The Delta independent., 1897-01-27
il easier.


arranging OF matters connected wit.
the estate. kept Philip so busy for the
next few days that there was no time
to indulge in painful rehearsnls Of the
approaching leavetakings. As a conf
dant in the business affair was nccss-
sary, he told his solicitor. not the exact
truth, but what he had made himself
believe to be the truth. and wns thus
enabled to keep his mother in ignorance
of his careful provision for her future.
When it came to making the will, Col.
Van Cott Who was family friend of the
| well, put in 4 word.
"You say you want to leave it all to
your mother; does that include the sum
set a,,art for q marriage settlement on
! IIelen?"
"Yes." Philip ran his hand through
his hair and then tugged nt his nous
tache. You see. it's this way" he ex-
| planned: II know that's what Helen
would wish if she could be consulted.
She has always objected to the settle
ment, and she says she will insist upon
turning it over t. my mother when it
comes into her hauds. l thought it
would simplify matters TO include 1t
with the rest"
II knew about that" replied the law
yer, taking up his pen again; ''ond so
l thought perhaps you might want to
leave it as an anchor to windward in
case your mothers property ever be-
came involved. I don't like your obsti-
macy in the matter of investments;
mean the way you both keep all your
money tied up in IInllam's bank stock"
II know that's always been IN eye
core to you, colonel. and I could never
understand just why it should be. Hal
lam is as safe as the subtreasury, and
he always pays good dividends
THAT may all be-" replied Van Cott,
testify; II don't know any thing to the
contrary; but it cuts no figure with the
principle of the thing. It's plain case
of putting all your sggr in one basket;
and that's never q good thing to do"
Philip wrestled a moment with a new
sense Of responsibility. II guess you're
right; though I never thought much
about it before. Its hardly worth
while for me TO make transfers nov,
but I'd be glad il yoc could get mother
10 do it," And the making of the will
went on without further interruption.
During these days Of preparation
Philip found 1t convenient to avoid be-
ing much alone with Helen. Since tell
ing her of his intention, he had been
besct by fear that she suspected a more
serious reason for the journey than the
one he had given her. The fear was not
wholly unfounded, for. on the following
day, Miss Morrison had gone strsiRht
TO DIR. Perevin. Fortunately for that
gentleman's reputation as a keeper Of
family secrets, he happened to be en-
gagged when she called, and SO had time
to reinforce his caution. Helen waited.
quaking. in the reception-room, losing
the vantage ground Of attack In the
same proportion that the physician
strengthened his defenses by delay.
When she was finally admitted. she
threw away her one chance OF succeed
by abandoning strategy for assault.
doctor, want you to tell me all
about Philips trouble" she began.
"why are you sending him away ? and
why won't he talk about what you told
him?"
The doctor was suavity and consid-
ersts sympathy personifed. "why. my
dear young lady, one would think that
J.
Il so remarkable that should have sug-
gested = ehsn9s Of scene and climate 2"
"N-no, suppose not; but. doctor,
please tell me why you sdviscd him To
60 alone" rrs.
II was . very sweet face. lighted by
appealing eyes Of the clearest gray, and
made altogether lovely and irresistible
by the touch Of pathetic anxiety. that
was turned toward the physician.
Moreover, Dr. Perevin hsd said nothing
about the advantages Of solitary exile.
but he stood by his patient loyalty.
ITO have sdvised him otherwise
would have been like preaching him .
sermon with the text left out What
he needs 10 out Of door life. snd that
doesn't mean . change to the diasipa-
tions Of . summer or winter resort."
The doctor paused. and then added, |
GiplomaticalIy: "And count on your |
help to make this possible; you must |
dissuads Mrs. Thorndyke " shs hes any
idea Of going with Philip"
Helen's faltsring acceptance OF the
condition imposed by this appeal ended |
the Interview. and aho left Dr. Psrevia's
ofIce with her trouble increased In in
verne proportion to the success OF her |
srrsnd. IL wanted but three days Of |
the time that Philip had set for his de-
parturc, and during this interval ths |
distress Of the man. who thought his |
knowledge was definite, was not more
real than that Of tho woman who knew |
nothing end feared everything.
From the time when his mind had |
clarified sufficiently TO allow him 10 |
grapple with the conditions Of the new
point of view. Philip had begun to dresd |
most the parting from Helen. That wss |
because the new point Of view had |
shown him, smong other things. the |