wing whether it really
paid or not. I know there were bad debts--a lot of them; but I am quite
ignorant of the state of affairs. I have only one hope, sir, which I
trust will not be disappointed'--

'Well?' inquired the lawyer steadily, when the young man stopped
hesitatingly.

'That there will be something left for Miss Gladys. That has troubled me
ever since the master took ill.'

'You may set your mind at rest, then. Miss Graham will be a rich woman.'

Walter looked incredulous at these words.

'A rich woman?' he repeated,--'a rich woman? Oh, I am glad of it!'

His face flushed, his eye shone, with the intensity of his emotion. He
was very young, but these signs betrayed an interest in the fate of
Gladys Graham which stirred a vague pity in the lawyer's heart.

'Yes, a rich woman; and you are not forgotten. There is a will, which,
however, Miss Graham desires shall not be read till after the funeral;
but there is no harm in telling you a part of its contents which
concerns you. Mr. Graham had the very highest opinion of your character
and ability, and though he may not have seemed very appreciative in
life, he has not forgotten to mark substantially his approval. You are
left absolutely in control of this business, with the power to make of
it what you will, and there is a legacy of five hundred pounds to enable
you to carry it on.'

Walter became quite pale, and began to tremble, though he was not given
to such exhibitions of nervousness.

'Oh, sir, there must be some mistake, surely,' he said quickly. 'It
cannot be true.'

'It is quite true, and I congratulate you, and wish you every success.
There are very few young men in similar circumstances who have such an
opportunity given them. I hope you will be guided to use both means and
opportunity for the best possible end. I shall be glad to be of any
service to you at any time. Do not scruple to ask me. I mean what I
say.'

'You are very kind.'

They were commonplace words, but spoken with an earnest sincerity which
indicated a deeper feeling.

Mr. Fordyce looked round the large dingy warehouse with a slightly
puzzled air.

'Who would think that there was so much money in this affair?' he said
musingly. 'But I suppose it was carried on at very little expense. Well,
the poor old man had little pleasure in life. It was a great mistake. He
might have blessed himself and others with his means in his lifetime. It
is strange that the young lady should a