ed the driver to take Miss Payne home and
return for herself.

"And what is your business to-day?" asked Mr. Newton, when, after a
cordial greeting, his fair client had taken a chair beside his knee-hole
table.

"A rather serious matter, I assure you. I want to make my will."

"Very right, very right; it will not bring you any nearer your last hour
and it ought to be done."

The lawyer drew a sheet of paper to him, and prepared to "take
instructions."

"I should like to leave several small legacies," began Katherine, "and
have put down the names of those I wish to remember, with the amounts
each is to receive. If you read over this paper" (handing it to him) "we
can discuss----"

She was interrupted by a tap at the door which faced her, but was on
Newton's left. A high screen protected the old lawyer from draughts, and
prevented him from seeing who entered until the visitor stood before
him.

"Come in," said Newton, peevishly; and as a clerk presented himself,
added, "What do you want?"

"Beg pardon, sir. A gentleman downstairs wants to see you so very
particularly that he insisted on my coming up."

"Well, say I can't. I am particularly engaged. He must wait."

While he spoke Katherine saw a man cross the threshold, a tall, gaunt
man, slightly stooped. His clothes hung loosely on him, but they were
new and good. His hair was iron gray, and thin on his craggy temples.
Something about his watchful, stern eyes, his close-shut mouth, and
strong, clean-shaven jaw seemed not unfamiliar to Katherine, and she was
strangely struck and interested in his aspect. Mr. Newton's last words
evidently reached his ear, for he answered, in deep, harsh tones, "No,
Newton, I will _not_ wait!" and walked in, pausing exactly opposite the
lawyer, who grew grayly pale, and starting from his seat, leaned both
hands on the table, while he trembled visibly. "My God!" he exclaimed,
hoarsely; "George Liddell!"

"Ay, George Liddell! I thought you would know me."

CHAPTER XXIV.

A TRAVELLER'S STORY.

When these startling sentences penetrated to Katherine's comprehension
she saw as with a flash their far-reaching consequences. Her uncle's
will suppressed, his son and natural heir would take everything. And her
dear boys--how would they fare?

She sat with wide-dilated eyes, gazing at the hard, displeased face of
this unwelcome intruder. There were a few moments of profound silence;
the old lawyer's hands, which relaxed the