t time, told her of
the engagement, explaining that his previous silence had been due to
Albert's request that the affair be kept a secret for the present.
Olive, even in the depth of her sorrow, was greatly impressed by the
grandeur of the alliance.

"Just think, Zelotes," she exclaimed, "the Fosdick girl--and our Albert
engaged to marry her! Why, the Fosdicks are awful rich, everybody says
so. Mrs. Fosdick is head of I don't know how many societies and clubs
and things in New York; her name is in the paper almost every day, so
another New York woman told me at Red Cross meetin' last summer. And Mr.
Fosdick has been in politics, way up in politics."

"Um-hm. Well, he's reformed lately, I understand, so we mustn't hold
that against him."

"Why, Zelotes, what DO you mean? How can you talk so? Just think what it
would have meant to have our Albert marry a girl like Madeline Fosdick."

The captain put his arm about her and gently patted her shoulder.

"There, there, Mother," he said, gently, "don't let that part of it fret
you."

"But, Zelotes," tearfully, "I don't understand. It would have been such
a great thing for Albert."

"Would it? Well, maybe. Anyhow, there's no use worryin' about it now.
It's done with--ended and done with . . . same as a good many other
plans that's been made in the world."

"Zelotes, don't speak like that, dear, so discouraged. It makes me
feel worse than ever to hear you. And--and he wouldn't want you to, I'm
sure."

"Wouldn't he? No, I cal'late you're right, Mother. We'll try not to."

Other letters came, including one from Helen. It was not long. Mrs. Snow
was a little inclined to feel hurt at its brevity. Her husband, however,
did not share this feeling.

"Have you read it carefully, Mother?" he asked.

"Of course I have, Zelotes. What do you mean?"

"I mean--well, I tell you, Mother, I've read it three time. The first
time I was like you; seemed to me as good a friend of Al and of us as
Helen Kendall ought to have written more than that. The second time I
read it I begun to wonder if--if--"

"If what, Zelotes?"

"Oh, nothin', Mother, nothin'. She says she's comin' to see us just as
soon as she can get away for a day or two. She'll come, and when she
does I cal'late both you and I are goin' to be satisfied."

"But why didn't she WRITE more, Zelotes? That's what I can't
understand."

Captain Zelotes tugged at his beard reflectively. "When I wrote Fosdick
the other day,"