“And now,� said Hulbert, in a low tone of voice, “an honest man who actually loves her, will find it very difficult to convince her of his loyalty to her.�
Wycliff glanced up quickly.
“You are an admirer of Lena?�
“Yes, but we had a break. We had a falling-out the evening you left Beauna Vista. We were watering our horses, sheltered from your sight by the hemlock bushes. I made a remark about Mr. Sharp, in connection with the church, which offended her.�
“Yes, she is very loyal to the church; but the church has hardly kept its pledges to her in her trouble. I did not know that there were any disinterested witnesses of my difference with Sharp, else I might have proceeded differently.�
“But now I must do my errand,� resumed Hulbert. “I came to see you because Miss Boardman could not come, and she wishes your advice. Zechariah Baldwin, for the Papyrus Electric Street Railway Company, has offered her three thousand dollars in settlement for her father’s death.�
“The company acknowledges its liability, then?�
“Yes; the only question is as to the amount which shall be paid.�
“Isn’t Congressman Baldwin a stockholder in the company?�
“Yes; he is the heaviest stockholder.