set.' It is very amusing," Alice continued, "to hear Patience
soliloquize about it and construct the whole drama.

"But you cannot say, Philip, that you are not warned (!) and you know
that Patience is almost a prophet in the way she has of putting things
together. Celia was here recently looking after the little house that
has been rented ever since the death of her mother. I never saw her look
so well and handsome, and yet there was a sort of air about her as if
she had been in public a good deal and was quite capable of taking care
of herself. But she was that way when she was little.

"I think she is a good friend of yours. Well, Phil, if you do ever
happen to see that Evelyn in the opera, or anywhere, tell me how she
looks and what she has on--if you can."

The story had not specially interested Philip, except as it was
connected with Brad's newspaper prospects, but letters, like those
referred to, received from time to time, began to arouse a personal
interest. Of course merely a psychological interest, though the talk
here and there at dinner-tables stimulated his desire, at least, to see
the subject of them. But in this respect he was to be gratified, in the
usual way things desired happen in life--that is, by taking pains to
bring them about.

When Mr. Brad came back from his vacation his manner had somewhat
changed. He had the air of a person who stands on firm ground. He felt
that he was a personage. He betrayed this in a certain deliberation of
speech, as if any remark from him now might be important. In a way he
felt himself related to public affairs.

In short, he had exchanged the curiosity of the reporter for the
omniscience of the editor. And for a time Philip was restrained from
intruding the subject of the Mavick sensation. However, one day after
dinner he ventured:

"I see, Mr. Brad, that your hit still attracts attention." Mr. Brad
looked inquiringly blank.

"I mean about the millionaire heiress. It has excited a wide interest."

"Ah, that! Yes, it gave me a chance," replied Brad, who was thinking
only of himself.

"I've had several letters about it from the country."

"Yes? Well, I suppose," said Brad, modestly, "that a little country
notoriety doesn't hurt a person."

Philip did not tell his interlocutor that, so far as he knew, nobody in
the country had ever heard the name of Olin Brad, or knew there was such
a person in existence. But he went on:

"Certainly. And, besides, there i