ible enough to believe something
beside silk admissible. And though men may cling to superannuated coats,
with an affection most commendable in hard times, I never heard of a
woman being attached to an old gown."

"I never thought of it," he admitted frankly.

"That is what you were put in the world for,--to think," and she smiled
with quaint humor. "Invent something. I'll take a sample to every store
to match, and lift my brows in surprise when clerks confess they have
not seen it. Give it a pretty name, of course."

"That is worth considering, surely;" and his eyes sparkled. "Hope Mills
ought presently to be the grandest place in the country, you take so
much interest in it," and his whole face expressed his admiration.

"I do hope to see you a successful manufacturer, Mr. Darcy; and,
woman-like, I want the scheme to succeed. I should like to see even a
small party of men trained to honesty and fair play. And, if I lose my
money, it is no worse than a downfall in stocks."

"I shall do my best now and ever," he answered heartily.

They parted with much warm gratitude on the honest fellow's side. He
took the evening train for home; and his mother had a good cup of tea
awaiting him, along with her smile. He related his grand good luck, and
there were not two happier people in all Yerbury. When the bank found he
had an account at New York, and a good backer, they were extremely
affable again.

Jack broached the new idea to Winston and Cameron.

"To be sure," admitted Winston. "Some one will do it presently, and we
might get the lead. Darcy, your old lady is a trump, and always carries
the honors. There will have to be some new processes: see here, talk to
Ben Hay about it; he's made two or three improvements, and has some
brains. Gad! It'll be quite jolly to have a new line of goods. Get the
ladies on your side, and you're all right!"

He had not a spare moment until after his late supper, when he told his
mother he must run over to the Lawrences, and stop a moment at the
doctor's, though he had despatched the good news to him in the morning.

He found matters worse than he had feared. There had been an alarming
change in Miss Lawrence. Martha ushered him through the hall to the
library, where Fred was sitting. The two clasped hands, and then sat
down together. A hard, dry sob seemed to tear its way up from Fred's
very soul.

"Jack," he cried in a strained, despairing tone, "could I have done any
thing to sav