“Yes!––even in that,” she answered. “Why,––you can 315 see that happen every day. Men whom young ladies actually repulse at first, often attract these same ladies in the end by their devotion, determination and singleness of purpose, and they gain the love they seek in the end, too.”
“But that must just be destiny.”
“I don’t know. If you mean by destiny, that if a man strives all that is in him to attain a laudable object or ambition, and allows of no permanent rebuffs, but comes back at it, again and again––the result is absolutely certain and he need have no worry as to the ultimate success, because it is up to him to use and develop his talent, but the result is with his Creator who first gave him his talent to work on and first prompted his ambition for the materially hidden but ultimate good of the Universe––then I agree with you:––it is destiny.”
After she spoke, Phil and she glided on in silence, for both felt somehow that they had been verging on a new understanding, as it were––a sixth sense––a tuning up and a telepathic communication with the Infinite.
Tears started in Eileen’s eyes which Phil did his best to banish.
“Oh,––I know I am foolish,” she said. “Sometimes I feel so strong; at other times so––so feminine. It is my dear, old daddy I worry over, Phil. He is not what he used to be before he got mixed up with this political crowd, with Mayor Brenchfield, with all these land schemes he has afoot. He used to be just my dear old daddy: now I seem to be losing him. That––that is why I have insisted on going with him to Victoria.”
“I am sorry––very, very sorry, Eileen! If I could help, I would, gladly. Brenchfield I know is far from straight. He is educated, wealthy, influential, smooth,––but he is crooked.”
“What do you know of Graham Brenchfield?” she 316 asked suddenly. “When was it that you met him before coming here? What did he do to you? That time you met in my little home up on the hill was not your first acquaintance.”
Phil was completely taken aback by the suddenness of her query, and he did not answer.
Eileen laid her hand over his.