will
not far outweigh the fact of your rustic birth. Money is the lever
which moves the world now-a-days. That has been my experience, and, if
you act up to the position which I offer you, your old home will not
stand in your way much. Of course I need not tell a young man of your
sense and shrewdness that it will not be necessary for you to allude to
it. Let the past die a natural death."

This was exactly what Will meant to do, but, expressed in his uncle's
cold, business-like tones, its callousness jarred upon him, and he felt
some twinges of conscience, and a regretful sympathy with his old
father rose in his heart, which brought a lump in his throat and an
unwonted moisture in his eyes. But he mastered the feeling, and
assumed an air of pleased compliance which for the moment he did not
feel.

"As for Gwenda Vaughan," continued his uncle, "you could never make a
choice that would please me better; and, if she is at all inclined
towards you, I fancy you will find your stay together here will mark a
new era in your acquaintance."

"I do not think she dislikes me," said Will; "but more than that it
would be presumption on my part to expect."

"H'm. Faint heart never won fair lady," laughed the Dr.

Will left Isderi much elated by his good fortune. Fortunately for him,
he was possessed of a full share of common sense which came to his aid
at this dangerous crisis of his life and prevented his head being
completely turned by the bright hopes and golden prospects which his
uncle's conversation suggested to him. It had been settled between
them that it would be advisable not to make Ebben Owens at once
acquainted with their plans, but to let the fact dawn upon him
gradually.

"He will like it, my dear boy," said his uncle, when Will a little
demurred to the necessity of keeping his father in the dark; "he will
be proud of it when he sees the real and tangible advantages which you
will gain by the arrangement. You will go and see him sometimes as
before, and it need make no difference in your manner towards him,
which, I have no doubt, has always been that of a dutiful son."

One day in the following week, Will returned to Isderi; and it was with
a delightful feeling of prospective proprietorship that he slipped into
the high dog-cart which his uncle sent for him. He took the reins,
naturally, into his own hands, and the servant seemed to sink naturally
into his place beside him; and if, as he drove wit