"I didn't at first," her brother confessed, "fearing that it would not have your sympathy. Many poor people invested their entire savings in the oil deal, supposing that father's firm could be relied upon to be absolutely honest. It is their money, much of it, which is making the rich men richer. Our father, knowing that many had invested their all because they trusted his personal integrity, has turned over his entire fortune to make up their losses, as far as it will go." Dan was sorry he had to make this explanation, for he saw at once the hard expression returning to the eyes of his sister. "If our father has greater consideration for the poor of New York than he has for his own children, you can not expect me to express much sympathy for him." "Dear girl, wouldn't you rather have our father honest than rich?" The lad's clear grey eyes looked at her searchingly. Jane put her hand to her forehead as though it ached. "Oh, Dan," she said, wearily, "you and father have different ideals from what I have, I guess. I never really gave any thought to these things. I like comfort and nice clothes and I hate, hate, hate drudgery and work of every kind. I suppose now I shall have to scrub for a living." Jane was recalling what the working girl on the ferry had said. Dan's amused laughter rang out. "Oh, Jane, what nonsense. Do you suppose that while I have a strong right arm I would let my little pal work in any of those drudgery ways? No, indeed, so forget that fear, if it's haunting you." But the boy could say no more, for another violent coughing spell racked his frail body. Instantly Jane was self-reproachful. "Oh, Dan, Dan," she said, "I know you would give your very life to help me. I'm so selfish, so very selfish! I'm going to think of only one thing, and that is how I can help you to get well, for I can see now that you must have been ill." The boy took advantage of this momentary tender spell to turn and take the girl's hands in his and say imploringly: "Dear, we're almost home. If you really want to help me to get well, be loving and brave to Dad. Your unhappiness grieves me more than our loss, little girl, and I can't get strong while I am so worried." There were again tears in the beautiful dark eyes of the girl, and impulsively she kissed the one person on earth whom she truly loved. "Brother, for your sake I'll try to be brave," she said with a half sob as the hack stopped in front of their home. CHAPTER IV. A SAD HOMECOMING