"I mean it, little woman," said Villard, very soberly. "Well, don't tell George that, please. He likes you now, and it might turn him against you. Don't you see, dear man, he wants to make his own way in the world!" "He is right, little woman, and you are going to help him, more than he will know," replied Villard, with enthusiasm. "Well, if you just knew all about it, you'd think differently. He is so active, and so kindly, that he often steals out of his bed and cooks his own breakfast rather than awaken old lazy bones--that's me," laughed Winifred. "It won't hurt him, and it shows his affection. He'll rise in the world--all good husbands do." And so ran the days by until Villard, in sheer pity for Carver's young bride, sent her away in his car to the home that she loved. Then back to his old haunts he went straightway--to the window where the open sea came into view. From that point of vantage, somehow, he heard the voice of his old love, bidding him come--and with a prayer in his heart he lay back and died. When Updyke came down to take charge of affairs, a letter was handed to him by the weeping housekeeper--Mrs. Bond's heart seemed broken! "Don't cry," said he gently. "He's happier now than he would be on earth. There's a reason that's sacred, but you may take it from me that for years he has waited impatiently for his time to go." Seated in a deep leather chair Updyke opened the letter. It was short and to the point. It read: DEAR HENRY: My will is in the Bankers Deposit Company vault room. The enclosed release is made out in your name. You will find instructions along with the will--your name is entered as trustee, without bond. As ever, faithfully, DRURY VILLARD. And so passed from earth a man of big soul, whose wealth had not spoiled him, nor brought much joy. As trustee, Updyke soon fathomed the great heart of the man. Not one person having the least lien upon his generosity was omitted from his will. Only within the past month had Parkins' name been stricken from it--just scratched with a pen, and initialed D. V.--without giving reasons. Each servant came in for a good start in life. Dreamy Hollow was to be turned into a home for aged and infirm nurses. His business was to be divided equally between his old partners to the extent of his holdings--three-fourths of the whole. Of the individuals mentioned Updyke came first--he to have twenty thousand a year for ten years while settling the estate, and to Sawyer his watch and an annuity of five thousand a year if any misfortune should ever befall him. To Updyke's wife Mary, in token of her faithful attention to his affairs as they related to the Updyke Agency--twenty thousand dollars in cash. And last, but not least, was his legacy to Winifred Barbour Carver, "share and share alike with her good husband, George"--one hundred thousand dollars--"and an additional sum of fifty thousand to their first offspring."