o young, Ruth."

"I know. 'His high-born brothers called him hence' at the age of
twenty-nine, but

"'It is not growing like a tree,
In bulk, doth make men better be;
Or standing like an oak three hundred year,
To fall at last, dry, bald and sear:
A lily of a day
Is fairer far in May;
Although it fall and die that night,
It was the plant and flower of light.'"

At these words the Judge put down his Review to listen to Ethel's story,
and when she ceased speaking he had gone far further back than any
antique classic for compensation and satisfaction:

"He being made perfect in a short time fulfilled a long time. For his
soul pleased the Lord, therefore hasted He to take him away from among
the wicked." [2] And that evening there was little conversation. Every
heart was busy with its own thoughts.

[Footnote 2: Wisdom of Solomon, IV., 13, 14.]

CHAPTER XI

TRADE and commerce have their heroes as well as arms, and the struggle
in which Tyrrel Rawdon at last plucked victory from apparent failure was
as arduous a campaign as any military operations could have afforded. It
had entailed on him a ceaseless, undaunted watch over antagonists rich
and powerful; and a fight for rights which contained not only his own
fortune, but the honor of his father, so that to give up a fraction of
them was to turn traitor to the memory of a parent whom he believed
to be beyond all doubt or reproach. Money, political power, civic
influence, treachery, bribery, the law's delay and many other
hindrances met him on every side, but his heart was encouraged daily to
perseverance by love's tenderest sympathy. For he told Ethel everything,
and received both from her fine intuitions and her father's legal skill
priceless comfort and advice. But at last the long trial was over, the
marriage day was set, and Tyrrel, with all his rights conceded, was
honorably free to seek the happiness he had safeguarded on every side.

It was a lovely day in the beginning of May, nearly two years after
their first meeting, when Tyrrel reached New York. Ethel knew at what
hour his train would arrive, she was watching and listening for his
step. They met in each other's arms, and the blessed hours of that happy
evening were an over-payment of delight for the long months of their
separation.

In the morning Ethel was to introduce her lover to Madam Rawdon, and
side by side, almost hand in hand, they walked down the avenu