, say a year, then. If you'll buy the bond, I'll pay the
interest. I'll give you my note," Norah said, laughing.

"It is the most astonishing proposition I ever heard," growled the old
man.

"It is to help a neighbor out, and that is the best thing in life,
particularly any one so brave and bright as Miss Sarah. She would
never let us do it if she guessed, but I can tell her they are going
up steadily. I think I can manage it." Norah beamed across the table.

Whether she had won or not was difficult to tell, for Mr. Goodman rose
suddenly, buttoned up his coat, and saying he would see her the next
day, strode off without so much as good evening.

"Norah, what made you do it?" Marion exclaimed when she heard the
story. "Surely, it could have been arranged."

"I don't know. It popped into my head when I saw him. It won't do any
harm to get some of his rusty dollars into circulation. I almost
believe he will do it."

And she was right. Mr. Goodman gave her a check for a thousand
dollars, and, moreover, suggested that if Miss Sarah did not need the
whole amount at present, he could invest several hundred of it
advantageously. And this was the kindest thing Giant Despair had done
for many a year. As for Norah's scheme for paying him interest, he
only laughed at that.

Poor Miss Sarah was too ill to understand more than that the bond was
sold. She was feverishly anxious till she could put the money for his
debts into Wayland's hands. After this she grew rapidly worse, and the
outcome began to seem doubtful.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOURTH

WAYLAND

Wayland blamed himself bitterly. He could not forget the touch of
those burning fingers pressing the money into his hand. He tried to
refuse it, but his aunt whispered: "Take it, dear. It is all right. I
shall not be happy till you do." After this he had been sent from the
room and not allowed to see her again.

Old Mrs. Leigh, bemoaning Sarah's hard lot and accusing herself of
selfishness, unconsciously enlightened him as to the true state of
affairs. Wayland sincerely loved his aunt,--the only mother he had
ever known,--and he realized with shame how unworthy had been his
attitude toward her of late. While she had been struggling to make a
home for him and her old aunt, thinking and spending for him till
there was nothing left for herself, he, absorbed in his own affairs,
had been disdainful and critical, fretted by her habit of laughing at
things, annoyed by her sty