ange currents and uncharted reefs--whoever leaves the
traveled path must run the danger of destruction. Warwick was a
lawyer, however, and accustomed to balance probabilities.

"He may easily be in Patesville a day or two without meeting her. She
will spend most of her time at mother's bedside, and he will be
occupied with his own affairs."

If Tryon should meet her--well, he was very much in love, and he had
spoken very nobly of birth and blood. Warwick would have preferred,
nevertheless, that Tryon's theories should not be put to this
particular test. Rena's scruples had so far been successfully
combated; the question would be opened again, and the situation
unnecessarily complicated, if Tryon should meet Rena in Patesville.

"Will he or will he not?" he asked himself. He took a coin from his
pocket and spun it upon the floor. "Heads, he sees her; tails, he does
not."

The coin spun swiftly and steadily, leaving upon the eye the impression
of a revolving sphere. Little Albert, left for a moment to his own
devices, had crept behind his father and was watching the whirling disk
with great pleasure. He felt that he would like to possess this
interesting object. The coin began to move more slowly, and was
wabbling to its fall, when the child stretched forth his chubby fist
and caught it ere it touched the floor.

XII

TRYON GOES TO PATESVILLE

Tryon arrived in the early morning and put up at the Patesville Hotel,
a very comfortable inn. After a bath, breakfast, and a visit to the
barbershop, he inquired of the hotel clerk the way to the office of Dr.
Green, his mother's cousin.

"On the corner, sir," answered the clerk, "by the market-house, just
over the drugstore. The doctor drove past here only half an hour ago.
You'll probably catch him in his office."

Tryon found the office without difficulty. He climbed the stair, but
found no one in except a young colored man seated in the outer office,
who rose promptly as Tryon entered.

"No, suh," replied the man to Tryon's question, "he ain't hyuh now.
He's gone out to see a patient, suh, but he'll be back soon. Won't you
set down in de private office an' wait fer 'im, suh?"

Tryon had not slept well during his journey, and felt somewhat
fatigued. Through the open door of the next room he saw an inviting
armchair, with a window at one side, and upon the other a table strewn
with papers and magazines.

"Yes," he answered, "I'll wait."

He enter