Judge Endicott, with a prophetic instinct, saw the unrest which possessed the young girl’s heart. He had a delicate duty to perform, to which his chivalric love for Elaine Willoughby prompted him.
“I must, my dear young lady,” he began, eyeing
her face keenly, “deal with you directly and alone, in the matter of your inheritance from the late Senator Garston.
“Your beloved mother needs an absolute repose of mind and nerves. I wish to lay a friendly charge upon you.
“I will relieve you of all cares as to your affairs with the Trust Company.
“Let it be your task to make your mother’s life as bright as possible. She will learn to live a new life in your love.”
And then, the silver-haired Judge delicately led the dark-eyed girl along to imagine the shadow of an old family tragedy as having darkened her mother’s early lonely womanhood.
“There are reasons why you should spare all references to—”
“My father! my father!” cried the sobbing girl, burying her face in her hands.
Endicott gazed at her in a pitying silence.