really not be
half so bad as they seemed, but it was against his own personal
opinion, consequently it was unconvincing, and Eileen was not
deceived.

"It isn't any good, boy!" she remarked sadly, as they sat together.
"It is just as bad as it can be. Everything he has is held as security
by the bank. He is in it also with property in Vancouver, Victoria,
New Westminster and Prince Rupert. I have gone through it--and it is
absolutely hopeless. There is nothing left for him in honour to do but
to assign everything. This house and ranch is all that will be left,
because it was made over to me over a year ago--but it will have to
go, too."

"Oh, no, it won't! They can't touch it if it is yours."

"Phil, boy!--do you think I would hold it if daddy owed a cent? Shame
for you!"

"But I tell you, dearie, it would be madness to throw this place in.
It wouldn't save your dad any, for it isn't nearly enough."

Eileen simply shook her head sadly.

"It is no good! If I let this go, it will mean so much less that poor
daddy will owe. And that will be something, after all.

"Eileen Pederstone means to be able to hold her head up, and she could
never do it if she clung on to this."

"Have you any idea how much he would require to tide things over,
Eileen?"

"I am not sure, but with this place sold even at a sacrifice, maybe a
hundred thousand dollars more might stop the gap till the pendulum
swings back a little. And--it might not! It might simply be throwing
good money after bad."

"Eileen,--Jim and I have made two hundred and fifty thousand dollars
between us in cold cash. It is in the bank, thanks to you and the
promise you got me to make when we started in. Half of that money is
mine. I don't require it. Won't you let me come into this; it means
you and me anyway in the finish. Your father can secure me in any way
he likes. My money would satisfy the bank's claim and steady his
holdings. Won't you let me do this for you and your father?"

"And leave you with a lot of unsaleable property instead of hard cash?
No, Phil,--absolutely no! And if you make this offer to my dad, it
will mean the end for you and me, for I could never feel otherwise
towards you than that I had in some way been bought."

"Eileen!" remonstrated Phil, hurt at her words.

She burst into tears and hid her face on his shoulder.

"Oh,--I just can't bear it. I hardly know what I have been saying. I
didn't mean it quite that way, Phil. But you mus