“The story of the estrangement of two partners and your mysterious inheritance is one not fully known to me, but you can cherish the memory of James Garston as one faithful to the trust of a stormy past, whose echoes I beg you never to awaken.
“Should your beloved mother marry Senator Alynton, one of America’s noblest men, you would find his counsels wise, his honored name a shelter, and your securely invested fortune, of course, now makes you independent of all possible financial disaster.
“The same caution holds as to Mrs. Katharine Vreeland, who has already left New York for a protracted sojourn abroad.
“There are sorrows which are sacred. It rests with you alone to bring back the happiness which she craves to your mother’s sorely tried heart.” The old gentleman paused, for the proud girl’s cheeks were glowing.
“Shall we be allies?” he simply said. “I have served your mother, the noblest woman whom I ever met, in loyalty for fifteen long years.” The grateful girl smiled through her tears.
“There is my hand!” Romaine Garland cried. “I see that you would have me understand why my mother does not openly explain to society my different name and my clouded childhood. You require my silence as to the past.”
“Precisely, my dear young lady,” said the gallant old lawyer, as he fled happily away. “I have plausibly explained what I do not care to know myself, Conyers!” remarked the Judge, next day, to the grave-faced journalist. “But the whole thing will right itself when Senator Alynton marries the mother. I presume after her return from their trip abroad that Elaine Willoughby will find her final heart-rest in a good man’s love.”
But when Endicott had finished his cogitations he was alone, for Hugh Conyers had hastily excused himself on the plea of urgent business.
Endicott honestly believed that Garston had only held back Romaine’s property to prevent a marriage with Alynton.
Mr. James Potter, driving down the avenue a few days later, bowed with deep respect to Mrs. Elaine Willoughby, who was passing, with her lovely daughter seated by her side. He turned to his wife, whose face was averted.