And, in fact, Jim--aided perhaps by the caution and frugality taught him by his past life--was making instead of spending money. He was buying a great deal of land, and his investments were turning out well. There was no danger of the fortune, hoarded so carefully by their aunt, growing any smaller in his hands; so he was content, though he would make a great show of growling, because he and little Clinton were left so much alone. But he would smoke his pipe in high good humor with the world for all that. There was the most perfect confidence existing between this brother and sister, as there was indeed between all three. Jim had entire control of the large estate, and the greater part of it stood in his name. Yet he intended it all for Norine and little Clinton. Norine never interfered with him in the management of the property; and he in turn took care that there should always be a balance at Norine’s bankers sufficiently large to render her independent in her expenditure. He had offered once to make an accounting of his trust to his sister and Conway, but they would not listen to him; so he had gone on with his buying and selling, using the large estate as if it had been all his own. There was only one thing that Jim could see that could ever change this--that was the possibility of his marriage. Then, of course, a division of the estate would be necessary. But he had no present intention of getting married, and “sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.” I think they all enjoyed this last summer at the little farm. It was a time of intense enjoyment to both Conway and Norine. But if the time passed pleasantly for them all, it also passed rapidly; and the time for parting came before any of them realized it. They were to depart early this summer, for there were preparations to be made--not only for the wedding--but also for a long absence from home. So when the cool air of September began to tint the leaves of the scrub oaks, and the big red barn was filled to overflowing with the bountiful crops, Norine and her brother returned to New York. “The parting will not be for long,” said Conway, as he held his love in his arms for the last time. “You will soon be with me for all time. Ah, Norine, you do not know the value of this love that you have given me!” “Why is my love of more value than yours?” she said simply. “I love you, and I value your love above everything else.” “And you will be glad to be my wife?” And then Norine looked at him with her grand brown eyes overflowing with love and confidence. “I shall be very glad,” she answered softly; and Conway knew it was so. After they had really gone, Doctor Conway plunged into his work. He had his preparations to make as well as they, and he had idled through the summer until the time was getting short.