“At all events, let me hear it.” “He said if he had not been so helpless he would have added a codicil to his will, and given Ear—Mr. Wayne something handsome to start in life with, when his three years should expire——” “Aha!” “And he made me promise that I would settle ten thousand dollars upon him just as soon as he should be free, and at the same time return his package to him.” “Ten thousand dollars!” exclaimed Sumner Dalton aghast. “Yes, sir.” “I don’t believe it, Editha Dalton. It is more like a sickly, sentimental fancy of your own,” was the excited retort. Mr. Dalton was furious at the thought. Ten thousand dollars of Editha’s fortune to be given away to a beggar and a criminal! “Papa!” “I do not believe it, I say! Such a monstrous proceeding could never have originated in the brain of a sane man.” “Papa, was I ever guilty of telling you a falsehood?” the young girl demanded, turning upon him, all the pride of her nature aroused by his words. “Not that I know of; but——” “Then do not dare to accuse me of it now. I am telling you only truth, and the wishes of a dying man. Uncle Richard’s wishes in this respect are sacred to me, even if my own heart and my friendship for Mr. Wayne did not prompt me to do him this little kindness out of my abundance.” “Little kindness! It would not take very many such _little kindnesses_ to make a beggar of yourself,” sneered Mr. Dalton, wrathfully. “I pledged myself to execute this wish just as soon as Earle’s time expires, and I shall fulfill my pledge to the letter,” Editha returned, somewhat proudly. “Not if I know it, Miss Dalton. Such folly—such rashness, I could never allow you to be guilty of.” “Papa,” she began, pleadingly, her face full of pain, her eyes full of tears, “why are you so changed toward me lately? You and I are all that are left of our family. We have no near relatives; we are almost alone in the world. Do not, _please_ do not, let there be any estrangement, any disagreement between us.” Mr. Dalton’s face softened for the moment. “Certainly not, my dear,” he replied, adopting his usual fond tone and manner, “there need be no estrangement, no disagreement, if you will be reasonable; but, of course, I cannot allow you to squander your money in the way you propose doing.” “My money! How came it mine? Whose was it before it became mine?” “Richard Forrester’s, of course,” he said, with some uneasiness. “Yes; and before it became mine he reserved this ten thousand to be given to Earle. Surely he had a right to do with his own as he would.” “Very true; but you forget—his will was made years ago, giving you _everything_.” “He did not know Earle then; but he _said_ if he could only have the use of his hands, he would have added a codicil to his will in his favor.” “But he did _not_ do it. The will stands just as it always has, and he can claim nothing. No part of your fortune is _legally_ his.”