“Well, if so much depends upon my decision—if I hold the fate of two such important people in my hands, I shall be obliged to say, we will go to California and be happy. But,” she added, laughing, “I warn you both beforehand that I shall not be easily satiated; I shall want to go everywhere and see everything. Yes; we will go home and rest a week, then turn our faces toward the ‘golden gate,’ and—‘westward, ho!’” CHAPTER XXXII. “I PROMISE.” On returning to New York, Star learned that Ralph Meredith had sailed for Europe a couple of days before their arrival. The week that they had promised themselves for rest at home proved to be a busy one instead, for considerable preparation was necessary for the long journey they were contemplating, as it was to occupy three or four months. Star was glad to be at home again, and went flitting about the house, full of business and life. One day they were out making a few necessary purchases, when suddenly, in one of the stores, they came upon Mr. Richards. He looked aged and care-worn, neglected and unhappy. His face lighted with momentary pleasure, however, when he caught sight of Mr. Rosevelt and Star, and he came forward to greet them with extended hand. “I cannot tell you how glad I am to see you once more,” he said, heartily. “I am not going to reproach you either for running away from us, for, unpleasant as it is for me to say it, I could not blame you under the circumstances. But it is only within a week or two that I have learned of the change in your life; and, Uncle Jacob, I am sincerely glad that you did not lose your fortune, as we supposed.” “Thank you. Then you do not feel aggrieved over the ruse I played upon you?” replied Mr. Rosevelt, regarding him searchingly. “Not at all; it was no more than right that you should wish to know who was worthy to be your heir,” but he sighed heavily as he spoke, as he remembered how unworthy his wife had proved herself to be. “How goes the world with you?” Mr. Rosevelt asked, and noticing the return of the care-worn look to Mr. Richards’ face. “Rather discouragingly just now. I have met with some pretty heavy losses lately; don’t know whether I shall be able to pull through all right or not. A couple of weeks will tell the story, however.” He spoke in a desperate tone, and there was a look in his eyes that made Star shudder and involuntarily draw closer to Mr. Rosevelt. “You don’t mean that you are in danger of going under?” he said, in surprise, and remembering how his wife and daughter had flourished at Newport.