ickersham was
somehow connected with it. But he was too proud to make any further
attempt to explain it.

Accordingly, armed with the necessary papers and powers, he arranged to
go to England. He had control of and options on lands which were
estimated to be worth several millions of dollars at any fair valuation.

Keith had long been trying to persuade his father to accompany him to
New York on some of his visits; but the old gentleman had never been
able to make up his mind to do so.

"I have grown too old to travel in strange lands," he said. "I tried to
get there once, but they stopped me just in sight of a stone fence on
the farther slope beyond Gettysburg." A faint flash glittered in his
quiet eyes. "I think I had better restrain my ambition now to migrations
from the blue bed to the brown, and confine my travels to 'the realms
of gold'!"

Now, after much urging, as Gordon was about to go abroad to try and
place the Rawson properties there, the General consented to go to New
York and see him off. It happened that Gordon was called to New York on
business a day or two before his father was ready to go. So he exacted a
promise that he would follow him, and went on ahead. Though General
Keith would have liked to back out at the last moment, as he had given
his word, he kept it. He wrote his son that he must not undertake to
meet him, as he could not tell by what train he should arrive.

"I shall travel slowly," he said, "for I wish to call by and see one or
two old friends on my way, whom I have not seen for years."

The fact was that he wished to see the child of his friend, General
Huntington, and determined to avail himself of this opportunity to call
by and visit her. Gordon's letter about her had opened a new vista
in life.

The General found Brookford a pleasant village, lying on the eastern
slope of the Piedmont, and having written to ask permission to call and
pay his respects, he was graciously received by Miss Abby, and more than
graciously received by her niece. Miss Lois would probably have met any
visitor at the train; but she might not have had so palpitating a heart
and so rich a color in meeting many a young man.

Few things captivate a person more than to be received with real
cordiality by a friend immediately on alighting at a strange station
from a train full of strangers. But when the traveller is an old and
somewhat unsophisticated man, and when the friend is a young and very
pretty gi