ends of Candace's and mine. She will have money in
her own right, is handsome and well educated. I thought you might be
satisfied there."

"But I don't care for her money nor anybody else's. Nobody but Marjie
will ever suit me," I cried.

"So I saw when I looked at you two in church yesterday. It was a
revelation, I admit; but I took in the situation at once." And then more
affectionately he added: "I was very proud of you, Phil. You and Marjie
made a picture I shall keep. When you want my blessing, I have part of
it in the strong box in my safe. All I have of worldly goods will be
yours, Phil, if you do it no dishonor; and as to my good-will, my son,
you are my wife's child, my one priceless treasure. When by your own
efforts you can maintain a home, nor feel yourself dependent, then bring
a bride to me. I shall do all I can to give you an opportunity. I hope
you will not wait long. When Irving Whately lay dying at Chattanooga he
told me his hopes for Marjie and you. But he charged me not to tell you
until you should of your own accord come to me. You have his blessing,
too."

How good he was to me! His hand grasped mine.

"Phil, let me say one thing; don't ever get too old to consult your
father. It may save some losses and misunderstandings and heart-aches.
And now, what else?"

"Father, when O'mie seemed to be dying, Le Claire told me something of
his story one evening. He said you knew it."

My father looked grave.

"How does this concern you, Phil?"

"Only in this. I promised Le Claire I would see that O'mie's case was
cared for if he lived and you never came back," I replied. "He is of age
now, and if he knows his rights he does not use them."

"Have you talked to O'mie of this?" he asked quickly.

"No, sir; I promised not to speak of it."

"Phil, did Le Claire suggest any property?"

"No, sir. Is there any?"

My father smiled. "You have a lawyer's nose," he said, "but fortunately
you can keep a still tongue. I'm taking care of O'mie's case right now.
By the way," he went on after a short pause. "I sent you out on an
errand Saturday. That's another difficult case, a land claim I'm trying
to prove for a party. There are two claimants. Tell Mapleson is the
counsel for the other one. It's a really dangerous case in some ways.
You were to go and spy out the land. What did you see? Anything except a
pretty girl?" My face was burning. "Oh, I understand. You found a place
out there to stand, and now you