in the city. And not
content with that, you are scheming to corrupt the one who in this
money-worshipping age is faithful to principle. I am almost disposed to
say for the last time, 'Go your own ways, and never come near me
again.'"

"Do not say that yet, Aunt Agnes. Wait a little," I answered, genuinely
moved by the distress of the old lady.

"If I were to wait until doomsday it would be still the same. You are no
longer a child; and though you have Harlan blood in your veins, I am
beginning to feel that I have wasted my best affections on a worthless
subject. If you were my own daughter, I could not have been more unhappy
on your account. Thank Heaven! I shall soon be in my grave."

I left the house feeling very much like crying, for the mood of Aunt
Agnes was less defiant and more pitiful than usual. It seemed as though
her iron spirit had yielded at last to the repeated opposition of an
unkind world. And of those who had resisted her wishes and commands I
was certainly among the chief. I had tried, was trying now, to live what
she liked to call a sober life,--but all in vain, so far as winning her
approval. Was there no way in which I could make her happy, and smooth
the stern frown from her features before she died? I would certainly
make the endeavor; and under the influence of this determination I
revolved with a freshened interest as I went along the street the
circumstances of a curious incident that had befallen me a week ago at
Mr. Chelm's office. So absorbed was I that I did not notice the
approach of Mr. Spence and Miss Kingsley until they were close upon me.
I bowed with politeness; but though the philosopher hesitated, he turned
his pale face away and looked in another direction. As for Miss
Kingsley, she regarded me with a cold and haughty stare, as though we
had never met.

II.

The incident to which I have vaguely alluded was the result of an
arrangement between Mr. Chelm and myself, that the door connecting our
offices should be left ajar during the visits of his clients, except
where privacy was important. In the latter case he was very careful, of
course, to close it; but unless he did so I had his permission to listen
to what was said. This soon became my favorite diversion, and I even
came to the office for the purpose on other days than my usual one. A
great many strange people came to consult Mr. Chelm, and I thus picked
up a stock of miscellaneous information about business matters as