sessed imagination sufficient to guess what
these public events must mean to the father of Abel. Indeed, Estelle
certainly suffered more for Raymond than he suffered for himself. She
pictured poignantly his secret thoughts and sorrows at this challenge,
and she could guess what it must be to have a child who hated you. In
her maiden mind, however, the man's emotions were exaggerated, and she
made the mistake of supposing that this grievous thing must be
dominating Raymond's existence, instead of merely vexing it. In truth he
suffered, but he was juster than Estelle, and, looking back, measured
his liabilities pretty accurately. He had none but himself to thank for
these inconveniences, and when he weighed them against the alternative
of marriage with Sabina, he counted them as bearable. Abel tried him
sorely, but he did not try him as permanent union with Abel's mother
must have tried him. Since he had renewed speech with her, his
conviction was increased that supreme disaster must have followed
marriage. Moreover, there began to rise a first glimmer of the new
situation already indicated. It had grown gradually and developed more
intensely during his days of enforced idleness in his aunt's house. From
that time, at any rate, he marked the change and saw his old regard and
respect for Estelle wakening into something greater. Her sympathy
quickened the new sentiments. He thought she was saner over Abel than
anybody, for she never became sentimental, or pretended that nothing had
happened which might not have been predicted. Her support was both human
and practical. It satisfied him and showed him her good sense.

Miss Ironsyde had often reminded her nephew that he was the last of his
line, and urged him to take a wife and found a family. That Raymond
should marry seemed desirable to her; but she had not considered Estelle
as a wife for him. Had she done so, Jenny must have feared the girl too
young and too doubtful in opinions to promise complete success and
safety for the master of the Mill. He would marry a mature woman and a
steadfast Christian--so hoped Miss Ironsyde then.

There came a day when Raymond called on Mr. Churchouse. Business brought
him and first he discussed the matter of an advertisement.

"In these days," he said, "the competition grows keener than ever. And I
rather revel in it--as I do in the east wind. It's not pleasant at the
time, but, if you're healthy, it's a tonic."

"And if you're not, it