in his heart for
any ill-will against Isabel's uncle. He had ill-used him, no doubt,
but he was making reparation, and what more could any man do? And,
indeed, Scotty's affairs were turning out so much better than his
fondest hopes had pictured, that he could not wish the past different.
A few years with Raye & Hemming, he felt assured, would open the golden
gates of college to him, and there he would vindicate himself.

For the young man was in happy ignorance of the fact that his present
good fortune depended upon his separation from Isabel. Monteith had
not seen fit to apprise him of that item in Captain Herbert's bargain.
The shrewd schoolmaster had a suspicion that the foolish young man
might throw up his hopeful prospects in a fit of romantic gallantry,
and determined to run no risks until all danger was past.

So the boy did not know how hopeless was the love he and his
golden-haired sweetheart had pledged beneath the pines at Kirsty's
gate. Miss Herbert strongly objected to him, he knew, but she could be
overcome in time. They must be separated for a time, but Captain
Herbert was his friend, surely, and Isabel--well, he was certain of
her, anyway--Isabel would never forget, for had she not promised that
she would think of him always, no matter how far apart they might be,
and how could anyone doubt Isabel?

His life in the town was beneficial in many ways. Socially he learned
as much as he did in the office of Raye & Hemming, knowledge which he
knew would stand him in good stead when that longed-for day would come
when he would be permitted to visit Isabel in her home. He was
received in Barbay society in spite of his rural training, for was he
not Captain Herbert's friend, and the only son of that dashing Captain
Stanwell whom the best people knew in the early days. And was there
not the chance that he might be a young man of property some day?

And so, though Isabel and home were far away, Scotty worked away
blithely, determined to show Captain Herbert that he was worthy of the
trust reposed in him, and resolved to win in spite of all odds.

But as he grew more accustomed to the business, and more intimate with
the inner workings of Raye & Hemming's office, there slowly spread over
his rosy hopes a shadow of misgiving. He found it impossible to shut
his eyes to the fact that the men with whom he was employed, and from
whom he was to learn, were adepts at many of the small, sharp practices
which h