pleased and flattered by his gracious manner. She was, however, more
critical toward him than her daughter was.

General Keith soon discovered Gordon's interest in the young girl. It
was not difficult to discover, for every moment of his spare time was
devoted to her in some way. The General observed them with a quiet smile
in his eyes. Now and then, however, the smile died out as he heard
Gordon expressing views which were somewhat new to him. One evening they
were all seated on the verandah together, and Gordon began to speak of
making a fortune as a high aim. He had heard Mrs. Yorke express the same
sentiments a few days before.

"My son," said his father, gently, looking at him with grave eyes, "a
fortune is a great blessing in the hands of the man who knows how to
spend it. But riches considered as something to possess or to display is
one of the most despicable and debasing of all the aims that men
can have."

Mrs. Yorke's eyes opened wide and her face hardened a little. Gordon
thought of the toil and patience it had cost him to make even his little
salary, and wealth appeared to him just then a very desirable
acquisition.

"Why, father," he said, "it opens the world to a man. It gives such
great opportunities for everything; travel, knowledge, art, science,
power, the respect and esteem of the world, are obtained by it."

Something like this Mrs. Yorke had said to him, meaning, kindly enough,
to encourage him in its pursuit.

The old General smiled gravely.

"Opportunity for travel and the acquirement of knowledge wealth
undoubtedly gives, but happily they are not dependent upon wealth, my
son. The Columbuses of science, the Galileos, Newtons, Keplers; the
great benefactors of the world, the great inventors, the great artists,
the great poets, philosophers, and statesmen have few of them
been rich."

"He appears to have lived in another world, mamma," said Alice when he
had left. "He is an old dear. I never knew so unworldly a person."

Mrs. Yorke's chin tilted a little.

"Now, Alice, don't you be silly. He lives in another world now, and
certainly, of all the men I know, none appears less fitted to cope with
this world. The only real people to him appear to be those whom he has
read of. He never tried wealth."

"He used to be rich--very rich. Don't you remember what that lady told
you?"

"I don't believe it," said Mrs. Yorke, sententiously.

Alice knew that this closed the argument. When her mo