airway and out into the darkness, then bent
his rapid steps to the depot, at which he arrived half an hour before
the train was due. Remembering that excited pacing up and down there
would not be very intelligent obedience to his brother's injunctions,
he started down a country road in the direction from which the train
would come, and paced to and fro in his strong excitement. At last the
train arrived, and his first glimpse of Henry's face and Madge's
was reassuring. The moment the former saw him he called out, "Hello,
Graydon! Have you a trout supper for us?"

"Yes," was the hearty response; and he hastened forward and shook
hands cordially, saying, in an aside, "Oh, Madge! I am so glad to see
you again!"

"You are! Tell that to the marines. The length of your stay proves it
to be a fish story."

"Here, Madge, we'll put you in the stage. I'll rest myself by walking
to the house with Graydon."

"Henry, you are all right?" said Graydon, eagerly, as soon as they
were out of earshot.

"Yes," was the quiet reply; "I raised the money, paid Arnault in full,
and have a good surplus in the bank."

"Thank Heaven! How did you raise it? How has all this knowledge
reached--"

"Patience, Graydon, patience. As soon as you are in the firm I shall
have no secrets from you. Until you are, you must let me manage in my
old way."

"I have indeed little claim on your confidence. I have been deceived,
and have acted like a fool. But it's all over now. Henry, you may
not believe me, but my nonsense would have ended to-night if I hadn't
received your letter, and all this had not occurred. I had been
disgusted with this Arnault business for some time, and had let Miss
Wildmere know my views. As I thought it over while away it all grew
so detestable to me that I resolved, if Arnault appeared again and
renewed his attentions, I would never renew mine. He's here again, as
you may have seen."

"Oh, yes; and I have talked with him. Please show no resentment. I
obtained my information in a way unknown to him, and there is nothing
unusual in our transaction on its face. How was it that you began to
grow critical toward Miss Wildmere?"

"Well, I don't mind telling you. There was not a ring of truth or
a stamp of nobility about her words and manner, and I have been
associating with a girl who is truth itself and twice as clever and
accomplished. Miss Wildmere was growing commonplace in contrast. I
learned to love Madge as a sister befor