"She has just graduated from some college in the North. Her father and mother went to be with her in the closing exercises and will bring her home today."
The subject of this conversation was Dorothy Page, whose palatial home was next door to the home of the Sterlings. The two families had become friends as well as neighbors.
"Come over this evening, Sterling, and help me to celebrate the arrival of the family," called out Roland Page from his porch.
Sterling agreed.
At half past eight o'clock, as he entered the library of the Page home, he looked upon what seemed to him the most beautiful girl his imagination had ever pictured. He knew in a moment that he was a captive. As he walked down the front steps after his visit he felt sure that an epoch in his life had occurred.
"A splendid young fellow!" remarked Mr. Page after Sterling had left. "Although he is only twenty-nine years of age, he has in his own right a cool two million-dollar fortune. He inherited it from his father and he himself is one of the most progressive business men in the state and seems bent on using his fortune for the good of society."
"He was very quiet," remarked Dorothy.
Mr. Page's statements concerning Sterling were very true. He might have added that Sterling was an elder in the Presbyterian church and was one of its most devoted members.
Sterling found his mother in the sitting-room on his return home that night.
"Well, son," she said, "how do you like your new neighbor?"