"Oh, Steve," he said, seeing her in the doorway, "I am beginning to realize that I can’t talk to him any more! I can’t touch him—I can’t talk—hear his voice—see——" "Jim—_don’t_——" "The whole world is no good to me now!" cried the boy, flinging up his arms in helpless resentment toward whatever had done this thing to him. Whatever had done it offered no excuse. *CHAPTER XII.* The reading of John Cleland’s will marked the beginning of the end of the old régime for Stephanie Quest and for James Cleland. Two short letters accompanied the legal document. All the papers were of recent date. The letter directed to Jim was almost blunt in its brevity: MY DEAR SON: I have had what I believe to have been two slight shocks of paralysis. If I am right, and another shock proves fatal, I wish you, after my death, to go abroad and travel and study for the next two years. At the end of that period you ought to know whether or not you really desire to make literature your profession. If you do, come back to your own country and go to work. Europe is a good school, but you should practise your profession in your native land. Keep straight, fit, and clean. Keep your head in adversity and in success. Find out what business in life you are fitted for, equip yourself for it, and then go into it with all your heart. I’ve left you some money and a good name. And my deep, abiding love. My belief is that death is merely an intermission. So your mother and I will rejoin you when the next act begins. Until then, old chap—good luck! FATHER. To Stephanie he wrote: STEVE, DEAR: You have been wonderful! I’m sorry I couldn’t stay to see you a little further along the path of life. I love you dearly. Your aunt, Miss Quest, understands my wishes. During the two years that Jim is abroad, Miss Quest is to assume the necessary and natural authority over you. I have every confidence in her. Besides, she is legally qualified to act. It is her desire and mine that you finish college. But if you really find yourself unhappy there after the term is finished, then it is Miss Quest’s belief and mine also that you employ the period that otherwise should have spent at Vassar, in acquiring some regular and legitimate profession so that if ever the need comes you shall be able to take care of yourself. Miss Quest is inclined to think that a course in hospital training under her direct supervision might prove acceptable to you. This you could have in the institution endowed by Miss Quest at Bayport. Perhaps such a course may appeal to you more than a college education. If so, I shall not be dissatisfied. But after that if you still feel that your life’s work lies in the direction of artistic self-expression, you will be old enough to follow your own bent, and entitled to employ your opportunities toward that end. I have left you properly provided for: I leave you and Jim all the love that is in my heart.