yous, and in almost every mood but
this. What is it? he wonders. Eugene's eyes wander stealthily now and
then, and when she catches them a shiver goes over her.

To-night Cecil is unusually wakeful and very amusing to Mr. Murray.
They all sit on the porch and discuss business. Mr. Wilmarth is likely
to make a good deal of trouble. To-morrow, it seems, they are to meet
at the lawyer's and the matter is to be put in process of settlement.
The new partners are in haste to get to work.

At last Violet is glad to rise and bid them good evening. Mr. Murray
finally obtains a kiss from Cecil, and is triumphant over so rare a
victory.

At the top of the stairs a hand is laid on Violet's arm.

"It was fate," pleads Eugene, weakly, "and your wish. I saw it in your
eyes."

"Love her," she answers, with a convulsive shiver,--"love her with your
whole soul."

Floyd Grandon knows who entered the hall a moment ago and who now
emerges in the soft light.

CHAPTER XXVII.

You have heard with what toil Secunder penetrated to the land of
darkness, and that, after all, he did not taste the water of
immortality.--SAADI.

The three men talk late. The two young people on the porch have no
duenna, for Mrs. Grandon retired early,--indeed, she has left Miss
Murray quite to Violet, and she thinks if Eugene lets slip this chance
he will be foolish above what is written. He plays at love,--it is no
new thing for him,--but he convinces "Polly" without any actual
questions and answers that he cares for her, and the next morning there
is a delicate little triumph in her demeanor, a tender overflow of
pity, as if, after all, she might not take him, and then he would be
heart-broken.

Violet is much better. She thrusts her secret out of sight, and Floyd
is brief and business-like, something more, but he would be much too
proud to own it.

"Violet," he says, "you must go to Mr. Sherburne's with me this
morning. Your father deputed that gentleman and myself to act in your
behalf if at any time we should have an offer to dispose of his
inventions. His dream has been more than realized, and I am glad to
have it go into the hands of men who will do justice to it. I shall
also dispose of the share in the factory, and that part will be
settled."

"Eugene----" she says, with a certain tremulousness, and she cannot
keep the color out of her face. "Will he be--will----"

"I have advised Eugene to dispose of his part. He has no head, no
d