disposal. The long service of Hilary Vane was over; he had won his last fight for the man he had chosen to call his master; and those who had fought behind him,

the many that the Empire might continue to flourish in its integrity and gather tribute? It is the world

had reclaimed for a grim puritanism, and laid him in the carved and canopied bedstead Channing Austen had brought from Spain. Euphrasia had met them at the door, but a trained nur

t at the station by Austen, and spent half an hour with Dr. Tredway. At noon the examination was complete. Thanks to generations of self-denial by the Vanes of Camden

down from Fairview immediately after breakfast. Austen having gone to the station, Dr. Tredway had received Mr. Flint in the darkened hall, and had promised to telephone

to Hilary's life which Dr. Tredway had given him, the New York physician understood the case; one common enough in his practice

ng Dr. Harmon off Auste

Tred

is just as well that he should be relieved. He is asking for you, and I

ay only served to accentuate the pallor of his face, the ravages of age which had come with such incredible swiftness, and the outline of a once vigorous frame. The eyes alone

Vane, "I want you

nd tightened

, Ju

you to

, Ju

find two tin boxes, containing papers labelled Augustus P. Flint. I want you to take them to Fairview and put them into

nd trying to speak cheerfully. "Mr. Flint wa

bled, and another expre

ook at the scra

s surprise at his father's

t feel that way, Judge. He has taken your illness very much t

ughter sent tho

ter?" Aust

ack. I never knew what she was until she picked me up and d

o the door, and

once, Judg

he was confront

ess I know as much about nursing, and more about Hilary, than that young thing with her cap and apron. I told

urn the night before, Euphrasia had given that an a

he answered, and added mischie

that?" ask

she'll pack up and leave in about three days, and th

ia, who could not for the life of

e seriously. "Dr. Tredway tells me they do n

oing?" asked Eup

rview,"

e kettle to anothe

ee her?"

rayed him a little, for Euphrasia turned and sei

ia," sh

at the name,-at the st

asia'

controlling himself as well as he was able. "I hav

guessed his se

her?" said Euphrasia,

ith her," he objected,

sia's

ilary home," s

es

e'n kinder if she w

gan, but Euphra

waited to take the news to her father, and s

him now, and suddenly she dropped his arms

fine clothes. I told her I didn't think she belonged in a kitc

did," he said

alking about your mother, and I'd forgot who I was talking to. She wahn't like a stranger-it was just as if I'd known her always. I ha

said

it made me cry, it broug

t for it, she puts me i

did not

d her so natural-and so gentle. And their she has a way of sco

en. And the irresistible humour that is

house. She said you'd ought to be sent for, and I said you oughtn't to set foot in this house until Hilary sent for you. She said I'd no right to take such a revenge-

ght," answe

I had, and seen what he'd done to your mother and you. But that's what she said. And she wen

head gently, an

"Just because she has been -kind we mustn'

e room swiftly, and

loves you. Do you think that I'd love her

ly. He disengaged himself

y seen her-a few times. She lives a different life-and wit

iercely. "It's as true as the sun shining on that mountain. You b

ed towa

e asked, as though h

confess it. If she had, I shouldn't think so much of her. But she told me

ook his h

m afraid you've been bu

across to the stabl

olours took their places. He saw Victoria's life in a new perspective,-one in which his was but a small place in the background of her numerous beneficences; which was, after all, the perspective in which he had first viewed it. But, by degrees, the h

of an individual is bounded; the true American recognizes these circles-but with complacency, and with a sure knowledge of his destiny eventually to find himself within the one for which he is best fitted by his talents and his tastes. The mere fact that Victoria had been brought up amongst people

t understanding, community of interest, a habit of thought and manner,-in short, a common language, unknown to him, between the two. And, more than these, the Victoria of the blissful excursions he had known was changed as she had spoken to him-constrained, distant, apart; although still dispensing kindness, going out of her way to bring Hilary home, and to tell him of Hilary's accident. Rumour, which cannot be confined in casks or bottles, had since informed Austen Vane that Mr. Range

ks to the northwest breeze. The sun was still high, and the distant hills and mountains were as yet scarce stained with b

the very stone on which she had stood-awaiting him. Why? Why had she done that? Well-remembered figure amidst the yellow l

e lawn was deserted, save for a gardener among the shrubs. He rang the stable-bell, and as he waited for an answer to his summons, the sense of his remoteness from these surroundings of hers deepened, and with a tou

f him to Austen's mind. He was going to see and speak with Mr. Flint, a man who had been his enemy ever since the day he had come here and laid down

Flint was alone, and seated upright behind the massive oak desk, from which bulwark the president of the Northeastern was wont to meet his opponents and his enemies; and few visitors came into his presence, here or elsewhere, who were not

and blinded him, and it was with a supreme effort to control himself that he stopped in the doorway. He

Vane," said

e desk, and laid the

himself, had it been possible. Here is the list, and I sha

." said M

the corner of the desk

and began checking off

is afternoon?" he aske

n be expected,

Mr. Flint continued; "but it was a great shock to

earm on the desk, a

hree days ago?

surprised, but

nces, how he has overlooked telling yo

hile he strove to apply this

til after the

y, if I had been able to prevent his going, in view of what happened on Monday night, I should h

of honour,"

ident of the Northeastern. He saw, in fact, that at the outset he had put a weapon into Austen's hands. Hilary's resignation

s relief-gratitude. A wave of renewed affection for his father swept over him,

nsisted upon going to that convention, even at the risk of his life. It is a

y have found the glance a trifle disconce

ociated with him closely for more than a quarter of a century, and I have never seen a lawyer of greater integrity, clear-headedness, and sanity of view. He saw things as

