Mr. Richard; "but I am sorry to find you
attempting to impose upon our family."

My father bowed, but made no reply, and the son followed the father
into the sanctum.

"I can't stay here, father," I protested, cut to the quick by the
conduct of my employers.

"Be patient, Philip. When I think what I was, I can hardly blame them.
Keep your place. You will be nearer to your mother here, when she
returns, than in any other place."

I consented to stay, and I did stay. My father went home that night,
and I applied myself diligently to the work of opening a new set of
books for Collingsby and Faxon. I was treated with a great deal of
consideration by the senior and his father; but I never alluded to my
relationship to them. I was sure of a storm if I did so.

Mr. Whippleton was discharged from custody after he had fully
indemnified the firm for its losses. There were too many legal doubts
in the way of his prosecution to render it advisable to proceed against
him, even if the Collingsbys had been disposed to do so. But he was a
ruined man. He could not even obtain a situation as a clerk in Chicago.
His mother set him up in business in Cincinnati; but he failed, and
lost all she had loaned him. His reputation followed him wherever he
went. He finally obtained all his mother's property, and both of them
were reduced to poverty. The last time I saw the old lady, I am sure
she was a better woman, and was willing to confess that worldly wisdom
did not insure either success or happiness.

Mr. Waterford was not seen in Chicago again. I afterwards met him in
New York. Before his boat was sold, I made an excursion in her to the
lagoon where the Florina was moored. Marian and other ladies went with
me, and I sailed them home in the yacht, which was now my property. I
found time to sail in her occasionally, and the Collingsbys were often
passengers. I changed her name, and called her the ELLA GRACEWOOD.

I had a week's vacation in the summer, and visited St. Louis. Mrs.
Greenough was delighted to see me, and treated me like a son. When I
returned, I carried with me the relics of my childhood. One afternoon,
on board of the Ella Gracewood, I showed them to Marian and her mother.
Mrs. Collingsby recognized the portrait of my mother, and I think she
was convinced that I was her nephew; but she was more prudent than
Marian, and refused to commit herself.

I was no nearer my mother than when I came to Chicago; but I had a
lively h