ent
prosperity, was not without his troubles, and he took it unkindly that
this brother, who for sixteen years had kept out of the way, should have
chosen so unfortunate a moment for reintroducing himself to his native
town. He had not set eyes on Jack since his flight with Lois Kirkwood,
though Samuel had visited the Western coast several times on business
errands and had kept in touch with him. William had been glad enough to
forget Jack's existence, particularly as the reports that had reached
him--even those brought back by the sanguine Samuel--had been far from
reassuring as to Jack's status in Seattle.

Jack's return meant a recrudescence of wounds which time had seemingly
healed, with resulting discomforts that might have far-reaching
consequences. Mrs. William had a pride of her own, and it was unjust to
her for a man who had so shocked the moral sensibilities of the town to
thrust himself back upon his family, especially when he had chosen to
present himself first at the domicile of the head of a house against
which he had so grossly sinned.

William took Jack home and put him to bed; and when Charles followed a
little later with Mrs. Holton, the prodigal slept the sleep of weary
intoxication in her guest chamber.

The next day the town buzzed, and the buzzing was loud enough to make
itself heard at the desk of the president of the First National Bank.
William had left word at home that when Jack came to himself, he was to
be dispatched to the bank forthwith. He meant to deal with this
unwelcome pilgrim upon a business basis strictly, without any softening
domestic influences. The honor of the Holtons was touched nearly and
Jack must be got rid of. Mrs. Holton telephoned at eleven o'clock that
Jack was on his way downtown, and William was prepared for the interview
when his brother strolled in with something of his old jauntiness.

The door of the directors' room closed upon them. The word passed along
Main Street that Jack and William were closeted in the bank. Phil,
walking downtown on an errand, with the happiness of her party still in
her eyes, was not without her sense of the situation. At the
breakfast-table her father, deeply preoccupied, had brought himself with
an effort to review the happier events of the party. Knowing what was in
his mind Phil mentioned the untoward misfortune that had cast Jack
Holton of all men upon the threshold of her uncle's house.

"It really didn't make any difference, d