. Flint, and Mr. Flint continued to check the papers o

ce, whose one idea is to make money out of a passing craze against honest capital, have aided them. Disappointed and dangerous politicians who merely desire office and power have lifted their voices in the hue and cry to fool the honest voter. I am glad to say I believe that the worst of this madness and rascality is o

and as an institution which has been as conscientiously and conservatively conducted as any in the country, and with as scrupulous a regard for the welfare of all. Hilary Vane, as you doubtless know, was largely responsible for this. My attention, as president of all the roads, has been divided. Hilary Vane guarded the interests in this State, and no man could have guarded th

stern-of putting him into a position where criticism of the Northeastern and its practices would be criticism of his own father. As it was, he only set his jaw more firmly, an expression indicative

such an opponent within reach without attempting to hector him into an acknowledgment of the weakness of his position. Further than this, Austen had touched him too often on the quick merely to be considered in the light of a young man who held opposite

-fact rectitude and implied reproof. Austen's silence, Austen's attitude, declared louder than words the contempt for such manoeuvres of a man who knows he is in the right -and k

ce we met, Mr. Vane,"

laxed into somet

think," h

tion; you have fulfilled his hope that you would settle down here and practise in the State. And I

unate accident," said Au

n me," said Mr. Flint, "if I remember rightly, you expres

ary Vane," Austen a

the implication

her disturbed me. It is a matter of relief to learn that you have refused to lend

nswered Austen, "that I did not

and-popularity, a Vane of Camden Street, must inevitably become a force in this State. And as a force, you must retain the conservatism of the Vanes-the traditional conservatism of the State. The Northeastern Railroads will continue to be a very large factor in the life of the people after you and I are gone, Mr. Vane. You wi

ed Austen, quietly, "I co

t would have been to him to charge horse and foot, to forget t

tly believe t

my father had faith enough in me to count with certainty on my refusal to go before

ile, but into his eyes ha

h things-after the con

t the forces of the candidates who represented the two wings of the machine of the Northeastern Railroads should have united against Mr. Crewe. I want to say to you frankly that if my father had not been the counsel for your corporation, and responsible for its political success, or

nt, surprised out of

ner as by Au

view, they violated every principle of free government, and were they to continue, the nation to which we belong would inevitably decay and become the scorn of the world. Those practices depended for their success on one condition,-which in itself is the most serious of ills in a republic,-the ignorance and disregard of the voter. You have but to read the signs of the times to see clearly that the day of such conditions is past, to see that the citizens of thi

ads, had any man said such things to his face. And the fact that Austen Vane had seemingly not spoken in wrath, although forcefully enough to compel him to

"that you have grown more ra

t receive passes, or be beholden to any man or any corporation, I acknowledge the term. If it be radical to declare that these representatives should be elected without interference, and while in office should do exact justice to the body of

nt smil

ffairs, beautiful as it is, will not work in the twentieth century. It is a commercial a

ommercial and political stability without cominertial and political honour! if, as a nation, we lose sight of the ideals which have carried us so far, which have so greatly modified the conditions of other peoples than ourselves, we shall perish as a force in the world. And if this government proves a failure, how lon

n Railroads, being the largest taxpayers in this State, have taken an interest in seeing that conservative men fill responsible offices. Suppose such to be the case, and we abruptly

ow as well as I do that for years you have governed this State absolutely, for the purpose of keeping

aphically," cried Mr. Flint, interrupting, "you are involving the repu

n) recoiled a little before the anger he had aroused. It shot forth from Austen's eyes

ot, perhaps, at that time have protected your property from political blackmail. I merely wished you to know, Mr. Flint, that there is no use in attempting to deceive me in regard to the true colour of those practices. It is perhaps useless for me to add that in my opinion you understand as well as I do

of the president unconscious embodiment of the Northeastern of the new forces which had arisen against him,-forces which he knew in his secret soul he could not combat, because they wer

Vane with his eye, and in spite of himself experienced the compelled admiration of one fighting man for another. A thought, which had made itself vaguely felt at intervals in the past half hour

characteristic snap of the fingers, he turned abruptly. Austen Vane was still standing beside the desk. His face was still square, determined, but Mr. Flint noted

rs and placing them in the boxes, "it appears that we

you have yourself asked me one question which I feel bound to answer to the best of my ability before I go. You have asked me

, if you persist in a course of political manipulation which is not only obsolete but wrong, you will magnify the just charges against you, and the just wrath; you will put ammunition into the hands of the agitators you rightly condemn. The stockholders of your corporation, perhaps, are bound to suffe

nded, and your course vindicated. I should declare, from this day onward, that the issue of political passes, newspaper passes, and all other subterfuges would be stopped, and that all political hirelings would be dismissed. I should appeal to the people of this State to raise up political leaders who would say to the corporations, 'We will protect you from injustice

ll on his desk, and h

private safe, Mr.

secretary, Austen recalled, who had congratulated him four years before. Then Mr. Fli

our present opportunities for observation have not permitted you to perceive. Nevertheless, I am much obliged to you for your opinion, and I value the-frankness in which

took up

lint," he said;

int had gone back to the window once more,