ention.

The second carriage was obtained, and Pliny, with the aid of the little
doctor, who had proved himself kind-hearted and discreet, was gotten
into it.

"Where is Pliny?" queried Mrs. Hastings, as, after much trouble and
delay, she stood ready for Theodore's offered arm.

"He has gone ahead with the baggage," was Theodore's brief explanation.
Then he hurried them so that there was no time for further questioning,
though Mrs. Hastings found chance to say that, "It was a very singular
arrangement--that she should suppose his mother and sister were of more
importance than the baggage." The train was in when they reached the
depot; but the faithful little doctor had obeyed Theodore's instructions
to the very letter--seating Pliny in the rear car, and checking baggage
and purchasing tickets for the entire party. When they were seated and
moving, Theodore left the ladies and sought out Pliny. He occupied a
full seat, and was asleep. With a relieved sigh, Theodore returned to
the mother and daughter--evaded the questions of the former as best he
could, speaking of headache and faintness, both of which troubles Pliny
undoubtedly had--but the great truthful eyes of Dora sought for, and
found the truth in his.

"_Don't_ despair," he said to her, gently, even while his own heart was
heavy with something very like that feeling. "The Lord knows all about
it. He _will not_ forsake us."

It was not to be supposed that a car ride of scarcely two hours would
steady poor Pliny's brain. Theodore had thought of that, and prepared
for saving him any unnecessary disgrace. McPherson, sitting in the
little office back of his "Temperance House" that morning, saw a boy
approaching with a telegram for him. It read:

"Meet the 10.20 Express with a _close_ carriage.

"THEODORE MALLERY."

So, when the train steamed into the depot, the first person whom
Theodore saw was the faithful Jim. A few hurried words between them
explained matters, and Pliny was quietly helped by Jim and Mr. Stephens
into the close carriage and whirled away before Theodore had possessed
himself of all of Mrs. Hastings' extra shawls and wraps.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER XXVIII.

DEATH AND LIFE.

There had been a grand and solemn funeral. A long line of splendid
coaches had followed the millionaire to his last resting-place. Rosewood
and silver and velvet and crape had united to do him honor. Many