you."

He thought about the fun times when they were becoming good friends. It's true, she seemed ordinary and small until her endearing charms revealed her real nature to him in time. He did not see her as a possible girl to fall in love with yet he held her in the highest regard for all that she did for Cissy and Roaring Abel and even himself.

"And then-I found you the best and jolliest and dearest little pal and chum a fellow ever had. Witty-loyal-sweet. You made me believe again in the reality of friendship and love. The world seemed good again just because you were in it, honey. I'd have been willing to go on forever just as we were. I knew that, the night I came home and saw my home light shining out from the island for the first time."

Barney placed a light touch against Valancy's cheek and smoothed the fringe of her hair before returning to her hand. He could see how that touch was affecting her now. Her breathing seemed unsteady, so was his.

"And knew you were there waiting for me. After being homeless all my life it was beautiful to have a home. To come home hungry at night and know there was a good supper and a cheery fire-and you."

His eyes were locked on in hers gauging for her reaction.

"But I didn't realize what you actually meant to me till that moment at the switch. Then it came like a lightning flash. I knew I couldn't live without you-that if I couldn't pull you loose in time I'd have to die with you. I admit it bowled me over-knocked me silly. I couldn't get my bearings for a while. That's why I acted like a mule. But the thought that drove me to the tall timber was the awful one that you were going to die. I'd always hated the thought of it-but I supposed there wasn't any chance for you, so I put it out of my mind. Now I had to face it-you were under sentence of death and I couldn't live without you. When I came home last night I had made up my mind that I'd take you to all the specialists in the world-that something surely could be done for you. I felt sure you couldn't be as bad as Dr. Trent thought, when those moments on the track hadn't even hurt you. And I found your note-and went mad with happiness-and a little terror for fear you didn't care much for me, after all, and had gone away to get rid of me. But now, it's all right, isn't it, darling?"

Valancy closed her eyes. Her hands tightened within his hold.

"I can't believe you care for me," she said helplessly. "I know you can't. What's the use, Barney? Of course, you're sorry for me-of course you want to do the best you can to straighten out the mess. But it can't be straightened out that way. You couldn't love me-me."

She stood up and pointed to the mirror over the mantel. Barney looked at her in search of the beautiful spirit within that he adored. Where had she gone since two days ago? The thoughts that must have occurred to her over their night apart. Has it given her cause to reconsider their relationship? He raised too and held her face with both hands to see into her eyes.

"Love you! Girl, you're in the very core of my heart. I hold you there like a jewel. Didn't I promise you I'd never tell you a lie? Love you! I love you with all there is of me to love. Heart, soul, brain. Every fibre of body and spirit thrilling to the sweetness of you. There's nobody in the world for me but you, Valancy."

"You're-a good actor, Barney," said Valancy, her expression dry.

Barney looked at her. His hands went weak upon her shoulders.

"So you don't believe me-yet?" His voice took a hard tone.

"I-can't."

"Oh-damn!"

Barney felt an exhausted fury. At least he had her complete attention now. He walked to the other side of the room.

"You don't want to believe it," said Barney in the silky-smooth voice of anguished rage. "You're tired of me. You want to get out of it-free from me. You're ashamed of the Pills and the Liniment, just as she was. Your Stirling pride can't stomach them. It was all right as long as you thought you hadn't long to live. A good lark-you could put up with me. But a lifetime with old Doc Redfern's son is a different thing. Oh, I understand-perfectly. I've been very dense-but I understand, at last."

Valancy looked alarmed. She placed a hand over her mouth. Then-he saw the light return to her eyes. She suddenly laughed.

"You darling!" she said. "You do mean it! You do really love me! You wouldn't be so enraged if you didn't." She spoke with an elated giggle.

There's my girl, he thought. Was she crying with happiness? He covered the length of the floor instantly, then caught her in his arms, laughing with joy.

They embraced as if to make themselves one in this world. Valancy matched her breathing in sync with his. He could feel her breath against his neck then she kissed along his jaw line. She leaned into him as he moved his hand up her back and into her hair. With his other hand, he lifted her chin and took her into a kiss unlike any other that they had shared before. It was searching, claiming and uniting their very being. She knew how to react to his lead. They were inseparable in every way now.

After an unmeasurable moment, they parted for air.

"But, Barney," Valancy thought, "your father-somehow-gave me to understand that you still loved her."

"He would. Dad holds the championship for making blunders. If there's a thing that's better left unsaid you can trust him to say it. But he isn't a bad old soul, Valancy. You'll like him."

"I do, now."

They laughed. He kissed her forehead.

"And his money isn't tainted money. He made it honestly. His medicines are quite harmless. Even his Purple Pills do people whole heaps of good when they believe in them."

"But-I'm not fit for your life," sighed Valancy. "I'm not-clever-or well-educated-or-"

She tried to step back. He moved in closer.

"My life is in Mistawis-and all the wild places of the world. I'm not going to ask you to live the life of a society woman. Of course, we must spend a bit of the time with Dad-he's lonely and old-"

"But not in that big house of his," Valancy pleaded. "I can't live in a palace."

She interlaced her fingers in his.

"Can't come down to that after your Blue Castle," grinned Barney. "Don't worry, sweet. I couldn't live in that house myself. It has a white marble stairway with gilt bannisters and looks like a furniture shop with the labels off. Likewise it's the pride of Dad's heart. We'll get a little house somewhere outside of Montreal-in the real country-near enough to see Dad often. I think we'll build one for ourselves. A house you build for yourself is so much nicer than a hand-me-down. But we'll spend our summers in Mistawis. And our autumns traveling. I want you to see the Alhambra-it's the nearest thing to the Blue Castle of your dreams I can think of. And there's an old-world garden in Italy where I want to show you the moon rising over Rome through the dark cypress-trees."

"Will that be any lovelier than the moon rising over Mistawis?"

"Not lovelier. But a different kind of loveliness. There are so many kinds of loveliness. Valancy, before this year you've spent all your life in ugliness. You know nothing of the beauty of the world. We'll climb mountains-hunt for treasures in the bazaars of Samarcand-search out the magic of east and west-run hand in hand to the rim of the world. I want to show you it all-see it again through your eyes. Girl, there are a million things I want to show you-do with you-say to you. It will take a lifetime. And we must see about that picture by Tierney, after all."

"Will you promise me one thing?" Valancy asked.

"Anything," Barney answered without a care.

"Only one thing. You are never, under any circumstances or under any provocation, to cast it up to me that I asked you to marry me."

He laughed.

"My love, you should know by now that I will do whatever you ask me to, even that."

"I will love you with devotion forever Barney Snaith-" Valancy kissed his fingers that were wrapped up with her own "John Foster-" she kissed his cheek "Bernard Redfern" she touched his lips with her free hand.

Barney was left wordless as he moved his lips beneath her touch and reveled in their sweet contentment together.