ntended for me. He broke a solemn compact. Now he has made the
situation absolutely impossible. I shall not act as trustee of this fund,
and I shall not use a penny of the fortune 'as I see fit,' Judge
Hollenback. There must be some other channel into which all this money can
be diverted without--"

"There is no provision, sir, as I said before," said Judge Hollenback
testily. "It can only be released by an act of yours. That is clear, quite
clear."

"Then, I shall find a way," said Braden resolutely. "I shall go into court
and ask to have the will set aside as--"

"That's it, sir, that's it," came an eager voice from an unexpected
quarter. Wade was leaning forward in his chair, visibly excited by the
prospect of relief. "I can testify, sir, that Mr. Thorpe acted
strangely,--yes, very queerly,--during the past few months. I should say
that he was of unsound mind." Then, as every eye was upon him, he subsided
as suddenly as he had begun.

"Shut up!" whispered Murray, murderously, bending over, the better to
penetrate his ear. "You damn fool!"

Judge Hollenback indulged in a frosty smile. "Mr. Wade is evidently
bewildered." Then, turning to Braden, he said: "Mr. Dodge's advice is
excellent. Think the matter over for a few days and then come to see me."

"I am placed in a most unhappy position," said Braden, with dignity. "Mrs.
Thorpe appreciates my feelings, I am sure. She was led to believe, as I
was, that my grandfather had left me out of his will. Such a thing as this
subterfuge never crossed my mind, nor hers. I wish to assure her, in the
presence of all of you, that I was as completely ignorant of all this--"

"I know it, Braden," interrupted Anne. "I know that you had nothing to do
with it. And for that reason I feel that you should accept the trust that
is--"

"Anne!" cried out Braden, incredulously. "You cannot mean it. You--"

"I do mean it," she said firmly. "It is your greatest justification. You
should carry out his wishes. He does not leave you the money outright. You
may do as you please with it, to be sure, but why should you agree with
Simmy that it may be converted solely to your own private uses? Why should
you feel that he intended you to have it all for your own? Does he not set
forth explicitly just what uses it is to be put to by you during your
lifetime? He puts you on your honour. He knew what he was about when he
overruled Judge Hollenback's objection. He knew that this trust would be
sa