ceed," he
taunted.

Winthrop shook hands with him, smiling, "Don't blame me," he said, "I
did my best. I'm glad to see you in such good spirits, Mr. Hallowell. I
feared, by the Despatch--"

"Lies, lies," interrupted Hallowell curtly. "You know Judge Gaylor?"

As he shook hands, Winthrop answered that the Judge and he were old
friends; that they knew each other well.

"Know each other so well!" returned the Judge, "that we ought to be old
enemies."

The younger man nodded appreciatively. "That's true!" he laughed, "only
I didn't think you'd admit it."

With light sarcasm Mr. Hallowell inquired whether Winthrop was with them
in his official capacity.

"Oh, don't suggest that!" begged Winthrop; "you'll be having me indicted
next. No sir, I am here without any excuse whatsoever. I am just
interfering as a friend of this young lady."

"Good," commented Hallowell. "I'd be sorry to have my niece array
counsel against me--especially such distinguished counsel. Sit down,
Helen."

Miss Coates balanced herself on the edge of a chair and spoke in cool,
business-like tones, "Mr. Hallowell," she began, "I came."

"Mr. Hallowell?" objected her uncle.

"Uncle Stephen," Miss Coates again began, "I wish to be as brief as
possible. I asked you to see me today because I hoped that by talking
things over we might avoid lawsuits and litigation."

Mr. Hallowell nodded his approval. "Yes," he said encouragingly.

"I have told Mr. Winthrop what the trouble is," Miss Coates went on,
"and he agrees with me that I have been very unjustly treated--"

"By whom?" interrupted Hallowell.

"By you," said his niece.

"Wait, Helen," commanded the old man. "Have you also told Mr. Winthrop,"
he demanded, "that I have made a will in your favor? That, were I to
die tonight, you would inherit ten millions of dollars? Is that the
injustice of which you complain?"

Judge Gaylor gave an exclamation of pleasure.

"Good!" he applauded. "Excellent!"

Hallowell turned indignantly to Winthrop. "And did she tell you also,"
he demanded, "that for three years I have urged her to make a home in
this house? That I have offered her an income as large as I would
give my own daughter, and that she has refused both offers. And what's
more"--in his excitement his voice rose hysterically--"by working
publicly for her living she has made me appear mean and uncharitable,
and--"

"That's just it," interrupted Miss Coates. "It isn't a question of
charity.