ness, and he positively
hated Mrs. Yorke. A little later he passed Ferdy Wickersham, in a long
coat and a high hat, walking up the avenue with the girl he had seen at
Mrs. Wentworth's. He took off his hat as they passed, but apparently
they did not see him. And once more that overwhelming loneliness swept
over him.

He did not get over the feeling till he found himself in Dr. Templeton's
study. He had promised provisionally to go back and take supper with the
old clergyman, and had only not promised it absolutely because he had
thought he might be invited to the Yorkes'. He was glad enough now to
go, and as he received the old gentleman's cordial greeting, he felt his
heart grow warm again. Here was Sparta, too. This, at least, was
hospitality. He was introduced to two young clergymen, both earnest
fellows who were working among the poor. One of them was a
High-churchman and the other a Presbyterian, and once or twice they
began to discuss warmly questions as to which they differed; but the old
Rector appeared to know just how to manage them.

"Come, my boys; no division here," he said, with a smile, "Remember, one
flag, one union, one Commander. Titus is still before the walls."

CHAPTER XIV

THE HOLD-UP

Keith returned home that night. He now and then thought of Lancaster
with a little misgiving. It was apparent that Mrs. Yorke was his friend;
but, after all, Alice would never think of marrying a gray-haired man.
She could not do it.

His father's pleasure when he told him of the stand he had taken with
Mr. Wickersham reassured him.

"You did exactly right, sir; as a gentleman should have done," he said,
as his face lighted up with pride and affection. "Go back and make your
own way. Owe no man anything."

Gordon went back to his little office filled with a determination to
succeed. He had now a double motive: he would win Alice Yorke, and he
would show Mr. Wickersham who he was. A visit from Squire Rawson not
long after he returned gave him new hope. The old man chuckled as he
told him that he had had an indirect offer from Wickersham for his land,
much larger than he had expected. It had only confirmed him in his
determination to hold on.

"If it's worth that to him," he said, "it's worth that to me. We'll hold
on awhile, and let him open a track for us. You look up the lines and
keep your eye on 'em. Draw me some pictures of the lands. I reckon
Phrony will have a pretty good patrimony before I'm thr