"I wish you joy, Mrs. Wallingford," he began. (She had taken her old name.) "I have the pleasure of announcing to you that I have this morning completed the sale of our rocks in the upper part of the city, where the new park is being laid out; and shall be able to put down to your share, one quarter of a million of dollars." She gazed in his face with an incredulous smile but when he added: "Our grandfather's speculation has resulted exactly as he expected. New York city can be enlarged only in one direction. He foresaw the result; land would rise in the upper part of the city,—he purchased those few acres of rocks for a small sum; convinced it was a safe investment; now after forty years it has yielded a profit almost fabulous." "Oh, Edward, if Paul were only here to share it with me!" was Gerty's exclamation. "My little Paul will be heir to my portion," the lawyer went on. "You ought to marry, Edward," said Gertrude, earnestly. "Not till I can find a wife who will love me in spite of my faults, as my deluded sister did a most unworthy man," he answered with a heightened color. "I know of one who would do all that," was her arch reply; "and now that you will have more money than you will know what to do with, I advise you to make a visit to Chicago at once." "Time enough for that. You know I don't approve of marrying too young. But now to business! Mr. Van Husen has been a rare guardian, faithful to your interests in every particular. He is getting old to be sure, and intends to give up some of his business; but you would find no one so useful as he, to manage your estate. He has been figuring for this sale ever since your marriage, and is immensely pleased that it took place before he resigned your property into your own hands, with so large an increase." "You must manage for me, Edward. If you think it best I shall consent of course. I know one thing I shall do." "What?" "Have a church and pastor here, in our village. Wouldn't it be splendid if we could persuade Dr. Gilbert to come?" "I claim the right to pay half the expenses in such a project," was the lawyer's reply; "but I must run back to New York, if Hannah will give me a lunch. I shall engage Mr. Van Husen to assist me in investing my share of money and will carry your request too." "Yes, and say he must pay himself well; for I may prove a troublesome client, always wanting a draft; for Edward, we must remember God has only made us stewards for him; and we must render an account for every dollar we spend. Think in New York city alone, how much good may be done!" CHAPTER XVI. THE TRAVELLERS. ANY one who had only seen Mrs. Wallingford on her marriage, would scarcely have recognized her, when at the age of twenty-four she stood on board the deck of the good steamer Asia about to sail for Liverpool. Near her, with a huge shawl wrapped around him, sat her brother Edward; and just opposite their dearly loved pastor Dr. Gilbert, and Marion.