ession to her sorrow. She
had hoped that after her sister's death his home would still be with
them. This, not from any weak sentimentality or any thought that he
would ever be aught than as a brother to her, but because his very
presence in the home was refreshing, helpful, comforting, and because it
was a joy to be near him, to hear him talk, and to minister to his
comfort. But he was going from them, as she well knew, never to return,
and beneath the brave, smiling face she carried a sore and aching heart.

Thus John Britton bade the East farewell and turned his face towards the
great West, mindful only of the grave under the elms, to which the river
murmured night and day, and with no thought of return until he, too,
should come to share that peaceful resting place.

_Chapter XXXIV_

A WARNING

Spring had come again and Walcott's probationary year with Mr. Underwood
had nearly expired. For a while he had maintained his old suavity of
manner and business had been conducted satisfactorily, but as months
passed and Kate Underwood was unapproachable as ever and the prospect of
reconciliation between them seemed more remote, he grew sullen and
morose, and Mr. Underwood began to detect signs of mismanagement.
Determined to wait until he had abundance of evidence with which to
confront him, however, he said nothing, but continued to watch him with
unceasing vigilance.

Mr. Underwood, though able to attend to business, had never fully
recovered from the illness of the preceding year. His physician advised
him to retire from business, as any excitement or shock would be likely
to cause a second attack far more serious than the first; but to this
Mr. Underwood would not listen, clinging tenaciously to the old routine
to which he had been accustomed. Kate, realizing her father's condition,
guarded him with watchful solicitude from every possible worry and
anxiety, spending much of her time with him, and even familiarizing
herself with many details of his business in order to assist him.

In the months since Darrell's return east Kate had matured in many ways.
Her tall, slender form was beginning to round out in symmetrical
proportions, and her voice, always sweet, had developed wonderfully in
volume and range. She had taken up the study of music anew, both vocal
and instrumental, devoting her leisure hours to arduous practice, her
father having promised her a thorough course of study in Europe, for
which she was