tter with you, dear?" inquired Rose, surprised at the
sudden change in Cora.

But before she could be answered the door opened and old Aaron Rockharrt
came in, looking weary and careworn.

"How have you amused yourselves to-day?" he inquired of the two young
women.

Cora was slow to speak, but Rose answered discreetly:

"I do not think we either of us did much but loll around and rest from
our journey."

"Not been out?"

"No; I did not care to do so; nor did Cora, I believe."

Dinner was served. Afterward the evening passed stupidly.

Aaron Rockharrt sat in the large arm chair and slept. Cora, looking at
him, thought he was aging fast.

As soon as he waked up he bade his companions good night and went to his
apartment. The two others soon followed his example.

As this day passed, so passed the succeeding days of their sojourn in
the city.

Mr. Rockharrt went out every morning on business connected with that
great scheme which was going to quadruple his already enormous wealth.
He came home every evening quite worn out, and after dinner sat and
dozed in his chair until bedtime.

Cora watched him anxiously and wondered at him. He was aging fast. She
could see that in his whole appearance. But what a strange infatuation
for a man of seventy-seven, possessed already of almost fabulous wealth,
to be as hotly in pursuit of money as if he were some poor youth with
his fortune still to make! And what, after all, could he do with so much
more money? Why could he not retire on his vast riches, and rest from
his labors, leaving his two stalwart sons to carry on his business, and
so live longer? Cora mournfully asked herself.

On Sunday a strange thing happened. Old Aaron Rockharrt announced at the
breakfast table his intention of going to a certain church to hear a
celebrated preacher, whose piety, eloquence and enthusiasm was the
subject of general discussion; and he invited the two ladies to go with
him. Both consented--Cora because she never willingly absented herself
from public worship on the Sabbath; Rose because it was her cue to be
amiable and to agree to everything that was proposed.

"We need not take a carriage. The church is only two blocks off," said
Mr. Rockharrt, as he arose from the table.

The party was soon ready, and while the bell was still ringing, they set
out to walk. As they reached the sacred edifice the bell ceased ringing
and the organ pealed forth in a grand voluntary.

"You see we