gh principles, his mother's lawyer had persuaded
her into a most precarious investment. For two years, a large part of
her fortune trembled uncertainly on the edge of a precipice. She
believed that her son required less a girl with high principles of
living, than a girl with principles represented by quarterly dividends.
Breckenridge would not make a success as a man without means. But as I
said--'the best-laid plans of mice and men!'

"Oh, well, perhaps you read the story. Most unfortunate. It was in the
papers. It nearly broke me. A law-suit on the eve of my son's marriage
to Miss Gale Oliphant. After I had successfully brought the affair to
the desired climax too! Oh, most unfortunate!

"The suit was brought by a creature who had no claims. Put up to it by
unscrupulous lawyers of no repute. We paid the money that she asked to
hush up the notoriety of the affair, but not before the mischief of
breaking off the relations with Miss Oliphant had been nicely
accomplished. That was over a year ago. My investments have proved
successful. Gale is married to a man twice her age. Breckenridge is
still in England."

"And what's become of the girl you didn't approve of?" I asked lightly,
threading my needle. I was sewing that day.

"The girl with the high principles?" Mrs. Sewall queried. "I don't
know," she said distinctly, slowly. "I don't know, I wish I did. If you
should ever run across her, tell her to come and make herself known to
me, please. I've something to say."

"I will," I said, carefully drawing the thread through my needle and
making a knot. "If I ever run across her. I doubt if I do. I've learned
that _that_ girl has gone on a long journey to a new and engrossing
country."

"Oh? I must send a message to her somehow then. Come here, my dear. Come
here. I've got my glasses caught."

I laid down my work and crossed over to Mrs. Sewall. It was true. The
chain was in a knot. I untangled it.

"How deft you are!" she exclaimed softly. "Thank you, dear. Thank you."
Then she put her cold white fingers on my arm, and patted it a little.
She smiled very sweetly upon me.

"My private secretary pleases me better every day!" she said.

CHAPTER XXII

THE PARADE

I didn't tell Lucy that I was with Mrs. Sewall. I had my mail directed
to Esther's college club. I rather hated to picture the terrible curses
that Edith would call down upon my head when she heard that I was
occupying a position which she would